Photo courtesy of Michael Barera/CC BY-SA 4.0.
Caelum Moor has had a tumultuous history and received its fair share of criticism over the years. Is it really rooted in witchcraft and Satanic rituals?
The concept of witch-hunting goes back several hundred years. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and 1693 are the movement’s most infamous event in North America (then British America). However, Malleus Maleficarum, a handbook on witch-hunting, was published over two centuries earlier, in 1489. Thomas Aquinas posited theories about people working with the devil to get supernatural powers as early as the 13th century.
Despite this long-standing history, public stake burnings are thankfully no longer commonplace. Yet, people certainly still believe in and claim to witness demonic practices, black magic, and similar devious actions.
Look no further than a set of sculptures in Arlington called Caelum Moor, which found itself in the middle of witchcraft and Satanic fever at the turn of the century. Here’s how it all got started.
Caelum Moor history
In 1984, Jane Mathes Kelton, a heiress of television magnate Curtis Mathes, commissioned Norm Hines to design a work of art to complement the newly built Highlands Business Park. Hines was a sculptor and art professor at California’s Pomona College.
Kelton was Scottish and had seen ancient sculptures throughout the British Isles, so she requested Hines use those as inspiration for the design. Two years and $1.5 million later, Caelum Moor was complete. It featured five individual groups of megalithic granite sculptures.
Despite the intention to create some impressive artwork that highlights the beauty of nature, Caelum Moor gained attention for other reasons.
Accusations of witchcraft and Satanic behavior
In 1996, 20 ministers and pastors marched to Arlington City Hall and posted a simple message on the door: “Please, no Witchcraft Park in Arlington!”
Pastors claimed to have seen various rituals going down at Caelum Moor. They cried that they found animal sacrifices on the stones. Others said they saw Wiccans performing rites at the sculptures.
Dena Smith, a member of the group pleading with City Hall, said to the city council, “It’s not a park. It’s a religious site.”
Chaplain Michael Tummillo told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “I believe there’s a devil and that we tugged on his cape.”
Hines himself wrote an open letter that refuted the claims, saying he had “no knowledge of, nor interest in, Satanism or witchcraft.” His protests went unheard—Caelum Moor was about to be on the outs.
The property was eventually sold in 1997. The city of Arlington kept the stones in storage until it could determine a new location.
Moving to Richard Greene Linear Park
Finally, in the summer of 2009, Caelum Moor found its new home. The sculptures would stand at Richard Greene Linear Park, within shouting distance of both the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers home stadiums.
That’s where you’ll find Caelum Moor today. Tummillo, who has written a book on the fight against Caelum Moor, shared the news by posting “Occultic landmark resurrected near home of the Dallas Cowboys” on his website.
Photo courtesy of Michael Barera/CC BY-SA 4.0.
What does the name Caelum Moor mean?
Caelum is the Latin word for “chisel” and is the eighth smallest constellation in the sky. The word, especially regarding the constellation, is sometimes known as the “engraving tool” or “sculptor’s toolkit.”
Moor is a nod to the windswept landscapes you can frequently see at ancient sites.
Each sculpture within Caelum Moor has a Celtic title, which is a reference to Kelton’s Scottish heritage.
The sculptures of Caelum Moor
Caelum Moor comprises five different sculptures that each have unique designs and markings. Here’s a quick overview of each one:
1. Tolmen Barrow
Tolmen’s literal definition is “hole stone,” and there are several tolmens across England. “Barrow” can mean a mountain or hill; it sometimes refers to a burial mound.
On this sculpture, you’ll find a triquetra, a symbol with multiple connotations. Some view it as the Holy Trinity. It may also indicate the life elements of earth, air, and water. Others consider it a symbol of life, death, and rebirth.
Arlington city council members and staff signed Tolmen Barrow when it was re-installed in 2009, so you can spot their signatures on the stone.
2. Tan Tara
Standing 34 feet high, Tan Tara is the tallest sculpture in Caelum Moor. Tan means “fire,” and Tara is the home of ancient Celtic gods.
The most remarkable feature of Tan Tara is its concentrated echo chamber. Stand between the sculpture’s two pillars and shout—only you’ll be able to hear it.
You can also see AT&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys play, from the perch of Tan Tara. It’s unlikely a ball would get punted out of the stadium and land in your arms, but anything could happen if a kicker used a little witchcraft.
3. De’Danaan
De’Danann gets its name from Tuatha De’Danann, an ancient Irish tribe under the Goddess Danu. This tribe is believed to be connected to the faeries around the island.
De’Danaan is the best place to meditate within Caelum Moor. When Hines first built the park, he wanted to create a spot for people to unwind and enjoy nature. The three pillars form a triangle alongside Johnson Creek and have labyrinths carved into them—a common symbol for meditation. Stand in the middle and close your eyes for a serene experience.
4. Sarsen Caer
Sarsen Caer looks a bit like a castle’s facade, which is fitting given its name. Caer is Welsh for “castle” or “fortress,” while Sarsen is the style of stone blocks you’ll find at Stonehenge and across southern England.
This sculpture is especially intriguing at night when lit from the bottom up. It casts a unique glow with mysterious shadows, standing proudly against the dark sky.
5. Morna Linn
Translating to “beloved waterfall,” Morna Linn is the only Caelum Moor sculpture you can’t walk up to directly. It rests in Holtz Pond with a steady stream cascading down its front.
Though you won’t be able to see them, former mayor Richard Greene and his wife Sylvia carved their initials into the bottom of Morna Linn.
Visiting Caelum Moor
Caelum Moor is open daily from 5 am to 10 p.m. at Richard Greene Linear Park.
If you’re an architecture enthusiast, you may enjoy this short documentary on the construction of Caelum Moor.
You can also take a quick virtual tour around the sculptures. Or, even better, visit for yourself. While you may not encounter any rituals—save for the roar of tailgaters on Cowboys game days—it’s still a cool environment to experience.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
