Laurence Main in Birmingham on 27/10/15
Laurence Main – Leys
The Network of Ley Hunters
The Network of Ley Hunters is an informal movement for all who are interested in leys and patterns within the landscape.
Leys
Leys are alignments of sacred sites, often converging on a holy hill and linked to the sun or moon, e.g. aligned with sunrise at the summer solstice. Our prehistoric ancestors recognised these lines of sight and marked them with our most ancient monuments, including standing stones and burial chambers. Also known as spirit paths, leys can be dowsed and must be of divine or mystical significance, leading to the conclusion that the earth is a living landscape connected to heavenly bodies. Does Father Sky fertilise Mother Earth at certain places and at special times and do the leys spread this fertility throughout the land?
Leys are obviously associated with death but also with the needs of the living who use them to travel. The term ley (never ley-line!) was used by Alfred Watkins in his seminal book The Old Straight Track (1925). Stones marked the way and were, perhaps, dedicated to Mercury and assisted merchants to reach theirmarkets. Mercury could be equated with Hermes, Thoth and Toutates.
Whilst leys are straight, dowsers such as Hamish Miller and Paul Broadhurst (The Sun and the Serpent, 1989) found male and female earth currents coiling around them. Other patterns in the landscape are terrestrial zodiacs, such as The Glastonbury Zodiac, described by Mary Caine in her book of that title in 1978. Other notable authors to research are Paul Devereux and John Michell.
Modern archaeoastronomers recognise alignments which are leys by fail to acknowledge this fact, thus following in the footsteps of the editor of Antiquity who notoriously refused a paid advertisement for Alfred Watkins’ book in the 1920s. Perhaps they are afraid of the spiritual side of leys.
About Lawrence
Dowsing leys (spirit paths) and undertaking vision quests at sacred sites gives me an insight on our land as a Merlin.
This is a lonely and arduous path, so I may be unique within this Guild.
As the reincarnation of Derfel Gadarn, I am an authority on Camlan (King Arthur’s last battle).
I use and promote public transport.
Author of over 50 walking guides, I have a degree in history and education from Oxford University.
A full-time freelance writer, I also serve voluntarily with the Ramblers’ Association, on the Vegan Society Council, the Council of British Druid Orders and as Secretary of the Society of Ley Hunters.
I cover all of Wales and much of England.
For More information on the Network of Ley Hunters Please visit:
