Arcadia Discussion Zone

Soularac (Occitan for Solar Rock) and St Barthelemy (Son of Ptolemy; Ptolemy II who made the first meridian line) taken from Notre Dame de Marseille.

The sun will set between these peaks for three days from December 22nd to December 25th then on the 26th will set further to the right. It will never set to the left of these peaks.

Winter Solstice.

some oral traditions say where Our Lady Mary Magdalene landed in her oarless boat

very cool pictures Roscoe

N D de M?
Spent 15 minutes inside a couple of years ago doing the obligatory RLC tour. Couldnt wait to get out v. uneasy feeling inside.
Probably me but anyone else felt that?
Regards,

NDdM ?

It's a special place. The little black madonna with the most lovely smile (head now stolen), the big paintings, the darkness, the pilgrims, the sealed door down on the floor, outside the memorial of a person named Vison, and down the field the two water chambers that were once mistaken for being something mysterious (treasure chambers huh?).
First time I was there in 1990 with Elizabeth van Buren and she found a little cat (kiddie) in there that she named "Little Miracle" and took it home and kept it.
Last time I was there in May 2008 with 7 members of the "Pommes Bleues".

It certainly wasn't at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, although that's become the prevalent late 20th/early 21st century myth.

TCP

"Bar-Tolomai", not "Bar-Ptolemy"...

TCP

What is behind the walled up section of the vaults?!!

Thank you so much for the beautiful photograph of Notre-Dame-de-Marcielle on such a significant day. It is almost as good as being there in person. I learn so much on this forum, especially from the lovely photos.

You know I thought some sad prat would say that.

And the answer is nope.

Take a look at the IGN map old boy.

Is it?

WHY??????

I think that once you do some research you'll find that the connection with Ptolemy II is very strong.

Not 21st century old chum, 14th century.

See The Golden Legend.


Painting of Mary Magdalene and others arriving at Marseilles in a rudderless boat
by Bondone
Egg tempora on wood from 1320CE

Nope to what? I don't imagine that you're arguing that N-D de Marceille and the city of Marseilles are in the same location. Or are you?

TCP

I was referring specifically to the landing at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the legend of Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe, of which Voragine wrote nothing. His hagiography for Magdalene has her boat landing at Marseilles. Starbird is responsible for grafting the two legends.

TCP

I find it a bit of a stretch to consider that a man who died in 246 BCE could have fathered a son who followed Jesus in 33 CE.

TCP

Indeed, and the plot devices of those Black Madonna legends point to the pre-Christian Mari, not Mary Magdalene (although her own legends borrow heavily from them).

TCP

I would agree with him, and I wonder why this message hasn't sunk in on a wider scale.

TCP

How about, because you guys might (gasp) be wrong???

Sandy, I have a book suggestion for you:

http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Origins-Religion-Philippe-Walter/dp/1594770964

Christianity: The Origins of a Pagan Religion
Philippe Walter
Inner Traditions (July 9, 2006)
ISBN-10: 1594770964
ISBN-13: 978-1594770968

From Booklist
*Starred Review* All those millions of Da Vinci Code fans will probably not flock to this book, which utterly lacks car chases, sadomasochism, and albinos. Those seriously interested, however, in the survival of pagan beliefs under the cloak of Christianity will find in these pages the most comprehensive and scholarly work on the subject to date. Walter, professor of medieval French literature at the University of Grenoble, works his way through the "Christian" calendar to reveal the pagan gods and goddesses rooted in it. For instance, he convincingly shows that Carnival was originally the feast of Carna, goddess of carnality. He restores those "Easter" eggs and bunnies, such obvious fertility symbols, to their places in the calendar of agricultural feasts. He argues that the fires of St. John's Day derive from the solstice celebrations that mark the turning of the solar year, and that Halloween unquestionably is based on the Celtic feast of Samhain, when the dead, or the fairies, come back to haunt the living. Meticulously documented yet propounded in an easy conversational style, Walter's achievement should fascinate especially the many who want to acknowledge the pre-Christian symbols still found in Christian churches. Of course, it may also enthrall the fearful, who may use it to remove all such symbols from their places of worship. Patricia Monaghan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

I highly recommend it, especially his insights on the hagiographies of Mary Magdalene. Written with incredible erudition and backed up with plenty of documentary evidence. I think you'd enjoy it.

TCP

Nope!

But some prat whom we shall call La Pedanteur seems to put himself up for spell police. Except he's wrong.

More to follow. I need to string this one out for effect.

I wouldn't expect anything less, Roscoe!

TCP

Isn't it strange how often alternative or revisionist explanations fall back on plots? They always claim to know the "truth" but can never prove it because "all the evidence has been destroyed." So how did THEY come to know it? I'm starting to believe more people are resorting to Ouija boards than will own up to it.

TCP

So no "B" on its back then?

That's true, many Marian sigils are designed in such a way that one can trace all the letters of full words relative to its interpretation.

TCP

"Rhedae" was really Limoux. Limoux was at the center of the mystery all along as was Notre Dame de Marcielle.

How's this particular French/Occitan Speaker sound to you.

"Within a little distance, to the top of the slope broadside of green trees leading to the sanctuary, a fountain drops drop by drop its limpid water in a basin of marble. With the help of large rains, the continuous water drop to fall with uniformity and times of great dryness do not tare it. The innumerable Christians who will pay homage to the Blessed Virgin, stop one moment with the fountain, and after having made a prayer, some drops of this water draw of which they wet their eyelids.

Why do they act thus? The majority are unaware of it; but the mother teaches with her sons, and those transmit to their children the pious practice of use with the fountain of Our Lady of Marceille. Thus the fountain is indicated; the old chroniclers, however, knew it under the name of fountain of Our-Lady of Marsilla. At the time of the occupation first of Gaules,"

This particular French Speaker is one:

Abbe Henri Boudet

The book

La Vraie Langue Celtique et Le Cromleck de Rennes-les-Bains.

Here's what he refers to:



Oh and perhaps you'd care to check out the spelling on the road signs leading to the said church. But for quickness check out the spelling on the IGN maps.

And that's exactly what Roger wrote above - "Marceille" derives from "Marsilla", while "Marseilles" derives from "Massalia". Two different place names with two different word origins. Which begs the question, Roscoe, as to why you wrote "Marseilles" if you meant "Marceille"...? Just curious, no need to hit back with anti-Catholic rhetoric.

TCP

I know, but there are other people reading the thread!

Which, as memory serves, was about Roscoe's photos - which really are nice, it must be said...

TCP