Unfinished business | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

T

tjj Sep 6, 2013 10:16:40

Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:

When visiting a stone circle or other megalithic structure do you have a want to touch the stones as I do? It's like a magnet to me and just can't leave without doing it. It sort of re-connects me with something I'm sure I should know more about and am searching for and feel somewhat bereft of it when I leave. The remote or distant sites are the worst as I often feel I am leaving 'someone' behind to a life of isolation when I should be doing something about it. Is it just me?

This is an interesting post Roy, I have read it more than once ... I think what you are saying is about the 'subjective' again. What we are experiencing in our lives is often what we take with us on our visits to our ancient sites and so many other conditions, such as the weather, also affect our experience. The last 'big one' for me was my visit to Callanish which of course was wonderful - the awe factor though was getting close up to the stones and seeing that some of them are pink - you don't see that in long shots. My most vivid memory of Lewis in general was the wind.

L

Littlestone Sep 6, 2013 12:26:38

Replying to Sanctuary

Funny you Should ask that Mr S.

moss and I were at St Oswald’s Church in Lythe (North Yorkshire) the other day. Went out to see their spectacular collection of Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Scandinavian stone work. First thing I did was to trace my finger along the intricately carved knot-work on one piece of stone - even said to moss at the time, "I'm touching the same carving that our Anglo-Saxon forefathers touched."

It's the sense of 'touch' that provides us with the sense of 'connectivity' isn't it - you even see it in very small children, seeing and then reaching out to touch.

Great little exhibition room at St Oswald’s Church by the way, "The purpose of Lythe PCC in sponsoring this heritage project was to conserve and secure the collections for future generations and to provide a display which interpreted the significance of what is here." and well worth a visit.

G

GLADMAN Sep 6, 2013 22:49:14

Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:

When visiting a stone circle or other megalithic structure do you have a want to touch the stones as I do? It's like a magnet to me and just can't leave without doing it. It sort of re-connects me with something I'm sure I should know more about and am searching for and feel somewhat bereft of it when I leave. The remote or distant sites are the worst as I often feel I am leaving 'someone' behind to a life of isolation when I should be doing something about it. Is it just me?

Yeah, I have to touch every stone.

V

Vybik Jon Sep 9, 2013 14:15:14

Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:

Is it just me?

Not at all.

I find touching stones to be a very satisfying thing that links me to all those who have done the same over thousands of years.

I

ironstone Sep 11, 2013 21:51:59

Replying to Sanctuary

Absolutely catches my own feelings. It's the very 'ancientness' (if such a word exists) of the sites, the fact that these stones have stood, or lain in some cases, for thousands of years in these places that almost begs me to make a physical connection. I don't go so far as to hug them; that would be overdoing it but I do feel a sense of loss in leaving them behind. However I then reassure myself that they've been there an awful lot longer than I've been on this Earth and will remain so long after I've ceased to be even a distant memory.

T

The Eternal Sep 15, 2013 00:27:54

Replying to Sanctuary

Yes I do. With me it's because I like the thought of placing my hands on the places that the people from the Neolithic and Bronze Age touched. It's a genuine physical connection with the past, and I feel it so strongly.

All the best,
TE.

T

tiompan Sep 19, 2013 19:50:34

Replying to Sanctuary

Things men have made with wakened hands ,and put soft life into are awake though years with transferred touch ,and go on glowing for long years . (D.H.Lawrecne )

C

Charlie2300 Sep 19, 2013 23:04:20

Replying to Sanctuary

Upon reflection, I feel that this predisposition to touch is something to do with the desire to bond, be part of...it's certainly not limited to historic human edifices. Thus, in my case, I was brought up in a village on the coast in Northumberland and my affinity is with my spiritual home and the sea. There's a small sea stack that must be clambered around when I'm in the vicinity, rock hopping is obligatory and the desire to have a bit of a plodge in the North Sea is always there regardless of season, weather etc. I'll certainly make it my business to touch the stonework at Delaval Hall, Walkworth Castle etc, but it is as nothing compared to the lure of the sea.

M

moss Sep 20, 2013 07:03:54

Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:

When visiting a stone circle or other megalithic structure do you have a want to touch the stones as I do? It's like a magnet to me and just can't leave without doing it. It sort of re-connects me with something I'm sure I should know more about and am searching for and feel somewhat bereft of it when I leave. The remote or distant sites are the worst as I often feel I am leaving 'someone' behind to a life of isolation when I should be doing something about it. Is it just me?

I think leaving 'someone' behind is what I would call a 'haunted sadness', you have given the stones a personality, that is why they have accrued folklore through their long history. I can see and feel the Duloe quartz stone circle right now, sparkling in the sun, and my mind is already tramping round The Hurlers waiting eagerly for that quartz pathway to be revealed but also being cross at the modern trappings of a 'dig' .
It is the mind, always making up the story, trying to make sense of the past. Trouble is of course we never really get there, touching the stones with reverence only gives us the feel of rough surfaces, sometimes warmth from the sun, other times a 'vibe'? who knows...