November 2008
the web magazine of dowsing & geomancy,
in Australia and beyond. Edited by Alanna Moore.
Welcome to the 40th edition.
Wow - that makes 10 years of Geomantica publishing - yay!!
So, dear readers, you are in for a bumper issue...
And there's much exciting news, with a new book published (see below); several new You Tube films that can be now seen on this site; plus Python Press about to get it's own website; and another venture in the pipeline: Permaculture Ireland, a website with magazine plus training and promotion across Ireland, where permaculture is urgently needed to weather the recession and general unsustainability of Irish modern culture. So watch out for www.permacultureireland.ie
It's nice to be back in the sunshine after months of rain and floods in Ireland. But dreadfully dry, the drought has worsened. Fortunately the useful native plants and trees are thriving here at Mucklestone and one day they'll produce cash crops or bush tucker to nibble on. Permaculture design suggests that we plan for the worse case scenario, so here we are fairly drought-proofed. Mucklestone being the venue for new courses in permaculture design that are offered this summer. (The course emphasis will be on using indigenous plants and having a sensitive approach to land-planning.)
These are exciting times for the causes of environmental sustainability, when the world cannot afford to ignore the consequences of outmoded patterns of greed and over-consumption. The time for massive promotion and adoption of sustainable permaculture principles is upon us!
I'm catching the wave.
Are you too?
Dear Alanna
Forever impressed with the amount of research,
articles, and above all
inspiration you scatter around the universe!, I am greeting you!!!
We have recently formed a Geomancy group in
Hawke's Bay NZ and my
question is: are you able to come to do a workshop here at some
stage?
You are working in Ireland right now and I don't expect an answer,
just wanted to let you know that we are taking up this important
work
of reconnecting wih Mother Earth.
Love and Light
Hella (18/5/08)
This article was extracted from The Irish Times newspaper (Thurs., 28th Aug 2008, Page 6)..
and comes via the Irish Diviners Association
by SEÁN Mac CONNELL, Agriculture Correspondent
A new scientific study showing that grazing cattle and sleeping deer tend to align their bodies along the north/south axis of the earth's magnetic field will be of major interest to farmers and scientists, an Irish expert said yesterday.
Dr James Dunne of the Zoology Department of University College Galway said the study, which used satellite imagery, was fascinating.
Herdsmen and hunters have long known that cattle and sheep tend to face the same direction when grazing, but had believed they were simply positioning themselves according to prevailing winds or the sun's rays.
Sabine Begall of the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany and colleagues studied 8,510 satellite images of cattle and deer herds derived from Google Earth, including 308 pastures and plains.
They also looked at deer beds - impressions left in the snow by resting deer - from nearly 3,000 deer in more than 225 locations in the Czech Republic.
They found that whether grazing or resting,
these animals face either magnetic north or south. Since the
direction of the wind and sun varied widely where the images
were taken, the researchers believe the Earth's magnetic field
to be the polarising factor.
This latest book from Alanna Moore has 60 jam packed A4 pages with lots of beautiful colour pictures.
In this book you will discover the amazing world of water spirits in all their forms, with special emphasis on Australian, New Zealand and Irish examples.
The book's cover picture: Wojtech Puchalski at a sacred spring in Poland where the dowsing class connected with a powerful water deva. Orbs in the photo (taken on a wet day) were astounding, but not surprising!
sun, sun/water goddesses of Ireland & Germany, Sulis of Bath, eclipse of the sun beings.
Livestock production has a bigger climate impact than transport, the UN believes. So people should consider eating less meat as a way to tackle global warming, says the UN's top climate scientist. Read all about it at:
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7600005.stm >
By Joan Evans, Victoria.
Inspired by the work of Australian geomancer Alanna Moore, we decided to try erecting some Towers of Power on a dairy farm in northern Victoria, Australia, which had a few unexplained problems.
What are Towers of Power?
"Towers of Power are paramagnetic
antennas which collect and focus beneficial cosmic energies and
direct them into surrounding soil. The circular (spherical) paramagnetic
energy field around them stimulates biological processes in the
vicinity, enhancing the health, vitality and wellbeing of plants
and animal" (to quote Geomantica).
About the dairy farm:
The 370 acre farm consists of
the original farm of 220 acres and the adjacent, and recently
purchased, 150 acre property. It was quickly realised that the
energy on the new farm was not as conducive to the high yields
and general good health of the original property. Not only were
milk yields low, cows experiencing birthing difficulties and
the calf mortality rate high, but pastures were inferior. Problems
relating to the cows and calves could not be explained either
by the vet nor by dowsing for geopathic stress. We decided to
try erecting the Towers of Power.
Preliminary dowsing steps taken:
Questions & Dowsing response
Is it appropriate to erect a power
tower on this property? YES
Is this an appropriate time to erect the power tower? YES
Are these terracotta pipes the most suitable material to use
for power towers on this property? YES
How many power towers are required in this property? FOUR
Dowsing over the pile to select the most suitable pipes to use.
Are terracotta pots suitable as lids for the top of the power
towers? YES
Directional dowsing to establish the best possible position to
give the maximum (unspecified) results for this property
Checking by dowsing for the exact position indicated
Erecting the Tower of Power beside the milking shed:
Questions & Dowsing response
1. What is the most appropriate height
for this power tower? [This was established by holding the pendulum
in one hand and using the other to indicate height on the pipe.
Height indicated was 140 cm + terracotta pot as lid]
2. Is paramagnetic rock dust required in this power tower? YES
3. A hole c.50 cm deep was dug for the 240 mm terracotta pipe
which was filled with paramagnetic rock dust and an inverted
terracotta garden pot was placed on top as a lid.
4. An obsidian crystal was placed in the small drainage hole
in the pot
Intent:
The setting of intent and its constant
renewal are an important and indispensable part of the process.
Having first cleared themselves and their energy fields of non-beneficial
energies then centring themselves in preparation for setting
the carefully prepared list of desired outcomes which made up
the intent of this, the small group of family members focused
on the desired outcomes.
All negative energies to be cleared from the calf shed area
Calves to be healthier and happier
Easier delivery of calves
Lush green pastures on the farm
General prosperity for the farm
Protective energy over the whole farm to shield cows and calves
from heat stress (summer only)
Finally filled with Divine Love
Renewal of intent:
Knowing the importance of keeping
this intent strong at all times, it was important to dowse on
the question of how long before the intent needed to be renewed.
Experience has shown that the time between renewals depends on
a number of variables, including such things as weather and degree
of stress of people whilst working in the area. This was demonstrated
when itinerant milkers worked in the sheds as the energy seemed
to drop more quickly when this occurs. An unexpected variable
was the noticeable difference if such workers had removed the
terracotta pot on top to investigate the strange new phenomena.
Time that the intent lasts is also seasonally dependent e.g.
during calving time, the intent requires more frequent renewal.
Intent is easily checked on most days but it has been noticeable
that on the odd occasion when things did not run smoothly with
the animals, e.g. a sick calf or the death of a calf, the power
tower was found to require renewal of intent. The strength of
the energy around the power tower also indicated that a renewal
of intent was required.
Erection of other Towers of Power:
Having completed the major task
to attempt to overcome the problems in the milking area, details
of location of the remaining towers and locations was the next
step. The question dowsed was always location of "the most
effective place to install the next tower". It was interesting
to note that each of the locations was found to be over a downward
vortex, which, particularly when combined with underground water
crossings, creates optimal conditions for the effectiveness of
the device. It was also interesting to observe that all the towers
were placed near fence lines thus minimizing the likelihood of
cows knocking them over.
Changes observed after installation
of power towers
(a) on people
The wife reported that the whole family
seemed to be calmer and the general running of the farm and home
flowed more smoothly. Both neighbours and employee, although
sceptical of power towers, have commented positively on the changes
they have observed and felt. Some neighbours have requested information/explanation
on the installation of the power tower as a result of what they
observe on this farm.
The intent for spiders and insects of any description to be eliminated
from the house was programmed into crystals strategically placed
around the house in positions indicated by dowsing. This has
resulted in a dramatic reduction in their presence.
(b) on animals
generally lighter happier feeling in milking and calving
shed
farm assistant commented that calves are "easier to handle
this year"
calving process became extraordinarily easy
calf survival rate improved about three fold in first calving
season
healthier calves
cows coming into and lining up for milking shed much more calmly
calves accepted the teat on the bottle more readily
(c) on plants
Difficult to assess changes on the grass in a time of severe
drought, but employee commented that more frequent slashing seemed
to be required this year. There is insufficient evidence to come
to meaningful conclusions on the basis of just one a-typical
season.
(d) on EMR
It was not until the towers had been in place for some
weeks that it was decided to check the boundaries of electromagnetic
radiation (EMR) near the shed. It was with considerable delight
that it was found to have shrunk considerably, even though this
had not been included in the stated intent.
Farmer's final comment:
"I wouldn't want to farm without the power towers" - this in spite of the fact that he still cannot completely accept the process. "Yes, things have changed," he agrees with enquiring neighbours (who observe the changes in their farm), "but I don't understand. Ask my wife!"
by Alanna Moore, © 2008
As a geomancer I love to delve into the energetic aspects of landscape. It is particularly fascinating to study its mythic qualities, the dimensions of the Dreaming, to use Aboriginal terminology. The Dreaming, or Dreamtime, is not some extinct memory of quaint folklore, of merely entertaining or 'superstitious' place stories. Where landscapes are fairly intact, it is still a dynamic element that conveys the character of a place, forged from its eco-spiritual, energetic, topographic, geological and historic dimensions. Dowsing, or divining, is a means of discovering the subtle Dreaming nature of place, as is meditation at key points in the landscape. Both approaches can help us to forge a deep connection to the environment.
The concept of the Dreaming maintains the understanding that all life is imbued with consciousness and that this is available for our perceptions to interact with. Buddhism also asserts this view, as do the paradigms of indigenous, animistic cultures worldwide, from the Shinto traditions of Japan to the fairy lore of Ireland; while the Aboriginal deep connection to place has remained intact over the longest continuum. Unfortunately this view has been globally suppressed by imperialistic religions over the best part of the last two millennia. However, despite this, it has also remained ingrained in peoples' psyches and can be pieced together from a survey of fragmentary legends and by visiting sites for direct experiential studies. As the Dreamtime is a concept conveying the timeless other-dimensional qualities of place, it is a term usefully employed to help us recapture those ancient understandings anywhere and everywhere. The Earth spirit is alive and it's waiting for us to tap into it!
St Patrick was supposed to have banished the serpents of Ireland. But Ireland did not harbour any physical snakes and my dowsing studies have discovered the vital serpent forces of the land to be alive and well there, as they are in Australia. Serpentine energy flows provide pathways for the 'little people', the nature spirit beings, to travel along and many an Irish fairy story tells of the dire consequences if one obstructs them in any way! Around the world such concepts have been sidelined by property developers with the pressure of population increase and the rise of capitalism giving greater credence to monetary values.
Yet we can still enjoy the magical value of the land and live in harmony with it, if we reawaken to and respect its Dreaming qualities. By connecting to the intelligence of place, by allowing it to speak to us, rather than just imposing our will upon it, we can co-create a better world for all. When we act this way, I have found myself, the harmony flows, obstructions dissolve, relationships prosper and life is filled with serendipity. In a modern world filled with all kinds of stress, conflicts, tragedy and want, we can create our own havens of balance and backyard bliss. And by recapturing the essence of the Dreaming together with an eco-spiritual approach that respects the rights of nature, we can forge a deeply meaningful way of life, in the process helping to ensure the survival of life on planet Earth.
Author Bio Author Alanna Moore has been a professional geomancer for 25 years and has travelled extensively across Australia and New Zealand researching and teaching, and more recently across Europe. She is the author of five books and has made 19 films, mostly on dowsing and geomancy. Since 2000 she has been visiting Ireland, discovering the Dreaming of the land of her ancestors and she now spends each northern summer there, with her husband, Irish eco-architect Peter Cowman, in rural County Leitrim. There she has been researching her 'Leitrim Dreaming Project', unearthing ancient gods and goddesses and the sites they were associated with.
(using sacred Homa fires, chanting,
Extracted with permission
from #5 ORION TRANSMISSIONS
April 2008
by Parvati, 'Bhrugu Aranya', Jordanow, Poland.
April 1, 2008: On Walled-in City Activation
Yes, yes, yes. Now, concerning the walled-in city, it is none other than the city of Krakow, Poland, which is as we said before, rather nearby! Indeed, we had wanted you to do some further research, but it is Krakow which is in dire need of activation. Though many fires have been performed there over the years, the effects of recent actions by other powers, which are not in harmony with Nature, have caused deleterious results. Now, it will become very difficult to withstand the energies in Krakow, until this activation is performed
As far as the completion of the activation of the former walled-in city, certainly it would behove you all to schedule a day when all of you can attend with more fires burning and prayer circle included. This is a very intense period and a very intense city, which is holding the fears and shock of millions of souls. This city has the capacity to house healing energies, but so much blocks it. We would say that, as far as beings of Light go, the beings who are living at this sacred site (Bhrugu Aranya) hold the keys to the city of Krakow, if you will. They can perform the activation rites. The beings to be present must be Jarek, Ulrich and our vehicle. Jacob and others should also attend, as there is strength in numbers. The exact spot to be activated will be revealed. Discuss with Jacob, as he will be the one to reveal the site! Indeed, he has more than a passing familiarity with Krakow. (Jacob is Parvati's Australian-Polish partner. Ed.)
April 8, 2008 on activation in Krakow
Yes, yes, yes. It is nearing time for the activation for the city of Krakow. This will be a three-part effort. Should all beings from Bhrugu Aranya elect to come and participate in the activation, then one being can stay behind in order to continue fires at the farm and be present on the land. Actually, it is beneficial that there be always someone present on this land. It is not for 'safety' sake, but for energetic reasons. The heart of the farm is the Yajnya Shala and of course, the bond between it and the Temple.
This activation is to begin soon. It will take three visits to the same site in order to activate the area, and it will become quite apparent to those who spend more time there how much clearer the atmosphere will become. It was not time before now to accomplish this, as there has been an opening in part due to previous work done by and through the Master in 2001. We would say that there are several beings who should definitely be present for this action, and it IS an action. The being Jacob should attend all three activating times, even if he is most busy with his own work. This directly affects his work and creative endeavours.
On Orion's Mission
LIGHT. LIGHT. Combating the forces of darkness is Our mission. We shall expose as much corruption as we are able to expose, with the sole aim of bringing forth awareness and healing for planet Earth. Our mission is one-pointed and we seek no diversions. That we have chosen specific vehicles for specific reasons, this you already know.
It is the energy of the purifying fire which has a powerful effect, actually aligning our vehicle and others on the path with the ultimate TRUTH. Our vehicle has not only received sublime training under the tutelage of a realized Master, but she came into this world with that energy intact.
April 23, 2008 on walled-in city
Yes, yes. The activation dates are fixed, but the specific days are less important. That this be accomplished now is important. Between April-June the activation is to be completed. We would say that this activation is most vital for the underground current, as well as for the underground energies which are being held in at this point-but which could rise up and break through the earth should certain Earth Shifts occur in future. Difficult as it is to explain to our rather unseasoned vehicle, we would say that energetically this process is crucial.
The 'Kopiec' ('Mound') is indeed a power point and can serve as one location for the activation process. There may be a monument in the nearby vicinity. In any case, the Kopiec itself is a form of a shrine, though not precisely what was referred to in previous transmission.
On self-sufficiency and change
BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT.
BECOME SELF-AWARE.
BECOME THE CHANGE YOU SEEK IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT.
STAND FOR TRUTH.
DO NOT BECOME WEAKENED OR DETERRED BY THE OUTSIDE SITUATION.
EAT ORGANIC.
GARDEN ORGANIC.
GROW YOUR OWN FOODS.
ESTABLISH YOUR OWN SECURITY. DO NOT RELY ON OUTSIDE SOURCES FOR YOUR SAFETY.
YOU WILL NEED TO PROTECT YOUR HOMES, BUT THE DIVINE WILL PROVIDE YOUR PROTECTION. DO NOT USE GUNS OR ARMS.
BE THE PEACE WHICH YOU SEEK.
REMEMBER THE OLD WAYS, LEARN FROM THEM.
MOVE FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE WITH LIGHT, TOWARD LIGHT.
April 27, 2008 on activations
Yes, yes, yes. Indeed, do consider this Kopiec as the first point of activation. Remember to carry specific Mantra sheets as with all other activations. Because this is a rather delicate mission, one of urgent need for the city of Krakow and surrounding area, we would highly suggest as little speech as possible once you reach the site and as you walk to set up at this site. Mary Lee can film the event. It is an historic event.
If Kopiec is one, then certainly Wavel is a second, but it need not be the Castle. It is in fact better to be a distance from the castle, as that site has been altered. When a site is altered in any way, the energies shift. And shift they have.
Then, the caves activations can begin any time after 17th May, and of course following the completion of the Krakow activation. These caves are important. One must remember to consider sites where the energies are intact. At a majority of ancient sites, these energies of healing and Light have been lying dormant, locked in soil, in stones and in the Nature underground.
If a site has been altered-as we have told about the Wavel Castle site-the energies quite alive, though still and silent, may have shifted. That means, the power emanating from these sites ceases to be of an intensity and clarity it once was. No doubt some energy remains, for example at Wavel, but this is due to the many beings who continue to frequent the site with prayer and chants of Peace. The site itself has shifted, as energies have either been moved or so altered they have simply disappeared. These energies may have followed an underground water source to a second location not far from the original site. If one dowsed for energies, one could find it. Is there anyone amongst you bearing this talent? If so, do attempt to locate the energies' shift. It is not far from Wavel Castle where you once witnessed the excavation of the sacred stone. It is likely, something was removed from that site.
Yes, yes. There is a rock quarry as well, and this may be the site of the final Krakow activation. Jacob will know this place. It is the site of unusual rock formations. Not precisely where many gather, but a bit apart from that place, there is one site which is little known. There, perform a third fire.
In Czech, three sites. In Slovakia, there are many sites which are so long dormant. We would say in Slovakia, two specific sites would be sufficient. And in Austria. First the others. Yes, you may consider this Island site off Denmark for activation, but there is more time left for that site.
April 28, 2008 On Bhrugu Aranya
Yes. There are many vortexes and spirals on
this land. One can follow such energy lines in Nature and in
such a highly charged atmosphere as here.
April 29, 2008 (At the activation of Kopiec Krak, a man-made Mound which is of ancient origin. Present at the sunset activation were Jarek Bizberg from Poland, Dr. Ulrich Berk from Germany, Jacob, Katherine, Kabir and Leela Sawyer from U.S., Josh Maltby from U.S., Mary Lee Weir from Belize, Bozena Wujec and Wojtech Puchalski from Poland. Wojtech, a biologist who has been doing experiments with Agnihotra atmosphere in various conditions, did an impromptu measurement of the energy on the Mound. Orion follows.)
If one could see the aura surrounding Krakow, as with a person's aura, one could see many holes in that aura. There is great loss of energy here. Yet, there are increased energies beneath the ground. If one could tap into these energies lying dormant beneath your feet, not only can these holes be healed, but the rising forth of these subtle energies can create a field in wherein healing can take place. Then, it will be important to see that as many Agnihotra fires as possible burn in the city of Krakow.
There has been not only the trauma and tragedies of war, but a grave disturbance in the layers of energy surrounding this ancient city. Here, upon this Mound, activation of these sacred energies has begun.
OM TAT SAT
(Following the Purusha Shuktam Yajnya, we performed five Agnihotra fires in our copper pyramids on top of Kopiec Krak. We all sat in silence. The feeling, as we shared later, was very powerful. Several of us later shared that we had visions of a Stone Circle which may have existed on top of the Mound, in ancient times. Orion continued.)
Yes, yes. Certainly it would behove you to know, you are not alone on this ancient hill. (Indicating the presence of higher beings).
In this world, it shall begin to become more difficult to navigate through one's own dilemmas, even with the power of Divine Light. However, the resource of Divine Light is absolutely unlimited, always flowing forth with Grace. If all of you, in the highs and lows of your life experiences, tap into this highly charged, plentiful resource of Divine Light, your own methods of inner navigation are likely to become more highly tuned, leading you quite naturally into a state of inner peace and harmony. And this, dear friends, is the route to HARMONY-each one working on oneself and always turning to the Light.
Many blessings indeed for this work. OM.
(Meanwhile, Wojtech who employed the use of a pendulum in a scientific way, said there were at least four or five energy vortexes on top of Kopiec Krak. He suggested we set up our five pyramids on a particular point, which later he explained had been the most powerful of all the vortexes. During the activation, he measured the energy with geomantic measurements.
The energy levels (BSM/Bovis scale) were as follows:
Before activation: 15,500 (astral range)
After Purusha Shuktam Yajnya: 25,6oo (mental range)
After Agnihotra 86,000 (range of pure spiritual being)
Wojtech exclaimed that it was a huge jump in energy and vibrations there were now very clear and high. He added that he had chosen that particular vortex, because it was the most powerful, but also because it was blocked. This he had not told us beforehand. That blockage, he happily reported, was now completely released.
From Orion Transmissions
website: www.oriontransmissions.com
Note: Water scientist Wojtech Puchalski was
instrumental in arranging for Alanna Moore to visit Poland on
a dowsing teaching tour in September 2007 and together they travelled
aross Poland, including a visit to 'Bhrugu Aranya', Jordanow,
where the energies from the performance of Homa fires have created
an atmosphere of sublime beauty, livestock are calm and friendly
and vegetables are grown well outside of their usual range. A
Polish TV team filmed Alanna's workshop there. Ed.
Geomancy of Malvern
Bluebell covered hills running like a steep, narrow north-south
spine in the region of the junction of the borders of Herefordshire,
Worcestershire and Gloucestershire provide a dramatic backdrop
for the revival of ancient traditions of well dressing. The famous
spa centre of the Malvern Hills has attracted visitors for hundreds
(if not thousands) of years, for it's beautiful scenery and its
reviving waters, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The old traditions of honouring these water sources had died
out by the 1970s, but was alive and well when I visited there
on the May Day weekend of 2008. And the expanses of sweet smelling
bluebells beneath the forest trees were the best in years!
The Malvern Hills are a nine mile long range of ancient granite peaks, encircled by a necklace of pure water springs, which mostly occur where the granite meets lower sedimentary rock layers. The once famous springs are numerous but nowadays can be mostly seen in various states of decay and neglect. However at the beginning of May 2008 there were also 32 wells that had been embellished with decorations of all kinds, in a festival of well dressing.
As for the Hills themselves, modern people on pilgrimage there, such as the members of the Gatekeeper Trust, have likened the form of the hills to a gigantic sleeping Earth Mother goddess, with a series of hilltop chakras running down her body on the range of peaks. The most famous of Malvern's wells, St Anne's, is nestled between the goddess's breasts, the two peaks of the Worcestershire Beacon and North Hill.
At the sole of this goddess's right foot lies the Valley of the White Leafed Oak and both sites are a great delight to visit. The famed oak has the most enormous girth in an oak tree that I have ever seen (certainly bigger than Ireland's 1000 + year old Brian Boru Tree). It was bedecked with ribbons and other assorted gifts fluttering in the breeze, but unfortunately was in a state of serious health decline, with gaping holes where branches had fallen, a hollow-looking interior, very few leaves and barely alive.
As for St Anne's Well, a team of Morris Dancers were busily entertaining a crowd at the little café there when we visited. It has been suggested that the name Anne could actually be a corruption of Welsh/Celtic tan, which means a fire or beacon. St Anne is often associated with flattened hilltops where ancient beacon fires were once made. The well itself sits beside such a flat promontory site, and below this 'St Anne's Delight' beacons were once lit. So perhaps it was once called Tan's Hill? Or perhaps St Anne perpetuates the memory of an ancient sun/fire goddess?
Above the well Worcestshire Beacon rises high in the range and evidence of fire ritual held there around 3000 years age has come to light in the form of a Bronze Age cremation urn discovered buried on the peak. During my first night's sleep not far from the peak I had a lucid dream of fires spontaneously lighting themselves, of me trying to put them out, but of no menace felt, nor danger arising from them. The next day I read Rose Garrard's book about Malvern's springs and found out about the ancient beacons. It felt to me then that the dream was about the Spirit of the Fire and landscape wanting to reassert itself again in the beacons of Malvern. Indeed, I was able to dowse from where I was staying what I perceived to be an enormous fire spirit stationed on the hilltop there. Workshop students the following day also felt a mighty presence there, a firey landscape angel in all probability.
The 'heart chakra' location of the Malvern Hills is the Wyche Cutting, where the road cuts across the ridge to the other side of the range. Nearby is the 'Pixie Path' and the area was once known as the legendary home of the 'little people'. However they were said to have abandoned the vicinity when quarrying began in the 19th century. Numerous quarry sites have scarred the sides of the hills, but are not mined anymore and I'm sure the 'little people' would have returned again by now, but didn't have time to check.
The art of sacred landscape revival
Artist Rose Garrard was born in Greater Malvern but was living
in London when she went to Canada to take up a short term position
as an artist in residency. There she met an indigenous Canadian
woman who told her of the negative effect of English missionaries
on her people in the past and how, in more recent times, one
of the greatest tragedies of her people has been the selling
of their water rights. Despite this, her tribe were following
a path of self-determination once more and didn't appreciate
offers of assistance from outside. She encouraged Garrard to
go home to her birthplace and find out about, and protect, the
sacred waters there.
This she did and, in 1996, Garrard successfully proposed to the
Malvern Hills District Council it's very own 'Spring Water Project'.
Thus the following year she embarked on an artist's residency
to research the springs and design a sculpture trail to celebrate
them. As a result, and with much community input, over 100 wells,
springs and pools were mapped out and their histories and legends
recorded.
Garrard had had a life long interest in sculpture, rituals, folklore, Celtic myth, feminism and ecology. In 1998 she began work on her first sculpture for the trail, in the small town park in the centre of Greater Malvern. This renewed a public drinking spout that had been languishing for 30 years. Local residents chose the name Malvina for the goddess figure she installed there, named after a local Celtic priestess. In 1999 the well was 'dressed' (decorated) as part of the May Day festivities, a revival of ancient traditions of honouring the waters. At an adjacent site the Enigma Fountain was completed in 2000. But sadly the project then ground to a halt, as a result of a change of council after the local elections. The rest of the project was unceremoniously scrapped.
But Garrard stayed on, continuing to work for the restoration of more of the springs, in a voluntary capacity. In 1998 she and a small group of determined people had formed the Malvern Spa Association and by 2001 they had launched the annual well dressing festival, to coincide with the May Day festivities.
Ancient celebrations of life
May Day celebrations of new life in spring go back to ancient
times and were enjoyed across the country. In Garrard's childhood
in the Malverns around 50 years ago she remembers the local customs
that included the crowning of a youthful May King and Queen,
as well as school aged children dancing around the Maypole. She
was once taken to Kent to see a parade of dozens of May Kings
and Queens from all the nearby districts coming to be judged
to determine the supreme regents of the year. They were all dressed
in fabulous costumes, some as elves, pixies and fairies and carrying
garlands of flowers. Some of the Kings were dressed as Robin
Hood and had an entourage of merry men all dressed in green with
them. These traditions have all now died out, she laments.
As for well dressing, the definition, she discovered was "to cleanse, to put in good order, to prepare, to make straight, to clothe, array, trim." It certainly sounded like an appropriate thing to do and an activity Garrard also believed that went beyond mere decoration. It was a joyful expression of ancient spiritual beliefs.
The more famous location for well dressings in the UK is around the Peak district of Derbyshire, where religious pictures made from flower petals are made in a tradition begun in 1820. It harks back to much earlier traditions, to at least 1348, at the time of the Black Death, when good, clean water was held in very high esteem as a curative. Malvern's waters are also very pure, and numerous signs displayed at the dressed wells stated that the water is famous for "containing nothing at all!" Evidence of well dressing traditions in Malvern go back some 800 years.
Holy Well
My favourite of the Malvern wells is the Holy Well on Wells Road.
It is a particularly highly revered well which, since medieval
times at least, has had people visiting for health cures and
the giving of thanks (and making of offerings) for cures. It
corresponds to the 'sacral chakra' of the Hills, in the goddess
scenario.
In the 18th and 19th centuries the 'water cure' was very popular and in 1843 a quaint little building was erected over this well. The cure included treatments such as being wrapped in a cold wet sheet and then doused with the chilly spring waters. As a child Queen Victoria visited the Holy Well and stayed a while in the area, thus causing its popularity to increase even more.
The Holy Well became a commercial bottling plant in the 1960's. In the 1970's, after the plant was moved elsewhere, the well was restored for public use and again cures were reported from those who visited to drink it's waters. The current owners are doing a great job of restoring the building and people are living in it above the well, although I imagine it would be a challenging location, not energetically suited to habitation.
The energy in and around the ground floor room where the Holy Well has an outlet is really sublime and it induced me to spend a while there in meditation. The water's energy field was intense and it spilled out down the road. Measuring the life-force field of a bottle of the Holy Well water at a dowsing workshop the next day, my students found it to just about fill the entire West Malvern Village Hall!
Resurgence of the springs
Many of Malvern's wells have been forgotten or displaced over
time, sometimes as a result of people attempting to divert them
to their own backyards. The Coca Cola company continues to extract
vast amounts of spring water for bottling (having purchased a
local bottling firm), but have been kept in check by the Spa
Association. (The company have an internationally bad reputation
for being very greedy with their water extractions!) With help
from the Association and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund
fourteen spring sites have been restored to date, Garrard wrote
in 2006.
The British Society of Dowsers national office is also located in Greater Malvern and is a delight to visit. In 2005 the Spa Association held a workshop in association with the Water Divining group of the BSD. One of its objects was to locate two missing wells, St Agnes and Hay Well. Two diviners both found and agreed upon the locations of both wells. At that moment a local fellow from next door leaned over his fence and said "If you are looking for a well - you are on the right spot. A few months ago a wheel of a lorry sank into it!"
And when the class tuned in to a poorly dressed well that was incorporated into a stone wall in a church ground in West Malvern we were able to dowse the presence of well nymph stationed there. But the waters were dirty and a bit stagnant and the energy felt pretty bad there. One woman bravely pulled out some rubbish, which turned out to contain a very dead rat that had been floating in the water. We sent some love into the water after that and I gave a special offering - singing a sacred water song that I had written. After this the energy of the well nymph radiated out much further and felt much better, we were able to determine by dowsing. The expanded water spirit then enveloped us and it felt like we were receiving a blessing back from it.
Thanks to the enjoyable success of the workshop, plans are afoot to return and offer another day of exploring geomancy and water divining in West Malvern, on the May Day weekend of 2009.
To give expressions of interest in attending such a day,
contact Ced Jackson at: Ced@fengshuifutures.com or see his website at www.FengShuiFutures.com
References:
Rose Garrard, 'Malvern, Hill of Fountains', published by Garrard
Art Publications, 2006.
(Note: Unfortunately Gary's photos are not in a suitable format for reproduction here.))
Arranged a meeting with Mick Dale, the former president of the Dhamurian Research Society from Gympie, to meet me on Tuesday June 10th, while I was taking a holiday with my family at Noosa Heads. On telephoning the night before, Mick told me he had to work the next day, but would contact Brett Green to take me to the site.
Brett Green is a very passionate and knowledgeable individual in regard to the hill, which has become known as the "Gympie Pyramid". Brett's family have lived in the area since first colonial settlement. His father was a close friend of several of the Aboriginal elders, and is known to have taken part in the "Healing Ceremony", which it appears has an historical connection to the mount, but more on that later. Brett has written and published a book on his findings, "The Gympie Pyramid Mysteries" which is the most comprehensive report ever written on the site.
Arrived at Gympie Tourist Information Centre at 9.15 am. to meet Brett. Unfortunately, Mick had not been able to contact Brett, and he had not checked his answering service, so only received the message to meet me at 10.00 am. that morning.
Brett arrived at 10.10 just as I left the Information Centre, armed with maps and information, which the staff there had given me, regarding the so called "Gympie Pyramid".
After a 20 minute conversation with Brett, I proceeded to the location shown on the map on the following page, marked with a small cross, just north-east of the intersection of the Gympie Connection Road and the North Coast Railway Line.
Satelite photograph of the "Gympie Pyramid" site
with geographical contour overlay. Six houses have now been built
on and around, what is essentially a ridge running out from a
mountain range to the north with two apexes shown at an elevation
of slightly above 100 metres above sea level. The block outlined
in red is owned by Lawyer Michael Devere, from Brisbane, and
is the only block at present that is being protected.
It was 10.40 am., when I turned off the road and was stopped by a gentle flowing creek about 3 metres wide at a small access track crossing. I crossed the creek to find a large hill to the right of the railway line on my left. On approaching the gently rising slope, the ground slowly increased to around about a 35 degree angle, and in places stones and earthworks could be seen running around the hill in a terrace - like formation.
I conducted the first scan of area to see if there was any sign of burials in the vicinity and was surprised to find a female magnetic signal directly north, and several other male ones as well in other directions.
I followed the first signal and found a negative magnetic signal approximately five feet in length aligned directly north and south. Further scans revealed that these possible remains of a woman had been buried in a hole, excavated 3 metres square and 2_ metres deep. Another almost identical find was found 10 metres further uphill, with the alignment once again being roughly north and south.
Several metres east of the last possible burial site, I detected an excavation which had been dug into the hill, and now totally unrecognisable. This excavation was about 1.8 metres wide and ran for a length of about 9 metres. At the end of the excavation on the left hand side, I located a positive magnetic signal of 5 feet 2 inches in length, indicating a possible male burial, laying parallel with the wall on that side and 50 centimetres into the excavation. Of particular interest was the depth of these possible remains, 3_ metres from the surface. In my fifteen years experience of detecting and plotting burial sites, I have never found anything like these before in Australia.
During the following hour, I located five more possible burial sites below the first terrace and nine in between the first and second terrace. All were similarly dug into the side of the hill some being up to 2_ metres wide and around 7-9 metres long. The depth of the possible remains in each case from the surface varied from between 3_ to 9 metres. All excavations contained only one magnetic signal, indicating they were only single burials, and they were all adults placed in the same locations on the left at the end. All were male except for one negative magnetic signal (female remains), found near the fence between the first and second terrace amongst a lot of large rocks.
From the information gathered I believe that these are not trenches, but entrances and burial vaults, excavated into the side of the hill. At the site of the possible female burial near the railway fence, it was recorded that there was a tunnel here with the large stones lining its entrance engraved with snakes, almost identical with those on the snake artefact. This site was bulldozed in during the second world war. During clean-up operations at this location in 2004, Bill fell into a cavity up to his waist, which was hidden by the undergrowth.
Other tunnels were blown up by the army during the war, to make them safe as it was thought people visiting and investigating these tunnels might be buried in a cave-in.
According to a former land owner, who owned the property through which the railway line now runs, during the lines construction a vault was discovered and filled with rock. He and a friend did an illegal moonlite trip that night, and discovered a stone head amongst the rubble which had been dug out that day, but could not find any sign of the vault as by then it had been filled in.
The basalt rock carving found during the construction of the
railway line.
Now in the possession of Mick Dale.
Garmin Mapsource image showing the flagged locations of vaults
and other marked items.
At 11.45am. Brett finally turned up and I
informed him of my findings. During the conversation which followed,
he told me of a spot near the hills nearest apex that radiates
a very positive feeling. Knowing exactly what this anomaly is
caused by and having previously scanned for such vortexs in an
initial scan, I was surprised I had not detected it. He told
me that there used to be a stone henge or temple like structure
on the apex, but what had not been robbed from the site to be
used as foundations of early buildings in Gympie, was destroyed
by the former owner, who used a bulldozer to level the site with
the object of building a house on the spot. As Brett left, we
shook hands and I went in search of the vortex.
As I ascended the hill, I crossed over the seven rows of terracing,
and when within about 30 metres from the top, I encountered the
outer ring of what I later found was a seven ring positive vortex,
eminating from a point on the eastern end of the apex. (The seven
rows of terracing are very likely linked to the seven ringed
vortex.) If anything had once stood at its centre, this could
not be ascertained, as it had been completely levelled by the
bulldozer. Towards the centre of the hill apex on the second
ring of the vortex a rock had been gouged out in a bowl shape.
A second bowl on the fourth ring had been broken, but some remains
were still visible.
As I left the summit I found more possible vault sites and finally
left the site at 12.20 pm., realizing that this site could potentially
be of major significance, and certainly worthy of a large detailed
survey to ascertain its extremity and possible origins. With
only a small area of the site surveyed, we could be looking at
potentially hundreds of burials.
Close up of snake artefact showing its red gemstone eyes.
Rock carvings on the entrance to one of the so-called tunnels was supposed to be identical to those on this ceremonial object.
The history of this site is appalling, if everything you are told is indeed true. There is no protection of the site, and vandalism has been occurring right up until last year, when the owner of the property just north of the first apex destroyed all items of an archaeological interest on her land, so that they would not interfere in the sale of the title to the Queensland Main Roads. This same individual had a perfectly round stone paved area ripped up before they built their house on the site.
The Queensland Government (Ministry of Main Roads & Local Government) is to build a freeway through the site along the railway line, and has acquired all the properties in the area, except the five acre site near the road and the property marked in red on the map, owned by Michael Devere.
An archaeological assessment was completed in August 2007 for the Queensland Main Roads, but Michael Devere has been unable to obtain a copy, nor find out anything of its findings, neither has anybody else.
Gary J. Dean, F.A.I.H.A.
Glenrowan, Victoria
Email - gdean1@iinet.net.au
By Miroslav Provod
During experiments regarding cells and capacitors, we have seen yet unpublished properties which could explain phenomena that have been thought of as mysteries until now. These could show many other solutions. Because there are new terms used in the results I will try to demonstrate these new findings on three natural phenomena.
On cellular membranes, there is a spontaneous transformation of cosmic energy into electric energy if they are located in energetic overcharge in the same way as on the electrodes of capacitors. If two or more auras around matter are interconnected the auras merge into a bigger common aura and then their energetic values are equalised.
If we think about the human body according to the new knowledge, we could say that billions of cells are in contact and their auras overlap, which means that the whole body has a common aura. This phenomenon works not only in between the human cells but also in electronics. The memory of a computer comprises of a great amount of miniature condensers and is able to store information in the form of 0's and 1's (0 = there is no charge, 1 = there is charge). Therefore, we could say that human body and electronics have some similar properties. This tells us that if the charge is increased it could cause harm not only to cells in the human body but also to electronics (this could be proved by some simple experiments).
According to the procedure that I'm describing in my previous Geomantica article "Dowsing versus Aura" it is easy to prove the reactions of energetic parts of water flows (aura, zones, interzones). By this we get an idea about the energy of small water flows and we could orientate in the energetic properties of great water flows more easily. By this I mean sea currents. There are many of these and their flow is in the order of hundreds of millions m3/sec and it could be assumed that they are in interaction with large streams around the Earth. The Gulf stream has various bends and meanders where there is multiple energetic concentration. In the Sargasso Sea there are also whirlpools whose diameter reaches up to 300km and they reach depth of 5000m. These further increase the local energetic concentration. These places could be thought of as critical from the point of view of further energetic increase from other sources, which could be thunderstorm clouds, moon, planets and other sources. Also, the planes that have been lost in this area could have connection with energetic over-voltage.
The zones of the Gulf stream replicate the shapes of cylindrical shells of the US East Coast. The energy of one of these zones could be artificially increased significantly by the use of groups of great capacitance capacitors and this would create a barrier that would destroy all organisms and electronics. However, there are a great amount of sea currents and this gives us the opportunity to built such a barrier anywhere on the Earth. This piece of knowledge could also be used for other purposes.
The knowledge about the energetic over-voltage of cells could also explain a strange phenomenon that occurred in the streets of Nairobi on 24th July 1956 at 15:00 (3:00p.m.).
About 200 men and women spontaneously danced on the main street in Nairobi. The dancing people had a regretful look in their faces such as if they danced because they were forced to dance. It wasn't possible to communicate with them and they didn't perceive anyone who asked them a question. One hour later, there were 20,000 men, women and children dancing. Eventually, there were about 50,000 people dancing in a strict circle whose diameter was 3.5 kilometres. It looked like they weren't perceiving anything but they kept about a metre of space between them and they didn't bump into anyone. It's interesting that even older people could dance in this dancing marathon for about 5 hours without any visible signs of getting tired. Later accounts of the dancing showed that they didn't remember anything because their senses were totally crippled. Their memory and thinking didn't work. It's very interesting that even though there was no music playing with this dance, all the dancers kept the same rhythm.
In this magic circle, not all the people were dancing. The dancers were those who had some metal objects such as coins in their pockets. The dance participants later realised a feeling that their body gained energy from these metal objects. Everything suddenly ended at 20:00 (8:00p.m.). Nobody had been hurt.
This is a very rare phenomenon, which was also noted with some differences in Rheinland at spring equinox in 1374. Between 1871 1878 in the Savoy there was an epidemic obsession in women monasteries that was changing into diabolic freakout. The cause of these incomprehensible events hasn't been found yet.
The knowledge of the empiric research also gives us an explanation of this mysterious event. People that were affected by the dance were located in the energetic space of the town that had greater energetic overcharge than the optimal cellular charge. This caused greater charge on the cells (including brains cells) and was followed by a disorder of their thinking. The fact that is peculiar on this event is that even older people didn't feel tired after 5 hours long dancing. Not less interesting is the information that only those people that had metal objects in their pockets were affected by the dance. Three great time intervals between similar events show that the energetic overcharge could be caused by astronomical influences. I don't doubt that similar anomalies in the region of the aura could also be created by groups of great capacitance capacitors, which would create optimally enhanced overcharge in this given region. We noticed similar health disorders during the experiments, but we interrupted such experiments due to the possibility of health damage. The fact that similar situation can't be evoked by the people that don't have metal with them prompts us to many useful applications. Bank robbers usually have metal objects with them, but bank workers don't, so a button could be pressed and the bank robbers would give us a dance before the police arrives. There are many other such applications.
Another mysterious event, which could be assigned to the zones
of the cosmic energy is the spontaneous human combustion (SHC).
Spontaneous human combustion is one of the most controversial
of phenomena for serious researchers. The SHC means that a human
body could be ignited without any optically noticed source. Very
intense and unbelievably localised fire transforms most of the
human body into ash. In many cases part of a limb, like a leg,
remains untouched. Similarly, some parts of clothes or surrounding
objects remain untouched. Nothing similar exists in nature that
would be similar to those fires and the accompanying phenomena
don't follow laws of physics and findings of medicine. Some researchers
also describe this phenomenon by "candlewick effect".
They wrap the body of a pig into a sheet and leave it slowly
burning all day. They forget about the fact that the process
of burning during SHC happens in a matters of seconds, not hours.
There is a great amount of information about this phenomenon
on the internet and therefore I won't further describe it, but
will limit myself only to the classification from our research's
point of view.
Cellular membranes have a capacity of about (1µF/cm2), which means that they work like a capacitor. If we keep increasing the charge on a capacitor after reaching the threshold value, which is the maximum value up to which it's sized, the isolator would eventually brake and in that moment, all the energy is released and the capacitor is destroyed. Similar disastrous process happens with billions of cells in humans. When the threshold energetic value for which nature sized our cells is reached, the cells explode in the same way as capacitors do.
I have written about three different phenomena, which by their specifics show or confirm functionality of other properties of cells and condensers. I would be delighted if some research centers used this new knowledge.
4.April 2008
Miroslav Provod
Email - centrum11@volny.cz
By Miroslav Provod
I gradually found in further research that the phenomenon that I describe as "Cosmic energy" is actually static electricity. Although static electricity is a known phenomenon, it hasn't been totally explored yet. The effects of static electricity are found in many industrial places as well as other totally different surroundings.
It isn't possible to properly identify static electricity even though the consequences of an electrostatic discharge are easily observed. Static electricity is an electric discharge caused by an imbalance of electrons on the surface of a material. Therefore, the description "static" is not appropriate. It doesn't mean inaction, but it actually points to forces imposed by unchanging electric fields on charged objects. Also, the name electricity is misleading. Both "electricities" have different properties.
The imbalance of surface charge shows that objects feel attractive or repulsive forces. It is known that static electricity is caused by friction of different materials. This piece of knowledge inspired me to observe and do research with water quells and other water streams. In this way I found properties of static electricity that had been unknown.
These are three energetic parts auras, zones and inter-zones. These are described in the article called "Diagrams". Yet unexplained energy of a field is caused by water flow and it's friction with rock; it's immeasurable with available measuring devices and meters. This energy goes through the surface of the Earth and penetrates metals, concrete and also other hardly penetrable materials. The charge that is transferred by electrified contact is stored on the surface of every object. And the greater it's surface, the greater charge could be stored on it.
I am aware that everything that I have published and will describe is only a small hint towards what needs to be explored. As an example I can write about findings from the experiments with groups of capacitors. The first finding is the fact that their charges have three energetic parts and these parts may be altered by changing the charge stored on the capacitors. I have further found that by the contact of auras of more capacitors, a common aura is formed, whose volume is equal to the sum of volumes of auras of the individual capacitors. However, this is not true in all cases. Why I don't know yet.
In the same way as capacitors, all matter has its own charge and by the contact of auras the charges spontaneously equalise. However, this is not everything. Every sort of matter has its specific chemical properties and by the contact of auras of different matters, different chemical properties are caused. Could we imagine the astronomical number of combinations that comes out?
Nothing that is stated here is made up. I have just copied the knowledge of engineers that built Stonehenge and other megalithic structures. Nobody will doubt the existence of static electricity in the ancient times and therefore we have to look at megalithic structures in this way as well.
The most important piece of knowledge found in my research is the fact that it's possible to alter the charge on cellular membranes of organisms by the use of capacitors. It is also applicable in this case that the energy transferred could be chemically changed as needed. I won't describe this effect in detail because it may be misused.
The research of cosmic energy could be faster if sceptics stopped doubting its existence and pointing away from its further research in this way.
Miroslav Provod
Email: centrum11@volny.cz
By Miroslav Provod
Although research about the causes of cancer is getting more and more intensive and it's curing process is getting more successful with time, most of the people who have it die of it.
I think that we could find a remarkable, even shocking conclusion if we compare the statistics of this deadly illness that repeats itself in locations with abnormal quantities of static electricity.
As an example I will state three such places in the Czech Republic.
Dr.Jurka, a cancerologist from Olomouc, found an interesting result by an empirical research of about 33 thousand cases. He concluded that some streets and houses are the most common connections with cancer. Nothing was changed by the fact that these houses were demolished in the past and new houses were built in their exact places; moreover, he found that people living on higher floors were more likely to have cancer than people living on the ground floor.
I'm dealing with this problematic in great detail in many of my articles at http://www.miroslavprovod.com and I can say that it is a spontaneous transfer of static electricity onto the cellular membranes from a place of it's abnormal concentration. An energetic overcharge is created on the cellular membranes and this negatively affects the cellular activity.
It could be deduced from history that people have known the properties of static electricity since ancient times and they used it in many cases for their benefit. In these times people didn't know anything about cellular membranes of course, but they managed with the fact that it helped them. For this reason they built hundreds of thousands of menhirs, dolmens, rocking stones, mounds, barrows and other megalithic structures that were situated in places with a surplus of static electricity, which was then spontaneously transferred to them. When there was a lack of bodily energy it was easy to fill it up by the use of megalithic structures. In fact, this is a targeted manipulation with the charge of cellular membranes. An anomaly in both directions causes medical anomalies. There are many cases that could cause abnormal concentration of static electricity in the human body; some of them are described on my web pages.
This could be proved by an easy experiment. If I place a burning candle next to a rock, I can then measure the increase of the energy of the rock. It needs to be noted with this example of a burning dump that it's negative action isn't observed only in it's proximity, but it could also be seen in the zones that are located in greater distances.
The third place that I monitor where there is a repeated and regular incidence of cancer is a rural estate where I think that one of the reasons of the energetic overcharge of the matter of the framework is an electric network of 3 x 380 V, which is attached to the house on the peripheral walls in both directions - on the axial and gable walls. Inside of this structure there is a crossing of zones and therefore greater energetic concentration. However, there could also be other causes that may participate in the increase of energy.
I don't doubt that similar places with a repeated occurrence of cancer are located around the globe and I think that they can't escape the attention of people living nearby. It may be useful to map such places and use them in a further statistical research from which we could gain some useful information.
If we think about the long lasting research about the causes of fatal growth of cells, every new idea should be further looked into.
Email: centrum11@volny.cz
by Stephen Skinner, Golden Hoard Press, 2008.
Stephen Skinner is the author of 30 books, translated into over 20 languages, including a dozen on the subject of feng shui. He has greatly helped to popularise feng shui around the world, having also launched an international magazine 'Feng Shui for Modern Living', a monthly magazine which was distributed in 41 countries. Skinner wrote the very first* English book on feng shui in 1976 'The Living Earthy Manual of Feng Shui' (*if you don't count Stephen Feuchtwang's doctoral thesis of 1974 'An Anthropological Analysis of Chinese Geomancy'). He took a degree in English literature and geography at Sydney University and initially worked as a geography lecturer. He now lives near Singapore where he researches, writes and does feng shui consultations.
This fascinating hardcover tome's thesis hinges on the ancient concept that the lo p'an, the chief instrument of classical feng shui, contains "the universe on a plate". Skinner says that -
'The lo p'an uses the Earth's magnetic field and precise astronomical data to determine alignments and direction it is also provided with a number of tightly-packed rings which relate to the many theories of time and change that make up his fascinating subject. It is the prime instrument of feng shui
'The lo p'an is also the forefather of the western maritime and hiking compass, as the Chinese discovered how to use the compass some 1500 years before any European usage,' he says.
But of the 800 or so books about feng shui in English today, all barely mention it. 'It's like talking about astronomy without mentioning the telescope', he explains.
Of these 800 odd books he says that few have been written about traditional feng shui. American books on the subject tend to be highly simplified versions of the real thing, a prime example being the 'black hat' variety, 'which,' he says, 'has little, if any thing, to do with Tibetan Black Hat Karmapa sect teachings and was devised as recently as 1985 by Thomas Lin Yuan specifically to remove the difficulties of teaching the lo p'an to westerners.'
This book is the very first guide to the Chinese lo p'an ever to be published in English. It includes a history of feng shui in China, the contents of 75 lo p'an rings and illustrations of 50 rings are examined. It covers how to buy and use the lo p'an so that even a complete beginner can become quite familiar with its use. Never before has such a detailed classical feng shui compendium ever appeared in English.
Skinner says that there are a number of reasons why the knowledge of feng shui has not smoothly passed from Chinese to English. For instance: there has been a 'dumbing-down' approach to teaching it (which has increased its popularity enormously); the Chinese style of teaching is very different to the western approach; translation of technical terms has been inadequate; there has been a propensity for secrecy; and lastly, there has been a tendency for many teachers to just pass on formulas, e.g. so-called Eight Mansion feng shui is sometimes beefed up to look like a school of feng shui when it is really just an isolated-out feng shui formula.
So just what is fundamental to feng shui?
Skinner says that:
'The most critical things in feng shui are direction and location.
From the very beginning determining the location of a site, home
of other building, and the direction of incoming energy or ch'i
affecting that site, has been of paramount importance. This energy
is directly related to the land itself (the Earth) and the stars,
and the time that they measure out in the heavens. Anyone who
tells you they "do feng shui" without a lo p'an is
probably kidding you and themselves.'
He criticises the use of the term geomancy as being neither a proper translation of the subject, nor a proper understanding of the English meaning. Fair enough. However, my feeling is that the original meaning of geomancy, as a form of divination/fortune telling, has been largely eclipsed by the modern meaning of geomancy, which alludes to a field of knowledge pertaining to the subtle energies of the Earth. Language does evolve, after all.
The names of feng shui in China have also evolved, Skinner tells us. Feng shui itself is a term dating back to the 3rd century before the current era. About 500 yrs older, in the Ch'ing imperial encyclopaedia the elements of what is now called feng shui were called ti li and k'an yu.
Ti li means the knowledge of the patterns of the land and its underlying ch'i energies, and the seeking of the hsueh (xue); its modern usage is equivalent to geography. K'an yu is concerned with astrology and astronomy and the selection of auspicious dates and times. The hsueh is the auspicious lair, the feng shui ch'i node or focus, a site of maximum ch'i concentration, and the best spot to build a tomb or a house. It is where it was said that 'the breath of the dragon is arising from its nostrils'. Literally meaning a hole or cave, the same term is also used to indicate important acupuncture points in the human body.
Skinner makes an interesting point in relation to this, that the association with acupuncture points does not also mean that it's necessarily a good idea to needle a place. 'Western writers,' he says, 'sometimes mistakenly refer to feng shui as "land acupuncture", an interesting parallel, but one that has caused some misguided folk to randomly hammer large copper or wooden stakes into the ground. Such a practice has in the past been used to destroy the feng shui of a site. This procedure was, for example, carried out extensively by the Japanese during their occupation of South Korea from 1910 to 1945, in an attempt to reduce the effectiveness of local Korean feng shui.'
If you want to know what feng shui is really
all about, I would highly recommended reading this fascinating
book. Skinner is dedicated to bringing a true understanding of
feng shui is to the western world. He has even produced a lo
p'an himself. The San He lo p'an, designed by Skinner and containing
many of the classical rings normally omitted from other modern
lo p'an, is available from him at www.Sskinner.com/lopan.htm.
And no doubt you will find book purchasing details from that
site also.
Review by Sally Heppleston,
July 2008
For the Weekly Times, Victoria.
It covers 70 per cent of the earth and makes
up 70 per cent of our bodies, but how much do we really know
about water?
A new book by Victorian author Alanna Moore is urging us to re-connect
with water and learn more about its mysterious origins, traditions
and healing powers.
Moore is a geomancer -- someone who practices divining by interpreting
markings on the ground** -- and is often employed to perform
``earth acupuncture'' on land where energies are out of kilter.
She uses dowsing, an art form that finds underground water supplies.
A life-long love of the environment and intense interest in water
divining inspired Moore to write the book.
She says the water crisis should be known as the ``water-use
crisis''.
``The loss of water in river systems and the general environment
from this drought has been absolutely alarming. From what I know
about `new water' and water divining, we could be carefully harvesting
the waters that has been written about since earliest times.
``This could help to free up water for environmental flows, to
keep the rivers and the precious old river red gums alive,''
Moore says.
She says the key to the crisis is getting people to start harvesting
as much water as possible and storing it in the ground.
``This is where it used to end up, before forests were cut down.
It percolated down and kept the land moist throughout long droughts
in the past.''
The book encourages people to re-forge an emotional connection
with water and become more ``indigenous'' in the way they think
about water.
* Not to be confused with John Archer's 2008 book 'The Wisdom of Water'!
** Note: it was the Weekly Times sub-editors
who threw in their outdated dictionary meaning for geomancer.
I certainly do not divine markings on the ground! Ed.
'Sacred Geography'
Book Review by Alanna Moore
Marko Pogacnik is a clairvoyant geomancer and artist from Slovenia, highly respected for his international Earth healing and teaching work. 'Sacred geography' is Pogacnik's attempt at a new, more accurate term for geomancy. Pogacnik's books are always a breath of fresh air, the opposite to tomes of the past century which tended to regurgitate old ideas about geomancy, In fact Pogacnik suggests that we throw away old concepts and look at the landscape with fresh eyes, sensing our way around it. This book provides yet another feast of new insights.
I concur with his description of dragon lines, those geodetic currents that are occasionally found in the landscape. European geomancy, he says, refers to 'dragon trails, paths along which dragons move secretly across the landscape. They leave behind them a trail of life-nourishing powers, which can be absorbed by living beings of the related environment, including humans. The flow form of a dragon path is organic, like river streams. Often tributary streams branch off from the main dragon path to touch upon some important geomantic feature located in the surrounding landscape. The branches either end in a spiral or join main streams later on Major Earth charkas tend to be sources of dragon path streams.'
I was intrigued by his description of a new 5th generation of elemental beings (nature spirits), which he has been aware of since 1998. 'These 5th elemental beings are not bound to places and they work on transforming the time/space dimension in accordance with ongoing Earth changes and processes of human transformation They are extroverted and seek communication with people and are ready to collaborate with us. They tend to remind us of who we areand their frequency is associated with qualities of love and curiosity', he says.