The Receiver at Rennes le Chateau

One of the most talked about entities at Rennes le Chateau is the statue of the devil which greets a person entering the small church in France.  Although some may consider him an unsettling welcome, his position, just to the left of the door, was chosen by the past Priest, Berenger Sauniere (1852-1917).   It would not be until many years later, with the publishing of the book, The Accursed Treasure of Rennes le Chateau by Gerard de Sede, that this devil would be given a name.

As can be noticed, the name Asmodeus is specifically mentioned in the following story about Sauniere and his gold.  Related by Gerard de Sede, the tale states in the aforementioned book (translated by Bill Kersey);  “But later as he set for home, passing through his church now plunged in shadows, the ironic gaze of Asmodeus seated near the porch would have reminded him that gold is also a vile and squalid metal.  Gold, which inspires baseness and crime, and which, though pure when in the hands of Magus, can yet be the wages of betrayal when taken into the hands of Judas.”

Many have questioned why Sede (or the PoS) may have chosen the name of that particular beast?  Perhaps it was just a fancy for the name or maybe it was Asmodeus’ link to Solomon?  If for the connection to Solomon, then as one learns about Asmodeus, and how Solomon mastered him, then could one feel Sede may have been offering a hint for how we, as initiates entering a ‘Temple’ could also master the sin crouching at the door?

Genesis 4:7 says, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” ‘Sin’, by the characterization of Asmodeus, is indeed ‘crouching at the door’ at Rennes le Chateau.

If I were to walk into the church today, I would be reminded of a quote from the fictional tale of The Fire by Katherine Neville.  The first chapter is entitled the End Game and includes a quote from Garry Kasparov (world chess champion).

“The only goal in chess is to prove your superiority over the other guy.  And the most important superiority, the most total one, is the superiority of the mind.  I mean, your opponent must be destroyed.  Fully destroyed.”

As in most games, the object of the game is to know and defeat the opponent. Could a stroll through the church, across the black and white tiles, give some hints on how this may be done in the game of life with its opponent?  Could ‘by this sign you will conquer him’ hold an additional meaning? One which involves the Seal of Solomon?  It is by that sign in which Solomon mastered Asmodeus and who is crouching at the door.

Maybe not, but it is a question which could be pondered, if wanted.

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