The “Star” October 18, 2009
Posted by fathersky in Culture, Science.trackback
Most of my blog entries have been rather light-hearted tidbits of historical trivia with a slant toward cultural astronomy. Today I thought I’d share something a little more personal. Besides being an amateur astronomer I also have a spiritual side. Some may see those two endeavors as being in conflict but as long as we don’t think of the bible as a historical archive in the 21st century sense, the two can exist in harmony.
With that in mind let me share something I’ve read which sheds a clearer light on perhaps the most famous puzzle in astronomy and religion… just what WAS the Star of Bethlehem?
Like many astronomers who have poked at this, I’ve come across countless theories ranging from comets to supernova’s to planetary conjunctions… all with some credence but also with very little in the way of evidence.
I have to say, this has been a special quest for me. Is there some link between the astronomy I love and spirituality which gives me a reason for being?
I happened upon the book, “The Star of Bethlehem” by Michael Molnar. What is unique about his approach is that he attempts to do what the best archaeologists do, and that is think like the people you are investigating. In this case, a first century BC Magi.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in this subject so I won’t reveal his findings, but I will share he does a thorough job of laying out what the belief’s were in that age, what they mean and even how to interpret the few written records we have. And yes, to the dismay of my fellow astronomers, much of that includes astrology. But I assure you, if we are to understand this story in the way it was written and for the time it was written, we must understand historical astrology.
Thema Mundi by Meredith Garstin
The above chart is suppose to represent the positions of the 7 planets at the beginning of the universe, not when the “star” of Bethlehem was up, but it does show the simpler style of charts used at the time in question.
Let me close by saying I am not a believer of modern astrology but I do embrace any and all clues into understanding how we humans made sense of our world long ago so we have a better understanding of who we are now. Mr Molnar adds a big piece to my puzzle.
You mean you are NOT going to say what the Star of Bethlehem might have been? I have to read the book!? You and I need to sit down and have a chat.
I felt this fell into one of those Journey vs Destination conversations. I could tell you the “star” was Jupiter but the cultural journey of how the author got there was the real story. A fascinating, fresh approach to an age old dilemma.