Touchstones for Today – Designing for Earth Harmony with Stone Arrangements

by Alanna Moore

The subtitle of this new book by Alanna Moore is ‘Designing for Earth Harmony with Stone Arrangements’, but it could equally well be ‘Everything You Need to Know About Stones’, such is the range of the subject matter. This is an updated and greatly expanded version of her 2005 book ‘The Magic of Menhirs & Circles of Stone’.

The first part of the book looks at the traditional uses of stones and stone formations in cultures around the world, from the healing (and cursing) stones and stone altars of Irish folk tradition to archaeo-astronomical configurations of calendar stones, medicine wheels and other stone structures. This section also covers petroglyphs, fairy lore and the use of stones as boundary markers or kingship stones (such as the Lia Fial and Stone of Destiny), and explores the shamanic and ceremonial uses of stones as spirit portals and other sacred mechanisms.

We enter more familiar territory with subsequent chapters dealing with dowsing and the telluric energies found in stone circles and other arrangements. The association of stones with underground water flows is covered, with mention of Guy Underwood’s geodetic lines, Tom Graves’ ‘fifth band’ reaction on menhirs, and of course Alanna’s favourite Irish round towers. Dowsers familiar with the research conducted by the British Society of Dowsers’ Earth Energies Group will be comfortable with many of the names and concepts cited here.

One of the shorter sections looks at rock art and petroglyphs, concentrating mostly on their relevance as astronomical markers although mention is given to David Cowan’s research into the energetic resonance generated by cup-marks.

The latter half of the book is of a more practical nature, with instructive chapters on constructing and working with stone circles, labyrinths, medicine wheels and other ceremonial constructions. Again, all this will be recognisable to EEG members, but for those dowsers unfamiliar with the field this book is a little goldmine of useful information.

Alanna’s writing is always engaging, if a little economical at times. Her extensive research is presented in a clear, no-nonsense fashion with little extraneous commentary, so what you get is an easily accessible concentrated repository of information on all things petrous.

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