METAGEUM '09
EXPLORING THE MEGALITHIC MIND
CONFERENCE, TOUR AND WORKSHOPS:
Exploring the Consciousness of the Megalithic Temple Builders
Treadwell's Bookshop, Covent Garden, London
21st - 29th March 2009
 Mnajdra, Malta, Summer Solstice 2007. Photo:Peter B Lloyd |
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An inter-disciplinary conference on the thinking and vision of the Neolithic people who built the megalithic temples.
A week-long conference in central London, preceded and followed by weekend workshops. It will take place in the meeting room at Treadwell's Bookshop, Covent Garden, London, www.treadwells-london.com.
What is Metageum?
The aim of this Metageum event is to bridge the gap between science and philosophy, between the objective and the subjective, between the exoteric and the esoteric. This theme is continued from the first Metageum conference (which took place in Malta, 3rd-11th November 2007),
Metageum is not tied to any particular theory about our megalithic legacy. It aims to be an open space to debate different theories, approaches, and experiences.
The premise of Metageum is that academic archaeology is invaluable in uncovering objective facts about prehistory -- but, at the same time, it is systematically misguided in interpreting the spiritual elements of prehistory because it is premised on materialism. Metageum’s guiding assumptions are: that a real spiritual realm of some kind exists and is actively engaged in the human world; and that a full understanding of the megalithic temples requires us somehow to comprehend of that realm.
The formal conference will run from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th March, comprising two talks in the morning and two in the aftermoon, with a panel discussion to round off each morning session and afternoon session. The weekends 21st/22nd and 28th/29th March will contain experiential workshops and rituals. (Those who attended Metageum 07 will notice that this is less intense than the program of seven talks a day for nine days. Also, we will not be running off-site visits in parallel to the talks.)
Contributions are sought for all parts of the event. The three, inter-related key subject areas are as follows:
- Altered states of consciousness: The different ways of entering altered states (sound, breathwork, sensory deprivation, sexual ecstasy, psychedelic plants), and the shamanic uses of those states of consciousness.
- Geomancy: The relationship between megalithic structures and the entity that is the Earth itself, the use of dowsing to engage with the Earth. What exactly is it in the environment that dowsing detects? What degree of intelligence and intentionality can be ascribed to the geomantic realm?
- Archaeo-astronomy and metrology: It is evident that spatio-temporal alignments between megalithic tenples and celestial bodies (essentially the rising and setting of the Sun, the Moon, and certain stars) were of central importance to the neolithic architects throughout the world. What was the intention and function of such alignments? What connection do they have with geomancy and human consciousness?
For the conference, we are keen to have reports on new thinking or research that throws light on the Neolithic mind, how the Neolithic people understood the nature of reality, and how they related to the Earth and the Heavens through their megalithic structures. For the weekend workshops, we are seeking activities that give experiential insight into possible modes of use of the megalithic temples. If you would be interested in making a contribution, please click through to the Contact page.
Archive for Metageum 07
Metageum 07 was held in Malta from 3rd to 11th November 2007. About seventy-five people took part at various capacities. The original web site, with some updates, is mothballed here. This will, at some point, be updated with information and pictures. The aftermath of the conference was somewhat problematic, and has really hampered progress in assembling a record of this unusual and interesting event. But the problems are gradually being sorted out ... so watch this space!
So far, two reviews have appeared online:
- Gyrus, who includes some audio and video recordings on his web site:
dreamflesh.com. "It was also one of the most inspiring pools of people I’ve swum in, and it was great to have such a leisurely dip."
- Renate Haupt had a mixed experience but found it worth-while: www.desertfoxoverland.co.uk. "I believe the conference had its successes it also had its failures too; and I console myself by saying that the conference happened against the odds and as such, the attempt should be lauded as a platform to build upon for the next Metageum Conference."
At Megalithomania
During 2007, the principal organiser, Peter B Lloyd, gave a number of promotional talks about the Neolithic temples of Malta, and the background ideas of Metageum. One of these talks, given at the Megalithomania conference (www.megalithomania.co.uk) in Glastonbury, May 2007, is available on audio CD from the organisers of Megalithomania (as indeed are all the talks from the 2006 and 2007 Megalithomania events, and DVDs for the 2008 event), and can be purchased online. This year, I didn't know I'd be able to get to Megalithomania until a few days before, so there was a small leaflet stand, but no talk. Megalithomania is a great annual event and well worth going to.
At Ootopia
In September, Peter B Lloyd will be giving a talk entitled "Sacred Sexuality in the Neolithic Temples of Malta" at another great annual event, the Out of the Ordinary Festival, www.outoftheordinaryfestival.com.
External links
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Big Stones •
Anthropology •
Avalon Rising •
Ootopia •
Antiquarians •