Much nonsense has been spoken and written about lines of force, earth energy leylines, and other concepts which are often dignified by the name of "earth magic". Once we talk of magic, of course, we rule out logic and reason.
It is worth noting that lines of force and energy, imaginary straight lines which join terrestrial objects on a map, such as standing stones, ancient burial mounds, church spires and crossroads, have been exaggerated beyond all reason. The fact that we can draw a ruler line through two or three prominent features on our map does not necessarily mean that our ancestors used them deliberately in some kind of calculation.
In 1925 Alfred Watkins published a controversial book entitled ‘The old straight track', in which he claimed that landmarks were planned by our ancestors as sighting lines across broad tracts of country. Reading Watkins's account was forbidden to archaeology students in at least one major university, on the ground that it endangered the proper appreciation of scientific surveying techniques and archeological conclusions by introducing a tang of mysticism.
Yet I find that Watkins, however erroneous his interpretation of landmarks, did not unduly venture into the territory of mystical cults of today, who see his leylines as "lines of earth energy", something which defies analysis. Some people without a scientific background have seen fit in recent years to judge that their forefathers made errors in harnessing "earth energy" patterns and have tried by dowsing, electromagnetic measuring and ultrasound techniques to reset the pattern to suit their own beliefs. In such an instance, in 1989, a group of amateurs reset the stones in a celebrated old pebble maze on the edge of the sea in St Agnes, one of the Isles of Scilly. They argued that their own measurements indicated a different disposition which had upset the "earth energy" pattern. Much criticism followed, and continues, whether we have a right to interfere with antiquities which do not meet with our full approval.
I admit the attraction of ancient stones. On several occasions I have paced the Troytown maze in St Agnes with my wife, in sun and in lashing gales. It induces a strange feeling, and produces a dizziness as you escape, so that one round at a time is enough. I have also wormed myself through holed stones, maen-an-tols, according to the ancient customs, although I have noticed no marked improvement to my health or my fortune. I have leant my ear against standing stones, maenhirs, without being able to detect any energy or vibration.
Ancient stones certainly have an aura and a powerful attraction for many people. But to link them into a complex network of electromagnetic forces covering the earth for some mysterious purpose calls for greater naivity than I can summon up.