Music To My Ears
December 21, 2009Read moreIf I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred, maybe even a thousand times; man does not live by mysteries alone. Putting it simply, one needs pursuits and hobbies that do not involve questing after the Holy Grail! Luckily for me, there’s music; a vice that soothes my soul in an altogether different way. I grew up in Chicago
00Remembering The Steeple Master
November 14, 2009Read moreFew pupils of masters ever achieve greatness, let alone become masters themselves. Nicholas Hawksmoor did, however, and I am privileged to live in the shadow of his baroque brilliance. As a student of one of England’s most renowned architects, Sir Christopher Wren, Hawksmoor was more ambitious than other apprentices. His work included Westminster Abbey, Blenheim Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington
World Premiere of Vanishing of the Bees
October 1, 2009Read moreI have my friend Simon Buxton to thank for introducing me to Maryam Henein, the talented Co-Director / Producer of Vanishing of the Bees, and I recently had the pleasure of attending the world premiere of her important new film. Along with Co-Director / Producer, George Langworthy, Maryam has produced a superb, must-see film that captures the world of the
The Highgate Vampire
September 26, 2009Read moreHighgate Cemetery is one of London’s special places. It’s also a favorite haunt – excuse the pun – of satanists, witches, lunatics and vampire slayers. So I figured I’d fit right in. The famed Egyptian Avenue at Highgate Cemetery My tour of the grandiose gothic graveyard begun promptly at 4 pm, and no sooner had we began than our guide
Atlantis Never Existed
September 24, 2009Read moreThe legend of Atlantis is predicated on hearsay and I have my suspicions that the fabled antediluvian utopia never existed. You see, Plato (428 BC – 328 BC) introduced the notion of the lost civilization in his dialogues, Timaeus and Critias, and of the four personalities that he recounts only Critias speaks of Atlantis. Our entire notion of this antediluvian
The Godfather of Esoteria
September 20, 2009Read moreColin Wilson published his first book, the seminal The Outsider in 1956, before I was born! With over 100 books to his credit, Colin is not just a legend; he’s the Godfather of modern day esoteria. Colin Wilson – a portrait of timeless cool His new book, Super Consciousness: The Quest for the Peak, Experience, only adds to his
Black Genesis
September 16, 2009Read moreWhat a hoot. Here I am back at Edge TV preparing to interview the extraordinary Robert Bauval. Phil Gardiner, host of the esoteric talk show ‘Gardiner’s World’, asked if I would conduct half of Robert’s two hour interview, and needless to say I was delighted. I had prepared to chat with Robert about his illustrious career, but Phil has different
Sherwood Forest Shrews
September 12, 2009Read moreThere was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to meet ‘the real’ Robin Hood, in Sherwood Forest, with his Merry Men and special lady, Maid Marian. Nope, it simply was not going to happen, especially as my friend, the author Philip Gardiner was filming a documentary on Robin Hood and was in need of an extra
Finding Solace on the Summer Solstice
September 9, 2009Read moreThe summer solstice is celebrated the world over, especially across old Europe. Quite simply, it’s a day of celebration and remembrance like no other. In England, the tradition is synonymous with Stonehenge, and in my opinion, not in a good way. Poor Stonehenge, I have always felt; the sacred, world heritage temple is routinely trashed by pseudo neo pagans and
Portal Power
September 7, 2009Read moreIt’s a late summer’s evening and my good friend, the esteemed author Patrice Chaplin, and I are sitting on a park bench in a churchyard that adjoins one of London’s oldest and most famous high streets. Nothing unusual there, except for the fact that we are sitting in the middle of an inter-dimensional portal. I’m rather new to the whole
Indigo Man in Perillos
September 5, 2009Read moreI joined the well-known group of researchers in the middle of their trip, which kicked off in Bruges and meandered its way to the South of France before arriving in Rennes-le-Chateau. Led by the best selling author Kathleen McGowan, the assembly included McGowan’s trusted researchers, as well as authors Filip Coppens, Andrew Douzet and the renowned harpist Ani Williams, an
Interview of Secrets
June 26, 2009Read moreToday is my fourth appearance on Philip Gardiner’s syndicated talk show, Gardiners World, sort of an esoteric ‘David Letterman’ show. On my first visit, some three months earlier, I had spoken about the forgotten legacy of the sacred bee, and on my second, I bantered with my friend, the godfather of punk, Rat Scabies. We disagreed on
Confessions of a Rinpoche
December 3, 2008Read moreRinpoche means ‘precious master’ in Himalayan Buddhism and is a title awarded to young men who are believed to be reincarnated masters. On a recent trip to Bhutan, where Buddhism continues to flourish – some say in its purest form – I had the privilege to meet with His Holiness, Rinpoche Jangtrul, a reincarnated Bhutanese meditation master from the 14th
R.I.P Jean-Luc Robin
March 12, 2008Read moreThe world of Rennes-Le-Chateau has lost a great friend; it has lost Jean-Luc Robin. Jean-Luc during our interview, in the Garden of the Villa Bethania Jean-Luc was my friend and gave me my first tour of Rennes-Le-Chateau. His knowledge was broad and deep, and his conclusions sensible, sceptical and measured. He lived and breathed Rennes-Le-Chateau, having once served as caretaker
Golgotha, England
February 10, 2008Read moreGolgotha is the name of a hill near Jerusalem where Christ was crucified. Biblical texts refer to it as the ‘place of the skull’, leading many scholars to place it northwest of the city, near a rocky outcrop that resembles a skull. To his end, John 19:17 informs us of the legend: “So they took Jesus, and he went out,
My Dinner with André
July 4, 2007Read moreAndré Douzet is an enigma, much like the subjects he writes about in his books and on his website, Société Perillos. While many feel his research into the mystery of Rennes-le-Château is vital and fresh, others are less complementary. What are his theories? For a start, he’s championed the belief that Bérenger Saunière traveled with regularity to Lyon and Perillos,
City of Secrets
May 11, 2007Read moreThere’s a new name in Rennes-le-Château research; Patrice Chaplin. City of Secrets, Chaplin’s controversial new book unveils an entirely new twist to the conventional mystery and in the process delivers the most refreshing work in the genre in years. Oh, and it’s a love story. Patrice Chaplin’s provocative new book In City of Secrets, Chaplin draws on a life time
Postcard From Atlantis
March 11, 2007Read moreMark, hi. Thanks for looking after the web site while I’m away! So, greetings from Atlantis! The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island that is; not far from Bimini Road, in the Bahamas. Albeit a little ostentatious, the hotel is all right, really. Sadly, people seem oblivious to its amazing esoteric design and symbolism. The guy who built it seems to
90 Years On: A Remembrance
January 22, 2007Read more90 years ago today, Bérenger Saunière, the beloved protagonist of Rennes-le-Château lore, passed from this mortal realm. On reflection, his death was nearly as enigmatic as his life. Bérenger Saunière: 1852-1917 Many speculate whether Saunière was murdered, like father Gelis (fatal blows to the head) and father Boudet (apparent poisoning) before him? Perhaps not, but having suffered an attack on
Puzzle Pieces
December 23, 2006Read moreThe study of Rennes-le-Château is rife with ludicrious flights of fancy and leaps of faith. Most theories are completely void of rational thought, let alone the application of Occam’s Razor. For every well researched theory there are literally dozens of others that have been constructed on suppositions from a bygone era, taken as read by researches too lazy to re-evaluate
Otto Rahn; A Hero’s Journey
November 28, 2006Read moreI recently visited the former South of France residence of the legendary Grail hunter Otto Rahn, only to discover that it was scheduled to be demolished, thus ending an era, and prompting this memorial. I believe Otto Rahn (1904-1939) was a hero; the real Indiana Jones and prototype for Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon character. A tireless explorer, Rahn was a
Something About Mary
July 20, 2006Read moreThe 22nd of July is the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene. It is also one of the most peculiar days, numbers and themes in the Legend of Rennes-le-Château. Berenger Saunière entered the seminary at the age of 22. Before long, he was appointed priest of the ancient church of Saint Mary Magdalene, in Rennes-le-Château. Here, he positioned the statues
The Road To Perillos
July 5, 2006Read morePerillos is a strange place. There are no tourist offices, book stores or restaurants. Hell, there aren’t even any people. It’s completely abandoned; eerily silent. Perillos – only grapes remain. Philip Coppens expounds on Perillos and its ancient legacy in 17 Questions. He’s one of two people (Andre Douzet the other) who have championed a mystery that may soon
The Legend of Rennes-le-Château
May 12, 2006Read moreThe story of Rennes-le-Château is fantastical, even mystical. Or is it? One school of thought claims it’s a complete hoax. Another believes it is one of the greatest mysteries of our time. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in-between. Believers Version Bérenger Saunière, a humble priest, discovers coded parchments concealed inside a Visigoth pillar while restoring his church. Seeking assistance in