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We had a slight misfortune with last months Newsletter. The grey blob on page 8 was actually a rather nice picture of Lodge Park. You’ll just have to imagine it I’m afraid.
Last month’s AGM went off nice and quickly and without any problems. The existing committee members were all willing to continue, and we had a very welcome offer from Deb Fine to help out whenever needed. Her offer was gratefully received and she will probably be giving a hand on the stall at outside events.
The society has just had another “Special Access” visit to Stonehenge. Shaun had booked the one-hour slot before sunset, which often results in spectacular skies at this time of year.
However, the evening, though dry, was overcast and misty, so no sunset but a very ethereal almost mystical effect.
Whether the normal earth-energies that are dowsable at Stonehenge were affected by the recent severe volcanic eruptions in China, the almost full moon, or the recent excavations by archaeologist within the circle, is anybody’s guess, but the entire place was buzzing, particularly inside the circle. I think all the dowsers present found this, and it’s not often you get a couple of dozen dowsers all agreeing on anything! I’m sure you will have all heard the old saying – “ask three dowsers and you’ll get four opinions!”
The energies were so strong that a couple of members had to keep going outside the circle as they felt disorientated. One lady found a strange feature on a photo she had taken on her digital camera – odd light-spots and a white line. The camera had operated quite normally on the previous and subsequent photos. Did anybody else find an unusual result with their cameras?
I think we all enjoyed the experience, once again, and we were lucky on this occasion as the guards let us in about 15 minutes early, giving a bit extra for our money. Our allocated time was up all too soon and it was back to reality once more. S.C.
This was a repeat attempt to dowse the White Horse at Uffington and also Wayland’s Smithy. Last year we had planned it for the same month and it turned out to be the day the country got flooded, causing us to go to plan B, looking at old churches instead.
This year we managed to at least manage half of plan A. The morning was very wet and there had been some talk of thunderstorms, so, mindful of the members’ safety, we decided to leave the White Horse for another occasion, and to check out a couple of interesting churches nearby, hoping to get to Wayland’s, Smithy after lunch, when the weather was due to improve.
This worked out quite well, thanks to Jill, who knows lots of interesting little old churches in out-of-the-way places.
The first church we went to was at Little Coxwell. It was locked and we did not have enough time to track down the keyholder, but it was in an almost secret, attractive location down a tiny lane. The exterior of the building, and the lovely old Yew tree in the churchyard suggested that the rest of the church was interesting enough to return at a later occasion, making arrangements to get the key.
The second church was at nearby Shellingford, and this one we were able to go into, after waiting a few minutes for the service to finish. This also proved to be very interesting, several members were particularly struck by the stained glass, which was very subtly coloured, and a number of other attractive features. One or two unusual tombs in the churchyard, too.
Lunch was booked at the pub in nearby Woolstone. The food was extremely good, the staff friendly and the break gave us a chance to dry out. Suitably refreshed we made our way to Wayland’s Smithy. A few people were about, but the poor weather meant that this often busy site was unusually quiet. This was fine by us, the rain had dwindled to a very light drizzle so we were able to get on with a spot of dowsing. Here, as at Stonehenge, there were a few extremely “buzzy” spots, particularly under some of the more distorted trees on the left of the front of the barrow.
Despite the rain, I think every one enjoyed the trip, lets hope there is better weather to come for the long weekend trip to Hereford, which should have taken place, all being well, by the time you get this newsletter.
The next normal Sunday field trip will by in July, to the Ludgershall area – full details in next month’s journal.
May saw the return of one of our regular speakers, local Crop-formation research specialist, Francine Blake.
Francine is well-known in this area and far beyond, for her painstaking research into crop-circle formations both locally and in other parts of the world. She had just returned from giving a series of lectures on the Continent, in French, and was just getting back into English-speaking mode.
The talk she gave was about the meaning and interpretation of the ancient symbols which are an increasing feature of the crop-formation phenomenon, and Francine is well qualified to explain ancient symbols, having studied them for many years after leaving art college.
The photographs she used to illustrate the talk were stunning, as usual, although she finds it increasingly difficult to obtain film for her camera and sometimes has to resort to the use of a digital one. Some of her calendars were on sale and she very kindly donated one for an extra raffle prize, which was eagerly snapped up by the winner. [No pun intended - honest!]
Last year the formations were much later starting than usual but this year’s crop, [sorry again!], have already begun to appear, the first was in early May.
Thanks to Francine for another excellent, thought-provoking and interesting talk.
If anyone would like to find out more about the Wiltshire Crop Circle Study Group the contact phone number is 01380 739966.
Their annual conference weekend, at which the WDS runs brief dowsing lessons and lays out a labyrinth, takes place this year on August 9th and 10th. The conference usually has a number of lectures, workshops, merchandise stands, etc. and is quite a big event, taking place for the last few years in the lecture halls and grounds of Marlborough College.
Full information from the phone number above.
Yellow crystals resonate with the solar plexus chakra, assisting with calming the mind and balancing emotions and intellect. They are associated with the planet Mercury. Gold stones are associated with wealth and abundance and these are linked with the Sun. Yellow stones were traditionally used to cure biliousness, jaundice and liver diseases. They are also wonderful stones for easing the effects of S.A.D, seasonal affective disorder, releasing the warmth of summer back into winter, particularly citrine, which fortifies the nerves and has a warming effect.
Citrine is named after the French, citron, or lemon. It is one of the few stones that never need cleaning. However, it is wise to clean all crystals before use, especially those set into jewellery, or a pendulum, because crystals are like sponges, soaking up and retaining the energy of every person who has ever touched them, from the miner, to the supplier selling it to you, which can have an adverse effect on our own energy field. Just imagine if the shop assistant was having a really bad day! There are many ways to cleanse crystals, which can be found in any book on crystal healing, but I have found the best way is to simply leave them under running water for a while until they ‘feel’ cleansed. To me, this feels like a soft buzzing when I pick them up again, but I always dowse to check if they need further cleansing. My crystal tutor stressed the importance of this, as she once used an opaque quartz point, called a female, or candle quartz, during the treatment of a very troubled client. These crystals can absorb great amounts of stagnant energy, and this one had soaked up so much that it had itself become stressed. Crystals can actually crack under the pressure, hence the need for thorough cleansing. Unfortunately, none of the usual methods worked in this case, so in desperation, she buried the crystal in her garden, leaving it for three days and nights, which thankfully resolved the problem. Water cleansing also removes ingrained dust and fingerprints from crystals, leaving them squeaky-clean and ready for programming. However, this method should never be used to clean Selenite, a type of gypsum, which dissolves in water, so passing this stone through incense smoke a few times could be used instead. I also like to welcome new crystals, while directing healing thoughts back into the earth. Crystals can then be ‘programmed’ to assist with improving sleep patterns, for example, or to form a grid to block any geopathic or electromagnetic stresses. The sky’s the limit here, so make sure that your intentions are literally crystal clear, because if you programme a crystal to attract a loving admirer, you may find a mangy stray feline on your doorstep instead of some handsome hunk or a stunning supermodel!
Because citrine is a powerful cleanser with the ability to absorb, transmute and ground any negative energy, it also protects the environment, and assists with smoothing any family discord. Placing a piece of citrine on a table during discussions or meetings is said to improve understanding and communication, while providing solutions to problems. Citrine also reverses self-destructive behaviour, allowing our natural wisdom to emerge while promoting inner calm. Lighter citrine is said to govern the physical body and its functions, while darker citrine governs the spiritual aspects of life. Citrine used to be called ‘merchant’s stone’ and was thought to attract more custom or abundance if placed in a till or cashbox. Using Feng Shui principles of the Bagua, a piece of citrine should be placed in the wealth or abundance area of the home, which is the furthest left hand corner from your front door, or the entrance to an individual room.
In healing, citrine helps maintain emotional stability in troubled times and it is a good stone for eliminating any toxins from the body. It can also assist with overcoming fears or phobias. It is linked to the digestive system, heart, liver and kidneys, hence its use in treating jaundice and tummy upsets.
A lot of citrine sold is actually heat-treated amethyst, which is much darker than the genuine thing. Nevertheless, it still has the same effects, and any clear quartz can be ‘programmed’ to have the benefits of a particular stone.
Queen Victoria made the dark brown form of citrine, called cairngorm, popular in the 1800s due to her links with Scotland, where this type of quartz is found in the Cairngorm Mountains. Strangely for a smoky yellow to brown stone, Cairn Gorm literally means, Blue Cairn.
Old Celtic Crystal Blessing taken from Crystals, healing and folklore by David Rankine, which reminded me of some of the holy wells that I have visited with the WDS. To me, this blessing nicely sums up both Christian and pagan sentiments, as Brigid or Bride, is the goddess of healing, smithcraft, poetry, childbirth and all types of creativity, while Saint Bridget was an Irish abbess, whose feast day on the 1st February, neatly coincides with Imbolc, a festival of fire or light, heralding the welcome return of spring after winter.
Let me dip thee in the water, thou yellow beautiful gem of power!
In water of purest wave, which pure was kept by Bridget.
In the name of the Apostles twelve, in the name of Mary, virgin of virtues, and in the name of the High Trinity, and all the shining angels.
A blessing on the gem, a blessing on the water, and a healing of all bodily ailments to each suffering creature.
Bibliography
Crystals Healing and Folklore by David Rankine
The Encyclopaedia of Crystals by Judy Hall
Crystal Power, Crystal Healing by Michael Ginger
Crystal Wisdom by Andy Baggott and Morningstar
Wheel of the Year – myth and magic through the seasons by Teresa Moorey and Jane Brideso
BW
Golden Rod has taken over our garden Last year we thought we had managed to get rid of it but no such luck – it came back with a vengeance so before trying a more rigorous approach to its removal | though I would read up about it to see if it had any useful properties.
It is also known as Aaron’s Rod, and Heathen Wound Wort. It came from the Middle East and the name Heathen Wound Wort suggests that the Saracens used it to staunch their battle wounds.
The herb was very expensive while it was imported but somebody spotted it growing wild on Hampstead Heath and the price dropped from half a crown an ounce to half a crown a hundredweight, literally overnight.
“Gerard’s Herbal” states that the crushed root would eradicate in a night or two, any bruise, black or blue spots, got by falls or a “woman’s wilfulness in stumbling on their hasty husbands fists, or such like”.
Golden Rod could also apparently cure baldness, and a gall from the plant could be carried in the pocket of a rheumatism sufferer ensuring that the person would be .free from pain as long as the maggot in the gall remained alive
Its role as a wound-healer also is indicated by another of its names, Knitwort, and the Latin name, Solidago, means to unite, [from Solidare].
It was also thought that the brewed flower as would inspire poets and painters, and if held in the hand, would reveal hidden treasure!
Maybe we ought to leave a small patch in the garden after all. S.C.