As you may know, behind Aeternum is a small business based in Brittany (in southern Finistère, to be precise). And it is well known that this region lives to the rhythm of legends, myths, and more or less well-known magical practices (Brocéliande, Merlin, the Lady Viviane, the Alignments, and many others). Thus, to highlight our beautiful region, we will regularly publish little-known legends from Breton history.
Let us discover together the legend of the Barenton Fountain, a magical place where Merlin and the Lady Viviane are said to have met for the very first time. This is not really a story, but rather a very ancient and mysterious place that, over the centuries, has become a true pilgrimage site for every visitor to the forest of Brocéliande (Paimpont).
Legend has it that, long ago in his youth, Merlin discovered the Barenton Fountain during his wanderings through the forest of Brocéliande. This fountain is said to have been created even earlier by the first druids. The sparkling water of this fountain was reputed to possess magical properties capable of altering the course of time and nature. It was also said that its waters could reveal visions, change the destiny of those who dared to immerse themselves in them, or even possess miraculous healing virtues, capable of curing madness or illness (an anti-tuberculosis sanatorium almost even opened there). Moreover, the name Barenton comes from the Breton Bel Nemeton, meaning "shining place", certainly due to the water bubbles that form completely randomly and in every season.
Merlin, fascinated by the fountain and its mysteries, one day met the fairy Viviane there, also known as the Lady of the Lake. It was beside this fountain that he taught her the secrets of magic and the art of enchantment. Their love was born beside these miraculous waters... and it was also here that Merlin, blinded by his love for Viviane, allowed himself to be trapped by his own spells, enabling Viviane to imprison him in an air prison using five magical elemental circles. But I will tell you this legend in another article.
One legend says that if water from the fountain is poured onto its edge (called Merlin's step, a flat stone), a very powerful storm awakens. Arthur himself, intrigued by this legend, is said to have tried the experiment, causing such a violent storm that his knights begged him to stop.
If you decide to visit this magical place, focus on the surface and the bubbles rising from the depths; apparently, you can make out Merlin's face...
Par Olivier of Aeternum
Passionate about esoteric traditions and the history of the occult from the earliest civilizations to the 18th century, I share some articles on these topics. I am also co-creator of the online esoteric shop Aeternum.
