SLIMBRIDGE DOWSING GROUP REPORTS

OK, imagine you are a megalithic architect, it’s about 3000 BC or earlier, and you’ve got all these henges to build. Stonehenge can wait, you must get Avebury done first.

You are more than aware of the earth’s energies, magnetic flows and subtle geometry, and you have to mark these power centres with stone circles, protecting them with a ditch and a bank, and line it all up with sunrises and sunsets, the moon and certain stars. Accuracy is paramount.

You also realise your specialist knowledge will be lost over the centuries so it’s vital to mark these important places. It will certainly give them something to dowse and wonder about in 5 or 6000 years time.

In her riveting talk on Saturday 27th February, Maria Wheatley from Marlborough, near Avebury in Wiltshire, explained in words and pictures the exciting discoveries she has been making by dowsing Avebury stone circle.

She has written a book on the subject and with co-author Busty Taylor, who is an archaeologist and pilot, has been able to view and photograph Avebury from the air. A bird’s eye view is always an advantage and they could see patterns and alignments not evident at ground level.

Maria and Busty believe standing stones emit a form of energy, which can be readily detected by dowsing. The source of this energy is believed to be generated by the earth, absorbed by the standing stone and emitted through it. Many people claim they can feel this energy as a tingling sensation when they place their palms on a stone's energy-band.

Avebury has been much modified over the years, as farmers pulled down stones to smash up and use to build their own homes. Some 200 years ago, someone erected a false bank which obstructed not only the view from the well known stone, the Devil’s Chair, but more importantly, the astronomical alignments too. Instead of the sunrise touching certain stones, this new bank left them in shadow. So much for modern man’s so-called improvements!

Once again we were reminded just how much knowledge has been lost over the centuries, and how much we still have to learn and discover. Fortunately dedicated people such as Maria and Busty are on the case. You can find out more at www.theaveburyexperience.co.uk or by visiting Avebury itself, where Maria gives guided tours. Check at the Henge shop for dates and times.

MORE: Visit to Avebury last June