Freethought & Rationalism Archive

gstafleu · 01-20-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

What would the difference be between Astrotheology and Astrology
in terms of a working definition?

A quick try.

Astrotheology should, I think, be mythological (as in: the study of myth and mythical systems) in nature, hence my idea that one should find it, if it was important, in the myths. Astrology was more a craft, like geography. IOW, the ancient version of astronomy. Just as geography was useful if you wanted to find your way towards Rome, so astrology/nomy was useful to find out when the planting season started. Like everything in the ancient days, these two of course had mythological connotations, but that may not have been their primary function: if it was, we would have found it in the myths.

Gerard Stafleu

mountainman · 01-20-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstafleu

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

What would the difference be between Astrotheology and Astrology
in terms of a working definition?

A quick try.

Astrotheology should, I think, be mythological (as in: the study of myth and mythical systems) in nature, hence my idea that one should find it, if it was important, in the myths. Astrology was more a craft, like geography. IOW, the ancient version of astronomy. Just as geography was useful if you wanted to find your way towards Rome, so astrology/nomy was useful to find out when the planting season started. Like everything in the ancient days, these two of course had mythological connotations, but that may not have been their primary function: if it was, we would have found it in the myths.

There are a whole host of authors who write about myths
perhaps starting with Joseph Campbell. It is an entirely
separate region of the literary landscape than that occupied
by BC&H and would probably include many of the references
actually supplied by Archarya, including the work called
"Hamlet's Mill (or via: amazon.co.uk)" (which I have not yet read at all -- have you?).

Best wishes,

Pete Brown

andrewcriddle · 01-21-2008, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstafleu

While it seems that precession has been known for quite some time, are there any indications it played a role of any importance in the mythology? Its influence on day-to-day affairs on earth is rather small, isn't it? Mind you, I'm not saying it doesn't exist, I'd just like to see some myth in which it played a role of any importance. For example, the position of the Sun at the vernal equinox moved into the sign of Aquarius at roughly the time of Christ.

The position of the Sun at the vernal equinox moved into the sign of Pisces at roughly the time of Christ.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecliptic

Quote:

The March equinox passed from Taurus into Aries in year -1865, passed into Pisces in year -67, will pass into Aquarius in year 2597, will pass into Capricorn in year 4312

(These IIUC are figures for the visible constellations figures for the astrological signs will differ by several hunderd years. )

Andrew Criddle

Dave31 · 01-22-2008, 07:52 AM

Hey all,

Great thread! Thought I'd dive in with a few definitions...

Quote:

Archaeoastronomy - "The study of the knowledge, interpretations, and practices of ancient cultures regarding celestial objects or phenomena. The branch of archaeology that deals with the apparent use by prehistoric civilizations of astronomical techniques to establish the seasons or the cycle of the year, esp. as evidenced in the construction of megaliths and other ritual structures."

Quote:

Astrotheology - Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial bodies ... such as the sun, moon, planets, stars, constellations etc.

Quote:

Myth - "a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature."

From http://forums.truthbeknown.com/viewtopic.php?t=1615

Astrotheology of the Ancients
http://www.truthbeknown.com/astrotheology.html

mountainman · 01-22-2008, 07:07 PM

Mosaic from the fifth century and a synagogue floor
showing the twelve signs of the zodiac. This is the
first time I have searched on this stuff, and no doubt
there are far more acient citations.

But this sort of stuff has some distinguishing form of
substantiality as distinct from "recorded myths".
As a parallel treck was must also explore the thread
of what the stones are telling us. At the end, we
need to put the literature and the stones (ie: mosaic,
inscriptions, papyri, art, scupture, relief, etc) together.

From here

Additionally Astrology and Judaism in Late Antiquity
Chapter Five - Astrology In Synagogue Art

Best wishes,

Pete Brown

MarmINFP · 01-22-2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

There are a whole host of authors who write about myths
perhaps starting with Joseph Campbell. It is an entirely
separate region of the literary landscape than that occupied
by BC&H and would probably include many of the references
actually supplied by Archarya, including the work called
"Hamlet's Mill (or via: amazon.co.uk)" (which I have not yet read at all -- have you?).

I've glanced at Hamlet's Mill before, but I didn't know what to make of it. I'd love to see a good review of it. Has anyone seen a detailed analysis of the ideas in this book?

Toto · 01-23-2008, 12:47 AM

For Hamlet's Mill - check out the reviews on Amazon for a start.

01-22-2008, 07:07 PM	#15
mountainman Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Falls Creek, Oz. Posts: 11,192	synagogue zodiac mosaics Mosaic from the fifth century and a synagogue floor showing the twelve signs of the zodiac. This is the first time I have searched on this stuff, and no doubt there are far more acient citations. But this sort of stuff has some distinguishing form of substantiality as distinct from "recorded myths". As a parallel treck was must also explore the thread of what the stones are telling us. At the end, we need to put the literature and the stones (ie: mosaic, inscriptions, papyri, art, scupture, relief, etc) together. From here Additionally Astrology and Judaism in Late Antiquity Chapter Five - Astrology In Synagogue Art Best wishes, Pete Brown

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01-23-2008, 12:47 AM	#17
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	For Hamlet's Mill - check out the reviews on Amazon for a start.

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