Celestial Geometry: Understanding the Astronomical Meanings of Ancient Sites - Softcover

Taylor, Ken

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1786782707 ISBN 13: 9781786782700

Publisher: Watkins Publishing, 2019

Synopsis

Many ancient, even prehistoric, monuments and temples aroundthe world show an amazingly sophisticated understanding of the heavens. Theyreflect this sacred knowledge in celestial alignments - to the eternal cyclesof the sun, moon, stars and planets.The ceremonies performed at sites such as Stonehenge inEngland or Teotihuacan in Mexico are now lost to us. But the time-worn stonesand structures remain, and archaeoastronomers (experts in ancient astronomy)have studied how their sightlines relate to astronomical phenomena such asmidwinter or midsummer sunrise or the rising of the Pleiades star cluster. Within, Ken Taylor dives into the fantastical:The principles of astronomy - the seasons, the solstices and equinoxes, the rising and setting of stars, the "lunar standstills"Solar alignments - the language of light and shadow, and the life-giving shows of the sunLunar alignments - the drama of the eclipse and the mysterious energies of the nightAlignments to stars and planets - reaching out to the immensity of the cosmosIn exploring such connections, in words, superb photographsand clear explanatory artworks, Celestial Geometry opens a whole universe ofmystery and wonder, and a window on the inner life of ancient civilizations.

About this title

Review

'This book is subtitled, 'Understanding the Astronomical Meanings of Ancient Sites', and that is exactly what it does. There have been many attempts to rationalise and find a reason for the truly remarkable structures worldwide made by our forefathers. The author uses the comparatively recent science of 'archaeoastronomy' and sticks to what we know and can prove concerning such iconic sites as Stonehenge and Avebury in England, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Carnac in France, The Pyramids in Egypt, Hovenweep in the USA and the truly astonishing array of ancient standing stones predating the Pyramids at Callanish on the Western Isles of Scotland. Many of the other sites (and there are many) will be unknown to the reader, yet they are there and they fulfil exactly the same function. Our ancestors attempted to recreate heaven here on earth (as above so below) and show just how powerful the appeal of the heavens was. This is irrespective of whether it is the sun, the moon or indeed the stars and how many of the structures follow, track and frequently predict the way in which these celestial bodies move through the sky. This is a beautifully presented book with full colour plates and printed on high quality glossy paper that deals with a remarkable era in human development. It sets out its message in a readily accessible form and is well worth the purchase price'
- Phenomena Magazine

About the Author

Ken Taylor has an established reputation for carefully researched and lucid writing exploring ancient traditions with contemporary applications. He has worked as an archaeologist and has written extensively on Palaeolithic alignments, celestial events, earth energies, astronomy and mythology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Watkins Publishing
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1786782707
• ISBN 13: 9781786782700
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 240