Babylonians, Mexicans and the Total Count
Calling All Enthusiasts of Astro-Archaeology!
For my first Guest Blog, Asia Haleem has produced an article on why she thinks the Mayan Calendar ends in 2012, heralded by a transit of Venus.
She was also the subject of an Interview on this website [See Interviews]
I hope you will be as enthralled as I am by her thesis of the tie-in between these two astronomical events, and look forward to your feedback.
~ Lana
Biography: ASIA HALEEM (ASIA SHEPSUT)
Asia started out as an Art Historian (London University) but when embarking on a doctorate to explore its roots in the ancient near east, got sidetracked into writing two books using the factual information she came across about festivals in the ancient world, and real-life priestesses of the time (Year of the Goddess and Journey of the Priestess, both published by HarperCollins and still available as used copies on Amazon)!
On continuing to look further into ancient art she obtained qualifications in Archaeology (London University) and Astrology (Company of Astrologers), realising there was a central core of imagery based on the ancient calendar waiting to be deciphered. This is the point at which she was again sidetracked looking in depth at Babylonian Astronomy so as to understand the core cycle of images she has named The Canon of Ancient Near Eastern Art [CANEA]. During that line of enquiry she found out about the astonishing gift of the Mesopotamians for Divination, Astrology and their theories of correspondences between zodiac, colours, substances, plants and human behaviour – on which the material in www.cosmokrator.com is based.
Thirty years on she is finally in a position to complete the original task she set out to do – to interpret the CANEA – definitely with no more diversions – and is starting to archive her results on www.layish.co.uk.
Babylonians, Mexicans and the Total Count
We live in turbulent times, when abnormal human behavior and alarming Earth disasters can be taken as signs of the Last Days prophesied in most religious traditions . Many wonder whether the ending in 2012 of the Aztec/Mexican forward-looking Calendar is another such sign. Since 2012 is next year it is worth looking into the possible reasons behind their calculation – and why I come to the conclusion we should take heart that it need not mean the end of humanity on Earth but simply the end of an era – and the beginning of a new one! I am not an expert on Mayan astronomy, but having worked extensively on ancient Mesopotamian astronomy (some references are in the footnotes) I am going to follow a theoretical take on Venus and time counting with you.
The Feathered Rattle Snake Quetzalcoatl, primaeval as a pterodactyl (Diag. 1), to the Aztecs embodied Venus as Morning Star – while they saw his twin brother Xolotl as the evil Evening Star of Venus at night. Quetzalcoatl was said to be so ugly that he wears a wind mask made of serpents writhing round his face – like our Gorgon.
Diag. 1: Basalt sculpture of Quetzalcoatl, Feathered Serpent of Venus c.1519, Mexico (recently on loan to the BM)
During 2012 the world will see a Transit of Venus/Quetzalcoatl across the Sun on 6 June – a rare occurrence compared to the number of times we observe the Moon crossing the Sun in any decade. Viewable to us in the West, it will be an obvious sign in the sky six months before the ending of 2012 at the Winter Solstice when a further, more invisible, landmark will be reached (see the last paragraph of this article). I believe the impending Transit of Venus was consciously used as a signpost marker by the ancient Mexicans to end their calendar by. Since Venus is very much involved in the counting of time and since we have a lot of relevant evidence, as background I am going to ask you to look with me at some key factors involving Venus in Mesopotamian astronomy – which we can assume were also known by the Aztecs. Starting at a basic level the initial concept for us to take on board is that Mesopotamians dealt with Venus in a triad with Sun and Moon (Diag. 2).
Diag. 2: 10C BC Old Babylonian boundary stone showing the discs of Moon, Sun, Venus, Rising Node, The Sibitti and Scorpio. Note the Serpent above them, here usually interpreted as the Milky Way: further gods are shown beneath
March 26th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Lana & Asia;
I read this article and was fascinated, although a bit daunted. This is the sort of information that needs to get out to the hyperreactive in our population who are SURE the world is going to end in 2012.
Thank you for this very scholarly report.
Warmest,
Dia
March 27th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Dear Dia
So glad you see it as a corrective to alarmist thinking, which was the aim!
It is indeed a heavy-going paper: I find it heavy going myself. I felt I had to provide my sources for those who wish to take it further. I think the key is to just get the general idea, and also see the Mexicans in context with their predecessors.
All best wishes,
Asia
March 27th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Dear Dia
Thank you for putting into words my own exact feelings about Asia’s work!
I see you understand why it needed to come into being!
I am delighted that Asia has given me the opportunity to host it here,
Love
Lana
March 27th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Dear Asia
I know nothing about the Mayan Calendar, and Astronomy is not my strongest suit, though I have read a few biographies of Galileo in recent years, and a life of Jeremiah Horrocks “Father of British Astronomy” entitled “The Transit of Venus” by Peter Aughton, a book I would recommend.
Thank you too for all the work that has gone into this historical as well as astronomical account, and the illustrations which you have provided to help this work come alive.
So this article of yours has helped me to understand more (than I did before), enough to know that you have produced a rational argument for what in my heart I believe to be true.
I hope it helps others, too.
Love and Thanks
Lana
March 27th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Dear Lana
It’s interesting how astronomy and astronomy have split off from each other: in the ancient world they were joined at the hip. So we have the situation today where astronomers pour scorn on astrology, and astrologers not actually checking stuff in the sky much, partly because we have watches. Wewould not have our astrologers’ tables today without the Babylonians working out the repeating cycles of the planets – but they were also at the same time deeply aware of the meaning of it all! We don’t even notice how our timekeeping is rooted in ancient Sumerian practice, starting with its framework of the 360 degree horizon.
Yes, Jeremiah Horrocks is famous for ‘discovering’ the Transit of Venus in the West, though all these things were usually already spotted in the ancient world long before, just as American Indians were in America before Columbus.
I wonder what astrologers reading this blog make of the Transit we had in 2004, or ofthe upcoming one next year? One man I know (highly placed in government) whose birthday was on the day of the Transit in 2004 has a life surrounded by very powerful women in charge of bodies such as the National Trust and Environment Agency!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to revive awareness of our age-old oral tradition via this blog!
Asia
March 27th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Dear Asia, I know your work is powerful and vital but apart from being attracted to these subjects for some while, am not studious enough to be articulate. I need to read, and re-read but thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to do so, and thanks to Lana for inviting you here, love Sarah
March 27th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Thanks Sarah. I don’t think you can take this in in one go – otherwise it’s totally indigestible. Also, don’t be afraid of the numbers – it’s straight kindergarden counting (use your calculator though and do the sums as you read if that helps). Break the mould of that girly cliche that we’re not good at maths.
I think read page one, then the very last few paragraphs. Then on another occasion read about the Venus:Earth ratio of 5:8 which is key. Then finally the ways in which the Great Year can be counted.
This blog is the result of years of reading, so a rich stew. I can liken it to the jar of Japanese umeboshi I bought the other day, where I realised a tablespoon of it was far too much and that the jar would last for ages – just the tip of a teaspoonful is enough to power up one stew! Use the blog more like a dictionary and refer to it when you need to check something.
The key message in it, putting aside the amazing Venus numbers, is that it appears we’re on the brink of a totally new era which the Mexicans seem to have counted up to – and to put you on alert to watch out for the Venus Transit next year, and the Winter Solstice following it, because… (see the very last para!).
Hope to be in touch soon on Cosmo, when I get back into that groove!
All best, and thanks so much for contacting me.
Asia
March 27th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Dear Lana/Asia;
I was speaking with a patient yesterday about Asia’s article, saying how refreshing it was to read something about the Mayan calendar that was rational and (yes I even said this word) erudite. My patient had a deeply visceral reaction to “Mayan Calendar”, stopped listening and started the eye-rolling superiority and launched into a monologue. When I was finally able to rein the conversation back in, I repeated my initial comment. The patient was still adamantly superior to any idea that our local stars influence Earth and the people thereon. I changed tack a few times, re-stating my initial comment until my patient was able to hear what I ACTUALLY said, rather than the chatter and hum of the hysterical “end of the world” mouthpieces.
I mention this because it was obvious that astrology has a HUGE influence on this person’s life, witness the knee-jerk reaction to a simple comment. I wonder if this is an attempt by a “modern” thinking person to reject the Jungian racial memories of astrologer/astronomers and their place in society. Of course, it could as easily be a past-life issue, and maybe more, but I found it interesting.
My, perhaps incorrect, position is that if astrology, and the astronomy of astrology, meant nothing to one, there would be no higher reaction than “oh, yes? How interesting…”
All of this hysteria about 2012 reminds me of the harmonic conversion of (I think) 1987/1988. It was much talked about and then – well, not much talked about and seemed to have been a non-event.
And finally, the rapture is supposed to happen May 13th of this year – make sure you brush your teeth that morning (of course, I don’t know if it’s America time or UK time or Australia time or . . . and if America what part – things seem to happen Eastern Standard Time (or now, I guess Eastern Daylight Time).
Thanks again, Asia, a really thought provoking article.
Dia
March 27th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
P.S. Or the 21st of May. There’s a theological war brewing. But if the 13th, it will be at or about 7:54pm Jerusalum time. Hmmm
March 27th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Dear Dia
Interesting. I think bad astrologers built up a bad reputation for astrology – just as religious fanatics put others off true religion! If a person can gain one good experience from an astrologer that can change their attitude and help them see they should turn to them as much as to their doctor.
People can also tend to copy other people’s attitudes without thinking for themselves, and it’s common on the part of well-educated people to treat it as mumbo-jumbo, when in fact it is a science (setting up the chart) as well as an art (the interpretation). I know academics who write on ancient astrology who actually haven’t a clue about astrology, who therefore make basic mistakes in coping with the material. Funnily enough the average person in the street looks up their stars in the newspapers as part of popular culture, so they’re more open. I’m interested in getting academics to learn proper astrology so they know what they’re reading – and vice versa – there’s a huge amount of material from the ancient world uncovered by academics which present-day astrologers would benefit from knowing!
By the way, the first individual horoscopes were only cast from about the 5C BC – before then only the horoscope of the kingdom and its ruler would be cast, and portents for the good or ill of the kingdom as a whole interpreted from events in nature – governing government policy, you might say!
I’ll stand by ready for 13 or 21 May to see what happens.
All best,
Asia
March 27th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Dear Sarah
Thank you for commenting. I know you understand Asia’s work on an energetic basis, and have the potential to work on Cosmokrator.
The Cosmokrator interview link for anyone who hasn’t seen it or would like to re-read it is:-
http://www.lanawooster.co.uk/blog/2010/02/interview-series-no-1-introducing-the-cosmokrator-with-asia-haleem/
You may need to copy and paste this into google, or click on Interviews on the right hand side of this page. The Cosmokrator interview with Asia is No. 1 in the series.
Love
Lana
March 27th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Wow Asia!
I have always thought it would be very helpful to have the right and left brains wired as in for instance Astronomy and Astrology.
After I left school, I lived in the right brain and abandoned the left brain. Then about 15 years ago, I had to go and pick up the left brain again.
Yes some of those early portents by Astrologers in the ancient world were pretty fear-inducing, and in other cultures such as Medievel Europe.
I have always been conscious of having to unpick some of the old superstition-based approaches. Modern Astrology is psychologically healthier in many respects.
Love
Lana
March 27th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Dear Dia
Thank you for championing Asia’s article/blog, and seeing its raison d’etre.
You’re working with it already, it seems!
Love to you and yours,
Lana
March 27th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Hi Asia and Lana
A fascinating article! I more or less got the drift of this, by missing out the maths. And it is clear that we are at the end of an epoch, and that this has been happening for some years now . I’ve always been interested in the split between astronomy and astrology – and as a baby astrologer have always thought that I needed to look at the skies – to make a visual connection between what the computer and discourses can tell me. I’m sure that this would add depth and richness to the science/art – as at one level can be a collective ‘bringing into being’ of the universe. However, I love my warm house too much, so think I need some more discipline to make it. This is not to suggest a materialistic link at all, but something that links us back to the past and forward. Isn’t it interesting that in this mechanical age so many of us are turning back to the old myths to sustain and nourish ourselves!
Amazing work. Thank you
March 27th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Dear Sinhagupta
Good to hear from you: yes, we live in an era where the most ancient and the most modern understand each other and stand face to face – and it is becoming easier and easier to walk over the bridge between them. Perhaps I can speak in Vedic terms to say that it looks as if we are at the watershed between the end of the Kali Yuga, the last of the Four Yugas, before the Mahayuga starts all over again – and during the hiatus Kalki comes on the white horse.
None of us can do much on their own. I’ve found that if you at least point towards what you most want in your life, the next step presents itself! And if there’s something you don’t know, ask someone who does, so there is cooperation between experts. No one person can know everything (which was my aim when at school!).
If you are going through the stage of being a householder everything is very much on the physical plane, and needs to be, but one can start to work on acknowledging higher worlds during it, for the time when life makes you more of a hermit. Sacred art, virgin nature and the order of the cosmos are all realms connecting you, within your warm house, to the Higher Order. Keep your sights on that, because we are in for very turbulent times with a lot of human degradation, whose beginning is relying on only the physical. But in the end, human spirit breaks out!
I am sure everyone on Lana’s website are encouraging you skywards!
Namaste,
Asha
March 28th, 2011 at 6:48 am
Dear Sinhagupta
Not sure about the protocol of my commenting on my guest blogger’s blog, but just wanted to say thanks for reading all except the maths, and for your appreciation of this article.
You make some good points. I think it’s funny often when I see our attempts in society at progress seem to be anything but.
Love
Lana
March 28th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Dear Sinhagupta
The attached link (you will need to type it in, as it is not live) takes you to an account of the important stars in the Indo-Sumerian world – because the most easily identifiable. This might give you an idea of what to look out for! http://layish.co.uk/ch19s.pdf
Asia
March 29th, 2011 at 8:35 am
I was talking to a friend yesterday who has recently returned from Mexico. He says Mexicans themselves are cheerful about the ending of the Mayan calendar in 2012 – these descendants of the Aztecs and Mayans (some of whom still speak the languages, and many of whom never converted to Christianity) believe this is the time when tribal peoples will make a come back on their own terms.
By the way, this is the link to the paper I gave at Oxford last year, about five artefacts referring to astronomy/astrology, the oldest dating from Ur c.2500 with the Great Bear on his foreleg! Just look at the pictures… http://layish.co.uk/astronomical_iconography_of_5_icons.pdf
Asia
April 13th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Stop Press: To anyone finding the calculation of the megacycles of Venus difficult to follow, I have now revised the way I presented the information, so do give the last three or four pages another go. I think it’s important to see that Venus Transit cycles of 250 years, her Precessional cycle of 1200 years, in turn measurable by Saros or Metonic cycles, mean that it is possible to check where we have got to in the Sun’s Great Year as it precesses back through the Zodiac. Hence it is fitting next year when we reach completion of either a Half (or possibly even Whole) Great Year that it should be marked by a Transit of Venus. I believe the Mayans looking ahead saw that Transit as dramatically flagging up this momentous cleavage point in Time.
Thank you so much for your patience in reading this. I’ll be especially interested during next year to see additions to this conversation in terms of your own interpretations of the astrological significance of this event or period in your own and others’ lives!
Asia
April 13th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Thanks very much for your revision to enable us to understand the maths, Asia!
I will read it again in the simplified form, and I hope that others will take the time to do so.
Thank you also for all your hard work to exercise our brains and hearts ahead of 2012.
All good wishes to you for your future work,
Love
Lana