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 Fairy Viviane, the Alignments, and many others). Thus, to shine a light on our beautiful region, we will regularly publish little-known legends from Breton history.
This week, I invite you to discover the legend of the Devil's Cave. If you pass near the Huelgoat forest, Brocéliande's cousin and a place steeped in many legends, you will certainly pass by the Fairy Pond and, above all, the Devil's Cave, which owes its name not to one, but to two legends...
The Devil's Illusion
The story begins with a daring revolutionary from the area around Berrien. His fight for freedom and equality had aroused the anger of the Chouans, loyal supporters of the King and fierce opponents of the Revolution. To escape their relentless pursuit, the revolutionary sought refuge in a mysterious cave nestled in the dense woods of Huelgoat, not far from his home.
The night was dark and icy, and the revolutionary, trembling with cold, lit a large fire of branches to warm himself. On his head, he wore a hat adorned with two red feathers, a symbol of his unwavering determination. He always kept a large pitchfork with him, ready to defend himself against anyone who dared threaten his freedom.
When the Chouans entered the cave, the sight that met their eyes plunged them into indescribable terror. Behind the dancing flames of the fire, they thought they could make out the threatening shadow of the Devil himself. Panic-stricken, they fled, shouting curses at the Prince of Darkness. From that memorable night onward, the cave was called the Devil's Cave... or rather, the cave of his illusion.
The 99 Inns
Another legend tells that the Devil's Cave is the entrance to a strange passage leading to an enchanting series of 99 inns. At each stage of this journey, guests were welcomed with increasingly succulent dishes and ever more intoxicating drinks, served by maids of enchanting beauty and unparalleled hospitality.
However, there was one condition for enjoying it: every traveler had to stop at each of the 99 inns. At the 99th and final stop of this gastronomic journey, the guests came face-to-face with the Devil himself. Only those who had managed to keep a cool head and remain sober had the privilege of returning safely to their village.
As for the others, the Devil, armed with his infernal pitchfork, condemned them to an inexorable descent into the depths of Hell. Thus, the Devil's Cave became the starting point of the realm of the Underworld, its entrance requiring a deep descent beneath the rocks.
If you want to see it for yourself, visit this cave, which is open to visitors, but beware: access is somewhat precarious.
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.
