Ancient Mysteries no. 17, October 1980 (continuation of Journal of Geomancy)
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It is a sad thing to have to record here that Sam Wildman suffered a fatal heart attack on July 21st, 1980, at the age of sixty-seven. Sam is perhaps best known for his book The Black Horsemen, an original and stimulating attempt to define the role of the Celtic folk-hero Arthur and to penetrate the obscurity of Dark Age Britain by seeking clues in the landscape. By combining his historical insight with a broad knowledge of topography, myth and legend, his field of work ranged ever wider within the “Matter of Britain”. His antiquarian and geomantic researches, and particularly his detailed knowledge of Wales and the Marches, contributed also to the work of others – examples include Guy Phillips’s Brigantia and Janet & Colin Bord’s Mysterious Britain – and his generous friendship was enjoyed by many of his {20} fellow-enthusiasts.
Recently, Sam had been pursuing original work on terrestrial zodiacs and other forms of calendar-circle. His identification of a regular circle of sites around Crookbarrow Hill, Worcester (published in The Ley Hunter) led to the discovery of a similar circle within the Glastonbury Zodiac, and he noted in Terrestrial Zodiacs Newsletter that the existence of these and other circles of ancient sites was of the greatest relevance in the interpretation of the zodiacs. At the time of his death, he was collecting material for a second book, which would have made a strong case for the role of medieval monastic houses, such as Glastonbury Abbey, as perpetuators of the landscape zodiac tradition.
This brief notice cannot hope to describe the full scope of Sam’s interests, nor can it do justice to the warmth
and energy of his personality. He will be greatly missed from the earth mysteries scene, which was his second love after
his family; and with them will be shared the sympathy of his many friends and colleagues.
To the spirit of Sam Wildman, peace.
Jim Kimmis