In December 1983, John Worsley's
book "Spirit of the Stones" was published. In it, were
clues and riddles leading to the hiding places on the Isle of
Wight, of forty three real diamond talismans. One of these was
called "The Great Wight Eye" and it held a one carat
gem worth over £1600
The remaining talismans were called the "Wight Eye Talismans"
and each had a jewel worth £25. Inscribed in part of the
set of Wight Eyes, was a hidden cypher which encrypted one of
the book's key codes. Another cypher to this code was in the page
layout of the book and a third was in the form of a certain artifact,
also hidden at a secret location on the island.The treasure hunt
was given a span of ten years and its main treasure, The Great
Wight Eye was claimed by two adult brothers from Birmingham after
five years of research.
When the quest for the talismans was over in January 1994, there remained twenty three Wight Eye Talismans undiscovered. By this time, even John, the author and the only one who knew fully where they were concealed, could not find them. They were lost and are now described as "The Lost Talismans of Spirit of the Stones." Perhaps the nature of concealment provides a reason for this mystery.
Each talisman, was encased within a rough stone. These stones were of varied sizes, shapes and character. On each of these stones was a spiral mark, rather like a small ammonite pattern. This was really a secret, coiled pull-cord which, when picked free and jerked, broke the stone to reveal the treasure within. Look carefully at the picture above and you will see the brilliant talisman within its mantel case. It has a silver chain spilling out but to the right, is the actual white coil of cord, still attached to part of the stone cover.
In the years since 1994, four of the Lost Talismans have been discovered by four determined seekers. This leaves 19 and exact details of their hiding places have been published in a Spirit of the Stones Solution Sheet which is crammed with details of the book's intricate codes and riddles.
Although the treasure hunt is officially ended,
copies of Spirit of the Stones are still available and are of
interest to certain people who enjoy solving riddles. And,....
there is that other artifact already mentioned. It is called "The
Lock-Seal". It is hidden just like the talismans: encased
in a rough, flat stone with a spiral mark. It is positioned in
a bed of ivy about ten yards to the south of a triple-trunked
tree. It is still there awaiting discovery!
On the left is a photo of the Lock Seal. It is about fourteen inches across and made of fired stoneware. The two small diamond shaped objects are called "Shards of Wisdom." These are each part of a Wight Eye Talisman which, with their family, comprise as the cypher already mentioned.