The stones of the end of the world

 

The end of the world

Rennes-le-Château and the end of the world has, on occasion, been linked together. So far, such speculation has been expressed only in literature, though when one scans the newspapers reports, it appears that the French government once intervened timely before an armed cult did more than just quietly reflect on the issue and take the next “logical” step, which was to either defend or attack the hill-top village. Indeed, for anyone who somehow believes that the site is linked with the fate of Christianity, i.e. the apocalypse, it is a small step to make.

The apocalypse, of course, is seen as the culmination of the Christian era. As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it – and its link with the end of a/the world – was incorporated in many myths and legends. One location where this is in evidence is near the French town of Castelnaudary, roughly half-way between Toulouse and Carcassonne. Here is a hill known as Naurouze, which is said to mark the separation of the waters. Rather than a reference to Moses separating the seas, it is based on the observation of Baron de Bonrepos, better known under his civil name of Pierre Paul Riquet (June 29, 1609-October 1, 1680), the man who created the canal du Midi linking the Garonne with the Mediterranean Sea, but who also noted that around Naurouze, there was this separation of the waters, whereby one part of the waters go to the Atlantic, the other to the Mediterranean.
Since 1825, an impressive monument adorns the top of this hill, commemorating the engineer in charge of this gigantic operation. The memorial is placed on a three-fold circular walled structure, the top of which is a series of rocks that forms the subjects of our interest. For Nostradamus, deemed to be one of the most famed prophets, these stones were highly symbolic, as he claimed that when these seven rocks, each separated by various fissures, would rejoin, the end of the world would arrive.
As to how these stones came into existence, legend has it that they were transported by a giant, Naurouzo, and that they were to be used to build Toulouse. However, it appeared that the giant learned that the city had been completed without him, and in his fury, he threw these stones down where they have remained ever since.

An interesting history

The stones were obviously made part of various other stories and myths. They featured, under the name of “Peiras d’Alzona” in songs of the 13th century troubadour Ramon de Mireval. One should underline that there is another Alzonne, not too distant yet not immediately in the vicinity either, a bit further in the direction of Carcassonne.
In the 15th century, the bishop of St Papoul, Pierre Soybert, also wrote about the stones. He refers to them as the “Rocha de Nau Rosa”, situated between Avignonet and La Bastide. He also relates about a prophecy that seems disquieting for the mental health of humanity, rather than for the world as such. He states that “when the stones of Naurouze touch, the world will become shameless.” Some might argue the prophecy is, of course, erroneous, as humanity has become as such since long.

In origin, the name Alzona comes from “Al” and “Ona”. Al relates to water, and Ona is linked with a place. Its link with the separation of the waters is hence to be expected, but there is also the famous miraculous fountain known as “Font Alzona”, as well as the “Elusio”, the spas, both of which are close to this site.
As to Naurouze, let us note that it was apparently derived from “Nau Rosa”, which can be translated as “the new flower” or “the new rosa”, or even “the lady of the rose”, or “the rose lady”.

Prophecies

As interesting as this legend is, let us quickly repeat that this hill is not unique in its prophetic alliance. Indeed, even Christianity is not unique as Islam has the tradition of a place known as Rhama, where the stones were said to be able to lock together if pilgrims passed between them. Not just any pilgrims, but women that cried according to an established sacred ritual. Indeed, one might argue that however steady and immovable rocks appear to be, they often conspire against us. If not now, then definitely during the times of the apocalypse, it seems. Of course, we should also realise that before Christian times, the local population already had numerous sacred sites, not all of which could easily be converted or made into Christian sanctuaries. And hence, these were enveloped in a new framework, of Christian origins. A rocky outcrop like the col de Naurouze is clearly – visually – part of the pagan sacred landscape, which had to be adopted and adapted.
On such sacred pagan location was Belle-Île, where it was said that two megaliths, at night-time and secretly, came closer to each. Jean and Jeanne, the name of the two standing stones, at the time of an astronomical conjunction (the exact nature of which is unknown) would be reunited and would exact their revenge on Mankind, under the form of a tidal wave that would wipe us out. The same legend is known on the île de Sein, as well as near Tredion where the rocks are known as Babouin and Babouine. Here, local tradition links them with the time of Christmas, and especially the moment when the genealogy of Jesus is read out. They also become displaced during the twelve strokes of midnight… and when the rocks move, it is said that an incredible treasure is unveiled.

Legends

It takes a child’s imagination to see blocks of stone move or fissures to close. The latter, for sure, could happen during earthquakes, and though they might be the end of the world, it is clear that an earthquake of such magnitude would do more than “just” close a fissure in a rock. In short, the stories are illogical and it is clear that few if any would believe them in the literal sense. Which implies that the magical account was never written to be read as such, but was testimony to a supernatural dimension present in the account. Their illogical content is the so-called smoke and it is then the task of each to see where the fire is.

Return to Rennes-le-Château

One might now assume that we are far removed from Rennes-le-Château. Fortunately, that is not the case, for it is in a book of Robert Charroux, the man who first wrote about the mystery of the village, that we find some intriguing information that is linked with such apocalyptic stones. The book is “Livre du passé Mystérieux”, originally published by Robert Laffont in 1973 and republished in 1983 as part of the “J’AI LU” series. On page 158 of that re-edition, we find a subtitle “Pierres à oracles. Fin de Marseille!” – “Oracle stones. The end of Marseilles!” It is no doubt typical of the Rennes mythology that it is under this headline, which suggests otherwise, that there is information on Rennes.
Charroux writes about prophecies and notes that “near Rennes-le-Château” there is a rock formation. A local legend states that they were thrown from the sky by a giant who, after his temper had settled down, prophesised that “when the rocks would rejoin, the end of the world would come”. The story is clearly identical to Naurouze, but it is apparent that the rock formation itself, is much closer to Rennes.
Charroux added that it were several elder villagers who had told him of this story, and that they, as children, loved to play around these rocks, running through the openings between them. Charroux added that these people, in ca. 1970, were fearful for the future, as they did feel that the openings between the stones were closing rapidly and that they had even inserted metal bars, so that it would slow down the process. Then, Charroux queried what makes these rocks move. Was it merely geophysics, or was it indeed the prophecy of the giant that was at work?

Treasure

Of course, Charroux does not speculate further, instead opting to tackle the “Seuil de Naurouze”, finishing with a prediction made by a certain de Novage who, in 1905, saw Marseilles being swept away by a wave, which heralded radical changes for the geology of the entire globe. Which brings us back to the apocalypse and the end of the world, though in a circumspect way – the actual vision not located in Rennes, but in Marseilles.
But what is perhaps the most important observation to make – within the context of Rennes – is the following. We note that some of these miraculously moving stones were often said to shield treasure, which was exposed during the times of this movement. And it is a fact that the movement of the earth can both close, but also open, entrances into the belly of the earth. And, indeed, sometimes treasure might be found. Of course, the story of Rennes is all about treasure, and specifically treasure found by its priest, Bérenger Saunière.

At present, we are trying to locate the site that Charroux referred to and which was, apparently ca. 1970, secured by metal bars. Anyone who could help, please let us know.

André Douzet