Highlights of the Key from Two Maranatha Interviews

Two interviews were organized during the course of the puzzle by the Tweleve Forum moderator, Cthree.  One was given on May 15, 2006 and the other was on October 13, 2006.   These open chat sessions gave readers a chance to ask specific questions about topics surrounding the Maranatha puzzle.  Duncan Burden, under the username of Sacred Prize, provided answers to the inquiries.  As was expected, some to the point questions were left with an answer of ‘no comment’.

The interviews offered a more in depth explanation for what exactly puzzlers were searching for.  By reading the introduction of the book, it was known a powerful ‘Key’ and/or ‘Secret’ was to be discovered.  And that was basically all. The desire to have a better understanding of what precisely the ‘Key’ was can be sensed from one of the earliest questions asked in the May chat session:

“Is the Key an actual physical item or is it knowledge?”

Sacred Prize’s reply was, “It is both and more.”   Later he went on to explain, “A good description of it has always been the Philosophers’ Stone.  The Stone is something solid, but philosophy is the mental study of life.  The two are never together, but what if they could be?  That is the Key.”  “Philosophy, as we know, normally focuses on the every {day} questions of life.  The very nature of science is because there are no answers just theories.  The ideal would be to find solid evidence of the reasons for life; that principle is called the Philosopher’s Stone.  The Key is like that, something that is solid but has its depth and reasoning in the facts of its existence.”

All well and good.  Great answer.  But, by the next chat session, months later, and no one seemingly any closer to the discovery, Cthree asked, ‘Okay what the heck is it?’ Actually, the question was:

“Is the Key a geometric construction which can be made on various images?”

The following was his response:

“The question is two-fold, but to answer as a single aspect then ‘No.’ But if you broke the question down the answer is more in depth.”

Cthree then broke the questions down:

“Is the key a geometric construction?”

Sacred Prize answered; “In essence, ‘yes’, but do not limit your efforts on this science alone.”

“Can it be made on various images?”

Sacred Prize provided a ‘Yes’ answer to making it on various images.  He then confirmed the ‘four scenes’ mentioned in the decoded text referred to the first 4 images and wanted puzzlers to “note that the last three all contain a serpent creature(s)”.  Sacred Prize also added, “Indeed, ‘A Purpose’, on deeper than just winning money” when asked if creating the Key resulted in some effect or for a purpose.

The following are other snippets of the interviews which involved specific questions and replies about the key:

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“You say the ‘key’ is re-forged by each generation.  Does this mean that there is more than one ‘key’?”

“No, there is only one key, but it has been re-forged in various ways.”

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“Do all 3 sections of pigpen {text} clue us to constructions?” and “is the ‘key’ construction made up of smaller constructions?”

“Yes” (to both)

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“Is a ruler needed for the construction?”

“To measure, No” 

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“Is a set square, compass, pair of compasses, or any other auxiliary tool needed for the construction?”

“These would help”

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“Protractor?”

“I wouldn’t use a Protractor”

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“Is there more than one way to find the key?”

“I would say yes, but only way to win.”

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“Is ‘construction’ a good name for this thing we seek?”

“I guess, but limiting when taking in all that the book holds”

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“Can you tell us how many layers are in the puzzle and if there is more than one way to solve for the submission method?  Is the ‘Key’ used in the same or similar fashion to the way it is used in the real ‘Lock’? “

“I couldn’t give a number to the number of layers due to them being so interwoven.  No there is only one submission method, and only one way to find it, but several ways to get to that stage.  Yes, the key is used in a similar philosophical method as a real key and lock.”

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“Is the ‘Key’ displayed publically other than on the artifact or maranatha?”

“Very much YYYYYYESSSSS!!!!!”

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During the May 15th interview, Sacred Prize was also asked about the Key in connection to Rennes le Chateau.  He was asked if the ‘Secret’ was just one item from the many enigmas Rennes is known to hold.  Sacred Prize’s response was as follows:

“It is THE one, but we could agree that when researching such aspects as Rennes, you will encounter an array of issues, some related, some not.”  “To give you an idea of why it has been believed that this is THE one, upon its discovery two of the team recanted their faiths with the discovery.”

Most puzzlers working on the puzzle thought that was a remarkable answer concerning the discovery of the key.  It would seem, though, that even if someone knew the ‘construction’ (which has been given as a tilted hexagram in Poussin’s time; maybe not the puzzle’s) the real mystery remains on how it is used or what understanding can be found by knowing it.