In the Spring of 2006 myself and my partner were wandering across Ilkley Moor, with no definite destination in mind, when we came across a very curious object. After meandering around the central, highest part of the moor we’d decided to pause for a snack at a convenient boulder. On one side was a small pool of water, which extended into a hollow beneath the rock. Glancing into the gap something caught my eye. I peered in but couldn’t make out what it was, so I reached in and pulled it out.

It was a cone, less than six inches high, made of some sort of waxy material. Within the cone were what looked like 'slivers' or 'parings' of a shiny metallic substance. I took a few photographs and put it back, thinking that someone else may have put it there for a reason that was important to them, and we continued with our walk.

Back home I searched the Internet to try and discover what the curious artefact may have been. After posting images of it on various forums a few people suggested it may be something called ‘Orgonite’. A little intrigued, and wondering if we’d discovered the only weakness of an obscure super-hero, I trawled the web for more information.

It seemed that the object we’d found was an example of an ‘HHG’, or ‘Holy Hand Grenade’.

Constructed of a fibreglass resin, containing metal shavings and one or more quartz crystals, the material can apparently change harmful ‘negative etheric energy’ occurring in it’s locality, into beneficial ‘positive etheric energy’.
According to the website; www.orgonite.info these devices have many desirable effects on the environment, including purifying the atmosphere, helping plants to grow, awakening one’s psychic senses and reducing the affects of EMF radiation. Quite a material in anyone’s book!
The website also said: -

“We have found that tactical deployment of orgonite (e.g., "gifting") by throwing, hiding or burying it near sources of electromagnetic radiation or other pollution or in polluted areas, such as near cellphone/TV/radio towers, power plants, in lakes, rivers and ocean harbors, has a powerful and noticeable effect on the area. The skies get clearer and return to the deep blue color you remember from your childhood, complete with normal puffy white clouds.”

Which could explain why we found the object in the vicinity of the huge aerial masts at Whetstone Gate.

“The general mood or "vibe" in the area improves dramatically as people are kinder, happier and more easy-going. Neighbours either become friendlier or suddenly leave town. A renewed sense of hope begins to pervade the community. We have seen this effect in our own communities as a direct result of tactical orgonite gifting, and have found it truly self-empowering, but don't take our word for it. Try it yourself and see what happens!”

I’ve not noticed the good people of the nearby town of Ilkley acting any differently the last time I was there, but perhaps others have?

Interestingly, the members of the Fortean forum where I posted the original request for information were mostly interested in whether these things actually work, and the concept of Orgone energies and related phenomena e.g. ‘Cloud-busting’. Whereas the members of a Pagan forum soon began debating the effects that the object would have on the local Genius Loci, and the dubious legitimacy of dumping ‘some plastic bit of tat, filled with crystals that were raped from the earth and totally alien to the geology and energy of the place, into a nook or cranny where it can leech goodness knows what into the ground.’
I was advised by one pagan to remove the offending article the next time I was in the area.
At the time I put it back because I thought it may have some important significance for someone, and I didn’t feel that it was any of my business to meddle with someone else’s intentions. Now I’m not so sure…

I revisited the site in mid-May 2007 and the cone is still there. Should I remove it? After all, according to the information provided, the objects are not created for one person's gain, but for a more altruistic motive.
And what if it works?

Or is it just another example of ‘New Age’ naïveté, this time littering the countryside with silly homemade devices that are believed to alter the cosmic energies, albeit on a local level...?