Post by Tamrin on Jun 30, 2008 21:44:48 GMT 10
I do not hold any original metaphysical ideas concerning astrological lore, including that pertaining to Orion, the Pleiades or Sirius.
I do not venture much beyond assumptions concerning their importance in navigation, orientation and in the timing of agricultural and ceremonial events. For instance, I have no fixed ideas concerning their functions with respect to divination. Indeed, I am not even looking for deeply esoteric significances here and I do not draw any conclusions of an extraterrestrial nature. I acknowledge that many ancient civilisations perceived great significance in astrological phenomena. However, I do not necessarily endorse (or reject) the veracity of such perceptions. My chief interest is in the comparative mythology of different star lore traditions.
At one level I see the seven stars (be they the Pleiades or not) on the 1° Tracing Board to be a possible nod toward the seven stars significant to the Waldenses (on their emblem the stars are ostensibly said to represent the seven churches of Asia).
The curious, mythological prominence of the otherwise inconspicuous Pleiades suggests them as an obvious candidate for the seven stars on our T.B. However, as previously stated, the seven planets of the ancient astronomers are, at first sight, also likely candidates.
My preference for the Pleiades in this context has more to do with ritual considerations. In myths throughout the world, Orion commonly depicts the local cult hero pursuing the Pleiades. Thus, identification with the cult hero, as in the 3°, also has initiates identifying with his quest. Here a deeper significance is possibly suggested.
In The Starlore Handbook (p.93), by Geoffrey Cornelius, we read:
Besides the Greek hero, the constellation of Orion represents other deified, cult heroes, (depicted with raised, outstretched arms):
* Among the later Greeks the lion skin and club of Orion become associated with Hercules, meaning `Glory of the goddess Hera', who is represented by a similar constellation, but may have originally been associated with Orion;
* Traditions associating Orion with drunkenness (e.g., his name is a euphemism which means `urine' (Pinsent, p.28)) connect him with Bacchus, Noah and Dionysius and subsequently to the more refined cults of Orpheus and Pythagoras;
* For the Persians the constellation represented Mythra, reaching for the adjacent constellation of Taurus (of which the Pleiades are a part), as the sacrificial bull (corroborated by other astrological allusions);
* Biblically, the constellation is likely to represent "... Nimrod, the mighty hunter before the Lord" (Gen 10:9), connected in extra-biblical lore with the building of the Tower of Babel.
* For Freemasons, the constellation is likely to represent their cult hero, H.A., giving a sign which, in the Scottish rite, is associated with him and attributed to the Queen of Sheba.
* For the ancient Egyptians, the constellation was Osiris.
The upraised arms are a sign used in the Cult of Isis which depict the mysteries of Osiris and Isis, (in which Isis played the main, active part). The sign specifically represent the Ka, which has been interpreted as being an immortal, spiritual aspect transmitted from mother to child (Mendelssohn, pp.42/44). In the same tradition, the Pleiades represent the Seven Hathors, who assign a person's fate at birth.
* Also for the Egyptians, Taurus is the Apis Bull, a theophany of Ptah, the original supreme god of dynastic Egypt, the great architect of the universe, and in particular the god of craftsmen, (especially smiths and masons), and the prototype of Osiris (Cornelius; p.107), while Scorpio was the scorpion belonging to Set, (the evil brother of Osiris), which was sent to kill Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis, who after death became the `Osiris Horus', (in other words he became one with his father).
* Less confident associations can be drawn with the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Arthurian legends. Even so, there are hints in each that suggest some connection. In the latter case, Arthur is likely to hold the place of ‘Solomon’ while the place of H.A., the cult hero, is likely held by Galahad or Parsifal.
* Today we can only muse that, for the Gnostic Christians, the constellation may have represented the crucified Jesus.
At this juncture our study becomes somewhat uncanny as, half a world away, among a people thought to have been isolated for over forty thousand years, we find the Australian Aborigines had several versions of the following legend, associated with the same constellation (Naputa, January):
The association of the Orion constellation with initiation is emphasised by Dr. Meggitt, who tells us (p.294) that, among the Walbiri people: "At about one a.m., when Orion is overhead, the brothers rouse all the sleepers for the next stage of the ceremonies."
Among tribes on Australia's east coast, the constellation of Orion is thought to represent the Supreme God Biame or his son Daramalan, the god of initiation, (if Aboriginals seem imprecise about the distinction between their heavenly father and his son, we should, at least, acknowledge they are in good company in this regard). Presumably Orion's belt is Baiame's or Daramulin's Bora (a belt and covering or `apron' with which initiates are invested).
Even more uncannily, this son of God was represented by a body or an earth mound in the form of a cross, over which candidates for initiation were required to pass, being challenged at each step. During these ceremonies the "body and blood" of the cult hero Daramalan was said to have been consumed in a ritual meal.
Getting back to the Pleiades (who in aboriginal traditions took the place of Orion among the women):
Quote:
As for Sirius, being the brightest of the fixed stars, its significance is not so unexpected. Indeed that significance may be greater as an indicator of Orion than for any significance in its own right. Albeit there are some curious features about Sirius which Robert Temple discusses in The Sirius Mystery (I suggest he goes beyond what is reasonably certain). Seen in some myths as the dog or hunting companion of Orion and in some other as his spouse, e.g. Isis.
References:
* Andrews, Munya, 2004, The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades: Stories from around the world, Spinifex, North Melbourne
* Bauval, Robert & Gilbert, Adrian, 1994, The Orion Mystery: Unlocking the Secrets of the Pyramids, Mandarin, London
* Cornelius, Geoffrey, 1997, The Starlore Handbook: An Essential Guide to the Night Sky, Duncan Baird Publishers, London
* Cornelius, Geoffrey & Devereux, Paul, 1997, The Secret Language of the Stars and Planets: A Visual Key to Celestial Mysteries, Universal International, Gordon, NSW
* Elliott, C.A., 1918, "The Astronomy of Freemasonry", in Transactions of the Sydney Lodge of Research, No.290 UGL, NSW, Bloxham & Chambers, Sydney
* LeMesurier, Peter, 1990, Gospel of the Stars: The Mystery of the Cycle of the Ages, Element, Longmead, Dorset
* Mendelssohn, Kurt, 1977, The Riddle of the Pyramids, Sphere, London
* Naputa, Gaparingu, n.d., Aboriginal Sky Fugures: Your Guide to Finding the Sky Figures in the Stars (based on Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories), (astronomical information by Gordon Patston), ABC Books, Sydney
* Pinsent, John, 1982, Library of the World's Myths and Legends: Greek Mythology, Newnes Books, London
*Temple, Robert Kyle Grenville, 1976, The Sirius Mystery, Futura, London
I do not venture much beyond assumptions concerning their importance in navigation, orientation and in the timing of agricultural and ceremonial events. For instance, I have no fixed ideas concerning their functions with respect to divination. Indeed, I am not even looking for deeply esoteric significances here and I do not draw any conclusions of an extraterrestrial nature. I acknowledge that many ancient civilisations perceived great significance in astrological phenomena. However, I do not necessarily endorse (or reject) the veracity of such perceptions. My chief interest is in the comparative mythology of different star lore traditions.
At one level I see the seven stars (be they the Pleiades or not) on the 1° Tracing Board to be a possible nod toward the seven stars significant to the Waldenses (on their emblem the stars are ostensibly said to represent the seven churches of Asia).
The curious, mythological prominence of the otherwise inconspicuous Pleiades suggests them as an obvious candidate for the seven stars on our T.B. However, as previously stated, the seven planets of the ancient astronomers are, at first sight, also likely candidates.
My preference for the Pleiades in this context has more to do with ritual considerations. In myths throughout the world, Orion commonly depicts the local cult hero pursuing the Pleiades. Thus, identification with the cult hero, as in the 3°, also has initiates identifying with his quest. Here a deeper significance is possibly suggested.
In The Starlore Handbook (p.93), by Geoffrey Cornelius, we read:
In Greek myth Orion was a hunter of great prowess. To show off his skill, he foolishly boasted that he could kill all living beasts. The Earth-goddess Gaea, alarmed at Orion's claim, sent a scorpion to kill him. The myth is born out in the night sky. As the stars of Scorpius ... rise in the east, Orion sinks defeated in the west. The story is completed when, as Scorpius sets in the west, the creature is crushed into the earth by the healer Aesculapius ..., who, having killed it, revives Orion so that he soon rises once more in the east, completely renewed.
Thus, to paraphrase: Orion was a god of death and resurrection. Poisoned by a scorpion, his constellation died (meaning, it disappeared below the horizon) while that of Scorpio rose. Later, he was `resurrected' by Aesculapius, the god of healing, who appeared to crush the scorpion underfoot; the constellation of Orion then waxed while that of Scorpio waned.
Thus, to paraphrase: Orion was a god of death and resurrection. Poisoned by a scorpion, his constellation died (meaning, it disappeared below the horizon) while that of Scorpio rose. Later, he was `resurrected' by Aesculapius, the god of healing, who appeared to crush the scorpion underfoot; the constellation of Orion then waxed while that of Scorpio waned.
Besides the Greek hero, the constellation of Orion represents other deified, cult heroes, (depicted with raised, outstretched arms):
* Among the later Greeks the lion skin and club of Orion become associated with Hercules, meaning `Glory of the goddess Hera', who is represented by a similar constellation, but may have originally been associated with Orion;
* Traditions associating Orion with drunkenness (e.g., his name is a euphemism which means `urine' (Pinsent, p.28)) connect him with Bacchus, Noah and Dionysius and subsequently to the more refined cults of Orpheus and Pythagoras;
* For the Persians the constellation represented Mythra, reaching for the adjacent constellation of Taurus (of which the Pleiades are a part), as the sacrificial bull (corroborated by other astrological allusions);
* Biblically, the constellation is likely to represent "... Nimrod, the mighty hunter before the Lord" (Gen 10:9), connected in extra-biblical lore with the building of the Tower of Babel.
* For Freemasons, the constellation is likely to represent their cult hero, H.A., giving a sign which, in the Scottish rite, is associated with him and attributed to the Queen of Sheba.
* For the ancient Egyptians, the constellation was Osiris.
The upraised arms are a sign used in the Cult of Isis which depict the mysteries of Osiris and Isis, (in which Isis played the main, active part). The sign specifically represent the Ka, which has been interpreted as being an immortal, spiritual aspect transmitted from mother to child (Mendelssohn, pp.42/44). In the same tradition, the Pleiades represent the Seven Hathors, who assign a person's fate at birth.
* Also for the Egyptians, Taurus is the Apis Bull, a theophany of Ptah, the original supreme god of dynastic Egypt, the great architect of the universe, and in particular the god of craftsmen, (especially smiths and masons), and the prototype of Osiris (Cornelius; p.107), while Scorpio was the scorpion belonging to Set, (the evil brother of Osiris), which was sent to kill Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis, who after death became the `Osiris Horus', (in other words he became one with his father).
* Less confident associations can be drawn with the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Arthurian legends. Even so, there are hints in each that suggest some connection. In the latter case, Arthur is likely to hold the place of ‘Solomon’ while the place of H.A., the cult hero, is likely held by Galahad or Parsifal.
* Today we can only muse that, for the Gnostic Christians, the constellation may have represented the crucified Jesus.
At this juncture our study becomes somewhat uncanny as, half a world away, among a people thought to have been isolated for over forty thousand years, we find the Australian Aborigines had several versions of the following legend, associated with the same constellation (Naputa, January):
This is the story of Jarn, a youth who believed he was the best hunter of his tribe. He would hunt and show off his catch to everyone. He also though he was the best man in the tribe and that he deserved the best wife. He began to play his dancing sticks and when this did not work he chased seven sisters (called Marigu) through the bush to try and catch a wife.
The Sky Figure of Marigu-Jarn is in two parts in the evening sky in January. Jarn can be seen as the figure playing his dance sticks, while the seven women appear as a group of stars huddled together to escape from him....
When the figure of Jarn appears in the evening sky during the month of January it is time for corroborees and initiation of young men for the Woorabinda-Biregaba people of northern Australia. The story of a young man looking toward the seven sisters for a bride is common to many tribes throughout Australia. In Victoria the seven sisters are known as Ngamma-Gama.
The Sky Figure of Marigu-Jarn is in two parts in the evening sky in January. Jarn can be seen as the figure playing his dance sticks, while the seven women appear as a group of stars huddled together to escape from him....
When the figure of Jarn appears in the evening sky during the month of January it is time for corroborees and initiation of young men for the Woorabinda-Biregaba people of northern Australia. The story of a young man looking toward the seven sisters for a bride is common to many tribes throughout Australia. In Victoria the seven sisters are known as Ngamma-Gama.
The association of the Orion constellation with initiation is emphasised by Dr. Meggitt, who tells us (p.294) that, among the Walbiri people: "At about one a.m., when Orion is overhead, the brothers rouse all the sleepers for the next stage of the ceremonies."
Among tribes on Australia's east coast, the constellation of Orion is thought to represent the Supreme God Biame or his son Daramalan, the god of initiation, (if Aboriginals seem imprecise about the distinction between their heavenly father and his son, we should, at least, acknowledge they are in good company in this regard). Presumably Orion's belt is Baiame's or Daramulin's Bora (a belt and covering or `apron' with which initiates are invested).
Even more uncannily, this son of God was represented by a body or an earth mound in the form of a cross, over which candidates for initiation were required to pass, being challenged at each step. During these ceremonies the "body and blood" of the cult hero Daramalan was said to have been consumed in a ritual meal.
Getting back to the Pleiades (who in aboriginal traditions took the place of Orion among the women):
Quote:
Classical writers seemed anxious to disguise the real nature of the Pleiades. One story insisted they were all virgins. Orion the Hunter tried to rape them, but Zeus protected them by turning them into doves [the dove is a significant Albigensian emblem] and placing them in the heavens. The story was obviously absurd, as all the Pleiades had lovers or husbands, and three of them had mated with Zeus himself. In earlier myths, Orion the Hunter was their victim, not their attacker. (Walker, p.804)
As for Sirius, being the brightest of the fixed stars, its significance is not so unexpected. Indeed that significance may be greater as an indicator of Orion than for any significance in its own right. Albeit there are some curious features about Sirius which Robert Temple discusses in The Sirius Mystery (I suggest he goes beyond what is reasonably certain). Seen in some myths as the dog or hunting companion of Orion and in some other as his spouse, e.g. Isis.
References:
* Andrews, Munya, 2004, The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades: Stories from around the world, Spinifex, North Melbourne
* Bauval, Robert & Gilbert, Adrian, 1994, The Orion Mystery: Unlocking the Secrets of the Pyramids, Mandarin, London
* Cornelius, Geoffrey, 1997, The Starlore Handbook: An Essential Guide to the Night Sky, Duncan Baird Publishers, London
* Cornelius, Geoffrey & Devereux, Paul, 1997, The Secret Language of the Stars and Planets: A Visual Key to Celestial Mysteries, Universal International, Gordon, NSW
* Elliott, C.A., 1918, "The Astronomy of Freemasonry", in Transactions of the Sydney Lodge of Research, No.290 UGL, NSW, Bloxham & Chambers, Sydney
* LeMesurier, Peter, 1990, Gospel of the Stars: The Mystery of the Cycle of the Ages, Element, Longmead, Dorset
* Mendelssohn, Kurt, 1977, The Riddle of the Pyramids, Sphere, London
* Naputa, Gaparingu, n.d., Aboriginal Sky Fugures: Your Guide to Finding the Sky Figures in the Stars (based on Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories), (astronomical information by Gordon Patston), ABC Books, Sydney
* Pinsent, John, 1982, Library of the World's Myths and Legends: Greek Mythology, Newnes Books, London
*Temple, Robert Kyle Grenville, 1976, The Sirius Mystery, Futura, London
