Touchstone - No 099 - 2012 10

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 99
Date: October 2012
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone details the Society of Leyhunters' Moot held in Pembrokeshire, Wales, from September 8th to 14th, 2012. The moot, led by Gerald Frawley and driven by John Rhodes, focused on exploring the region's rich prehistoric landscape and its associated ley lines.

The Pembrokeshire Moot: A Journey Through Prehistory

The week-long expedition involved visiting numerous significant sites. The first destination was Tremaenhir, near Caerwen, known for its standing stones, including a 6-foot high bluestone with three faces and other stones in a hedge and by a gate. Information from 'Archaeologia Cambrensis' and the 'Megalithic Portal' website was utilized.

Following this, the group attempted to locate St. David's Well, reputedly where the saint's tears fell, but found no trace of the well despite the presence of streams.

Coastal and Multi-Church Ley Exploration

The tour continued to the double-chambered tomb at St. Elvis Farm, described as badly damaged but with chambers aligned north-west to south-east. This tomb is noted as being on a multi-church ley line originating from St. David's Cathedral, passing through various churches and a motte.

In St. Davids, Britain's smallest city, the Cathedral and its historical context were explored. The Cathedral, built on the site of a sixth-century monastery, is part of another ley line. The group also visited St. Non's Chapel and Well, the traditional birthplace of St. David.

Whitesands Bay and Coetan Arthur

On Monday, the group visited Whitesands Bay and a burial chamber and settlement on the hill above. They encountered wild grey ponies and explored Coetan Arthur, a cromlech near St. Davids Head. This monument is described as an 'earthfast' type with a capstone attached to the hillside. The shape of the horizon was noted to mirror the stone's shape, resembling a reclining woman.

Ley Lines and Neolithic Activity

A ley line, approximately 15 paces wide, was dowsed from Coetan Arthur, passing through Carn Llidi, noted for 'Neolithic activity', and other locations. The day concluded at Porthclais Harbour, an ancient harbour with lime kilns, where evidence of Roman use was found. A local kiosk attendant mentioned numerous UFO sightings in the area, linking to Peter Paget's book 'The Welsh Triangle' which documents UFO events in the late 1970s.

The Altar, Colston and Garn Turne

Tuesday began with a visit to Little Newcastle, then The Altar at Colston, which lies on the west-running ley from Coetan Arthur. Folklore attributes these monuments to local saints or King Arthur. The group then proceeded to Garn Turne, featuring a 60-ton capstone, the largest in south-west Wales, with a forecourt of uprights and a prostrate stone.

Parc-y-llyn and Bluestone Discoveries

Further exploration included the Parc-y-llyn burial chamber, noted for its collapsed capstone and quartz lumps. A ley line was identified between Garn Turne and Parc-y-llyn. The group then moved to the Preseli hills to visit an erected bluestone, one of two carried by a Chinook helicopter in 1989, intended to mark the origin of Stonehenge bluestones.

Gors Fawr Stone Circle and Bluestone Quarry

In Mynachlog-ddu, the Gors Fawr stone circle, a Type B flattened circle of 16 bluestones, was visited. Outliers to the north-north-east mark the midsummer sunrise. The issue also details the discovery of spotted dolerite at a bluestone cliff, the same type found at Stonehenge, currently being excavated by the Dafydd Archaeological Trust.

Pentre Ifan and Nevern Church

Tuesday's visits concluded with Pentre Ifan, a spectacular monument with a tilted capstone. The group then visited Nevern Church, known for its 'bleeding yew', and examined the Nevern Cross and the Vitalianus Stone, dating from the 10th and 5th centuries respectively. The Henllys Chapel contains inscribed stones, including the Maglocunus Stone.

Carreg Coetan Arthur and St. Mary's Well

Wednesday's final site was Carreg Coetan Arthur, a cromlech with an acutely angled capstone. The group also visited St. Mary's Well, part of the Gors Fawr to Fishguard Gorsedd Circle ley, noting its flowing water and arched well cover.

Parc-y-meirw Stone Row and UFO Sightings

The search for a recumbent inscribed stone led to the Parc-y-meirw stone row, described as the longest in Wales. A ley line was identified that passed through this site and crossed another ley line at Broadmoor. This ley was linked to a recumbent prehistoric stone at Haven Fort Hotel, mentioned in 'The Welsh Triangle' in connection with UFO sightings, including hovering craft and visible occupants.

Carn Ingli and Sacred Associations

The group undertook a long walk to Carn Ingli, the 'Mountain of the Angels', the last of Robin Heath's vesica points visited. The mountain has ancient sacred associations, with legends of St. Brynach climbing its summit. The issue also mentions a former 'mountain railway' used for transporting stone.

Finger-Raising Experiment and Carreg Sampson

Back at Newton West Farm, an experiment involving lifting a person with minimal effort using finger pressure was conducted. On Friday, the last day of the moot, Carreg Sampson burial chamber was visited, described as 'the grave of Sampson's finger', referencing a legend of St. Sampson lifting a capstone with his little finger.

Ffyst Samson and Strumble Head

Another Samson-named cromlech, Ffyst Samson, was visited, situated on a mound. A ley line was identified passing through it and the Fishguard Gorsedd Circle. The issue concludes the site visits with a trip to Strumble Head, a rocky headland offering views and known for cetacean sightings, particularly porpoises.

Book Review: The Monolith

A review of 'The Monolith, All Saints' Church, Rudston, East Yorkshire' by W.W. Gatenby is included. The book discusses the Rudston Monolith, Britain's tallest menhir, and its connection to the conversion of local people to Christianity, referencing biblical texts and Thor Heyerdahl's work.

Roman Roads and Leys

An article explores the connection between Roman roads and ley lines, suggesting that Roman roads often coincide with or consist of straight sections that align with leys. Examples are given of Roman roads in England that intersect with known ley lines.

Web Sites and Further Resources

A list of relevant websites for earth mysteries research is provided, covering topics such as ley lines, ancient stones, and UFO sightings. Information is also given for 'Meynmamvro', a resource for ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall.

Other Publications and CD-ROMs

Details are provided for several publications and a CD-ROM related to earth mysteries and ley lines:

• The Hidden Unity and Beginnings: Discusses subconscious siting of ley points and earth energy detection.
• Earth People, Space People: Details claims of extraterrestrial contact and evidence for life in the Solar System.
• The Legacy of Tony Wedd: A CD-ROM of Tony Wedd's exhibition on flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.

Touchstone itself is described as the newsletter of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, with subscription details provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient sites, particularly megalithic monuments and stone circles, and the investigation of ley lines and their significance. There is a strong focus on prehistoric landscapes and their potential connections to ancient beliefs and practices. The magazine also acknowledges and reports on phenomena such as UFO sightings, suggesting an open-minded approach to unexplained events within the context of earth mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent research and exploration of these interconnected subjects, drawing on historical texts, archaeological findings, and personal dowsing experiences.