Andrew Gough's Arcadia

A remote, picturesque and ancient region, most often associated with Peloponnesus, the southernmost part of mainland Greece. Its inhabitants lived a simple, pastoral life, yet are often associated with esoteric mysteries. Over time, its true location has blurred. Today it's an archetype, reminiscent of an earthly paradise. In short, Arcadia is a state of mind.

Arcadia is a new website. Providing a perspective on history's mysteries is its aim. The focus of Arcadia will vary over time. Today, its attention is turned to the Legend of Rennes-le-Château, in the South of France, where new insights into old conundrums are being uncovered.

I refer to the story of Rennes-le-Château as a legend, and not a mystery, due to the fact that the conventional story is so fraught with deceit and misdirection that one could be forgiven for believing there is no mystery at all, only lies. But you and I know this is not entirely true. Nonetheless, we shall avoid using the word mystery where possible.

Much of the research presented in this iteration of Arcadia has been incorporated into Simon Cox's latest bestseller, The Dan Brown Companion (Mainstream - 2006). The book provides an inside look into Dan Brown's Robert Langdon novels, The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.

Simon consulted me on the core truths in the Rennes-le-Château legend, and in particular, the true burial site of Mary Magdalene. Whilst I believe that the Magdalene is buried on French soil, just as Dan Brown proposes, the location I propose is not in Paris, but in Rennes-le-Château, in the South of France. I would be surprised if this did not sound sensational. In reality, it is. You be the judge.

Part of the ethos of Arcadia is Occam's Razor. In all instances, Occam's Razor will be applied before further extrapolation and speculation is conducted. Often, the explanation to a mystery that requires the fewest gaps of logic proves most satisfying. However, as we shall discover, sometimes the truth is far stranger than fiction, and in these instances, Occam's Razor is simply not enough.

Arcadia is a state of mind.

Thank you for visiting.

Andrew Gough

I have been an enthusiast of esoteric subjects for as long as I can remember. The mystery of Rennes-le-Château, like many before and after, has captured my imagination. I have written for journals and publications on historical and esoteric subjects and, most recently, contributed to Simon Cox’s bestselling book, The Dan Brown Companion (Mainstream 2006). I have a passion for Egypt, and have participated in the Eastern Desert Survey, an initiative to record and journal pre-dynastic rock art. Until its termination, I acted as a Director of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Sciences. In 1996 I moved to England from Chicago, and currently work and live in London.