Touchstone

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 108
Date: January 2015
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone delves into the fascinating intersection of ancient art, local folklore, and earth mysteries, with a particular focus on the unique dragon sculptures of Wells Cathedral and the groundbreaking research into 'leys' by Alfred Watkins.

The "Green Man" Dragons of Wells Cathedral Porch

The lead article explores the enigmatic sculptures adorning the north porch of Wells Cathedral in Somerset. These are not typical dragons; they possess the bodies of dragons with claws and wings, but are crowned with distinct human heads. The article notes that each head is different, some featuring moustaches, curly hair, horns, pointed caps, or even elf-like ears. The ledges emanating from their mouths are described as being in the style of 'Green Man' fronds, with their bodies merging into curving foliate stems. These dragons bear a resemblance to those depicted on the cover of 'The Spine of Albion', representing serpentine energy currents. The sculptures are dated between 1174 and 1230, a period coinciding with Bishop Jocelin of Wells.

Bishop Jocelin and the Dragon Legend

The issue connects the Wells Cathedral dragons to local folklore, specifically the legend of Bishop Jocelin of Wells. While Bishop Jocelin was a significant figure, known for his role in sealing the Magna Carta and overseeing the construction of the cathedral's West Front, a legend suggests he also slew a dragon. This story, documented in Higden's Polychronicon, tells of a deadly dragon with a human-like face that lurked in his park near Wells. Jocelin is said to have defeated it single-handedly. Another tradition, associated with the nearby village of Dinder, recounts how a dragon plagued the people by eating their children and livestock. Bishop Jocelin was called upon to defeat this dragon around 1240. The legend dictates that the event must be reenacted every fifty years to prevent the dragon's return, with the last such reenactment occurring in November 2001, involving a crafted dragon effigy.

Symbols and Ley Lines

The dragon motif is further explored through its presence in Dinder's church of St. Michael and all Angels, where a two-headed stone dragon was found embedded in the walls, dating back to Norman times. Dragon heads also appear on house roofs and family crests. The article mentions a crozier belonging to Bishop Jocelin, adorned with dragons, featuring St. Michael slaying a dragon. The concept of 'leys' is introduced, described as ancient trackways running west-east along the cathedral nave and beyond, connecting significant prehistoric sites. The article notes that St. Michael Line grazes the edge of a circular earthwork and connects to other ley centres.

Alfred Watkins and the Discovery of Leys

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the work of Alfred Watkins, the pioneer of ley hunting. His discovery of 'leys' is detailed, stemming from his observation of straight lines on maps connecting various ancient sites, including hill-top sighting points, tumps, moats, ponds, churches, and standing stones. Watkins proposed that these were primitive trackways laid out by sighting methods, intended for the transport of necessities. The article describes how ley hunters use a straight edge against marked points on a map to identify these lines. Examples of 'ley' names are given, such as Ley Farms and Wyaston Leys. The evolution of 'tumps' (earth mounds) and 'cuttings' as sighting points is also discussed, along with the use of 'mark stones'.

Hereford Trackways and Ancient Sites

The article details specific 'Hereford Trackways', including sighting tumps at various locations, some now demolished. It highlights that churches are often situated on leys, sometimes at the crossing of two leys, suggesting they were chosen as significant sighting points. The concept of 'Traders' Roads' is also introduced, with a specific example of a salt ley from Droitwich to various manors and ultimately to White Castle.

Personal Accounts of Ley Hunting

Several personal accounts of ley hunting experiences are shared. Tony Wedd recounts his early interest, inspired by the Glastonbury Zodiac and Alfred Watkins' work. His first ley hunt involved identifying a solitary Scots pine tree as a 'mark' on Hampstead Heath, leading him to a nearby tumulus. He theorized that leys were marked by specific trees (pines on high ground, hawthorns on lower ground) and double plantings around tumuli. The article also mentions the first 'moot' (an outdoor gathering) for ley hunters at Risbury Camp in 1971, attended by Allen Watkins, son of Alfred Watkins.

Philip Heselton shares his experiences, including a trip to Avebury with the Pendragon Society, where he noted skyline clumps of trees and theorized that ley points marked magnetic currents, similar to those identified by Aime Michel in UFO sightings. He also describes climbing Silbury Hill and observing the prehistoric landscape.

Another account details a trip to West Kennet Long Barrow, described as a place of worship rather than a tomb. The author also recounts winning a 'Roving Reporter' competition with a report on the Avebury trip.

Other Articles and Features

• The circle that never was: Discusses a reported new stone circle in Cumbria that was apparently never built, despite lottery funding.
• Wondering lonely in cloud cuckoo land: A piece by Patrick Mulchrone, reflecting on the potential use of a proposed stone circle site.
• Films on YouTube: A list of links to earth mysteries-related videos.
• Meyn Mamvro: An advertisement for a publication focusing on ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall.
• Book and CD-ROM Reviews/Advertisements: Several items are advertised, including:
• 'The Hidden Unity and Beginnings' by J. Goddard, exploring subconscious siting and earth energy.
• 'Earth People, Space People' by Tony Wedd, detailing extraterrestrial contact claims.
• 'The Legacy of Tony Wedd' CD-ROM, illustrating his research on flying saucers and landscape energies.
• Subscription details for Touchstone newsletter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of ancient mysteries, folklore, and the natural landscape, particularly through the lens of 'earth mysteries' and 'ley hunting'. The magazine promotes the idea that ancient sites and natural features are interconnected through invisible energy lines or 'leys'. There is a strong emphasis on the research and discoveries of Alfred Watkins, and the ongoing work of contemporary researchers like Tony Wedd and Philip Heselton. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting research, personal accounts, and historical legends without necessarily offering definitive conclusions, but rather encouraging further exploration and understanding of these phenomena.