A SECRET IN A SECRET GARDEN
The Secret Garden was until recently called The Rose Garden. There is nothing obviously secret about it. The garden contains a few flowers and shrubs, a circular walk, a couple of arbours and some statuary. One of the statues, 'The Wounded Amazon' was carved by William Waldorf Astor.
One seemingly innocuous item though, I found fascinating. I am sure that students of symbolism will feel the same way. I refer to the garden bench (above).
I asked three members of staff if they knew anything of the origin of the seat. although none of them were around in Astor's time (1893-1966), they all believed it was installed by William Waldorf Astor.
What do we have in here?
Chains, a Star of David, a cobweb (6 lines, 6 segments, 6 arms = 666), two saltires, XXX = 666 etc
What immediately caught my eye were the two mirrored Born-Again fish symbols. and then I noticed that they also decorated the sides of the chair too.
It would be interesting to know whether the Astors have had any links to Fundamental Christianity, seeing as they have used their symbol for such a long time previous to their official incarnation.
If they have the message could be deciphered as Born Again Christianity caught in the web. And who is in the centre of the web? The six-legged spider and in the heart of this, the six-pointed star -Astor meaning star.
The design also resembles a mask. That could explain a great deal. Why are masks worn if not to hide a true identity. It's a secret, which could explain the name that now applies to ths former rose-bed.
A rose bed? hmmm... That's CRUCIAL.
A word of warning.
Please do not stare at the chair picture for too long - it has a mesmeric quality, which may upset you.
