Journal of Geomancy vol. 3 no. 3, April 1979
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Just north of London, largely in Hertfordshire lies the Cuffley Zodiac. All 12 of its effigies are present plus a few extra additions which prove interesting. It bears remarkable similarities to Glastonbury, Kingston and the nearby Nuthampstead and Ongar Zodiacs, having Leo to the south and the additions of Argo Navis, a little dog, a Christ figure and a water carrier. The circle is some 19 miles across with its centre in a wood at the village of Woodside. Cuffley from which the circle takes its name is on the tail of the Libran dove about 3 miles south-west. On the eastern and western sides of the circle lies Ermine Street and Watling Street at the latter. All of the effigies exist either partially or as a whole within the section cut by these two roads. The significance has yet to be found – assuming there is one.
LEOA rampant lion with an upraised paw represents the effigy. Dyrham Park is in its mouth. The back is drawn by the ancient track that runs through Hadley Woods. The battle of Barnet was fought on his shoulders. It was here that Warwick the Kingmaker was killed. He was a ‘lion’ until the end! Leo was the first effigy to be found which was the case both at Glastonbury and Kingston. The tuft in his tail is formed by West Lodge Park, now a hotel.
VIRGOThe usual witch and maiden can be found here. Her head is at the unspoiled Forty Hall and appears hooded similar to Nuthampstead’s. Ermine Street forms the top of her arm. The bottom, however, is drawn by the New River built only some 300 years ago. It runs downhill into London and so must have followed the course of something there before it! Enfield Marshes are now covered by industrious|industrial reservoirs and the original skirt outline is now largely gone. What remains is very similar to the Virgo in the Ongar Zodiac. This is hardly surprising as the two would appear to form a brother/sister role.
LIBRAHere is the usual dove, so similar to Kingston’s that it must be hereditary in some way! The interesting Justice Hill appears within the outline. Scales Park at Nuthampstead is not very old and this hill may not be either.
SCORPIOLike the Virgin, the scorpion’s left claw has now nearly gone due to urban development. The other, however, is well drawn by roads and streams. It stings the horse of Sagittarius as at Kingston. Thunderfield Grove on its side suggests an evil character. A tumulus of Roman origin is found in the sting.
SAGITTARIUSThe usual rider is no different in this circle. He falls off his horse as in most terrestrial zodiacs. Tyler’s Causeway appears near his head, and the rider may have some connexion. Morgan’s Walk forms one side of the horse’s hind leg, Morgan le Fay in Arthurian legend was mother to Mordred represented by Scorpio. In the end he brought about the death of Arthur. Perhaps there may be some connexion? Both the sting of the scorpion and the tail of the horse overlap.
CAPRICORNThe animal here is both goat and unicorn. A second horn may be formed by either fields or just a road. The leg outline has been slowly disappearing over the past few years, but is easy to spot on older 1 : 50 000 maps and 1″ maps. The eye is formed by a wood.
AQUARIUSHere a surprise comes into the circle. An eagle (phoenix) can be found at Brocket Hall Park west of Welwyn but there is also a water carrier. A female, fish-like figure is seen north of Welwyn. She is veiled and holds an upturned bowl. In appearance she seems to be trying to drown the poor bird, with success, for the water carrier is now generally accepted. In other terrestrial zodiacs no other water carriers have been found as yet, except in the case of Pendle where Hercules and a water pot are present. This may delete the figure here to ‘just a coincidence’. The Ardeley Hound is only a few miles north-west from here which marks the beginning of the Nuthampstead Zodiac.
PISCESThe first fish is found to exist just north of Harpenden. It has a pointed tail and nose. A Mackereye End sounds like the fish mackerel and it may have been named deliberately. A road forms the cord that joins the two. The second fish is much better looking. It curves around the mysterious ‘The Grove’.
ARIESThe ram looking over its shoulder is common to all terrestrial zodiacs. This animal has two horns formed by the ditches around the Devil’s Dyke and Belgic Settlement. Ayres End at the tail of the figure surely means ‘Aries end’. He is crossed by a Roman road. {67}
TAURUSThe bull’s head is not rich in place-names off the map. The agricultural institute is, however, interesting. He has his hoof on the boat like at Glastonbury where he is equivalent to Sir Ector.
GEMINIBoth twins are present in this circle. The first is bearded and wears a cloak of green about his shoulders. The second has the North Mimms Swallow-Holes on his throat! Below them both is a Christ figure. This is also present at Kingston. His head is at Hawkshead Wood. {68}
CANCERThe crab is absent but there is a boat (Argo Navis) which I presume to be a replacement. This is also true at Glastonbury.
RADLETT HOUNDThe dog here is within the circle. High Cannons (canis) is the name of the park behind him. His tail brushes back to the Barnet gate of the zodiac which he guards. A little dog lies at Houndswood just to the north. The whole zodiac is found on 1 : 50 000 OS sheet 166, or the 1 inch map North West London.