I had been extremely busy working on other projects during The Secret’s 40th Anniversary treasure hunt’s release back in September 2022 – so I needed filled in on the details. What a pleasure it was to chat with Sundai, who not only helps manage the Facebook Group Page for The Secret’s 40th Anniversary hunt but is also an experienced and knowledgeable searcher herself! I was so grateful she agreed to answer Six Questions in regard to the anniversary hunt and help us all catch up!

And how awesome of her to include a few tidbits she received from George Ward – who is one of the creators of the hunt. So if unfamiliar with the hunt, or if you have been actively searching – there’s something in the following Six Q’s for you! Enjoy!

Six Questions with Sundai:

  • 1Q) Such a wonderful treasure hunt! Please share how a person can get started. Also, can you share more of the background story and how and by who it was created?

A.       Can you share more of the background story and how and by who it was created?

Arthur Scheijde and George Ward created The Anniversary Hunt, to celebrate The Secret’s 40th Anniversary and honor its creators.   

As a founding member of The Secret Podcast and creator of 12Treasures in this community, George Ward needs no introduction.   

Sadly, our dear friend Arthur Scheijde, passed away in October, a loss that has been deeply felt across The Secret community.   Arthur Scheijde was an admired hunter and accomplished author and artist from The Netherlands, before The Anniversary Hunt he created The Boleyn & Spinoza comic strip, a couple smaller hunts and a series of Secret themed sculptures.

In 2021 Arthur approached George with the idea of the hunt.  Together they decided on the area of the hunt’s solution.  Arthur created the painting and the custom casque. George wrote the verse and provided the treasure.  George took special care in choosing the spot to bury the Anniversary casque, so that it is free of the digging hurdles that have plagued The Secret.

B.      Also, please share how a person can get started.  

It is easy to get started, just join The Anniversary Hunt Facebook group.   You’ll find a link to the verse, high resolution painting and introduction, pinned to the top of the page.   Arthur has provided an in-depth intro and George a Q & A session, to give us all a great start.

Diving deeper we’ve also posted the official solutions to hunts/paintings Arthur has previously co-created with Cole May’s Blue Sage Puzzle Co. and Todd Desper’s The Secret Dedicated to BP and JJP. As well as livestreams with George, that are only posted in The Anniversary group.

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  • 2Q) Do you feel the hunt stays in tune with the original Secret? What is the treasure prize and how can it be claimed?

A.      Do you feel the hunt stays in tune with the original Secret?

Yes, I think it does predominantly stay in tune with the original.   From everything George and Arthur have said about the creation of the hunt, they followed a process like Byron Priess and JJP.    

“George knows ‘what’ the painting does (‘where’ it leads people), just not ‘how’ the connections are to be made.  Arthur knows ‘where’ the verse does its work, just not ‘the precise dig site’ it leads to (just like JJP doesn’t).” “The final dig site cannot be found without understanding the verse. And it’ll be very hard to find the country/state/city or district/area without the painting.”   – Arthur Scheijde

B.      What is the treasure prize and how can it be claimed?

There is a bit of mystery surrounding the treasure.  We know that there are “11 jewels, described as smaller versions of the jewels from the original Secret (valued at approx. $1,700), plus more.”   The verse references “and some relics from the past,” which is exciting.  I think part of the treasure may be a replica key, like The Secret. 

The Anniversary Casque holds all its treasures, so there is only one way to claim it…dig it up and it’s yours! 

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  • 3Q) Have any major finds been discovered to date? Things like how the Heigold House or Christensen Fountain were found in The Secret Tribute hunt?

For this one, I went straight to George, and it seems that the answer is YES!   He is a big fan of Mysterious Writings, so he sent a few NEW bits of info.

“One major thing was discovered, actually a couple of things, there was a really good post that was completely ignored.” -George

“The sculpture thing seems legit, in some way…  One of them at least… there seems to be a good visual match.  – George (I was able to confirm he was referring to the totem sculptures)

“The Anniversary Casque is not in a “Secret city” (the 12 cities associated w/ The Secret) …and I’ve never been to St. Louis” – George

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  • 4Q) How did you personally get involved in the Secret? Do you work on other treasure hunts as well?

In late 2020, I learned of the treasure hunt in my city, and we had a few family outings to the park.  Once I had a theory, I wanted to read everything I could find, to see who had the same idea.  There is just something so engaging about puzzling through The Secret and discussing ideas with friends gained through the FB groups.  I also dabble a bit in The Incredible Hunt and more recently The Golden Apple Tale.

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  • 5Q) What are you enjoying most about the hunt, and the armchair treasure hunt hobby in general?

For me the most enjoyable aspect of The Anniversary Hunt is the atmosphere.  New ideas are flying, there’s a lot of brainstorming and live collaboration group calls.   It’s things like that I enjoy the most.

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  • 6Q) Would you have any advice for new people just getting started in this exciting venture?

For The Secret, I would say the best thing someone could do is build a foundation by studying The Secret’s solved hunts.   Gain insight into how Byron Priess writes clues, and into some of the ways John Jude Palencar hides puzzles in plain sight. 

For The Anniversary Hunt, I would say all the above, plus listening to The Secret Podcast, to gain insight into how George sees The Secret.   Also studying the paintings Arthur’s done for previous hunts.  Not only how he incorporates the clue elements and disguises them within the context of composition, but also the types of clues he has chosen to indicate a city/area.