Subject: Fwd: The Moon as a Crystal Sphere.
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:57:39 EDT
Dear Myron. Please find below the latest page of Crystal Spheres.  In ancient times the seven days of the week were named after the Sun, Moon and five known planets which were also regarded as gods, so each day of the week showed reverence to each of the seven planetary gods in turn. So, this is why there are seven days in a week and why the week has become the building block used in our modern day calendar. In Babylon accurate measurements of the movement of these ‘seven’ planets across the sky were taken, building up reliable data over hundreds of years. The roughly 28 day sidereal month was known to the Babylonians and makes an obvious link between the seven day week and this lunar cycle (4×7=28). The ease with which full and half Moons can be observed gave a rough link to there being four weeks in a month, but the seven and a half day ‘lunar week’ would make attempts to synchronize the lunar cycle with the days of the week more trouble than it was worth. However ancient astronomers were keen to look for a repeat pattern that could be used to synchronize the lunar calendar with the solar calendar. The complicated orbital elements of the Moon meant that any link that was to be found would give a repeat cycle of many years and would require careful astronomical observations over tens and hundreds of years. Amazingly, Babylonians at the dawn of recorded astronomy started cataloguing the Moon’s movement across the firmament with such diligence and accuracy that a repeat cycle of some 57years would eventually be identified by astronomers in ancient Greece, which would allow the prediction of both lunar and solar eclipses!  The main task of astronomers in the ancient world was to get the timings of the seasons correct, so that farmers would know when to plant their crops and when to harvest them.  In the ancient world this meant that when the Sun moved into the northern hemisphere was seen to be of paramount importance, because this is when spring would begin and nature’s cycle of life for the plants and animals would go into overdrive, as more light was ‘harvested by the plants leading to an abundance of food that had been lacking throughout the winter. Thus, the solar year was measured from the vernal equinox as the Sun passes above the equator on its journey north. This is when the Sun rises due east and gives rise to the ‘Easter Festival’ which has been celebrated by countries and cultures across the ‘known world’ from Ireland to China, since ancient times.  So the Sun’s movement into the northern hemisphere marked the beginning of the year and the Easter celebration took place on the first full moon after the equinox. To hold the festival on the full moon makes common sense, because in those days there were no street lights and traveling to see ones relatives at a time of the year when there were only twelve hours of daylight could be dangerous.  At a full moon the Sun and Moon are on opposite side of the ecliptic, so as the Sun sets the Moon rises, giving revelers and travelers light throughout the complete day.  This principle was followed by Darwin’s grandfather and his associates who belonged to the Lunar Society who met on a full Moon so that their coaches could return home with the help of moonlight. Thus the luni-solar calendar was born with the Sun marking the seasons and the Moon governing festivals, logitistical and travel needs.  The Romans based their year on the ten lunar months following the vernal equinox as:- 1.   Martius 2.   Aprilis 3.   Maius 4.   Lunius 5.   Quintilis 6.   Sextilis 7.   September 8.   October 9.   November and 10. December  and with each of the ten months comprising of thirty or thirty-one days. These ten months were then supplemented by sixty-one days of winter to achieve the 365 days of the solar year due to the time taken for the Earth to orbit the Sun. Kerry
Many thanks again! I can see from feedback that the book is very popular this month again and you can talk about these concepts in the film, giving your own thoughts on the various questions. You and I are scheduled to film at Craig y Nos Castle in September.
