I don't remember the mention in 'Sun and Serpent' but that's probably just my memory. I suppose un-literate civilisations indeed pass on important things through poetry and songs, as the Welsh bards did. Quite amazing feats to remember such huge amounts of information, and I suppose the rhythm of the song/poetry helps a bit.

Do you also mean that in moving through the country these supposed choirs were singing about the places they were in, recounting the important mythical / historical information about them? (songlines, am I right, is about Aboriginal dreamtime myth?)

And I suppose there's the element of 'trance' that would be induced by all that rhythmical breathing and singing generally (think monastic chanting, for one example)?

(not wishing to dismiss this as Celtic New Age wishful thinking but unless it's hinted at in one of the much later Welsh poems, could it ever be decided where such a 'school' could have been based?)

Is this what Diodurus Siculus was referring to?

TRIAD 90
Three Perpetual Harmonies of the Island of Britain:
One was at the Island of Afallach,
and the second at Caer Garadawg,
and the third at Bangor.

In each of these three places there were 2,400 religious men; and of these 100 in turn continued each hour of the twenty-four hours of the day and night in prayer and service to God, ceaselessly and without rest for ever.

<i>But what do we know about precisely where this "centre" was? I can't find a structure locally that looks as if it could have been the place, so i wondered if anyone out there has any ideas? It is a lovely, and very spiritual place, where one feels as if something big could have happened a long time ago. </i>

Whiteleaved Oak certainly sounds like a special place, the site where 3 counties meet, quartzite abundant in the local geology and a spring - picture here http://www.crystalsandfossils.co.uk/crystals_choosing.html
Are there any clues as to a "centre" on an old map?
http://www.old-maps.co.uk/gazetteer/10heref151/10heref151gazW.htm

Googling Perpetual Choirs turned this up, too, lots on sacred geometry and music.
http://www.aniwilliams.com/geometry_music_healing.htm

Rune

With regards to the choirs themselves, I beleive it is thought that 100-strong choirs would sing in shifts around the clock at each of the points around the decagon that forrester refers to. There are actually two of these geometric patterns in the UK. White leaved Oak is the centre of the western ring, however there is a also an overlapping eastern ring. I beleive the theory expands further to suggest that there are patterns through sacred sites across the globe representing the Earths Chakras (energy points like those in the human body) and that purpetual singing, praise and harmony at these points creates world peace. Such points across the world include the Great Pyramids, the Olgas, and some mountain in Tibet among many others.

There is in fact an organisation currently undertaking a festival of harmonic resonance or "festival of 144000 souls". Which through the meditating of 144000 souls on world peace will create harmony across the globe - I suppose though "good vibes". Good luck to them.

It's all rather confusing and the above is my interpretation of the facts (?!) as best I can comprehend them. But it is safe to say that the Pagan Oak at the foot of Ragged Stone is still a spiritual place or temple for many people even today.

*=moggz=*