Walking in the Footsteps of Ancestors

 Earth Energies at Merrivale  - A Day of Discovery with Nigel and Ros Twinn

 On a bright and blustery Dartmoor day, Tamar Dowsers gathered at the Four Winds car park, ready to explore the ancient landscape of Merrivale. Led by the ever-generous and insightful Nigel Twinn, with the kind and steady support of Ros Twinn, we set out on an Earth Energy Dowsing Day for Improvers - though all levels of experience were warmly welcomed. 

Nigel Twinn at Merrivale

Merrivale is always full of surprises, and - as Nigel rightly said - it’s never the same twice. The land offers its layers slowly, and it was a true pleasure to peel back some of those layers together as a group. We began at the majestic menhir, a standing stone that commands both presence and curiosity. From there, our journey took us through stone rows, a re-erected stone circle, and the remains of a prehistoric village, rich with energetic imprints.

Throughout the day, we tuned into the many subtle forces at play - earth lines, water veins, spirals, flows and still points. With gentle encouragement, Nigel invited us to test what we were finding, to ask deeper questions, and to trust what we sensed. Ros was a calm anchor, offering 1-to-1 guidance and encouragement to those newer to the practice. Together, they held the space with kindness and wisdom.

One particularly magical moment came for me in the stone circle, where my rods picked up a spiral pattern. Nigel quietly suggested it might actually be a labyrinth - and sure enough, further dowsing revealed just that. A hidden energetic labyrinth, patiently waiting to be found. It was a reminder of how the earth can speak to us in symbols, if we slow down enough to listen.

Later in the settlement, Nigel shared how dowsing can allow us to “walk in the footsteps” of our ancestors. He traced the line of a path once walked by an ancient inhabitant of the site - still visible to the rods, and perhaps to the soul. Following that path was profoundly moving. I felt a pull, almost magnetic, as if walking as one with that  person from the ancient of days - a deep and wordless communion across time.

Sitting quietly in one of the stone rows, I had a vision-like sense of gazing into a clear, reflective pool of water. In that stillness, the shape of a bear emerged - evoking a powerful connection to King Arthur’s Hall, our next Tamar Dowsers destination. This bear, ancient and archetypal, linked so beautifully to Ursa Major, to ARTH, and the etymological roots of Arthur himself - the Bear King. A sacred symbol surfacing in the waters of memory.

King Arthur Bear in the Merrivale water

Water energies also made their presence known - beneath our feet, flowing quietly, connecting the features of the site like a subterranean river of consciousness. Many of us felt a sense of awe, respect, and deep connection as we walked, dowsed, and reflected together.

The weather - true to Dartmoor form - gave us wind, warmth, and wonder. There was a sense of shared experience, of camaraderie, and of learning not just from Nigel and Ros, but from each other. Everyone brought their own insights, their own style of inquiry, and the land responded in kind.

We’re so grateful to Nigel and Ros for leading us with such care and enthusiasm. And to Merrivale itself - for continuing to offer up new mysteries every time we return.

If you missed this trip, we hope you'll join us on a future outing. As this day proved, there’s always something more to discover.

🌞Alex Russell-Stoneham

June 2025