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    An alternative way to explore and explain the mysteries of our world. "Published since 1985, online since 2001."

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Archaeotrek—Alternate Perceptions Magazine, February 2016


The Round Towers of Ireland

by: Jeanne Gripp



The Round Towers of Ireland have been an enigma for centuries. Many researchers have mused that the towers were built by early Christian monks to be used for a variety of purposes; relic storage, belfries, lookout towers or even sanctuaries from raiders. While Christian monks may have utilized these towers for their own intents and purposes, the towers' true purpose may have been far from what modern day researchers believe.



Let's begin by looking at their construction. The round towers are built using a double wall method. This building style was common in ancient Rome but the Romans never made it to Ireland. At least no evidence has been found of Roman habitation in Ireland. The mortar used to hold the stones together is also of Roman design - a mixture of sand, lime, horsehair, and oxblood. A recipe not far from modern day mortar mixes but much stronger. 

The stones are not always from local sources. All the towers which have been studied are constructed from paramagnetic stone. "Paramagnetism is the ability of a substance to collect or resonate to the magnetic fields of the Cosmos." according to Phil Callahan, Ph.D. who did a great deal of research into paramagnetism. Often the proper type of stone - granite, sandstone, clay slate - had to be brought in from distant sources for the construction. The gap between the walls was frequently filled with various types of boulders and other rubble.

The builders of these ancient structures are unknown. Some researchers feel that early Christians arriving from Europe could have constructed them over sacred pagan sites. While others believe them to be much older, possibly having a link to the ancient Egyptians. Perhaps the Phoenicians who eventually came to the British Isles brought the knowledge needed to build such magnificent structures. We do know that many towers had been built by 448 AD when many were toppled by a great earthquake. The actual construction of these towers was no easy feat with some standing an impressive 75-100 feet tall. The doorways of the majority of the round towers are not at ground level, but many feet up with the highest being 27 feet off the ground. This fact has led many to theorize that the towers were defensive structures in which people would hide from marauding invaders. Access to the tower could be made via a rope ladder which could be pulled up when any threat was near. But even this line of thought is flawed because the very towers which could save a clan from death or slavery could very easily have been turned into a death trap should a fire be set in the lower level. 

The windows of the towers follow no set rule. Though in the majority of the towers, a window is set above the door and the remainder will spiral up the tower. The towers are positioned so that the doors will face east. It is believed that this positioning causes the energies to flow into the building or tower and accumulate at the back of the structure where the altar or sacred chamber might have been located.

All the towers appeared to have a roof or had a roof at one time. This roof would have been conical in shape and also made from stone. Evidence of floors in the towers can be seen. Ladders would have been used to gain access to them. The wall thickness can vary from 3ft - 4.5 ft. The base circumference ranges from 45ft - 55ft.

While Ireland has the most round towers, they can also be found in other countries like England and France with only a slight variation on design. It has even been postulated that round towers can be found in the Americas. Some examples of round towers can be found in the American Southwest. The round towers began their life by themselves but as Christianity took hold, churches and cemeteries were built near the towers. The sacredness of the Tower site was felt and man wanted to make use of the energy there, even if man didn't know what the energy was or what to do with it. 

Dowsers have dowsed the areas around the round towers and have found that the towers are located on the intersection of two underground streams. This intersection is a source of both positive and negative energy as the underground waterways radiate energy heavy with positive ions and other intense forms of radiation. A person can feel enlightened and invigorated if exposed to this energy for short periods of time but long term exposure can be detrimental to one's health, leading to serious illness. Interestingly, the doorways are approx. the same width as the underground stream(s). Coincidence?

Prof. Philip S. Callahan, Ph.D. studied the round towers when he was stationed in Ireland during World War II. He discovered that the placement of the towers mirrored the positions of constellations seen in the sky above at the time of the winter solstice. Callahan believed them to be giant earth antenna which drew in powerful paramagnetic waves or energy and dispersed that energy to surrounding soil and countryside. By day these towers would resonate to the magnetic energy of the sun and by night to radio waves from the particular part of the sky to which they are aligned. These towers also collect and amplify extra-low frequency radiation like the Schumann resonance. These extra-low frequencies are vital to life on Earth. The round towers had to be built from paramagnetic material in order for them to be able to collect, amplify and disperse this energy. Callahan also discovered that the 'doorways' of the towers were placed where the Schumann Resonance was the strongest. And to strengthen this already strong process, many of the towers were primitive orgone generators (orgone was discovered by Wilhelm Reich) with the wood floors being the organic material and the stones as the inorganic material. The steles found in Mesoamerica and the earthen mounds in the United States serve a similar purpose.

When he was stationed in Ireland during the 1940’s, Callahan had noticed how many of the towers were surrounded by lush grass. He believed that the towers enriched the surrounding countryside with their energy. Some modern day researchers disagree with Callahan’s observations, citing the stark, bare ground which can be found in close proximity to many of the towers as reason to believe that the towers have no influence over how fertile the soil is. It is the author’s opinion that the intent of these areas has been spoiled by the intrusion of modern man, causing the soil to become barren.

Many modern day farmers have experimented with placing towers in their fields to increase crop production. These farmers report larger yields, healthier plants, and less water usage. An interesting side effect of installing round towers are the reports of more rain falling in the areas near the towers. Could the towers be attracting water to them, either via the rain or by way of underground streams?

Even the home gardener could reap the benefits of a round tower being installed in or near the garden. But the proper placement of these towers is best done after dowsing the area. If a tower is not placed in a proper location, then no effects may be felt.



Websites:
http://philipcoppens.com/roundtowers.html
https://sacredsites.com/europe/ireland/tower_of_cashel.html



Books:
Moore, A., Stone Age Farming: Austin, TX : Acres U.S.A., 2012
Callahan, P. Ph.D., Paramagnetism, Austin, TX : Acres U.S.A., 1995
Lisle, H, The Enlivened Rock Powders, Metairie, LA : Acres U.S.A., 1994




Image Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glendalough_-_round_tower.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kildare_Irish_Round_Tower,_County_Kildare,_Ireland.JPG



Jeanne Gripp is a freelance writer, dowser and subtle energy worker who lives in the shadow of Pikes Peak. A Colorado native, Jeanne explores the connection between unknown lights, strange creatures, ancient legends, and earth energy lines. Jeanne has spent a lifetime of searching for answers. Only to find more questions. Her articles and a book are an attempt to compile and explain the relationship between many of the anomalies that she has experienced over time.


Friday, March 29, 2024