The Old Straight Track

Some people believe the country is criss-crossed by a whole matrix of energy lines called ley lines, that converge on certain points, places of great power. Some also believe the ancients knew of these lines and erected the great stone temples of Stonehenge and Avebury because of them, along with countless other sites.

Some believe the Leys are dowsable, and I've read a few books about this (The Sun And The Serpent follows the most famous Ley, the St Michael Ley). But I'm no expert. I just know a bit more than your average gas fitter.

I've tried dowsing and I'm either doing it wrong or it's not for me. Or it's bobbins. I dunno.

But you can't visit as many ancient sites as I have with at least a passing interest in the 'New Age'. And it's fun! I've met some great people at these sites (I've visited over a hundred Stone Circles to date, from Land's End to the west coast of Ireland to The Outer Hebrides! - yea! I've got my obsessions!), and I enjoy reading the Earth Mysteries books too. You'll not only get dowsing and Leys, but UFOs, crop circles, channelling and all manner of weirdness that's in fact less weird than most religions.

One of the books that's said to have started it all back in the late sixties is John Michell's The View Over Atlantis. I bought the update about fifteen years ago, the The New View Over Atlantis.

And when I got my Fortean Times magazine yesterday, there was an article about Michell and the fortieth anniversary of the original View Over Atlantis. There;s a great recent picture of him, old man now, in his lounge all piled up with books and messy and interesting in a good way.

Last night I was up late as usual and with the fortieth anniversary of the book in mind, I tried to find it, I've a Glastonbury visit coming up, I've been playing Pagan songs on my flute and I'm up for a bit of Goddess hugging.

Couldn't find it last night, but found it easily today. It's here on my desk.

So, why am I telling you this? Well only a few hours ago I was amazed to hear John Michell died this morning. Half past midnight, about the time I was mooching about looking for his book (I didn't look that hard, so don't go nuclear new age on me, it was just a coincidence). Never met him, but he looked like he'd make a great Dr Who.

He insipred many. I can't say he inspired me, but I was only three when that book came out. But I do know his books, his writings, read his articles and his Only The Guesses Have Changed was one of my favourite articles in the now defunct Cereologist. A barmy publication that hit the skids when they included an astrology column. Talk about missing the point!

I'm spending a few days in Glastonbury soon and I'll not skimp on the silly and the spiritual (are they the same?). Seems the older you get the more serious you need to be about silliness. Because it's important for the health of yer head.