Comparative Mythology and Astrotheology

[standvast]

No, this is not another debate thread centered around Zeitgeist . Maxwell, Acharya S and the likes....

I wanted to make this thread for 2 reasons,

1) I take comparative mythology as a serious field of study and find Zeitgeist mostly rubbish.
2) I'd like to show /gather together Comparative Mythology and Astrotheology works from way Pre-Blavatsky...
so feel free to add links if you know of any books concerning the topic.

for your consideration;

* CHARLES FRANCOIS DUPUIS (1742-1809)

Quote:French author and politician who studied ancient civilization and anthropology. He was born on October 26, 1742 at Trie le-Chateau and was tutored by his father until he was able to enter the College d'Harcourt. At age 24 he was made professor of rhetoric at Lisieux, but his inclination led him into the field of mathematics. Several of his anthropological writings had occult implications. In Origine de tous les Cultus (3 vols., 1795) he attempts to explain not only all the mysteries of antiquity, but also the origin of all religious beliefs. In his Memoire explicatif du Zodiaque chronologique et mythologique (1806) he maintains a common origin for the astronomical and religious opinions of the Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, Persians, and Arabians.

~The origin of all religious worship



The origin of all religious worship.
Translated from the French of Dupuis ...
Containing also a description of the zodiac of Denderah.
Dupuis, 1742-1809.
New Orleans: , 1872.

Online here ;
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-...JF3298.0001.001

Chapter 8 ;

AN EXPLANATION OF THE FABLE, IN WHICH THE SUN
IS WORSHIPPED UNDER THE NAME OF CHRIST.

http://members.cox.net/srice1/books/dupuis/dupuis9.htm

--------------------------

This book is from a later time , but very interesting nontheless.

The Witness of the Stars
E. W. Bullinger
1893

online in it's entirety here ;

http://philologos.org/__eb-tws/default.htm

The Third Book
The Redeemer
(His Second Coming)
"The glory that should follow"
Chapter I

Messiah, The Coming Judge of All the Earth

Quote:TAURUS (The Bull). Messiah coming to rule.

1. ORION, Light breaking forth in the person of the Redeemer.

2. ERIDANUS (The River of the Judge). Wrath breaking forth for His enemies.

3. AURIGA (The Shepherd). Safety for the Redeemed in the day of that wrath.

Chapter II

Messiah's Reign as Prince of Peace

GEMINI (The Twins). The twofold nature of the King.

1. LEPUS (The Hare), or THE ENEMY trodden under foot.

2. CANIS MAJOR (The Dog), or SIRIUS, the coming glorious Prince of Princes.

3. CANIS MINOR (The Second Dog), or PROCYON, the exalted Redeemer.

Chapter III

Messiah's Redeemed Possessions

CANCER (The Crab). The possession held fast.

1. URSA MINOR (The Lesser Bear). The lesser sheepfold.

2. URSA MAJOR (The Great Bear). The fold and the flock.

3. ARGO (The Ship). The redeemed pilgrims safe at home.

Chapter IV

Messiah's Consummated Triumph

LEO (The Lion). The Lion of the Tribe of Judah aroused for the rending of the Enemy.

1. HYDRA (The Serpent). That old Serpent— Devil, destroyed.

2. CRATER (The Cup). The cup of Divine wrath poured out upon him.

3. CORVUS (The Crow, or Raven). Birds of prey devouring him.

For Signs and For Seasons

-----------------------

Accompanying the above, one may want to take a look at these ;

Jamieson Celestial Atlas



It used to be online in its full glory, i printed me a version in A3 size laminated which looks awesome,
the original page that held the HD scans seems to be offline now though. :angry:

Edit , hold up , i think i found another site hosting them in full detail, with zoom-in function , here ;

http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/vi...what/Atlas+Map/

if that doesn't work , try these ;

http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/2006/12/j...tial-atlas.html

http://www.phys.uu.nl/~vgent/celestia/celestia.htm

---------------------

Another , way older book touching upon some of the same motifs, albeit from a more Alchemical perspective,. ;

"Astrology Theologised"
Valentin Weigel
(1553-1588)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:The Sun is the heart and light of the World. In this heart, I say the Soul inhabits, which illuminates all and every the Planets and Stars upwards above itself, and downwards beneath itself, as well in the day as in the night time, and disperses its power into all and singular bodies, as well the superior things to the utmost superficies of the frame, as also the inferior things even to the inward centre in the earth.

Yea, the Sun by his virtue passeth through all corporeals like unto glass, and operates in them without any impediment.

The power and working of the Sun. — So his force penetrates the whole body of the sea as glass, without any obstacle, even to the lowest bottom thereof; so the whole body of the earth, full of pores on every side, is passable to the Sun, even to the inward point of its Circle. So the Sun fills the sphere of Air; also the spheres of Heaven, and enters into views, and possesseth with his power all the Angels of all the regions and parts of the World, as the Soul doth the body of the Microcosm; and not only the Chaos and the bodies of Elements, but also all the generations and substances of all things whencesoever existing, as well subtle as gross, as well light as heavy, as well soft as hard; metals, mountains, hills, gems, rocks, stones, wood, and whatsoever is, everywhere, so as it reacheth to the very centre of the earth; neither is his force and operation wanting, or deficient there. For all bodies though never so great, gross, thick, are altogether as glass to the penetrative power of the Sun, and although our eyes do not so expressly know and see this present ingressive, penetrating, subtle and active power of the Sun in all things, but the gross bodies always are and remain in our eyes gross, dark and shady, yet in respect of the Sun, and to the virtue of the Sun, after their manner, all things are diaphanous and perspicuous, and penetrable. Which solar virtue thrusts forth and produces all things hid in the earth: and, also, the air is such, that with the very virtue of the Sun, it doth essentially enter into all bodies, penetrate and fill all things. Life is Fire. —For fire is the life of things; no fire can burn, that is, live without air, wheresoever therefore there is life, or fire, or the virtue of the Sun, there also is air. The World a great Creature—Now the whole greater World, as to its soul and body, with all the creatures that are therein, is one Creature by itself, and one animal, and lives like an animal, having in itself its vital Spirit, endued with a Sevenfold operation, or diffused into the seven Planets, into all the Stars, and into all the elements, and all vegetables, minerals and animals generated of elements. The element of Fire hath his shop or seat in the body of the Sun, Planets and all the Stars; in that fire the Phoenix of the world, or Soul of the world, dwells, which operates all things, and is the Light of Nature, the Vulcan of Heaven, the Archeus of Nature.

THE SPIRITUAL HERMENEUTICS
of
Astrology and Holy Writ
A TREATISE UPON THE INFLUENCE OF THE STARS ON MAN AND ON THE ART

http://hiddenmysteries.org/freebooks/anc...ology.html

---------------

For a thorough explanation of Comparative Mythological motifs throught the ages, easy to watch,
i advise anyone interested in these topics to watch Joseph Campbell's "Transformations of Myth Through Time " (it's on the CC Tracker.)
http://tracker.conspiracycentral.net/torre...ils.php?id=4373

Enjoy '

[mothandrust]

Quote:For a thorough explanation of Comparative Mythological motifs throught the ages, easy to watch,
i advise anyone interested in these topics to watch Joseph Campbell's "Transformations of Myth Through Time " (it's on the CC Tracker.)
http://tracker.conspiracycentral.net/torre...ils.php?id=4373

Enjoy '

... 4.72 gig, it's gonna take me an age - better be worth it

but thanks in advance:D

[deathstickboy]

Joseph Campbell is definitely worth it. ;)



A thread of this sort would not be complete without this book being represented:


The Golden Bough : A Study in Magic and Religion


Sir James George Frazer

A monumental study in comparative folklore, magic and religion, The Golden Bough shows parallels between the rites and beliefs, superstitions and taboos of early cultures and those of Christianity. It had a great impact on psychology and literature and remains an early classic anthropological resource.


http://www.bartleby.com/196/



Good thread. I'll try to contribute more as time allows. :D

[~Wheres Raven~]

The origin of all religious worship has been a really fun and interesting book to read so far, thx standvast.

[standvast]

Glad you enjoy, Raven~ :)

and thanks to whoever pinned this thread !

found another pretty interesting book ;

Astrology and Religion Among the Greeks and Romans
Franz Cumont
[1912]

http://www.sacred-texts.com/astro/argr/index.htm

namaste'

[~Wheres Raven~]

:)

[standvast]

~where's ra Wrote:http://hiddenmysteries.org/freebooks/anc...ology.html
A TREATISE UPON THE INFLUENCE OF THE STARS ON MAN AND ON THE ART

I read that one today (not Sabbath day )... was interesting, thx again.
Have you read it lately? wondering on your thoughts about it.

Hi,
no i haven't read it lately, but i did peruse it before i linked it,
i'm in the middle of Max Heindel's Rosecrucian cosmology,
which has been keeping me busy in the reading / digesting section,..

It's not that long though, so i'll see if i can't get to it some time this week.

Quote:Would you like to discuss the books in a new different thread?

yeah , that would be good !
suppose we'll just keep this thread for links with a quick description to 'em,
and pick apart / compare our views and ideas on the books in a new thread.
thanks!

:)

[standvast]

Quote:Explore the Etymology and Symbolism of the Constellations
On each of the constellation pages under the subheading "Speculation on the meaning of this celestial feature" the symbolism and etymology of the name of the constellation is explored.

This study is based on the belief that each constellation has its own unique clusters of related concepts, and that the etymology of the names and associated key words will express their essential meaning.

Etymology is the study of the history of words. English is an Indo-European language and related to most of the major languages of Europe and the northern Indian subcontinent. Click here for a list of Indo-European roots and see how linguists have grouped words that are etymologically related to each other. I believe that each constellation embraces a number of these Indo-European roots.

Along with using these roots supplied by modern etymologists I have liberally used interpretations of words from the 7th century AD Christian scholar Isidore of Seville (The Etymologies), and also from the 1st century Roman writer Marcus Terentius Varro (On The Latin Language).

nice site ;

http://www.constellationsofwords.com/

starlists and articles ;

http://www.constellationsofwords.com/Fixedstars.htm


B)

[standvast]

An unmissable wealth of goodies over at ;

Gutenberg.org's Mythology Bookshelf


The Golden Bough : A Study in Magic and Religion

available for DL in several text formats here ;

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3623

and,

I found another book by J G Frazer,

FOLK-LORE IN
THE OLD TESTAMENT

STUDIES IN COMPARATIVE RELIGION
LEGEND AND LAW

1923

BY
SIR JAMES GEORGE FRAZER, F.R.S., F.B.A.
FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
HON. D.C.L., OXFORD; HON. LITT.D., CAMBRIDGE AND DURHAM;
HON. LL.D., GLASGOW; DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA OF THE
UNIVERSITIES OF PARIS AND STRASBOURG

New York
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1923
All rights reserved

ABRIDGED EDITION

seems to be up in full here ;

Folklore in the old Testament

--------------------------

wiki Wrote:Thomas Bulfinch (July 15, 1796 - May 27, 1867[1]) was an American writer, born in Newton, Massachusetts. Bulfinch belonged to a well educated Bostonian merchant family of modest means. His father was Charles Bulfinch, the architect of the Massachusetts State House in Boston and parts of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.. Bulfinch supported himself through his position at the Merchants' Bank of Boston.

Although Thomas Bulfinch reorganized Psalms to illustrate the history of the Hebrews, he is best known as the author of Bulfinch's Mythology, an 1881 compilation of his previous works:

1. The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes (1855)
2. The Age of Chivalry, or Legends of King Arthur (1858)
3. Legends of Charlemagne, or Romance of the Middle Ages (1863)

This compilation, assembled posthumously by Edward Everett Hale, includes various stories belonging to the mythological traditions known as the Matter of Rome, the Matter of Britain and the Matter of France, respectively.

"Our work is not for the learned, nor for the theologian, nor for the philosopher, but for the reader of English literature, of either sex, who wishes to comprehend the allusions so frequently made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and those which occur in polite conversation."

Bulfinch’s Mythology,

first published in 1855, is one of the most popular collections of mythology of all time. It consists of three volumes:
The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and Legends of Charlemagne.
This is a recording of the tenth edition of the first volume, The Age of Fable.
It contains many Greek and Roman myths, including simplified versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey,
as well as a selection of Norse and “eastern” myths.
Thomas Bulfinch’s goal was to make the ancient myths accessible to a wide audience, and so it is suitable for children. (Summary by Kathleen Gatliffe)

link to the audio books (in 41 chapters ) ;

http:/brivox.org/bulfinch-age-of-fable/

link to the Gutenberg text version ;

http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/thgff10.txt

----------------------------

This might also be good, i thusfar have only read the intro.

Astral Worship

by

J. H. Hill, M. D.

http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/astrl10.txt

and G'berg also has a philosophy bookshelf ;

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Philosophy_(Bookshelf)

Quote:Metaphysics, or the attempt to conceive the world as a whole by means
of thought, has been developed, from the first, by the union and
conflict of two very different human impulses, the one urging men
towards mysticism, the other urging them towards science. Some men
have achieved greatness through one of these impulses alone, others
through the other alone: in Hume, for example, the scientific impulse
reigns quite unchecked, while in Blake a strong hostility to science
co-exists with profound mystic insight. But the greatest men who have
been philosophers have felt the need both of science and of mysticism:
the attempt to harmonise the two was what made their life, and what
always must, for all its arduous uncertainty, make philosophy, to some
minds, a greater thing than either science or religion.

an excerpt from ; MYSTICISM AND LOGIC, AND OTHER ESSAYS by Bertrand Russell,..

:)

[deathstickboy]

I already posted the golden bough....did you miss it?

Now I'm all hurt and stuff. :P

[standvast]

:Dnah i didn't miss you postin' it up bro', thanks.
it's just that the gutenberg site links several formats to `save as`.

[zunnyk]

Robert H. Brown Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy

This incredibly detailed book reveals the hidden meanings behind occult signs and symbols from ancient times, found in what should be termed stellar theology, and then carried over into our modern world. Also reveals how Freemasonry is connected to Judaism, Christianity and the Bible. Lastly, it shows what the ancients knew about astronomy and how it became incorporated into the various religions of the world. Brown explores the world's legends, emblems and symbols and how they were all connected to ancient astronomical systems.

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4535220/Br...Astronomy(1882)

Recomended
S:)

[drew hempel]

D.M. Murdock's new book relies on cross-referencing PRIMARY sources on Egyptology as the source of Western religion:

http://forums.truthbeknown.com/viewtopic.p...sc&start=15

A must-read.

[standvast]

Smith ~ The Chaldean account of Genesis.

up on Scribd ;

George Smith (Chelsea, London March 26, 1840 – August 19, 1876),
was a pioneering English Assyriologist who first discovered and translated the Epic of Gilgamesh,
the oldest-known written work of literature.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3982283/Smith-...f-Genesis-

----------------------

osiris and the egyptian resurrection;
illustrated after drawings from egyptian papyri and monuments.
(many illustrations )

read online or DL ;

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14679268/osiri...-monuments

----------------------

D. R. Lehoux-
Parapegmata or Astrology,Weather and Calendars in the Ancient World.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/19303779/D-R-L...ient-World

enjoy'