Wisht Maen - No 1 - 1993 Winter

Magazine Overview

Title: Wisht Maen
Subtitle: Devon Earth Mysteries Magazine
Issue: No 1
Date: Winter 1993

This inaugural issue of Wisht Maen, a magazine dedicated to exploring the ancient sites and Earth Mysteries of Devon, aims to fill a perceived gap in accessible information. The editors express a hope that the magazine will stimulate and support readers' own awareness and enquiry into these subjects. The publication is grounded in an innate attraction to Devon's ancient sites and Earth energies, offering a paradigm for connecting fragmented knowledge and ideas.

Editorial Stance and Content

The editorial notes that local mainstream media often views 'New Age' travellers as a threat, contrasting this with the magazine's focus on concerns about the environment, quarrying, privatization, and land occupation. The editors are heartened by the response from people concerned with current issues and inspired by Devon's coasts and countryside. The magazine hopes to develop a network through seminars and meetings in the New Year, offering access to information at cost or free.

Featured Articles and Themes

Brentor - Hill of Vision

Authored by Paul Broadhurst, this article recounts a personal experience of witnessing a unique sunrise from Brentor fifteen years prior. The author describes a strong urge to visit the summit at Mayday sunrise, feeling a powerful inner compulsion to honour the Sun and Earth. The experience is described as transporting, with heightened senses and a palpable energy. The sunrise itself was a remarkable spectacle, with the sun appearing above the horizon as a glowing crescent. The author also touches upon the St Michael Line and its connection to Beltane sunrise.

Crop Circles in Devon (1990-1993)

Pete Glastonbury details the phenomenon of crop circles in Devon, noting a peak in 1991 followed by a decrease. He attributes the increase in reported circles partly to groups making their own to fool researchers, while asserting that the phenomenon is more complex than it appears. Glastonbury recounts his own research, including experiments with music in 1990, and traces lines of energy connecting various crop circle sites to ancient mounds, tumuli, Iron Age enclosures, and ancient yew trees. He notes a recurring pattern of circles appearing near churches dedicated to St Mary. The article also discusses a specific incident involving a sound heard during a night-time meditation in a crop circle, which was later found to correspond to a newly formed circle.

The Omphalos of Devon

This article explores the concept of the 'Omphalos' or sacred centre of the world, and how it applies to specific regions. It references ancient Greek, Babylonian, and Muslim traditions. Several potential sacred centres in England are mentioned, including High Cross, Royston, Dunstable, Lichfield, Croft Hill, and Meriden. Cornwall's omphalos is identified as Lanivet. For Devon, the area around Kings Nympton is suggested as a favourite, based on graph measurements. However, the article focuses significantly on Belstone Tor as a strong candidate for Devon's omphalos, citing dowsing results and its connection to the St Michael ley. The article also mentions Spinsters Rock as another potential candidate and invites reader suggestions.

The Matter of Britain

William Saxton discusses the legend of King Arthur in relation to Dartmoor. He explores three aspects of Arthur: the mercenary leader, the chivalric founder of the Round Table, and an underworld figure. The article notes various place names on Dartmoor associated with Arthur, such as King's Barrow and King's Way. It touches upon the myth of Arthur's conception and his connection to the 'Summer King' and 'Green Man' archetypes. The concept of 'Underworld' or 'Otherworld' is explored, along with its association with ancient sites and rituals, including the re-awakening of mazes for kings. The article also briefly mentions the 'Matter of France' and 'Matter of Rome' as related legendary cycles.

Prehistoric Carvings Discovered?

This piece reports on the discovery of paired 'breast' carvings on stones at Scorhill, near Dartmoor, by Calum MacIntosh. These carvings, found on the outside of at least four stones, are in high relief and are distinct from typical cup-marks. The author notes their presence in Brittany, where barren women would rub against them for fertility. The article suggests that these markings might indicate a male and female pairing of stones at Scorhill, possibly signifying the presence of a Goddess. The author expresses surprise at not having noticed these carvings before, despite previous visits to the site.

Wistmans Wood

This article, by Nicola Sellars, is mentioned as being featured on the front cover. No further details are provided in the table of contents or visible text.

The Fairies

Iris Andrews contributes an article on fairies. The table of contents lists this as a feature, but no specific content is visible in the provided scans.

Other Content

• Editorial: A brief introductory piece.
• Book Reviews: Mentioned in the contents, but no specific reviews are visible.
• Exchange Magazines & Ads Listings: A section for listings.
• Skills and Energy Sharing Week: An advertisement for a week-long event in Devon from December 24-31, 1993, offering various activities like singing, dancing, massage, and discussions.
• Subscriptions: Information on how to subscribe to Wisht Maen.
• Artwork Credits: Details of artists whose work is featured in the magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Wisht Maen revolve around the ancient history, folklore, and mysterious phenomena of Devon. There is a strong emphasis on Earth energies, sacred sites, and the connection between the land and its inhabitants, both past and present. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded, investigative stance, encouraging readers to engage with these topics and contribute to ongoing research. The editorial stance is supportive of alternative perspectives and critical of mainstream media's portrayal of 'New Age' travellers, positioning the magazine as a platform for exploring less conventional aspects of local history and mystery.

Title: Wisht Maen
Issue: 1
Date: April/May 1994
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro Publications
Focus: Earth Mysteries, Folklore, Ancient Sites, Mythology, Paganism.

This inaugural issue of Wisht Maen, a magazine dedicated to Earth Mysteries and related topics, prominently features Wistmans Wood, a unique ancient oak grove on Dartmoor. The magazine's name itself, 'Wisht Maen', is a combination of the old Devon word 'wisht' (meaning eerie, uncanny, haunted) and the Celtic word 'maen' (stone), reflecting the mystical and ancient themes explored.

Wistmans Wood: A Place of Mystery and Legend

The lead article delves into Wistmans Wood, described by Rev. Samuel Rowe in 1848 as a "greater curiosity in sylvan archaeology" with an "almost unearthly" aspect. Tristram Risdon, an antiquary, first mentioned it in 1605 as one of Dartmoor's "three remarkable things." The wood, covering 4 acres, is characterized by gnarled, stunted oaks growing among massive granite boulders, covered in ferns and mosses. It is believed to be the oldest natural oak copse in England, dating back to the Norman Conquest, with the current trees being around 200 years old.

Owned by English Nature and the Duchy of Cornwall, Wistmans Wood is a tranquil and fascinating feature. The article notes that similar woods, Black Tor Beare and Piles Wood, lie in an almost straight line across the moor. These woods are considered exceptional and possibly the last remaining examples of groves destroyed by early tinners and iron smelters. Wistmans Wood's isolation, due to difficult terrain and large boulders, likely contributed to its preservation.

Historically, the interior of the wood was almost impenetrable due to tangled branches and dense vegetation. Early antiquarians were convinced it was a sacred oak grove, a theory often dismissed by later writers. However, the presence of natural features and the wood's isolation suggest a place of veneration. The article also touches upon the fear of reptilian monsters and serpent worship, possibly linked to ancient beliefs.

Shirley Wallis's experience of using psychoexpansion to visit the wood remotely before a physical visit suggests it was used by Mithraic/Druidic peoples as a purifying center around 400-500 AD. She describes an "inverted force field" and a sense of isolation, likening it to a "world within our world" where only certain people were allowed.

Conversely, some individuals, like local historian Paul Rendell, find Wistmans Wood unsettling, experiencing symptoms such as weakness and dizziness. Others report feelings of sadness and loneliness, with a notable absence of birdsong.

The Wood and the Wish Hounds

Legend associates Wistmans Wood with the devil and his 'Wish or Wisht Hounds,' said to hunt human souls. The Saxons believed it was the home of Odin and his Wild Hunt. The article connects this to the idea of the hunter and the spirit of the hunted, which became Christianized into the devil hunting for souls. The Dewerstone, a nearby rock formation, is also linked to the devil and the legend of the Wild Hunt.

The Name 'Wisht Maen'

The name 'Wisht Maen' is explored, with 'wisht' meaning eerie or uncanny, and 'maen' meaning stone. The magazine's preference for 'Wisht Maen' over the Celtic 'Maen Wisht' is noted. Other linguistic suggestions include Celtic origins related to "stony wood by the water" or "wood of the Celts" (foreigners to the Saxons). It is also suggested that it could mean "Wood of the Wisemen," implying a sacred Druidic grove.

Scorhill Carvings and Dartmoor Patterns

Another article discusses carvings found on stones at Scorhill, a site on Dartmoor. The author expresses difficulty in getting archaeologists to confirm the carvings' origins, noting they are weathered and may be naturally occurring or human-made. Similar carvings from a passage-grave in Brittany suggest a potential connection to Brittany tribes who may have settled on Dartmoor. Alternative explanations for the markings include constellation plans or 'ley maps' representing local alignments.

Cheryl Straffon's article, "Dartmoor: The Pattern of the Stones," examines the numerous ancient sites on Dartmoor. She proposes that these sites—hut circles, settlements, stone circles, stone rows, and cairns—are often deliberately grouped, suggesting a pattern related to Neolithic and Bronze Age societies. Examples like Shovel Down and Hingston Hill illustrate how these sites are interconnected, with stone rows leading to circles and outliers, and alignments possibly related to astronomical cycles or ritualistic purposes. Devereux's suggestion that stone rows might be spirit paths for the dead or for shamans is also mentioned.

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• Haunted Dartmoor: A Ghost Hunters Guide by R. W. Bamberg: A guide to haunted sites, explaining legends and superstitions, such as the giant of Scorhill being a distorted folk-memory of ritual sacrifice.
• Pagan Cornwall: Land of the Goddess by Cheryl Straffon: Explores the continuity of Goddess tradition in Cornwall, using archaeological research, folklore, and legend.
• Dragon Slaying Myths: Ancient & Modern by Bob Trubshaw: Examines the symbolism of dragons in church windows and questions the interpretation of dragons as solely representing 'forces of evil'.
• The Celtic Collection by The Pleiades: A collection of poems described as beautifully written but not strictly Celtic, with poems being reprints.

Fairies and Earth Energies

An article by Iris Andrews discusses the presence of fairies, linking their memories to legend, myth, and human experience. It suggests that fairies and humans interact on a spirit plane and that fairies, being androgynous and free from 'normal' human activities, have become associated with other small beings like pixies and dwarfs. Their survival in the human-affected atmosphere requires remarkable resources. Encounters with fairies are often reported from remote areas like moorland and forests. The article notes that these presences have a different vibration from animal life and can be sensed by sensitive individuals.

Exchange Mags & Ads

A section lists various related publications and organizations, including pagan journals, Earth Mysteries magazines, and local Dartmoor groups such as the Dartmoor Preservation Association and SCAN (Society for the study of cryptozoological anomalies).

Future Issues and Editorial Stance

Issue 2 is announced to cover Bridestowe, the Sacred Centre at Bow, and the Military on Dartmoor. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploration and open-minded inquiry into ancient mysteries, folklore, and the natural landscape, particularly of Dartmoor, encouraging reader participation and feedback.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Wisht Maen establishes a clear focus on Earth Mysteries, ancient British traditions, folklore, and the mystical aspects of the natural landscape, particularly Dartmoor. Recurring themes include the spiritual significance of ancient sites (Wistmans Wood, stone circles, rows), the presence of unseen entities (fairies, Wish Hounds), and the interpretation of myths and legends through an Earth Mysteries lens. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, seeking to connect ancient beliefs and practices with the contemporary landscape, encouraging readers to share their experiences and insights. There is a clear appreciation for the numinous qualities of places like Wistmans Wood and a critical engagement with conventional archaeological and historical interpretations.