One of the most noted and first anomalies mentioned in the original Maranatha-Et in Arcadia Ego puzzle book was the ‘mistakes’ of numbering to certain pages listed in the ‘index’. Although they did not appear in the Time Monk version of the puzzle, the ‘rook parchment’ would seem to confirm these mistakes were clearly intentional and had a reason.
Within the ‘rook parchment’ the following statement is found:
“Nothing is strange, all has a reason. Whether it is a curious spelling, a phonetic play on words, or of pages numbered with alternate values.”
The ‘rook parchment’ is what I call the parchment of clues which included the quote by D. Thomas; “When the White Rook took Troy it was no Red trick, only a simple homage to the end of that Frozen den.” There were two different parchments given during the Maranatha puzzle. The quote, and the above sentence mentioning page numbering, was not found on both. These were included on just the ‘rook parchment’.
The only pages noticed to be numbered with alternate values were the ones in the index and would therefore seem to be the referred to numbers.
In the Maranatha puzzle book, the section of The Prize ~ ‘The Key’ was not found on page ix, but on xi. The following three sections, listed to be on xii, xiv, and xxvi, were actually found on xiv, xvi, and xxix. The ‘difference’ of these numbers produced 2-2-2-3; the actual page numbers less the incomplete numbers. To have been corrected, 2-2-2-3 needed to be added to the four mistaken numbers, respectively.
The numbers caused many early puzzlers to apply the anomalies, in various ways, towards the solving of the puzzle. It would seem one of the monthly clues (January 26, 2006) was especially written to discourage the trying to do so. It is as follows:
“The perceived mistakes were designed to authenticate those who will reveal the answers; it is not advised to pursue the prize through these aspects.”
In the May chat session, Rdix (username on Tweleve) asked if clues were previously made or created on demand. Mr. Duncan Burden, spokesperson for the puzzle, replied they were made on need.
Later, another clue concerning ‘mistakes’, and seemingly giving the same impression, was given on September 30, 2006:
“The mistakes are not to light your way but to prove where I’m from”
In yet another conversation concerning the numbers (this one on the old Time Monk forum), Burden implied the ‘mistakes’ were used to authenticate any member’s claim which would happen to come forth. This suggested there are ‘members?’ of ‘something?’ but in order to prove their association to ‘it’ they would need to know the meaning of the ‘mistakes’?
All so puzzling! Don’t you love it.
Feeling the joining of opposites or two separate halves to be significant, and also finding position 4446 to be of essence, I have mused if this center position of the contentment page (original page 38/ timemonk version page 60) can’t ‘prove’ something. In the pigpen text, if one ‘sees’ nothing, and doesn’t discount the blank spaces, the central position is 4446; 2223 twice. Is it possible that 4446 (heart of contentment page and where the inner Truth is discovered), provides authentication for the joining of two halves?
Recently, as some may know, I read The Curse of the Voynich and interviewed the author, Nick Pelling. Within his book, Pelling, who is a cipher and code enthusiast, mentions an old Templar Code. Of course I was intrigued by it; not only because I too love codes, but because it’s possible connection to the Maranatha Mistake clue.
Pelling describes an actual method the Templars used to encode. The code is simple. It is two identical halves joined in the center. Before the two halves are separated, a message or word is written along the center spot. Once correctly re-united, the word or message is revealed, and proves the person of the one half is the master of the other half.
The code was often used by travelers for protection from theft. The pilgrims could leave gold/money with a Templar, create, and take half a ‘ticket’. Later, by connecting it to the proper half, this would, as Pelling states in his book, “prove the bearer’s right” to whatever was being protected.
I find this interesting. This old Templar code would prove it? Authenticate it?
So for me, as I muse, it would seem possible the mistakes used to authenticate and prove ‘where I’m from’ could be related to this code. It makes me wonder if Freemasonry hasn’t adopted this in some way. Has it been considered in Freemasonry’s search for the Lost Word, that the Word is lost because knowledge of ‘the combined two halves’ is lost, similar to the Templar encoding of a ‘word’? Disconnected for some reason to where the worthy owner has not been able to find it? Or in order to prove they know the Word, they must show they are the master of this chivalric code?
Simple, elegant, and a beautiful Truth. Two halves revealing One. I just love the thought of it and welcome discussion to the finding of the Lost Word.
I have to wonder if “Where I am from” is some reference to Paris (Pairs)? This is similar to Mr. Burden’s clue, “The Apples that turn blue in Paris (Pairs) hold the value of the key. Wordplay, as you say. Taken into context, it could mean that there are two keys (Halfs) and when joined together, they form a lock.
Perhaps this is just another what I like to prefer to as a “JKyle Coincidence, (or is it?), but the CLUE as to what “the WORD” is a reference to appears in The Zohar’s “The Lock and the Key.”
The very first words in The Bible: “Barah Sheet Barah Elohim (in the Beginning, God Created). Compare this to the WORD as described in JOHN:
“In the Beginning (Barasheet) was the WORD. And the WORD (Barah) was “With GOD” (Elohim), and the WORD (Barah) was GOD (Elohim).”
So for me, the WORD is actually some reference to the Hebrew word BARA or BARAH, which means “CREATE.” Notice that in Geneis 1:1, the word BARAH (to Create) is WITH the word GOD (Elohim). So according to that logic, the word BARAH (or Bara) IS GOD.
Let’s compare this to Hinduism. The WORD
is referred to as VAC (Speach), and there is this belief that VAC (Speech) gave birth to CREATION (Barah in Hebrew). Whether BRAHMA is the actual Hindu word for “Creation,” I don’t know. However EVERYTHING in CREATION is some reference to BRAHMA, which is also referred to as the CREATOR GOD. SAGES in Hinduism are referred to as BRAHMAN’s. Again, using wordplay:
BaRAH
BRAHma (Creator God)
The BHARAta (Book of Seals)
ABARAHam (The Father/Abba of Creation)
SaRAH (Abram’s Wife/Daughter)
SARAswati (Wife of Brahma/Daughter of the Himilayas)
HAR (Hebrew word for Mountain)
ABARAHcadaBARAH
DeBAR (Name for the word in Greek)
Both the words AbRAHm and SaRAH contain the Hebrew word RAH which means to SEE (See the word RAH in the Husband and Wife’s name). Abrahm’s Name was later
Changed to AbraHAM. The AB in ABraham is a reference to FATHER (Abba). So ABRAHm means “Father Creator.” When we
Take the HAM out of Abraham and the SA out of SArah, we get:
HAM + SA = HAMSA
The “Spotless Swan” in Hinduism is refered to as the HAMSA. Here is a link to “The Lock and the Key” in the Zohar:
http://laitman.com/2008/08/the-book-of-zohar-chapter-“the-lock-and-the-key”/
Jenny,
I thought that the parchments had already been ‘debunked’ as a clue source? Weren’t there comments on Tweleve or Timemonk re the parchments, with comments from PPubs saying that they weren’t meant for the puzzlers and were ‘retailer’ documents (ie to help the retailers understand what the book was about)?
Wouldn’t you think it a bit odd if the parchments, which both changed text/format and weren’t provided to all those who bought the LRB, contained any clues that were relevant to solving the LRB?
Have you read the parchment? They do not seem targeted to only retailers. Yes, they were promotional, but, certainly included aspects of the puzzle for puzzlers (or to entice more of them). Much of what is on the parchment, like SIS, was later given as monthly clues. They did hold clues and do relate to the puzzle.
No, I don’t find it odd that they would hold clues, even though all puzzlers did not have them. I feel, a clue, suggestion, or encouragement is different than providing an actual step involved in solving the puzzle. Anything that was necessary to solve the puzzle was in the book or the book would lead one to discover what was needed to solve the puzzle. The parchment was not a necessary item. Are you concerned whether it was ‘fair’ some others had them and others not?
However, 2223 was not on the parchment. This refers to a mistake in the book and seems intentional. Only the support for ‘alternate values of numbers’ having a reason; possibly referring to 2223, is on the parchment. With or without the parchment, 2223 or the mistake in numbering is still curious.
So forget the parchment, if you like, my main point above was my thoughts to the importance of 4446, its link to being twice 2223, and then my thoughts on how I find the fact that a proven old Templar code could decipher a Word by a method of uniting opposites/two halves fascinating. (or that is what I was trying to convey as my main point…lol…)
What clues did they contain? Other than clues that someone has ‘interpreted’ as being there? Was there a section on the parchments that said: Clue……
Recall that people saw clues in the Rules, in the terms and conditions (do you recall how Loddon was seen as an intentional mis-spelling of London?) – virtually everywhere.
I suppose it matters not. If you want to think that clues were in the design of the cover, or in mis-spellings or in page numbers or in…. then unless the puzzle is solved – and proven to be correct by PPubs (which can never now occur) – then we’ll all simply never know what the intended solution/outcome was – and what was/wasn’t relevant.
I’d be happier if someone could simply explain the myriad of actual clues that were given. I have not seen any explanation of how the actual 50+ clues (and letter texts) fitted with either of D’s ‘exposes’. I read umpteen pages of text on Bacon, Atlantis… saw clues on zero,, tombs, deserts, …etc .
I did try to verify (when I heard of the parchments) whether they were part of the puzzle , so asked PPubs directly – and got this reply (back in 2006) from their ‘customer services’:
———————– Start of EMail text….
Thank you for your enquiry
There was an official document called the ‘Parchment of Clues’ which was
released to Retailers only to assist the commercial markets understanding of
the product. This was a ‘Retailer’ designed item, not meant for general
release. Some have managed to reach readers, as such, a internet shop is in
the process of being set-up with the aim of allowing all readers to clearly
purchase this item themselves, and to purchase a specifically designed
‘Readers’ version.
At present, Duncan Burden, the Managing Director of Priory Publications GB
Ltd, is releasing the ‘Retailer Pack’ to the public until this facility is
operational. This pack contains two copies of the Parchment, one flat and
one folded, and a copy of the original 2005 promotional flyer. The cost of
this item, relates to the postage required to send the item. If you are
interested in this item, please forward a request and your address and we
can advise you on the cost.
—————————-End of text
Make of that what you will.
Thank-you for that information, Horatio.
Nonetheless, I don’t think it matters whether it was made for ‘retailers’ or ‘readers’. I don’t feel the parchment would include something as fact about the puzzle if it wasn’t. The parchment described the hunt. It held clues.
The parchment does contain and state the following: “just like the puzzle book, you need to hunt out the messages and clues held here.” It did say it held clues.
I understand many interpretations and assumptions of what constitutes a clue have been wrongly made. In every armchair treasure hunt that happens.
The rook parchment states, ‘pages numbered with alternate values’. Like mentioned above, I am assuming this sentence refers to the mistakes in the index of the puzzle book. What other ‘pages numbered with alternate values’ are there? The parchment says it has reason. I am sharing my thoughts on a ‘possible reason.’ That is all. But I will say again,forget the parchemnt if you want, my post really has more to do with what the puzzle book is known to contain.
I love the mystery and the search. I love the following quote (which happens to be found in another unsolved puzzle hunt):
“If there wasn’t anything to find out, it would be dull. Even trying to find out and not finding out is just as interesting as trying to find out and finding out; and I don’t know but more so.” Samuel Clemens
I’m glad we weren’t given all answers.
Hi Jenny,
I found the way you related 2223 to the mid-point of page 38 to be very interesting. There is another possible connection between this number and one of the other themes of your writing, the lightening flash.
V is the 22nd letter of the alphabet and W is the 23rd. If you attach 22 to 23, you get 2223. If you attach a V to a W, you get a lightening flash!
It is truly time to thank you for the time and effort you have put into creating this thoughtful series of essays about Maranatha. Perhaps you could collect them and convince Duncan to publish them as the third book in the series!
Best,
Liz
A ‘flash’ of insight, Liz. Wonderful. And thanks for your other comments, so sweet, but I am happy to share the journey here.
Hi Jenny,
It always a pleasure to read your articles – well-organized, and informative.
I didn’t see the following in ‘comments’, so thought I’d add:
The 2223 ‘mistake’ occurs in an index which itself ‘appears’ to be misplaced (front of book)
The 2223 may be taken as a hint toward the puzzle solution (although some have interpreted clues otherwise)
The 2223 corresponds to relative positions AAAA on MARANATHA. The page 2 has the four A’s stacked vertically.
If I counted correctly, the 2223 PigPen character (without the nulls) is on p. 22, character 117. This is the “L” (C), so interesting that the Companion translated text had the ‘mistake’ of the 4 “L” as “1” (1=A), so the 4 A;s again.
Nice idea about using the null spaces. (as the first, central, and last Pig Pen characters give S O W).
Be Well,
astree
Thanks Astree…it is good to have other 2223 thoughts posted together. I know there were many.
“When the White Rook took Troy it was no Red trick, only a simple homage to the end of that Frozen den.”
My best guess about what this means: The story of the Trojan horse is an allegory, an homage to their knowledge. Troy was taken by a rook (a master), while the Trojans were knights (apprentices). Their knowledge was about the hexagram (frozen snowflakes).
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