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The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map : Index >>
Stones Forum >> RIP John Michell
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| Author |
RIP John Michell |
PeteG
Joined:
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|  Posted 24-04-2009 at 13:13
John died of cancer at 12:30am today.
RIP John,
PeteG
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hamish
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| Posted 24-04-2009 at 16:25
I shall miss this thought provoking man.
H
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Runemage
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| Posted 25-04-2009 at 21:24
Wonderful gentle man, I wonder how many other people he awakened to the possibility of a real View over Atlantis, besides me.
Eternally grateful,
Rune
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Runemage
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| Posted 05-10-2010 at 10:37
This article gives a good account of the topics covered on John Michell Day.
I thought this summed him up very well, "It could equally be said that Michell was primarily interested in re-enchanting the lives of those around him, by opening their eyes and hearts to the perennial philosophy engraved by the ancients in the landscape."
Rune
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brigantia
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| Posted 06-10-2010 at 20:55
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On 2009-04-25 21:24, Runemage wrote:
...I wonder how many other people he awakened to the possibility of a real View over Atlantis, besides me. |
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Michell was the most seminal literary catalyst of prehistoric archaeology of the 20th century: his words - disliked by some, adored by others - awoke more people to explore with differing eyes the ancient remains in and around us than anyone else (Time Team aside!). Nobody, as the song tells, did it better than Michell. Many of his notions (not that they were "his", more that he was the most effective proponent of them) are now taken for granted in archaeology - not that many archaeo's are aware of such a thing, nor give the fella such credit. He drew a lot from comparative religious studies and resurrected the curiously neglected field of animism, relating how our ancestors related to the landscapes.
I used to love his Platonic geometrical overviews on our megalithic remains when I was a kid, but have found them unnecessary with age - as I think John did aswell. But they were solid foundations for the many who love playing with numbers and abstractions, as is still the case with tons of folk still today, and tomorrow, etc.
Like Alexander Thom of the same period, these two really got up the backside of the archaeological fraternities of the time, who were still very much attached to their discipline's British Israelite notions of "ancient man were a setta thugs" at the time. Michell & Thom kicked their butts considerably regarding that belief system.
But whether all that they said was right or not aint necessarily that important. The fact that JM and co. turned masses of people onto megaliths and their pre-xtians ways of viewing the world was, to me at least, the most vital aspect. John was very keen on a natural spirituality (not religion, which is a very different thing indeed) and reawakening this vitality. I think we can safely assert that the fella did a very good job at doing this and more...
One wonders whether his next incarnation is gonna be as enjoyable and fruitful as the one he's just had! 
Which book of his d' y' like best?
[ This message was edited by: brigantia on 2010-10-06 20:56 ]
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PeteG
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| Posted 06-10-2010 at 21:03
Megalithomania.
I didn't go for the ley line/Crop circle stuff...
A Spliff too far for my liking...
[ This message was edited by: PeteG on 2010-10-06 21:04 ]
[ This message was edited by: PeteG on 2010-10-06 21:04 ]
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brigantia
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| Posted 07-10-2010 at 00:04
Ey up Pete!
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I didn't go for the ley line/Crop circle stuff...
A Spliff too far for my liking... |
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I'm with you there - though still like his Atlantis, even though I don't agree with it all. Wot does anyone reckon of his Flying Saucer Vision? It was over mi head when I first read it as kid, but Jungian mythic structures aren't that accessible at that age! Just been scanning thru it again and it's good stuff. I might read it again.
I'm a bittova sad romantic & like his Earth Spirit best.....I think.....
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