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THE CARNAC STONES
I
love visiting sacred places around the world—places steeped in deep spiritual
meaning or shrouded in ancient mysteries. These locations are often believed
to be imbued with divine or supernatural presence. One such site is the
Carnac stones in Brittany, a remarkable prehistoric wonder. Spanning over
four miles, this site comprises more than 3,000 large stones, standing like
silent warriors on an ancient battlefield. These stones, dating back to around
3300 BCE, remain a mystery. Were they built for the same purposes as
Stonehenge, or did they serve a distinct role in Celtic traditions?
One
of the most famous legends surrounding the Carnac stones is the tale of St.
Cornelius. Pursued by a legion of pagan soldiers, St. Cornelius is said to
have miraculously turned his attackers into stone to escape. These petrified
soldiers, according to legend, now stand in lines across the fields of
Carnac.
I
find legends and myths captivating—not necessarily for their factual content,
but for how they stir our curiosity and engage our critical thinking. Like
poetry, these stories enchant us through their beauty and imagination, rather
than any obligation to truth. In the case of St. Cornelius, I’m unconvinced
he ever traveled to Carnac, especially given that the stones predate him by
thousands of years. Yet the beauty of the legend reminds me of the power of
imagination as a source of spiritual value.
Another
legend about the Carnac stones goes as follows:
Long
ago, when fairies still walked among us, guiding humanity toward peace and
happiness, Carnac was a small, tranquil village in Brittany. Its people lived
under the protection of a powerful fairy, their Protector. One day, the
villagers decided to build a canal to bring water to the land—a great leap
forward. But, like all progress, it came with unforeseen consequences. As
time passed, the canal gradually divided Carnac into two regions: North
Carnac and South Carnac. Before long, conflicts arose between them, and war
was declared. North Carnac, with its superior numbers, sought to annihilate
the South.
In
their desperation, the people of South Carnac prayed fervently to their
Protector Fairy. But the fairy found her-self in a difficult situation—she
was protector of both sides, each wanting to win the war. Moreover, she was
busy, as war had become a common plague throughout the land. Then, one night,
she had an idea: she scattered small stones along the border between North
and South Carnac. By morning, these stones had grown into towering figures,
resembling giant soldiers standing between the warring sides. With peace more
or less restored, the Protector Fairy dried up the canal and helped the
people realize that their true enemy wasn’t each other, but the lack of water
during the dry season.
After
imparting this wisdom, the Protector Fairy ascended to the sky, never to
return. Yet every year, when the people of Carnac are in need of water, she
sends enough rain to sustain them—and her eternal soldiers who still stand in
the fields, weathering the ages.
(I
wrote this story on Friday, August 23, 2024, from Canada.)
Charles Phan Hoang
Post 671 | August 23, 2024
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