Spirits of the Stones: Visions of Sacred Britain Book

Many people tell of the mystical "presence" of stone circles and standing stones--a sense of awe, a tingling feeling, a communion with ancient spirits or deities. In Spirits of the Stones Alan Richardson gathers together dozens of accounts by mystics and mediums, researchers and people who claim no special powers or expertise, but simply enjoy visiting pre-historic monuments. His framework is a book by a 19th century clergyman, the Rev Edward Duke, The Druidical Temples of the County of Wiltshire. Duke described a series of astrological orbits centred on Silbury Hill, with the Sun and Moon represented by Avebury, out to Saturn represented by Stonehenge. Richardson uses Duke's scheme as "a map of the psyche, using physical locations as signposts to inner realities". Each of his chapters concentrates on the essence of one of Duke's "orbits", so Venus includes "the Goddesses and the Mysteries of Women", while Mars includes "the Place of the Guardian Spirits and the Mysteries of Men". Throughout the book Richardson presents accounts by Christians, pagans, occultists and scholars of their impressions of sacred sites. Sometimes these are simply feelings, sometimes full-blown visions; some are contradictory (Silbury Hill itself is seen as empty and dead by some, and as very powerful by others), but many are surprisingly similar. Whatever one's personal beliefs, there is no doubt that Britain's stone circles and other prehistoric monuments still have the power to impress. For those with any belief in the old gods, this book will be a useful guide to Britain's ancient sites, and what one might encounter at them. --David V BarrettRead More