What is CIRCUIT?
Philippe de Chérisey's novel Circuit is a curious and enigmatic work. It plays a significant role in the mythology surrounding Rennes-le-Château. It has never been officially published but was placed in a French library in 1967/68. There are known to be several different versions.
My copy was given to me by Louis VAZART.
I feel CIRCUIT is the most important and vital work by Chérisey rather than his other manuscript 'Stone & Paper'. Chérisey thought as much himself when he wrote in the internal text that he puts his Circuit novel in the category of a 'genius' work.
Some have alleged that Stone & Paper [Pierre et Papier] was a joke played on Chaumeil because he disliked Chaumeil greatly. We must remember the words of Paul Rouelle, friend of Chérisey, who in responses to questions posed to him by Paul Saussez in 2019 [via private email and published on Saussez's Facebook account] wrote;
"His friendship with Pierre Plantard (a long-standing friendship) pushed him to "play the game", and he did so until the moment of the clash between Pierre and him. After that, he withdrew from it - I must say - sometimes clumsily, as evidenced by these confessions in "Pierre et Papier". It must also be said that he had a rather serious grudge against J-L Chaumeil. There would be lots to say about that, but it would take up far too much space". [from a public post on the Facebook account of Paul Saussez].
There is probably much more behind this. In a letter from Chérisey [although Chérisey did not often typewrite his letters so is this a fake?] dated 17 January 1985 to Pierre Plantard - after some huge falling out - Chérisey wrote;
"....being close to our Brothers, there was no intrigue at all on my part to obtain your dismissal on 10 July 1984, any more than there was to secure my election as Grandmaster on 10 September 1984. The person responsible was Brother Louis Vazart along with the Lincoln clique, via Brother Gino Sandri…. in August 1984 it was not my intention to get rid of Vazart, Deloux, Sandri and Rouelle from the Priory; the contingent surrounding Brother André Deyherassary imposed this ultimatum on me during my election”. There is probably much more to this than meets the eye! Later typed letter reports;
'Still no answer to my letter of the 17th January ... Thus only one word to warn you that Gerard de Sède is in possession of the case of files of the Priory of Sion stolen from 37, rue Saint Lazare and with it's contents he is preparing a book against us. He is also in possession of the file of George Monti, as well as a photocopy of your contract with Rene Descadeillas re: your 65% of the rights for the work: Rennes and its last Lords. Worse still, in this case was your (original) manuscript of Circuit! What can one make of the affair? Before publication - do you want me to say CIRCUIT isn't by me? What answer do you want me to give?"
What was the 'case of files ... stolen from 37, Rue Saint Lazare? Is it related to files stolen - and referred to by Henry Lincoln? In an extract from 'The Key to the Sacred Pattern' Lincoln describes a meeting with Philippe de Cherisey (pp154);
" .....Can I take another look at the parchment photographs?' With only minimal hesitation, he opens his briefcase and hands them to me. 'Why add the marks' I ask 'To amuse the laity' he replied 'But why?' I insist. He shrugs 'I'm an entertainer.' It is clear that I am to get no straight answers. But - perhaps simply because it was to hand - he adds another fragment. Picking a few sheets from his case, he says: 'I'm writing an explanation of the codes. I'll send you a copy. You'll be amused'. But I am never to see it1. Nor am I ever to get any closer to the 'parchment originals'. Sadly Philippe de Cherisey died suddenly in July 1985."
An added footnote by Lincoln is explained as follows: 1] There is reason to suspect that this document may have been part of the haul of stolen Priory papers' which figured in the Chaumeil imbroglio'.
Anyway - as per Rouelle - one wonders if this was the 'serious grudge' that Cherisey had against Chaumeil? A theft of private files and papers? We must remember that the word grudge means - a strong feeling of anger and dislike for a person who you feel has treated you badly, especially one that lasts for a long time. Why would Chérisey feel this way? We may also be reminded that Henry Lincoln also had a low opinion of Chaumeil, describing a rather childish reaction by Chaumeil when Pierre PLANTARD decided to appear in person in a famous BBC interview right at the last minute, when the prior arrangement was for Chaumeil to be the 'spokesperson' of the Priory of Sion! Lincoln also speaks of Chaumeil in disparaging terms calling him a "so called expert" on the Rennes-le-Château story, who is now wheeled out as [an] expert". And in the misty annals of researcher jealousies, suggestions swirl about the stealing of private files from the Plantard and Chérisey team by possibly Chaumeil or even Gérard de Sède [or both?].
So CIRCUIT itself may have a muddled history and perhaps another author [or more likely joint authorship with Cherisey and Plantard, and if so it is easy to separate out who wrote which bit]. It is not a straightforward narrative but rather a complex and cryptic text that combines elements of fiction, riddles, historical references and esoteric symbolism. It is closely tied to the mysteries of Rennes-le-Château and the broader mythos involving the Priory of Sion and the secrets hidden in the region.
Structure and Content:
- It is structured as a labyrinthine puzzle1, filled with obscure references, wordplay, and coded messages. The novel does not follow a traditional plot but instead leads the reader through a series of cryptic passages that seem to be designed to confuse and intrigue. It is set out like a film script for a niche theatre production - which reflects the real life perhaps of its author who was indeed an actor. In some aspects of the text it is also a kind of autobiography by Chérisey.
- The text is full of allusions to historical figures, religious symbols, and mythical themes, many of which are linked to the Rennes-le-Château mystery. It often feels like a treasure hunt, where each piece of information could be a clue leading to some greater understanding or some kind of revelation. Re-occuring themes are discussed and we look at these elsewhere on this site [such as the Grand Roman, Midday demon etc].
- Connection to Rennes-le-Château:
- The novel is heavily influenced by the lore of Rennes-le-Château, particularly the story of Bérenger Saunière, the priest who allegedly discovered a hidden treasure or secret knowledge in the village. Circuit references many of the same elements that are central to the Rennes-le-Château mythos, such as the Holy Grail, the Merovingian dynasty, and the Priory of Sion.
- Some interpretations suggest that the novel is a veiled guide mirroring the complex and hidden nature of the secrets associated with the village.
- Literary and Esoteric Elements:
- Chérisey's Circuit is often seen as a work of esoteric literature, where the true meaning is hidden beneath layers of symbolism and allegory. The novel plays with themes of hidden knowledge, sacred geometry, and the intersection of myth and reality and particular versions of history.
- The book's title, Circuit, could itself be symbolic, suggesting a journey or path that one must follow to uncover hidden truths. The idea of a "circuit" might also imply a closed loop, where the end is connected to the beginning, reflecting the cyclical nature of mysteries and the search for answers and time itself.2
- Role in the Larger Mythology:
- Circuit is often considered part of a larger body of work created by Philippe de Chérisey and his associates, including Pierre Plantard. These works, including the Dossiers Secrets and Le Serpent Rouge, are seen by many as deliberate attempts to create or elaborate upon the Rennes-le-Château mystery.
- The novel's cryptic nature has led to various interpretations and theories, with some researchers and enthusiasts seeing it as a key to understanding the Rennes-le-Château enigma, while others view it as a surrealist prank or literary hoax. Circuit then is an enigmatic and esoteric novel deeply embedded in the mythology of Rennes-le-Château. It is less a traditional novel and more a puzzle or riddle, filled with cryptic references and hidden meanings that continue to intrigue and perplex readers.
The novel plays a significant role in the ongoing fascination with the mysteries of Rennes-le-Château, blending fiction, history, and esotericism in a way that challenges and entices those who seek to uncover its secrets.
Editorial Rhedesium Notes;
1] Labyrinthine means that it is very complicated and difficult to understand. This knowledge is made up of a complicated series of paths or passages, through which it is difficult to find your way.
2] This idea of a closed loop may have something to do with the concept of time. Chérisey is overly preoccupied with Time. He mixes up Time in CIRCUIT, often moving time - frames and even time in dream states, over-lapping itself within the novel. Very often Chérisey uses a key word or clue or 'signal' - and for the attentive reader - this is signifying a time change and even a dream sequence or a time distortion. To distort is to alter the original shape or form of information or representation. In this instance Chérisey is distorting historical information for some reason. In the first chapter of the novel, this time distortion is confronted head on. In Le Bateleur3 one of the characters - Matras - plays a psychological test on Charlot. Charlot is given six photocopied documents. He is told he must make an assessment after just one minute of looking at them and then describe them in a single sentence. After studying for a minute Charlot says;
"distortion of time in 1, 2, 3 - a contradiction between 4, 5 & 6".
So Charlot can see distortions of time in the first 3 documents and contradictions [a combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another, or a situation in which inconsistent elements are present or the statement of a position opposite to one already made]. And what are the documents 1,2,3? They are:
1⁰ - Lettre adressée à Christophe Colomb en 1478 par un négociant génois en fromage ; remerciements pour avoir introduit une cargaison de « têtes de maure » dans l’île de Fer (archipel des Canaries).
Letter addressed to Christopher Columbus in 1478 by a Genoese cheese merchant; thanks for introducing a shipment of "Maures heads" into the Island of Iron ( Canary archipelago)
2⁰ - Journal de Christophe Colomb. 1492. Remise d’un morceau de fromage dans un béret rouge à un chef peau-rouge de l’île de Cuba.
Diary of Christopher Columbus. 1492. Delivery of a piece of cheese in a red beret to a red-skinned [Indian?] chief from the island of Cuba.
3⁰ - « En 1493. Christophe Colomb partant de l’île de Fer qu’il juge le bout du monde occidental entreprend son deuxième voyage vers le Nouveau Monde » (extrait du manuel d’histoire en usage chez Les Pères Salésiens de Las Palmas).
In 1493. Christopher Columbus leaving from the Iron Island, which he considers the end of the Western world, embarks on his second voyage to the New World" (extracted from the history manual in use at Les Pères Salésiens de Las Palmas).
In the documents 4, 5 and 6 Charlot states they contradict each other.
4⁰ - « Les deux attractions de l’île de Fer sont la station thermale et la vierge miraculeuse qui échoua sur le rivage depuis un navire en perdition qui assurait le service de Cuba le 6 janvier 1639 » (extrait de l’agenda touristique 1966-7).
The two attractions of Iron Island are the spa and the miraculous virgin that ran aground on the shore from a ruined [?] ship that was serving Cuba on January 6, 1639" (extract from the tourist agenda 1966-7).
5⁰ - « Vierge miraculeuse de l’île de Fer ; dite « des Rois » à cause de sa réception un 6 janvier, fête des Rois. Rebaptisée « Vierge du Rosaire » parce que, du bout du monde au delà duquel n’est plus rien que la mer, elle plante la rose des vents, Noter qu’il n’y eut jamais de fer dans l’île de fer mais un tremblement de l’aiguille aimantée sur la rose de la boussole » (extrait du bulletin diocésain de Las Palmas).
Miraculous Virgin of the Iron Island; called "of the Kings" because of its reception on January 6, Kings Day. Renamed "Virgin of the Rosary" because, from the end of the world beyond which there is nothing but the sea, she plants the rose of the winds [Editors Note - a compass rose - the circular drawing showing directions on a plan or map], Note that there was never iron on the island of iron but a tremor of the magnetic needle on the rose of the compass" (extract from the diocesan bulletin of Las Palmas]
6⁰ - « La fête de la Vierge du Rosaire a été transférée du 6 janvier au 10 octobre afin de coïncider avec la clôture de la station thermale » (Affiche municipale de Valverde).
The feast of the Virgin of the Rosary was moved from January 6 to October 10 in order to coincide with the closure of the spa" (Municipal Poster of Valverde).
This is how one must navigate CIRCUIT.
Recent studies in time and the universe suggest that everything is on a loop viz: rather than one sudden big bang a hypothesis proposed by Roger Penrose may be more true. Penrose proposed that if matter has a finite lifespan, protons and other basic particles spontaneously decay eventually, there will come a moment in the universe where no matter exists at all. However without matter, time no longer describes anything, because photons don’t experience time. Time doesn’t stop, it disappears as a feature of the universe, because it no longer describes anything within it. However time and space are intrinsically connected, if two points are some distance apart, they have to be some time apart as well. Therefore the moment time doesn’t describe any thing neither does distance and all distances disappear as well. ... . A cyclical universe is a whole lot more interesting ...there is no magic involved once you realise that this implies distances and time are not intrinsic to the universe, but emergent phenomena of properties of matter.
This may have appealed to Cherisey's more philosophical thought wanderings in his novel. His cross over between time, historical characters, religions etc is truly ingenious.
3] The Juggler - meaning street performer. In French, "the mountebank" or the "sleight of hand artist", a practitioner of stage magic - he is the second lowest in the Tarot card series, outranking only the Beggar. In Tarot he has the meaning of someone with skill and/or deception. The English translate 'mountebank' as a charlatan (also called a swindler) - a person practicing quackery or a similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, power, fame, or other advantages through pretense or deception but it is the French interpretations we are interested in. We must remember that the Bateleur via the Wirth deck used by Plantard turned Le Bateleur from a mountebank into a magus, a practitioner of magic, with a meaning expanded to include astronomy, astrology, alchemy, and other forms of esoteric knowledge. Tarot experts have defined the Magician in association with the Fool, which directly precedes it in the sequence in the image of the trickster-wizard. Historically the mountebank originated way back to around 1550 - from the Commedia dell'arte form, which was performed outdoors in temporary venues by professional actors who were costumed and masked. Here is a definition that fits Chérisey to a T! Actor, playing a part, behind a mask! This supports what Chérisey's good friend Paul Rouelle said about him in regards to his role in the Rennes Affair;
"It is possible that Philippe participated in the “coding”, but he is not the author. In other words, he was the “director”, and sometime actor, of a script that he did not write".
The question - who wrote the script? Of course it was Pierre Plantard.