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ZENITH IC .

home: http://www.moses-egypt.net

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” The monster which St. George destroyed was mentioned being a basilisk more often than as a dragon. Many people of today do not know a basilisk. In the texts in the Bible where the basilisk is mentioned this word had often, in the 1900’s translations, been changed to be the serpent or lizard. ”

” The Basilisk was generally described as a rooster with a body of a snake. Its poison was so deadly that just to cross its track was enough to kill a human. Besides the strong poison it was said that a basilisk’s gaze could kill a human being or turning him into stone. “

” Since basilisk both can mean 'little king' - a prince - and a monster this doubleness is even included in an older myth or parable, known in alchemy and the ancient initiations cults, namely the narrative about the basilisk to be found at the bottom of a well. And if a princess with a pure heart kisses this mysterious creature - often in the form of an ugly toad (‘monster’) - it turns into a prince/little king. “

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OVE VON SPAETH

The Basilisk,

the Kings, and the

Stellar World . .

.

The ancient fairy tale about the basilisk at the bottom of a well is a parable that originates from the ancient Middle East

cultic initiations. But was there also something else behind the idea of the so-called spirit in the well/container/bottle? The Basilisk

has a long-lasting historic role in astronomy and alchemy but now almost forgotten - whereby the relevant parts of the

story can be difficult to understand for today's people.

..ZENITH IC .

..

www.moses-egypt.net

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Ove von Spaeth : The Basilisk, the Kings, and the Stellar World

e-book - online - ISBN 978-87-89171-77-7 - EAN 9788789171777

Copyright © 2014 by: Ove von Spaeth

Zenith IC Publishers, (Copenhagen) 2014. - Zenith e-book 3900EN www.moses-egypt.net - The projects are supported by free donation.

The book’s file name: www.moses-egypt.net/images/2ovs_en2_basilisk-kings-and-stellar-world_e-book.pdf

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Fee mandatory for non-private use: - the mentioned page also informs on mandatory fee paid by public and private institutions,

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* Copyright © 2014 (& 1984):

Concerning pictures, diagrams, maps, etc. belonging to the author: copyright © 2014 (& © 1984). In case of other illustrations: only free-ware items, sampling, or being over 100 years were chosen.

Publishing permissions from writers of letters have been granted the author, directly or by media law. Cover: astro-alchymistic solar king principle symbolism in Renaissance version - by

Christopher Knowles: “Alchemical Romance of Fifth Element”.

(The book is also available in Danish: “Basilisken, kongerne og stjernernes verden”).

* Backtrack, bibliographical:

Updat. from publ. in AMH Magasin, Mar. & Sep. 2005 (8th yr., no.2, pp.16-17; & no.4, pp.16-19) - &: updat. from Stjernerne, Jan.& Mar. 1984 (28th yr. no.4, pp.162-165; & no.6, pp.246-248).

Copyright © 2014 - & backtrack © 1984 - by: Ove von Spaeth.

The texts also contain several extracts from the author’s book: ”The Secret Religion”, 2004 (vol.4 of his series on the historical Moses).

*

* Topic group: Ove von Spaeth’s books on the same subject area 'Stellar world, alchemy and the basilisk',

can be read independently, e.g.: ”Nostradamus, the New Millennium - and the Basilisk”.

* Distribution: of Ove von Spaeth's books which are published in book printed version:

by: Bog & Mystik, DK-2500 Valby, kontakt@bog-mystik.dk - online-sale: www.bog-mystik.dk - & by: Lemuelbooks, Mejlgade 28, DK-8000 Aarhus C - online-store: www.lemuelbooks.com

* Donation:

Click: The presented books and articles were made possible by the support of readers like you !

This project for free scientific, historical research and information is supported by donations.

Info: Ove von Spaeth’s books and articles, - and on reviews, debate, archive, donation: www.moses-egypt.net

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CONTENTS Introduction 7 PART 1, The Basilisk and the ideas about it from Antiquity 9

Aristotle about “the Planets in the sky which we call gods”

The basilisk - both royal star and monster ! PART 2, The basilisk, the kings and their astrologers 17

Napoleon about the ’influence of his destiny star’

Royal astrologer behind Arab oil agreement

World history again touched by ‘the basilisk’ PART 3, The Basilisk - the Heart of the Lion 25

Signs and omens

Richard the Lionheart - Coeur de Lion

Predictions about Richard

The King in Disguise

Lions with and without hearts

The Royal Star

The solar eclipse in 1189

PART 4, The royal-star Basilisk in the initiation teachings 35

Esoteric perception of cosmic structure

Archetypal patterns in constellation shapes and planetary orbits

‘Little King’ - at the celestial geometry mysteries

The star of the royal births

The Serpent hatching the World Egg

Stars and alchemy

The mysterious Snake coiling the Earth

Descending to the Underworld

The occultation line - the magic wall around celestial Paradise PART 5, The Basilisk among The Four Royal Stars 47

The immobile constellations and the movable ‘star signs’

The Four Royal Stars

The great X-cross in the sky

The Basiliskos star

The zodiacal starting point well-known in ancient tradition

The significance of the Royal Stars

Royal Stars and the initiated knowledge PART 6, Gallery - Bibliography 57

Gallery

Bibliography I

Bibliography II PART 7, Summary - Comments - Extended reading 69

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The 'terrifying' Basilisk is here accompanying the heavenly bodies the Sun and the Moon; Wilibald Pirckheimer manuscript (ca. 1513).

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INTRODUCTION

A hindsight into past knowledge that in particular, the basilisk - now almost an unknown creature - has had a long-term historical role in star knowledge and alchemy, but now almost forgotten so that those parts of history can be difficult to understand by people today.

The four so-called royal stars are very bright stars - and were conceived as being of particular importance. The brightest among these four is Basiliskos-Regulus, the Lion’s or Leo's heart, it was known as both a Royal Star and a monster !

Several expressions from this field have later entered today's common language. The archetypal symbolic expression is echoed in the initiated star savvy and alchemist’s linguistic images and concepts. Such features appear in particular in the texts made by Tycho Brahe as well as by Newton - with due regard to a particular astro-mythological tradition.

The ancient fairy tale about ‘the basiliskos in a well’ is a parable, derived from the ancient Middle Eastern initiation cults. But in the bottle/container there was perhaps something else behind? In particular, the basilisk has a long-term historical role in star knowledge and alchemy. The basilisk was of great importance to alchemy which was in interaction with the stars. A comprehensive collection of information connected with intriguing documentation is now to be presented.

Ove von Spaeth 2012 (orig. September 2005) - www.moses-egypt.net - Zenith IC Project

This is not a book intended for only academic readers; it is neither constructed as a work for popularized history, nor for providing hard-core evidence. Rather, the book introduces findings, discoveries, and facts to be known from the annals of history but often presented for the first time here, reframed in new ways and larger contexts.

Deductions from the extraordinary material are intended to be gathered into a larger picture by means of the investigated clues and indications brought to light here. It is hoped that the presented facts will contribute to more new and independent research. Thanks are due to everyone who assisted in the project. - OvS..

The basilisk seen in connection with the various planets' celestial spheres.

Woodcut print from J.G. Toeltius: ”Coelum reseratum chymicum

oder philosophischer Tractat ...”, Frankfurt, 1737.

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Illustration on previous page:

A basilisk drawn by Guillaume de Lauriss in his

“Roman de la Rose”, 1039-1043.

PART 1

The Basilisk and the ideas about it from Antiquity

Aristotle about “the Planets in the sky which we call gods” The basilisk - both royal star and monster !

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The Basilisk and the ideas about it from Antiquity

All through history, in fact all the way up till the 19th century, astrology might be as much involved in politics as for instance financial regards - and

it was also a very widespread and natural factor in philosophy of life and in the normal day, like religion is. Astrology is hardly known in history

books - this might equal to excluding significant parts of the Catholic Church’s role and presence in cultural history.

The Philosophers’ School in Athens, painted by Raphael. Here, the learned debated on both star knowledge and mathematical astronomy.

Aristotle about “the planets in the sky which we call gods” .

Once kings also ad in their service a special kind of advisers, for instance, Persian and Babylonian kings included in their staff astrologers as wise men. They were same kind of learned priests as the magoi (magicians who were stargazers) mentioned in the Bible for having observed and interpreted the meaning of the so-called “Star of Bethlehem”.

As king and general, Alexander the Great had among his advisers an Indian Yogi and a Syrian female fortune-teller, during his great expedition and at the same time he was corresponding with his former teacher, Aristotle, the Philosopher, about for instance “… the planets in the sky, which we call gods …”, as expressed one of the letters from Aristotle.

Plutarch, Greek philosopher and writer (46-127), mentions the birth of Alexander the Great and refers to the Leo constellation. Alexander the Great was born on a certain day - July 20th, 356 BC - when the Basilisk, i.e. Basiliskos (Regulus), the main star of Leo, was passed in a close conjunction by the Sun. In the ancient star mythological tradition it was, according to astronomer Ptolemy, considered that this kind conjunction made it possible under the right circumstances for a person to be provided with a highly illustrious carrier. According to Cicero ("De diviatione" 1:47) the magois (astrologers) predicted his historic endeavor.

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The constellation of the lying Lion, Leo, appears in the sky as the Great Sphinx. Leo’s main star, Basiliskos-Regulus, is also named the Lion’s Heart, and is placed exactly on the Sun’s orbit, the ecliptic line.

Alexander's mother, Queen Olympia, had carefully planned the birth time and thus the conception which was carried out ritually in an Egyptian temple on the Greek island of Samothrace.

In the text on Alexander's birth Plutarch adds that on the very same day of he birth, 20 July 356 BC, a young Greek desperado, Herostratus, wanted to be famous and had the Artemis temple burned down.

The temple - built by the rich King Croesus - was the most beautiful temple of Antiquity and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Herostratus was then executed by the authorities also sentencing him to a total oblivion by through death penalty to prohibit the mention of his name. But later he mentioned the historian Theopompus. Archaeologists have confirmed that the fire fit reasonably that year.

Herostratus had probably known about the tradition of the Basilisk star and thus choosing precisely the date of his destructive deed. Anyway it resulted as desired in accordance with ideas connected with Basilisk star - great fame, although a short life to the person involved. In addition the fame was in this case preserved through the expression Herostratic fame regarding fame for an atrocity, a destructive act which does not serve its author's honor.

Alexander the Great (right) later offered to pay for the Arthemis temple's rebuilding, but the Ephesians refused. Eventually, the temple was restored after Alexander's death, in 323 BC.

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In another of Plutarch’s books, his now 2,000 year-old work about "parallel lives" (cf. his "Lives", VII, Loeb Classical Library, 1919). Plutarch (45–120 AD) was a Delphic priest, a cultic initiated, and a leading Platonist. In his writings he shows also being both a historian and gifted biographer - thus the parallel recounting of the stories of persons whose lives had some striking similarities leading into comparison and contrast. Here it is possible to see in important details the two conquerors, Alexander the Great and Caesar being compared on many abilities, features, events etc.

However, an extra detail has not been mentioned by Plutarch, namely that they both were born around 20th of July. At that ancient time it was a date most close to the very day when the Sun passed by the Basilisk star. Alexander's mother, Queen Olympia had scheduled it through the date of becoming pregnant which took place in an Egyptian Amun-temple on the 'Greek' island of Samothrace. The date seems to be sought to get the basilisk-conjunction repeated for the birth of Julius Caesar, - his mother conceived him in Rome’s Jupiter temple. The month with the Basilisk conjunction and Caesar's birth, he got named after him: July.

Star map with Leo and its heart, Regulus/Basiliskos; (etching, Bayer’s Star atlas, 1603, here a reprint from 1661).

The basilisk - both royal star and monster !

The 4 so-called royal stars are very clear stars - and were conceived as being of particular importance. The brightest of them is Basiliskos-Regulus, The Lion’s or Leo's heart. The 4 stars were called the four royal stars and the guardians of the 4 corners of the world.

These 4 stars are located along the ecliptic in each corner of the world. The Basilisk star, Lion’s Heart, was with ancient Persian astronomers, magoi, known as "the watcher of the North" and was considered to have been a marker for the summer solstice about 3,000 BC.

Basilisk is a fable monster in Middle Eastern and European mythology. The name comes from Greek basileos, ‘king’: basiliskos, ‘little king’. - The basilisk is described as a special type of lizard. In several myths the Basilisk is known as a mixture between a snake and a rooster. The basilisk came into the world by a rooster’s egg hatched by a snake.

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Basilisk, a magical fable animal from a rooster and snake will die when it sees its murderous gaze in a mirror.

The Basilisk was generally described as a rooster with a snake body. Roman writer Pliny the Elder describes in his "Naturalis" the basilisk as a small snake whose poison was so deadly that just to cross its track was enough to kill a human. Besides the strong poison it was said that a basilisk’s gaze could kill a human being or turning him into stone.

There were also several ways to kill a basilisk, - to let it gaze itself in a mirror would kill it or, as here, where St. George spears the monster with his lance. But a weasel, an audacious snake killer, could resist (on the picture, above, it attacks the basilisk with a mirror).

St. George killing the dragon-basilisk (the Lion’s Heart star) so that Virgo, the princess, is set free.

The basilisk was of great importance to alchemy in interaction with the star knowledge. At the Sun's position at St. George's day, 23rd April (Taurus), Greek georgos: 'earth'-element, leads a straight line of sight, the lance, to Leo’s basilisk-star, the ‘guardian’ of Virgo, the next sign. The monster which St. George destroyed was mentioned being a basilisk more often than as a dragon. Many today do not know a basilisk. The places where the basilisk is mentioned in the Bible - the 90th Psalm and Isaiah 11:8 - had, in the 1900’s, often got the word basilisk changed to serpent or lizard.

Since basilisk both can mean 'little king' - a prince - and a monster this doubleness is even included in an older myth or parable, known in alchemy and the ancient initiations cults, namely the narrative about the basilica to be found at the bottom of a well. And if a princess with a pure heart kisses this mysterious creature - often in the form of an ugly toad (*monster’) - it turns into a prince/little king.

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The horror monster basilisk/toad from the bottom of the well turns into a royal being- illustrating an intern transformation of alchemists.

Even today the specific star Regulus (Basiliskos) has a special symbolic significance in the Rosicrusian order where Regulus is commonly used as a “pass-word”.

Basilisk was mostly described as a cock with wings and body as a snake.

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Illustration on previous page:

Kabbalistic-alchemical altarpiece - from a small church in the town of Bad Teinach near Calw in Germany, ca. 1673. The motif’s Hermetician inspired garden of roses referring to the Rosicrucian expression “sub rosa” meaning ‘secret’.

A central female figure represents the Soul of Man standing before a temple’s podium of seven

steps at the threshold of spiritual illumination. A beginning of the alchymists’ opus often includes

the basilisk, ‘the little king’, although not seen here.

PART 2

The basilisk, the kings and their astrologers Napoleon about the ’influence of his destiny star’

Royal astrologer behind Arab oil agreement World history again touched by ‘the basilisk’

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The basilisk, the kings and their astrologers

When ancient kings assumed the throne - or were born - then the royal star Regulus' position in the sky of the utmost importance, especially Regulus should be preferred to be in a conjunction with the Sun, or at least be located in the horizon (i.e. the horoscope ascendant) or in the zenith (the highest point in the sky just above the local observer's head), or possibly in a conjunction with the planet Jupiter and with the Sun in zenith.

Even today this royal star has a special symbolic meaning with the Order of the Rosicrucians by whom Regulus often is used as the the "pass word", indicating one's rank in foreign lodges, for the seventh temple degree. Already in the crusade time when the special crusaders or Templar-guilds were formed, Regulus played here a special role.

Similarly, there is strong evidence that English Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199) as a king took the prestigious fine name ‘Lionheart’ when being a member of one of the Templar’s semi-mystical Orders and receiving many mystery impulses (including extended astrology) in the Middle East, where the Regulus star from classical times was also called "lion's heart".

Or, as the description was hands over through the famous Arab astrologer al-Biruni: "The royal lion's heart" - in addition to which this brightest star in the Leo constellation is located exactly in the orbit track of the Sun.

The strong interaction between royal duties and the heavenly relationship contributing to that the kings were described as "heaven's son" as being called also in China for thousands of years - it indicated something divine, thus the planets were also called ‘the gods’ with the Sun as the most important celestial body whereby the king in the same way was identified as the "son of the Sun" such as the Japanese emperor is still called. The Sun controls the astrological sign of Leo, which is the ‘sign of the kings’. In France, astrology officially was abolished in 1635, which did not prevent King Louis 14th to take advantage of calling himself "the Sun King".

Napoleon frequently spoke about the influence of his “destiny star”.

Napoleon about the ’influence of his destiny star’ Napoleon is one of history’s best documented figures. Simply everything was recorded by his staff officers, who were around him all the time - everything he said, wrote, ate, met,

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place, time, etc., etc. Despite Napoleon’s immense self-conceit about his own abilities, he often spoke about dependence or influence from his “destiny star” or “lucky star”.

Like many other historical leaders he might also have consulted astrologers? This, however, is as undocumented as claiming his visit to the Great Pyramid. His officer secretaries may - just in case - have found it too embarrassing to the great general; it is not recorded, probably not even indirectly, in the big volumes that were the result of the recordings.

Nevertheless it appears from these recordings that Napoleon - although he was a great strategist, a cool analyst, a brilliant mathematician, etc, - eliminated all this and other logical considerations, when he was appointing new generals, whereas he always examined and asked as the only important thing, “Is he in luck?”

When Napoleon started from Elba it was obvious to everybody that this last desperate attempt to return - the famous “100 days” - was simultaneous with the appearance of a new comet in the sky. The culmination of the comet took place at the same time as the successful reappearance of Napoleon. And the comet turns and is gradually disappearing, while he was defeated at Waterloo in 1815. The last time it could be seen in the sky was exactly on the day when he was detained as a life prisoner at the island of St. Helena.

Which star was Napoleon’s “destiny star”? Was it that he was born on 15th August, 1769? This means that Napoleon was born on a certain day, when Basiliskos/Regulus, the main star of the Leo constellation, was passed by the sun in a distance of only 3 degrees of arc (an open conjunction). And again, by the star mythological tradition of the past, such would - under the right circumstances - be considered as attached to a highly illustrious carrier.

Right: Basilisk (woodcut, 1556). - Left: ’The Royal Star’ Basiliskos/Regulus (astronomy footage).

Royal astrologer behind Arab oil agreement .

During the last years of World War II - in the days following the famous conference on 4th-12th February, 1945, between Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill in the south Russian town of Jalta on the Crimean coast - the American president headed home. He made a detour, however, and had a conference on board the “USS Murphy”, the American destroyer, off the Arab coast, with King Abdul Azis, called Ibn Saud, of Saudi Arabia.

In such a way a strong western connection to this - so far mainly British - sphere of interest was established as a counterbalance against the increasing Russian influence in oil country Persia, an insecurity not granted any solution in the Yalta agreements, as they primarily established the political spread of interests going to rule Europe after the war.

In this way the Russians created a number of western buffer states - the Slavonic countries -

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but they continued to look hungrily over the southern borders. So the Americans had to act quickly and establish some strategic placed Islamic countries as their allies, e.g. by, shortly after, making Turkey (on 23rd February) and Egypt (on 24th February) turn against Germany. On 3rd March 1945 Saudi Arabia declared war against Germany and Japan - of course only a practically formality. However, it was now with this underlying American initiative causing that the USA got a “legitimate” excuse for bringing advisers into action - thus anticipating the Russians.

It was thus a very important mission by this detour via Saudi Arabia on the return. By this occasion it was possible to experience the adventurous contract between the huge destroyer of the technological West and the incarnated medieval times: in the harbour of Yedda the royal barge was sailing out with the three most important persons on board. It was followed by a boat carrying 48 persons of the at that time largest royalty (56 sons) carrying whole lambs to barbecue in a fire on the foredeck of the US destroyer now equipped with a tent, genuine oriental carpets, and a throne.

At the royal barge the Saudi Arabian king wearing all his vestments then embarked the destroyer followed by his Treasurer and his “Privy Councellor”, i.e. his royal astrologist, who was considered an equal important and indispensable expert. They were welcomed by President Roosevelt.

At a distance and at a later time following many more, threatening oil crises and slumps of the dollar exchange rates - reflections gave way to knowing better for the first time what once was created between the USA and Saudi Arabia and the evident strings connecting these in so many ways yet so different countries.

Islamic astronomers and geographers working in the observatory constructed at Istanbul in the 16th century by the Sultan Murad III.

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Because it is a fact that these oil agreements - world historically crucial - between the USA and Saudi Arabia, which were later to become very important main keys to world economy, were created with valid participation of the royal Saudi Arabian astrologer!

Only later the British heard about the meeting. Some days later an annoyed British delegation met with the Saudis. British influence was decreasing from that moment. Yet the king had a Rolls Royce (with a left-hand steering wheel he did not like) as a gift, but the Americans had already outdone them by giving him a small airplane.

The version of these oil agreements in Saudi Arabia in the days following 12th February, 1945, were fundamental, but have, from this basis, later been revised many times. The first so-called “oil crisis” took place on 2nd October, 1973, when the crucial word from Saudi Arabia, Persia(Iran, and five other Middle East oil countries started an embargo, i.e. for a period cut off the oil export to the USA and Europe.

Left: King Ibn Saud Abdul Aziz and family onboard the USS Murphy, Feb.1945. - Right: Colonel Eddy, Nov.1945.

World history gain touched by ‘the basilisk’

Colonel Eddy was attached to President Roosevelt as his Aide Camp and Secretary, and has published his diary on meetings at Yalta and on board the American destroyer. Later other papers were released from Washington, published as part of the “Diplomatic Papers”-series.

Both King Ibn Saud with his rheumatism and Roosevelt with his paralyses were bound to use wheelchairs sometimes, and on board the king received as a present a folding wheelchair - typical of American efficiency and ideal for traveling. Also in this way the two leaders got on familiar terms. An important issue in their discussions was the question about the future of the Jews after the world war soon to end.

The Bible’s “Book of Genesis” (37:9-37) says that Joseph (son of Jacob) interprets a dream in which the sun, the moon, and 11 stars (constellations) in the situation appear like being his subjects. His brothers’ reaction is to throw him into an empty well and then sell him to a caravan heading for Egypt. The brothers tell their father that “a wild monster” has devoured Joseph and as a proof they present his famous “multi-coloured” coat, of which they were envious, and which he had had as a present from the father.

From Antiquity there are a number of narratives about astronomers, who, from the bottom of a well, could observe the stars also in the daytime light. According to ancient traditions there is in the star wisdom of the initiated the idea about “a well in the sky”. As its bottom it has the Leo constellation, the main star of which is Regulus/Basiliskos, the royal star. The constellation opposite in the sky - the top of the celestial well, so to speak - is the Well Pitcher which was the earlier name of the Aquarius.

Therefore, the episode with Joseph is also a parable. Ancient Rabbinical Writings say that the only thing, Jacob, the father of Joseph, carried when he escaped from Isaac, was a special

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stick - which was later taken over by Joseph. In fact this was an astronomical instrument, the ancient model of the historical Jacob’s staff.

The Rabbinical Writings also mention (S. Baring-Gould: ”Legends of the Old Testament Characters from the Talmud …”, London 1871, pp. 32 & 60) that Joseph’s multi-coloured coat was an expression of the firmament as a cloak above the Earth. Joseph is taken to “the dark land”, i.e. Egypt, and after his liberation he advances to the highest degrees as the country’s little-king, i.e. vizier, and eventually viceroy of Egypt, pharaoh’s substitute.

Joseph hoisted down into the well by his brothers. (Illstr. from the Zürich Bible).

It also is like a projection with ingredients of an alchemy developing process: Joseph at the bottom of the well is being swallowed by the monster (the Basilisk), but ends up as the “little king”. The starry world is all the time a part of the process - right from the interpretation of the dream (with the starry-learned interpretation), the multi-coloured coat (the cloak of the firmament) given to him by Jacob, his father, - till the bottom of the well (an observation place in ancient astronomy).

Also, cf. the legend on Joseph with Jacob’s astronomical instrument - and the Poem of Moses (the Bible’s “Book of Numbers”, 24:17), saying that “a star of Jacob shall appear” - was seen as references to Joseph, the “starry son” of Jacob.

Joseph was expatriated to Egypt via his brothers and this started a migration - his family’s emigration. Thus, in the moment when they placed Jacob at the bottom of the well ca. 4,000 years ago the perspective indirectly became a beginning of some of the later major conflicts in the Middle East.

The ancient alchemistic concept of a personal development symbolized by the transformation from basilisk monster at the bottom of the container ('a well') to the ('little') king. Illstr. from Salomon Trismosin's alchemistic

book: "Splendor Solis", Paris 1612, the original content is of earlier date. Trismosin was Paracelsus’ teacher.

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PART 3

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Illustration on previous page:

The astrological clock at Piazza San Marco, Venice.

PART 3

The basilisk - the Heart of the Lion Signs and omens Richard the Lionheart - Coeur de Lion Predictions about Richard The King in Disguise Lions with and without hearts The Royal Star

The solar eclipse in 1189

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The Basilisk - the Heart of the Lion

Richard I, English king 1189–1199, was called Coeur de Lion,

the ‘Lionheart’. But why? Looking at the extensive use of omens and signs in the past relating to this famous king and Knights Templar

affiliated crusader, a so far unknown connection appears.

The constellation Leo, the Lion, in which the main star Regulus (Basiliskos) is located and also called the Lion’s Heart, Regulus (Basiliskos), - it had a traditional fame since Antiquity.

Signs and omens

The mediaeval comprehension of inexplicable, strange events was most often that these were signs of God’s will. Especially, the idea became related to a vast number of cases concerning astronomical and meteorological phenomena. The Catholic Church sometimes banned the practise of astrology; at other times, however, claiming that in this way God was procuring these signs in the sky. In the years of 1200-1300’s the latter association contributed to the fact that astrologers and receivers of omens were tolerated to some degree by the Church.

A number of familiar European kings, for instance William the Conqueror and Richard Coeur de Lion, have tried to benefit from the interpretations by the receivers of omens - not least for propaganda purposes.

Among celestial signs and omens of that time, one of the most famous of them all can be seen in the motif embroidered in the Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy, i.e. the Halley Comet. At the tapestry the comet is shown above the heads of people surrounding the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II (Harold Godwineson) at his coronation in 1066.

Generally comets were considered omens of bad luck - and in particular for kings and rulers. A later example was in the 1500’s, when - after comet’s appearance - Charles V, the most powerful of European rulers, resigned from the throne, frightened by this omen, and had his son made emperor instead and choosing himself to live his last years in a monastery.

In 1066, many contemporaries had no doubts that Halley’s Comet so disastrously portended the death of King Harold. And he did pass away the same year, at Hastings during his defeat to the invading Norman army of William the Conqueror. This Duke of Normandy, William - who (like Harold) was an immediate descendant of Norwegian and Danish Vikings (and had

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his sons learn Danish at Bayeux) - became king of England after his victorious invasion. In this way his vast French areas were for many years a part of the British kingdom.

Soon after the big crusades were commenced, leading rulers of Western Europe were actively participating in these extensive expeditions against the Orient, from where new knowledge of many kinds were brought back to Europe by the returning travellers. European princes were highly inspired by the leaders of their Arab opponents.

One of the features was the astrologers installed by the princes in their palaces - to be used for taking auguries faster in this way. Thus, in 1228, as employed in the permanent staff of the court of Emperor Frederic II, Michael Scot(us) completed his later so famous reference book concerning astrology. Also England’s King Richard the Lionheart used the ’alternative’ advisors - this is disclosed in the following - briefly presenting an intriguing, hitherto unwritten of his adventurous life.

William the Conqueror had the Bayeux Tapestry made with the (Halley) comet in the sky (upper left) as a bad omen to his enemy, British King Harold, who is seen here “suppressed” by the comet.

Richard the Lionheart - Coeur de Lion

Richard Coeur de Lion, one of the most famous British kings, was born a century after William the Conqueror. He is still known by many, not least because he is often seen reproduced in movies about Robin Hood and Ivanhoe. Others may know him from Walter Scott novels, e.g. “The Talisman” and “Ivanhoe”, on which the movies were based.

The mythical anecdotes about the king in these movies and novels are in some cases not considered to be true. But the very reality of the king was nevertheless exciting. In a wide extent posterity imaginations about him are due to his nickname Lionheart, Coeur de Lion.

Thus we have two editions of Richard Coeur de Lion: of the legend and of the history. The historical edition is Richard I, British king 1189-1199, of the Plantagenet family, a Norman line of kings and nobility. He was the charismatic and striving-for-honour son of Henry II, British king, who was also ruling almost half of what is today’s France. At the death of this king in 1189, Richard was to become king, and from his domicile in those British owned, today western French provinces, he consequently had to travel to England for his coronation.

He was welcomed at a stately ceremony in Winchester on August 15 that year - and on September 2 he was crowned in the then recently built Westminster (Abbey), now the oldest abbey. A special event - today unknown to historians but seems exactly attached to his fame - is to be traced from his voyage from France.

The above mentioned dates are from a contemporary narrative,“Images of History” by Ralph of Diceto from St. Pauls in London. They are 8 days behind the dating according to present Gregorian calendar. This also goes for Richard’s “old” date of birth, i.e. September 8, 1167.

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The mentioned Ralph of Diceto also wrote about the portending phenomena; for instance, he concluded his chronicle in 1200 with a scary story about an lunar eclipse on January 3, when the moon “had the colour of blood”, and for several hours “its beams were like fire”.

Right: King Richard I, nicknamed the Lionheart/Coeur de Lion. Most of his reign he spent abroad on crusade – but he was also detained for a whole year in a German prison.

Left: Astrologers were often employed at the court of kings and dukes and by the Church, and lived in their castles or monasteries. Manuscript illustration from the 1300’s shows Richard of Wallingford, mathematician (astrologer) and inventor of a mechanical astronomical clock.

Predictions about Richard

Joachim of Fiore, a visionary abbot of the Cistercian monastic order in the big Italian province of Calabria, was thoroughly questioned by the intelligent and well educated Richard Coeur de Lion, when in 1190-1191 he was on a visit en route to the third crusade. The conversation between Joachim and Richard is reproduced in “The Deeds of Kings”, a contemporary chronicle written by Gervase, the famous British monk of Canterbury Cathedral.

In the chronicle we can see that Joachim portended the following - based on the biblical “Revelation of St. John the Divine”: since Saladin (Salah al-din) - being the Kurdish princely leader of Syria and Egypt - was considered to be appointed the sixth of “the seven enemies of the church” (among whom Herod and Antichrist were also mentioned), then, Saladin and his armies were doomed to succumb. The remaining part of the Joachim’s predictions is that Richard would be an important factor in this “inevitable event”.

William of Newburgh, another chronicle writer, may even have been an eye witness to several “omen bearing” events. In “History of English Affairs” he writes in 1196-1198 that in January 1193 large parts of the sky turned red for several hours as if really on fire. This was repeated in February - and again in November, when the monks ran out of their churches in order to find out which building was on fire. Based on these events, William of Newburgh made a prediction about Richard Coeur de Lion’s stay in a foreign prison on his way home from the third crusade. Today the phenomenon in question is considered to be Aurora Borealis.

Three years later - in 1196 - William of Newburgh saw a double sun. According to ancient traditions the sun was considered a symbol for the kings. He interpreted this sight as a sign of two kings’ splitting - here as a war between Richard and French king Philip II August, earlier Richard’s ally at the crusades. In fact this event took place historically shortly after.

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Richard the Lionheart’s ally in the Third Crusade, the French King Philip II, became an opponent later. Here they receive the city of Accra’s surrender, symbolized by the city key.

(Grandes Chroniques de France, Paris, the 1300’s).

The king in disguise

Nobody knows for sure when Richard was nicknamed “Lionheart” - often stated as Coeur de Lion - based on his French background. Also other - and scurrilous nicknames, e.g. Oc-e-No, old Aquitaine French for ‘Yes-and-No’ which he was given by some disappointed followers: Because he, opposite to their idealistic whish, with his smaller army he was clever enough to not besiege Saladin’s extra fortified Jerusalem or, after, he was not able to hold the city either. He knew that only in Egypt Saladin could be beaten for good! Impossible for Richard’s army.

But the name Coeur de Lion became famous. It was also a name to a - now ancient - family, Corleone (now known in the novel/movie, “The Godfather”) which in Sicily may have influenced a city whose ancient Greek name Kouroullounè then after changing via Latin, Arabic and Sicilian to Cunigghiuni completely changed 600 years ago to Corleone. Thus, underway on a crusade Richard conquered in 1190 parts of Sicily and freed his sister Joan, former queen the island, who was kept prisoner. Richard may here have “founded” descendants who got the Corleone name? He was childless with his later Queen Berengaria de Navarro (from Spain) but had non-marital children, one of them was Philip de Cognac.

Richard Coeur de Lion fell out with many of his allies, in particular the French king Philip II. It was the first crusade with armies brought to Palestine by sea. Surprising and ingenious Richard conquered Cyprus to be the crusaders’ shielded base. That the island's ruler only had detained some of Richard's people now became Richard's argument for the action. But later in Palestine he was abandoned by Philip II and the French army and most of their common fleet. So Richard and his army had to do battle alone, which he did brilliantly.

Especially after his conquest of the strong fortress of Acre, his epithet Lionheart became better known. Unexpectedly, he got on good terms with above-mentioned Saladin, the king of the enemies, who even, when in action Richard’s horse was killed right under him, gave him even two new horses and had them sent to him during the very fight between their two armies.

According to the Kurdish Saladin's code of honour a king could not fight as a footsoldier. From this and many other honourable features, Saladin became subsequently in Europe celebrated as a role model. An agreement was obtained whereby all pilgrims could freely visit Jerusalem ruled, however, by Saladin.

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Richard returned secretly from Jerusalem, while being worried about his domestic position, since John Lackland, his disloyal brother, was deputy (and supported by the French king). So Richard travelled through the German countries to conclude an alliance with a local king and therefore had to disguise posing as cook’s assistant who “turned the ox-spit in an inn at Vienna”. But by incautiousness (when his esquire - also in disguise - had precious gloves when shopping at a market) Richard was actually kidnapped by Austrian Duke Leopold V (Richard’s colleage who became unfriendly at the conquest of the fortress of Acre in 1191).

But after the payment of a huge ransom Richard on his release was captured again and now by the most powerful prince of those days, Emperor Henry VI (again approved by the French king), in all trapped for 2 years. But the fact that Richard was also a Knight Templar, whom it was forbidden to make prisoner, Pope Celestine III excomunicated (a modified ban) both Duke Leopold V and Emperor Henry VI.

Richard the Lionheart died of a fever after an accidental shot in the shoulder, hit by a crossbow. Illstr.: the king’s death in Chalus (Limousin, France). Miniature in a manuscript of the time.

Lions with and without hearts

Upon the latest release Richard was forced to recognise the principle sovereignty of Henry VI - and to show this by also accepting the heraldic arms design of the emperor, i.e. the lion emblem. This subject was of the same kind as that of Richard’s own shield, i.e. three lions. This - although symbolic - way of recognition of the emperor could not be cancelled, so instead Richard showed his independence by a second coronation in England in April 1194. Today the lions are still part of the British national coat of arms.

Contemporary Danish King Valdemar the Great (1154-1182) was also to mutually recognise the German emperor and took part in official ceremonies with him in Germany. Accordingly, Valdemar established the Danish national coat of arms to bear the three lions - up til then it was originally three leopards. The so-called “hearts” - also included in the Danish national coat of arms - have nothing to do with “lionhearts”; at that time they were designated “lake leaves”, i.e. some heart-shaped leaves of water lilies. - Whereas, the British coat of arms, the lion icon, may only indirectly have contributed to Richard’s “Lionheart” nickname. So how did the name originate? Some circumstances seem to point directly to astrological inspiration.

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Richard the Lionheart family's coat of arms with the three lions, still present in England's national coat of arms.

The royal star

The basilisk, the mythological monster appearing in the fables, is known in alchemy and also early in the astrology. In this star knowledge the basilisk was related to and having the same name as one of the four royal stars: in this case the main star of the Leo constellation, which is the night sky’s fifth strongest shining star: Basiliscus, meaning ‘little king’. From this Greek name the astronomer Copernicus later named it in Latin to be Regulus - of the same meaning. It is also named Cor Leonis, Latin for ‘the lion’s heart’.

From contemporary statements in Antiquity, Plutarch reported later that Queen Olympia had arranged that Alexander the Great was conceived so that he could be born, when the sun was passing the star of the Lion’s heart. Alexander’s life became world famous, an immense course, however short. He ruled for approx. 10 years and died already at the age of 32.

Astrologers of Antiquity considered that such intensive features were among characteristics which - when horoscopes were interpreted - often were related to the star in question.

Later, the astronomer Tycho Brahe, for instance, did also accept such ideas; nevertheless, somewhat ambitiously he founded his observatory palace - in 1576 at Ven, the Danish island - exactly at the time of the sun passing this star. The observatory was superb - admired and world famous - however, it existed for only 21 years. And 99 years later it was copied, when the Greenwich Observatory was also founded on the day of the Basiliscus - but yet existed for 300 years.

The constellation Leo/Leo with its very bright star, Regulus/Cor Leonis/Basiliskos as the heart.

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Both in east and west Richard quickly became one of the most famous crusader kings, even in England, although here he only spent six months in total of his short, but dynamic and dramatic 10 years of ruling (like Alexander!) - until his death at the age of 42.

Based on the way of understanding of that time this contains interesting perspectives. Thus exactly on August 12, 1189 (by modern Gregorian calendar: August 20th), when British prince Richard sailed across the Channel to England for his coronation on September 2 (modern calendar style: September 10th), a solar eclipse took place prior to this: exactly on the star mentioned, i.e. Basiliscus/Cor Leonis - the Lion(‘s) heart!

The solar eclipse in 1189

The said solar eclipse in 1189 is not seen mentioned or seems to be found in any text - not even with above-mentioned Gervase of Canterbury’s frequently making notes also of celestial phenomena. Modern calculations show by high probability the solar eclipse was to be observed from the Channel, but hardly from England.

However, in any case already then the appearance of the eclipse could be pre-computed astronomically - and thus be known by astrologers and professional people, who were also attached to Richard’s staff like with other leaders. The solar eclipse was not total and it took place at 6 p.m. - a little prior to sunset, and terminated before dusk, probably just before Richard and his followers reached the British coast. Solar eclipses was considered bad omen!

Based on the above background the spectacular event must have been interpreted with apprehension by Richard’s group. Not least, because the way of thinking of that time would inevitably have connected this star with the traditional, royal designation in relation to the forthcoming coronation and to Richard. But also because, as mentioned, the subject of his noble family coat of arms already - and thus for generations prior to his encounter with the German emperor - bore the stated royal lion theme.

In this case no doubt - and for the sake of good order - it will probably have been tried to avert the bad omen by reverting its unfortunate publicity and utilise it propagandistically now, thus in order to provide the king with a positive and heroic glory. With this starting point with the famous lion star, it is plausible that king Richard I - with his family lion symbolism and by this landing a few days prior to his coronation - adopted the nickname “Lionheart”, attached to him from the beginning as a king, the name fast being well-known and then afterwards to become so famous.

Richard the Lionheart, statue in London.

(An essential part of the above is in the interest of relevance also used in the author's book on the Knights Templar).

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PART 4

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The royal-star Basilisk in the initiation teachings

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Illustration on previous page:

Alchemical illustration, an image of the Sun,

from the 1700’s.

PART 4

The royal-star Basilisk in the initiation teachings Esoteric perception of cosmic structure Archetypal patterns in constellation shapes and planetary orbits ‘Little King’ - at the celestial geometry mysteries The star of the royal births The Serpent hatching the World Egg Stars and alchemy The mysterious Snake coiling the Earth Descending to the Underworld

The occultation line - the magic wall around celestial Paradise

* * *

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The royal-star Basilisk in the initiation teachings

The ancient cultures’ astronomical divisions of the sky, and the geometric patterns shaped by stellar visual connection lines, and

the planetary orbits - were all seen as special features or keys for an exclusive, religious insight. The mystery cults in antiquity knew a celestial

geometry based on cosmological teachings, a special knowledge also connecting to the ancient art of alchemy.

Esoteric perception of cosmic structure

Early in history a learning which concerns the starry sky knowledge was seen connected with the art of alchemy. The ancient Egyptian alchemy was related to the god Ptah and was known as a process claimed to produce gold also for medical use - i.e. an alchemical all-healing agent with the later name panacea.

In the Renaissance, the Swiss doctor and alchemist Paracelsus (1493-1541) used gold dust for a “gold cure” against rheumatism/arthritis and this method is still in use today. However, in Egypt and the ancient world the process of gold production was also considered as a symbolic, spiritual process belonging to the teachings of the cultic mystery initiation. And in many respects astronomical knowledge was perceived to be very a connected with alchemy.

The Bible refers to Moses “was educated in all the wisdom of Egypt” - cf. his construction of the Israelite calendar (showing the knowledge of astronomy) and that he made the Israelites drink water containing gold dust produced of the Golden Calf’s Egyptian gold.

Among the ancient learned priests and initiated the geometric basic patterns were perceived as being expressed by the celestial divisions also related to the shapes of constellations and planetary orbits - and all these were considered as charged with religious significance. Geometry was perceived as connecting link between the spiritual and physical dimensions which took the shape from “the ideal matrix”, on which space both is built upon and comprises. It is well known that Plato (who had studied in Egypt for 13 years according to his pupil Eudoxus) linked the geometric doctrines directly with the creation.

From most ancient times the basilisk appeared in connection with cosmology, the stars, and alchemy. The mythological symbols of the basilisk: its head as a cock and its tail as a snake.

Manuscript illustration of a Basilisk; Wilibald Pirckheimer manuscript (ca. 1513).

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Archetypal patterns in constellation shapes and planetary orbits

Geometry is “spatially dimensioned mathematics”. Mathematical primal images are archetypal and divine logical - like crystalline geometric structures or the combinations of relations in the harmonies in music - and may in a natural way cause religious “excitement” by the perceiving person.

This was not about that everything could symbolize everything. In the tradition regarding understanding of the image creating by the exact celestial lines - with archetypal patterns and structures - these were not seen as a result of contingencies or subjective interpretation. The many very precise astronomical conditions by themselves are of exact controllability, for instance concerning time and measures.

The ancient people’s widespread method of conducting observations of a certain pattern in the movements of some constellations during the night was this: Just after sunset it could be observed early in the night-sky that while the constellation The Greater Bear (Big Dipper) is setting partly below the horizon, the constellation Cassiopeia rises at a position from the horizon of the other side, almost directly opposite - all action taking place in the northern sky. By midnight Cassiopeia is close to its upper culmination (most high in the northern sky) while The Greater Bear simultaneously reaches its utmost lower position. Just before dawn The Greater Bear rises, again, but now from the opposite side, while Cassiopeia is setting.

The so far most comprehensive encyclopaedia of antiquity and ancient history is the “Pauly-Wissowa’s Real-Enzyklopädie der classischen Wissenschaft” (over 80 volumes, Stuttgart 1894-1980). In this work some very fine material can be found concerning many “connecting lines between stars”. Some of the articles contain information presenting a survey on the interplays of “rising and setting of stars” in ancient times.

Other stars are part of precisely shaped pattern by their visually related risings and settings. Such can be observed in the very precise relation - supported by the exact connecting line - between the stars Aldebaran and Antares, the two of the four so-called “royal stars”.

The celestial-geometric “archetypes” are thus created from lines of connection and sight to distinctive stars - often with special positions and characteristics. In ancient cultures the were known as connecting a conception system with an emphasis on cosmic patterns of interplaying actions - almost as in modern quantum physics-like conditions of synchronicity relations. Altogether, this belongs to a world of ideas long forgotten, a world with its own consequent logics, however, still recognizable in surviving fragments.

‘Little King’ - at the celestial geometry mysteries

According to Greek astro-mythology the supreme god Zeus descended in the shape of the Swan - the constellation situated close to Lyra, the biggest star most high in the sky - and he fertilized earthly Leda (Ionic for ‘the woman’) representing Sirius, the Egyptians’ Isis. Lyra and Sirius are situated on exactly the same straight line of sight, with Sirius at the part outside the ecliptic’s celestial circle, which the line is crossing almost perpendicularly. The off-spring of Zeus and Leda became expressed or transferred as the pair of stars known as Gemini, the Twins.

According to similar principles the line was by a special understanding that seen leading from “the Father” as the supreme divine principle - here related to the Swan and especially the Lyra star. This line was a frequently used line of sight (the World-axis, latest seen in use by Danish astronomer Ole Roemer, ca. 1700, discoverer of the speed of light) and it leads as a basic line (hypotenuse) from the Lyra star down to “the Mother”, i.e. Sirius. In this way a perfect Pythagorean triangle appear with top angle (perpendicular) in “the Son”, the Prince, i.e. in Leo’s main star (Alpha Leo), Basiliskos, the “little king” (: “the king’s son, prince”).

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In the esoteric celestial geometry - and in the present case with the cardinal numbers of 3, 4, and 5 of the Pythagorean triangle - the number symbolizing the Father is to be expressed as 3, i.e. the length of the triangle-side being opposite the vertex of the Father. Thus, the number of the Mother is 4 as relating to the triangle-side between the Father and the Son. The number of the Son is 5 and is expressed by the connecting line (the hypotenuse) from the father to the mother.

With the Father in the sky (Paradise), the Mother outside (earthly), and the Son exactly at the very ecliptic circle-line (“having a foot in both camps”) - this son, “the Crown Prince”, the human being, i.e. the Son of Man, appears half-worldly and half divine. The concept: the principles of the Father, the Mother, and the Son - is known in all major religions. And even the starry duplicate of the idea about the Father at the centre and the Son at the circle-line can be seen even in the late 1600’s in the star related learning of ideas at the beginning modern, western European science.

One of the oldest documented Greek horoscopes depicted is a relief in the tomb of King Antiochus I, in the Taurus Mountains. The time of this king’s coronation (July 7th, 63 BC) is

visually noted here. Above the lion’s back: Jupiter, Mercury, Mars can be seen and the Moon is on the mane ogether with the royal star Basiliskus - all in conjunction in the Leo constellation.

The star of the royal births

In parables Jesus talks about himself as “a king’s son”. And concrete statements in The Gospels show his family is reaching back to King David who is registered among his royal ancestors - all this is, apparently, not the only relating. On a certain day every summer when the sun passes the star Basiliskos-Regulus, i.e. “the little king” or “the (royal) son”, probably may be the day of the birth of Jesus. Only 350 years after the time of Jesus, the church decided that his birthday should be determined to be on the birthday of Mithras, the god of cultic initiations - it was at the day of winter solstice, i.e. 25th December.

In the years around the birth of Jesus, the Basiliskos-Regulus star was situated at the very ecliptic circle right on the border between the star-signs (“mansions”) Cancer and Leo - in a location computed based on the position of the equinox point at that time.

Furthermore - on the same mentioned “day of Basiliskos” in the summer the star Sirius with its other name, The Greater Dog, began its special period of 30 “dog days - as they still are called - after that Sirius had disappeared and being out of sight for 70 days but now returned to show itself again above the horizon.

Then the celestial Pythagorean triangle, i.e. the Father, the Mother, and the Son could be observed/percepted simultaneously at sunrise (while the sun passed by and covered

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Basiliskos). The day was especially the marking of the Egyptian New Year, approx. July, 20th - which in the Roman calendar was the day of the Tammuz Festival and was signified as “the Day of Adam”. The idea was imported from Babylonia - a syncretism, cf. the Roman use of elements of other religions - for instance, the Roman version of the Egyptian Isis cult.

Jesus was also called “the Son of Man” and “the Saviour”, St. Paul called him “the other Adam”, and Pilate called him “king”. Alexander the Great, another king, was also born on July, 20th. Alexander is Greek for ‘Saviour of Man’. Likewise, Julius Caesar was favoured by some ‘royal’ prestige from the fact that he was born very close (few days prior) to this date.

The constellation Leo, shown by Johs. Honter’s woodcut (inspired by Albrecht Dührer’s star map, 1515) in a publication - printed in Basel in 1541 - of Ptolemy’s book “Omnia quae extant opera”. Correctly

for the time the Leo main star, Basiliskos-Regulus, is placed in the middle of Leo’s 3rd decan.

The Serpent hatching the World Egg

Today the basilisk is mostly known as something else - a late discovered American lizard, of the group of tree-iguanas. The special type is also called the Jesus Christ Lizard because of its ability to walk on the water, in reality by running 10-20 metres across the water surface with many steps per second to avoid sinking. It got the basilisk name because of the scary look of the basilisk described in ancient Middle East myths where the traditional basilisk appears as a monster with the head of a cock, claws with dangerous spurs and wings of a cock, and a snake-like tail.

The characteristic of such a basilisk (cockatrice) was that a snake had hatched this monster (or a toad, cf. “little king”) from a spherical, yolkless egg, laid during the days of the Sirius period (the Dog Star) by a seven-year-old rooster (cock)!

In some of the myths it is added that the basilisk spit out such powerful venom that plants withered, and animals died when being hit. The eyes of the monster were flashing sparks - and had such a sinister power that everything the monster looked at died. Therefore it could not endure to look at its own reflected image. Only the cock (and weasel) possessed power to be in control - so when the basilisk heard a cock crow (metaphoric for the sun’s rise and appearance), it disappeared into the ground.

During the ages the basilisk was discussed by European writers, including Pliny the Elder (1st century AD, in his “Natural History”, Book 8:33), Lucan (1st century AD, in his “Pharsalia”, Book 9:849ff), and Isidore of Seville (in the 600’s AD, in his “Etymologies”, Book 12, 4:6ff). In the Middle Ages the Church’s dignitary Pietro d’Abano wrote about the subject.

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Likewise in later mentioning by the poets, e.g. in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”, William Shakespeare’s “Richard III”, and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ode to Naples”. Also in modern times the magic of the basilisk catches, such as in Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret”.

The basilisk appears in Leonardo da Vinci’s “Bestiary” and in his Notebooks. Theophilus Presbyter in his book presents a long recipe for creating a basilisk in order to convert copper into “Spanish gold” (De auro hyspanico). And Albertus Magnus’ book, “De animalibus”, claiming Hermes Trismegistus - but possibly not correct - as a source of the legends and as the creator of the account about the basilisk’s ashes being able to convert silver into gold.

Stars and alchemy

The idea of the basilisk appears repeatedly among alchemists and astrologically initiated - even in late European history. The Italian theologian, Marcilio Ficino (1433-1499), the Renaissance Platonist philosopher at the Medicis, wanted to re-create a magnificent synthesis of the greatest ancient ideas and knowledge - and also including the star teachings.

In his work “De vita coelitus compranda” (pp.394-398) Ficini says about a type of magic that: “... with the sage herb cleansed by means of manure - and while the sun and the moon were in conjunction in the second third of the Leo’s zodiacal sign - some Persian magicians once produced a bird like a bird of black colour with a serpent's tail. After the creature had been pulverized to ash they put it into a lamp resulting in that the house suddenly becoming full of snakes. That kind of magic is empty and hazardous to the health and should be avoided. But the other (magic), the necessary one that connects astrology to medicine, should be maintained ...” - (reference in Axel Haaning's book: “Light of Nature. Western Philosophy of Nature in the High Middle Age and Renaissance 1250-1650”, (in Danish), Copenhagen 2001, pp.189-190).

The mentioned manure and ash powder played an important part in alchemy. Especially the esoteric-astrological features are unmistakable. The sun’s annual passage follows the ecliptic circle through the 12 zodiacal signs of which each is divided into 3 parts of 10 arc degrees, a decan (of Greek deka,'10'). The ecliptic’s own movement - the precession - had at the time of Ficino caused that the Basilisk’s star now was situated in the second (i.e. the middle) decan of the star sign of Leo.

And when the sun passed through Leo it would thus be in direct contact with the Basiliskos-star, but the point of time should also be arranged that around here a culmination of the new moon also took place - mentioned by Ficino as the “conjunction” (with the sun).

From Egypt is known the powerful sun god Ra - with his vehicle, the sun disc Aton - adopted by the Greeks as the sun god Apollon, with his vehicle, the sun as Helios, the largest celestial body. However, Apollon was the powerful figure, also in destructive connections, thus in Greek apollon was also a word apollyon for ‘destruction’ - and was used, for instance, in this meaning in the Bible’s New Testament, in The Revelation of St. John the Devine, 9:11. (Some will see magic parallels here like, e.g., accident phone 9-11 and 11 September 2001).

The sun was symbolical connected with a rooster in numerous old narratives. The expression “... a bird similar to a black bird (though in Latin is here used merula, ‘a blackbird’) with the tail of a snake ...” points directly to traditions of Babylonian star knowledge - well-known earlier in the Greek-Roman tradition, which was much occupying Ficino. Vega (alpha Lyra), one of the sky’s most luminous stars - originally the North Star - was in Babylonian named Tartugallu, i.e. the ‘King Rooster/Cock’. Later the Arabs changed this to Black Hen or Cock (cf. Babylonian tartu, ‘cock’ - and gal-lu, ‘king’, this with an extra, associative significance by that the expression in reverse order, i.e. lu-gal, meant ‘man’, ‘human being’). Regarding the “tail of a snake” and also the black rooster, see the following.

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In the teachings of the initiated the moon’s orbit - the snake-like curling path around the earth - was depicted as the coiling Cosmic Serpent hatching the World Egg. From this the Basilisk was hatched out.

The mysterious Snake coiling the Earth

Through the ancient mystery cultic initiations a special information was communicated in the shape of parables - often known as the so-called fables, as the fables e.g. of Aesop (620-560 BC) - a widespread practice and tradition also later being used frequently by Jesus. One of these Greek fables gives an image of a rooster/cock standing on the back of a dog standing on the back of a donkey. This simply expressed the previously mentioned World-axis (not to be mistaken for the axis of the Earth) stretching along the Milky Way across the sky all the way up to the Lyra star.

The World-axis was seen as extending from the star Canopus which - in the parable, being the “donkey's hoof” - was a part of the ancient constellation The Donkey (together with with its underlying constellation Argo Navis) - and going up through the Sirius star (The Greater Dog, Canis Major) - up till the star Lyra/Wega close to the Swan (the Swan, Cygnus, or sometimes the Goose in the European tradition, but also the Cock in an early influence from Babylonian perception and later Arab tradition).

The idea of this image of the World-axis with the three main stars - the Donkey, the Dog and the black Cock - was connected with the esoteric parable about the Cock (from ancient times, relating the principle of the sun) which from top of the World-axis laid a special egg, i.e. the Earth. It was well-known in antiquity that the Earth was round, spherical, a knowledge being a condition for the existence of ancient Greeks’ astronomical Antikythera computer.

The egg was then hatched by the snake coiling around it (like the lunar orbit around the globe/earth). The principle of the concept is recognized from the mentioned Greek narrative about Zeus from the starry world creating a fertile connection to earth. Then the basilisk was hatched, formed as a creature of special powers which, when uncontrolled, could be terribly destructive.

The up to five possible lunar eclipses annually can only take place in two opposite nodes, which - during a cycle of a fixed number of 19 years - having currently changing positions, but only when these positions of the nodes are passing some of the placement points out of the only possible 35 specific places on the ecliptic circle.

In other words, the 35 places in the sky are from year to year a little variously distributed but always keeping their mutual distances of almost one whole decan (= 10°). Between these points the lunar orbit’s changing placements - when seen through a 19 years’ cycle altogether in the same picture - are situated on a course winding up and down as a giant snake around

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the earth. - The ancient Babylonians with their extensive astronomical knowledge used such a symbolic expression of the lunar orbit’s zig-zag curve’s positions in space.

Descending to the Underworld

The mentioned two nodal points - “moon-nodes”, i.e. of the lunar orbit - which constitute the positions of the eclipses have from ancient times been called the Snake’s or Dragon’s “head” (at the ascending lunar orbit) and the Dragon’s “tail” (at the descending lunar orbit). In eastern Asia these same nodal points were called the Demon’s Head and the Demon’s tail.

In India the tradition concerning celestial subjects contains many elements from the ancient Babylonian tradition. A very important element of the teachings of the stars in India was the moon’s descending node, being the above mentioned celestial point of where the lunar orbit is crossing ‘downwards’ through the ecliptic. In all known tradition in India this nodal point was called Ketu - this, however, was an ancient Babylonian word meaning ‘the underworld’.

This concept was symbolized by a sea monster in the shape of the constellation The Whale (placed close to the beginning of the Aries constellation), and was known too by the Greeks, who - likewise inspired by the Babylonians’ name for it, Ketu - thus named it Cetu(s). (However, the Egyptian-Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, and few Roman writers called it Balena or Belua - also meaning ‘monster’).

In those days whales were - by their looks - considered also a kind of monsters, and according to the Hebrew Bible (in the Book of Jonah, 2:1-3), the prophet Jonah stayed for three days in “the belly of the whale” - literally: in the intestine of the fish(-monster), and the next verses states that Jonah cried out of “the bellow of hell” - Hebrew beten, ‘bellow’.

In medieval times the simple theatre form still contained this reminiscence of antiquity’s religious mystery plays and metaphoric thinking - by arranging the stage with its one side being permanently set up depicturing the sky - and its other side: - the Hell (underworld) with fire being shown in the open big, swallowing jaws of a monster.

This monster devouring - as the “whale fish” devoured Jonah, ‘dove’ (symbol of the spirit) - is recognized as the original Cetus figure. (Stories in which “belly of the beast” appear were well-known in ancient Greek mythology and the Bible as well as later in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. It became a common metaphor in literature, and it has been used also as film titles).

Thus, Baten Kaitos is a traditional Hebrew name, ‘belly of Cetus’, of a special star (zeta Ceti) - (Arab: batn qaytus - ‘Cetus-belly’) - which is in the Cetus, the constellation of the underworld or sea monster (later called the whale fish) in the eastern part of the sky.

In Greek mythology Cetus represents the sea monster sent to devour Andromeda (Greek for ‘being in control of a course’). But in earlier times Cetus also was identified with a primeval Mesopotamian monster Tiamat, the ‘deep sea’, personified as a goddess or a female dragon (again, the lunar orbit), the name possibly derived from the more early Sumerian ti, ‘life’, and ama, ‘mother’ - life as originally connected with the sea (regarding primordial biology).

The Hebrew name Jonah means ‘dove’ - which is also the name of a star on the very same meridian as Cetus and is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Dove was a one of the Babylonian names for Andromeda.

It was considered a special significance that the dove-star (Andromeda) and the monster-belly star (Baten Kaitos) are placed exactly on the same celestial longitude, meridian, respectively above and below the ecliptic (where the ecliptic is crossing the Earth-plane, i.e. the equator) in the same distance to each of them.

Obviously, the biblical text in this way presents in a parable that the “underworld” was visited by Jonah, the “spirit” (Jonah, the dove).

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The two opposite placed nodes of the lunar orbit and the sun’s so-called “orbit”, the ecliptic. These “moon-nodes” are slowly moving backwards on the ecliptic

(a cycle of 19 years) in the opposite direction of the planets. These two points of crossing are the only places where occultation can take place.

The crossing nodal point of the lunar orbit, when leading down under the solar plane, is named Ketu, ‘underworld’ - i.e. a name likewise the constellation Cetus resembling ‘the

underworld monster’ (here on the Bode star-map produced 1801-1817 from ancient tradition).

This Cetus constellation is placed where the nodal point (spring equinox) of the solar plane crossing the plane of equator, had its position at the borderline of the zodiacal constellation Aries 2,150 years ago when a new spring equinox cycle (a so-called Platonic age) started.

Through this “solar node” the sun, in springtime, arises from an ‘underworld’ (below the equatorial plane) where the sun has been operating during the winter season.

The occultation line - the magic wall around celestial Paradise

From the very old background in the Greeks’ and the Indians’ special horoscopes of the moon-house system, the name of the Cetus constellation is still seen in current tradition - and is connected to the starting point in the first moon-house of these horoscopes.

According to this system - which in India’s tradition has Rahu and Ketu, the two lunar-node

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points, appearing with important significance almost like planets - this first moon-house is “ruled” by Ketu, the setting node of the moon.

Because the two nodes or cross-points on the ecliptic are the only places where a solar and lunar eclipse can occur, the name ecliptic, 'eclipse', was in use - actually from Greek: ekleipein, 'to leave or fail to appear’.

The first moon-house is the starting in the point of east - and in the biblical parable Adam and Eva were expelled through the Paradise’s eastern gateway to another world. In all ancient tradition the zodiacal constellations and houses were also designated: gateways of the sun. In this context the Paradise wall is the ecliptic circle, i.e. the line of occultation places as a magic border wall to be crossed through - in principle - via the mentioned eastern gateway.

This could have a symbolic meaning in connection with alchemy - in order to get the fine gold - which according to the Bible’s account on the creation, Genesis, is to be found by the rivers in the Paradise, the alchemist has to go through an occulted stage designated negrido.

Again, a main idea in the astronomical feature includes that the hatching snake’s (the lunar orbit’s) one half part originated from the underworld (and the other half reaches and connects to the “upper world”). Of the egg/earth the Basiliskos monster was hatched, a hybrid of the sun-and-moon principle actually transformed into a son of a king, a royal Prince as a refined principle of Man - a potential, to be activated by being the son of the “cosmic king/ruler”.

Significant themes in all this show similarities with the creation in biblical Genesis. Adam later called “the first earthly king” but also “the first alchemist” as a tradition by initiated persons stated that “he carried with him out of Eden-Paradise an important prime-material”.

The Bible was understood as a magical scripture - and the creation in biblical Genesis as a perfect alchemic process - connecting with the geometrical dimensioning concept of the creation. At a next stage relations from planets to metals were incorporated, e.g. Mercury/mercurium (Latin for ‘quicksilver’), Sun/aurum (‘gold’, Latin aurora, ‘the sunrise colours’), Jupiter/pewter, originally named tin (‘tin’, a heritage of Etruscan designation for ‘Jupiter’), etc.

As indicated, the alchemists seem to have connected the brightest star of the sky, Sirius (“the woman”, “the mother”), with the element sulfur. Thus it is of importance to see which elements were considered connected with the stars Lyra (“the father”) and Basilikos (“the son”, “Little King”). It may reasonably be inferred of Isaac Newton’s texts that the element of antimony (“the Earth’s metal”), called stibnit, is relating to Basilikos (Regulus, alpha Leo).

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The Basilisk among the Four Royal Stars

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Illustration on previous page:

Alchemical illustration, from the 1700s - with the

basilisk placed on the globe, which is traditionally divided

into 3 sections (or continents).

PART 5

The Basilisk among the Four Royal Stars The immobile constellations and the movable ‘star signs’ The Four Royal Stars The great X-cross in the sky The Basiliskos star The zodiacal starting point well-known in ancient tradition

The significance of the Royal Stars Royal Stars and the initiated knowledge

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The Basilisk among the Four Royal Stars

In ancient times the astronomical observations most often were executed by the priests. To support this work the sky was

divided in a maze of various lines of sight. I addition to time measuring and calendar precision this activity also served

purposes of cultic nature and insights.

The immobile constellations and the movable ‘star signs’

From where and how far do the traditional 12 constellations reach when constituting the special kind of zodiac named the immovable sidereal zodiac? Aries was always the first in the row of constellations, but from where does it begin?

This constellation is almost empty of stars in the area around the imagined border to the constellation of Pisces. Therefore, in the sidereal zodiac it has been necessary to find elsewhere reference points with known positions, e.g. well-defined star positions, in order to measure and compute the starting point in question.

In the following, for a better understanding and to avoid confusion, the sidereal zodiac, i.e. the immovable zodiacal constellations, will be mentioned mainly, (with a single exception only). Thus, it is about the immovable zodiac-constellations defined by stable points in the sky.

In other words, it is not about the movable “star signs” (likewise with zodiacal names), who have their celestial positions related to the vernal equinox’s current change of position. It is the last mentioned zodiac which is the one that astrologers in Western culture mainly are dealing with.

As a conspicuous star, Spica, has been used through times in attempts to find the possible original point for computing the place of the siderial zodiac’s starting point.

Ptolemy (approx. 85-165 AD), the famous astronomer of antiquity, directed his attention a lot to this star. Also in ancient India it gradually became common to use this star for the purpose. In his work, “Almagest” (IV, II) with the original Greek name Mathematike Syntaxis, Ptolemy describes the procedure determined approx. 250 years earlier by his colleague, Hipparchus, about the position of this star. In addition he, in his “Almagest” (VIII, I), mentions that Spica is one of the 5 most luminous main stars of the fixed zodiac.

Also alpha Tairi and alpha Leonis (Basiliskos-Regulus ) and, for instance, beta Leonis as well as alpha Piscis australis, are among a number of stars pointed out by Ptolemy from the 346 stars known at that time as being luminous of the first degree.

Therefore, in any case, inside this group it would be most relevant to find the star usable for computing of the starting point - thus a star not necessarily being Spica.

The Four Royal Stars

In the just mentioned group of the most luminous zodiacal stars the following two are special and very bright. These are Aldebaran (alpha Tauri), which is main star of the Taurus constellation, and Basiliskos-Regulus (alpha Leo), which is main star of the Leo constellation.

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Egyptian-Greek astronomer, Claudius Ptolemy (85-165), resided in Alexandria, Antiquity’s centre of knowledge. He used the Basilisk star as important

measuring point. (impresso Giordano Ziletti, Venetia MDLXIX).

These in ancient time very much used stars concerning celestial measuring bring into the picture two other also very luminous main stars, i.e. Antares (alpha Scorpio) in the Scorpio constellation and Sadelmelik (alpha Aquarius) of the Aquarius constellation.

From time to time it has been maintained that the star searched for to find the original starting point had to be the aforementioned star Aldebaran. Especially this star was often a help by normal observations. And in the tradition is known a computing method in which this very bright star, Aldebaran, has been used in connection with the main star of the Scorpio constellation, Antares, which is actually situated exactly opposite to Aldebaran.

Greek-Babylonian ancient texts mention the method - and so do the Greek astronomers, Rhetorius (about 100 BC) and Cleomedes (approx. 150-200 AD).

In Antiquity the constellations of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius were considered to be the four “fixed” celestial signs of the zodiac. This means that from a very early astrology tradition, their significance was considered as being connected to the world’s “fixed”, stable,

The historical designation as “the four royal stars” is special for these four stars. They had their name in the ancient world of stars and celestial relations, because they were understood as being supremely important by being part of a bigger, but now generally unknown, reference pattern.

The great X-cross in the sky

In this pattern it was of great importance that the opposite royal stars together with the connecting stars’ interconnecting lines of sight are crossing the sky between each pair of these royal stars, thus forming an X-cross, dividing the very ecliptic into two different pairs of almost symmetric parts.

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Through times the mutual distance between the royal stars has not changed in a visible way, as they have only an insignificant proper motion. If these stars should be computed today being placed in the star signs of our “normal”, movable zodiac, their positions within the past century up till the year 2000, are thus the following: Aldebaran approx. 9°55’ in the sign of Gemini, Basiliskos-Regulus approx. 30°00’ in the sign of Leo (or 0°00’ in the sign of Virgio), Antares approx. 9°55’ in the sign of Aries, and Sadelmelik approx. 3°30’ in the sign of Pisces.

To be briefly oriented by a “rough” information the Persians also used the four royal stars marking the four corners of the world, however, only in an approximate direction.

This practice started approx. 4,000 years ago, when Basiliskos was situated in the solstical midsummer point. These stars were also called “the four celestial guardians” - at their points: Hastorang, ‘the northern position’, Tascheter ‘the most eastern’, Venant ‘the most southern’, and Satevis ‘the most western position’. Also in India this pattern was followed.

In antiquity the unchangeable celestial cross or rather the X-cross formed by the lines of these stars was well known for not having four right angles; instead it was divided in two angles of approx. 70 degrees and two of 110 degrees.

This X-cross between the four royal stars was thus one of the most important orientation patterns. Especially because it naturally marks these four geometrical main points in the sidereal zodiac.

Easily observed by everybody was, for instance, the mutual line of sight of the Aldebaran, the main star of Taurus, and the Antares, the main star of Scorpio, being situated exactly “opposite” each other. Quite an amount of statements are known saying that one of the stars of such definite couple of stars was rising at exactly the same time as the other “line connected” star was setting. This may have been seen as a strong symmetry, and a special precision in such a pattern was understood. A wide-spread and severe attention was connected to (with a modern expression) pattern recognition.

Thus it is understandable that these phenomena were in much awe, when it was so strongly accepted that a special logic of patterns was created on the basis of the (at that time) well defined lines of sight between the stars.

In the religious-philosophical concepts from the ancient initiation cultic ideas, these kinds of circumstances - many with an amazingly symmetry and mutual accordance - were considered signs of a special order of cosmos of synchronic connection, i.e. such connection between the sky and the earth concerning both the living beings and the physical conditions.

The Basiliskos star

The main stars Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus and Antares in Scorpio are stars situated both approx. 5° below the ecliptic line, - and Sadelmelik in Aquarius is 10° above. Concerning observation aid, the Basiliskos-Regulus in Leo was thus considered “leading”, because it is situated exactly at the ecliptic.

During observing the night sky it was not without difficulties for the ancient astronomer-priests when searching for the exact position of the ecliptic, which is the “orbit” of the sun and thus the lengthwise middle line of the zodiac. Difficult, because the exact celestial placement of the ecliptic is to be found only by means of the positions of the moon eclipses caused by the sun and the earth. Up to five moon eclipses can be observed annually, and they can only happen at the very ecliptic. This is the reason for the name ecliptic, which means ‘eclipse(line)’.

Each 25,000th year a cyclic “zero point” will appear, when the sidereal zodiac (of immobile

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constellations) and the movable zodiac of “star signs” have exactly the same starting point - at the vernal equinox. Also here the Basiliskos (Regulus) star presents its importance, because this star is the only one situated exactly at the ecliptic. In the above work, “Almagest” (IX, 3), Ptolemy describes how, therefore - necessarily, in a somewhat indirect way - he first has to decide the longitude position of Basiliskos in order to be able - on this basis - to decide other sidereal positions.

In particular, this operation could be made around the time of equinox (carefully determined by the equal length of day and night) by first observing the sun in its setting point (near the start of the fixed Aries, in Ptolemy’s days) and then measuring the distance to the moon (if the moon appeared within the same visual field) being already possible to see dimly at dusk. And then finally to compute the length from here to Basilikos (close to the start of Leo). In this way he was able eventually to maintain the position of Basiliskos from the point of the vernal equinox.

This operation was of a great importance because by this kind of traditional practice at that time the Basiliskos was anticipated as being situated in the very beginning of the Leo constellation. And by consequence, when having found the correct position of Basiliskos, automatically this would cause within this system that the starting point of the sidereal zodiac was 120° from that position. Thus the found spot showed the determined border line of the Aries constellation, because the starting point of Aries was here defined as situated in a triangular (trigon) relation, i.e. 120° from the beginning of Leo ‘area’..

This could also prove that the sidereal zero point was not merging with the moving zodiac’s zero point at the time of Ptolemy, approx. 130 AD - as claimed by many. If this were true, there should have been 120° between Basiliskos and the moving zodiac’s starting point (vernal equinox), and this is not the case. Whereas this was the case at the time of Hipparchus - and actually it was marked by a solar eclipse passing over the Basiliskos star in 157 BC.

The zodiacal starting point well-known in ancient tradition

The importance of Basiliskos as a precisely defined, but indirect, starting point of the sidereal zodiac, is also demonstrated by the fact that it was among the rather few stars, which early by Hipparchus were mentioned with a defined longitude (ecliptic length).

Hardly correct, but many researchers nevertheless maintain that this longitude system might have been something quite new and “primitive” at that time with the Greeks.

An important schedule of the stars of that time was the records of Theon of Alexandria, the Mathematician and Astronomer; it was known as “Handy tables” (300 AD). Accordingly, it is Basiliskos which is introducing these records of the positions of the stars, because among several methods there also was a tradition which, when being practised, required that Basiliskos was to be the marker for computing the starting point of all longitudes. Indeed, the same practice is also used by Ptolemy in his work “Inscriptio canobi”.

This practice can be found from Ptolemy and back to Hipparchus and further back via the Persians to the Babylonians, who had it from the early Sumerians.

Evidences of the astronomical importance of this star in even earlier history can be seen in Babylonian finds with the positions of Basiliskos written 1985 years prior to Ptolemy.

As early as approx. 2320 BC traces show where this star would have been situated around the solsticial midsummer point. The authority, Professor Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900), the Scottish Astronomer Royal, claimed the following: “... through times the best astronomers of all nations have used the longitude of Regulus (Basiliskos) as dating point ...”.

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The 2,000-year-old Greek-Roman sculpture depicturing the astro-mythological giant Atlas carrying the sky globe on his shoulders. The Vernal equinox - at the time of

the manufacturing of the statue, i.e. 2000 years ago - is exposed at the start of Aries (right foreleg) by the crossing of the equator and the ecliptical mid-line of zodiac.

The significance of the Royal Stars

Among the names of four royal stars, Antares refers directly to this main star’s constellation of Scorpio, which according to tradition was ruled by Planet Mars, as the name is believed to have been ant-Ares, meaning in Greek “as Mars”, which it also is visually, as it appears reddish. Therefore, in India, it is called Rohini, ‘the red one’.

Aldebaran, the main star in the constellation Taurus, stems from Arab Na’ir al-Dabaran, which means ‘the brightest of the following (stars)’ - as Aries was seen as the first of constellations in the zodiacal concept. In the 1880ties, Camille Flammarion, the well-known French astronomer and writer, decided on one reason or another - as did earlier Bailly, his 18th century great astronomic colleague - that the southern royal star, situated close to the border between Aquarius and Pisces constellations, had to be Fomalhaut (alpha Picis australis). Unfortunately this perception, ignoring previous and traditional knowledge, has later become an part not to eradicate from literature. Consequently the southern royal star is now only known with the “incorrect” designation. One reason for this confusion could be that Sadelmelik - which here is the correct star - is situated at exactly the same ecliptic longitude as the position of Fomalhaut, which, however, by being too far outside the ecliptic, has to wide a distance to this. - Another reason might be that of these two stars, Fomalhaut is most shining, which however, is not at all the criteria.

But as already hinted, in the present matter the Fomalhaut star is even a poorer observation point, because it is situated as much as 21° from the elliptic, i.e. more than twice as far away compared to Sadelmelik with only 10°. Simply, Fomalhaut does not at all belong to the concept of the zodiac’s four ‘fixed’ constellations. Also, despite its fish name it does not at all belong to the zodiac either. Thus by Fomalhaut none of the conditions of the royal star are fulfilled, neither in a star mythological or technical way. Whereas Sadelmelik, which is the correct one, even is indicating the affiliation among the four royal stars, as its name means something with ‘king’ - it means ‘the fortune of the king’ (in

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Arab: al Sa’d al-Malik). Also therefore, it is not understandable how this modern tall story has been allowed to continue undisclosed.

The name of the main star of Leo is Regulus meaning ‘little king’ - this is Copernicus’ Latin translation of its Greek name, Basiliskos, for instance, from the works of Ptolemy and of the same meaning. It is also called Stella regia - from Latin, rex, i.e. ‘king’, altogether ‘royal star’ which here “was ruling the celestial conditions”.

In the holy text of ancient India, Rig Veda, the Basiliskos star was called Magha, i.e. ‘the mighty’ - which is also the nickname of the kings, and correspondingly in Persia it was named Meyan, ‘the mighty centre’. In China the Basiliskos-Regulus was called “The great star of the Imperial Family (Heen Yuen)”.

In Babylon the Basiliskos was named Sharru having two interpretations, ‘radiance’ and ‘king’ (cf. modern sha) - thus exist an affiliation. As far back as with the Sumerians, this star was well-nown.

The Leo constellation in “De Astronomia” (“Poetica Astronomica”, published in Venice 1482) by Hyginus (64 BC - 17 AD), Latin writer and chief librarian of the Palatine Library.

The bool’s illustrations (Ratdolt) became a model for all star atlas in several centuries.

Royal Stars and the initiated knowledge

Hipparchus is probably not the first person to discover the precision phenomenon - the spring equinox point’s slowly shift of positions by moving backwards. The Babylonians would have discovered the symptoms of this via their numerous star recordings for thousands of years, and technically they could not avoid to have known something about it.

Originally this knowledge seems to have been known to secluded cults - not least in Babylon, but also in India and Egypt - with their teaching by the initiated groups more than anything this included star knowledge. Plato lived from 427 till 347 BC, thus approx. 200 years prior to Hipparchus. Plato was an initiated person himself, and in his work, “Timaios” (Plato’s writings, VIII), he tells about the sky above us and its exterior “homogeneous” movement being slowly moving to the right. Apparently he describes the precision and not the rotation of the earth, because among other things he separately describes also the earth’s own (rapid) rotation and pole axis in the same chapter.

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As mentioned, such knowledge being seen to reach far back in time, for instance with the Sumerians. From long before their own culture these Sumerians took over the probably oldest tradition of the Basiliskos concerning having once been situated in east at the spring equinox point; they called this star Gus-ba-m, meaning ‘the flame of fire-luminous of the eastern house’. In Babylonia the “diagonal” line of sight between Aldebaran and Antares might by the idea be understood as a connection manifested metaphorically in the Babylonian type of sphinx: the Winged Bull, thus including the at that time important constellation Aru, Babylonian for ‘Eagle’, which is placed close by the Scorpio stars. In the astro-mythological world of ideas the constellations Taurus and Scorpio were related to the elements of earth and water. Similar was said by ancient Greek astronomer Eudoxus.

Basiliskos and Sadelmelik, the two other main stars, were often most engaging as being the “royal” stars. Their diagonal line of connection across the sky was understood by the ancient star knowledge as the connection between the elements fire and air based on their belonging so-called “fixed” constellations, i.e. Leo and Aquarius. Astro-mythological and in alchemy, and perhaps even far older than any of these records - this has been interpreted as being expressed in the Egyptian sphinx: the body of a lion with a human head of the Aquarius.

Traditionally, when passing through the stars of Taurus, especially the Pleiades cluster, the moon was considered having significance as “elevated” and by itself attached to the element of water, which was also the case of the Scorpio - in the sky this constellation is placed opposite to Taurus.

All this was known very early in the Babylonian world of ideas among the initiated priests and kings - a culture very occupied with the night sky and celebrating the moon. However, in Egypt, the great neighbour of the Babylonian empire, the celestial features of the religion was in several respects more related to the sun. Within their country, the ancient Jewish people got into endless jams with these two great nations, but were also influenced by them. One result of this was that from a basis originally of the Moses rules they actually had to accept living by calendar systems of both parties, a hybrid of combined sun and moon calendar with 12 months of the solar year and 13 months of the lunar year respectively - at that time of vital religious importance, also in a symbolic sense.

(woodcut, by Lucas Cranach the Elder)

Danish King Christian II has a basilisk (Baltic symbol) in his shield and initiation sign Golden Fleece round his neck

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PART 6

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Gallery - Bibliography

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Illustration on previous page:

An illustration from an alchemy book (from the 1500’s) showing a well with a flame-star and sun above: with agreement reference to the well in the sky, in the esoteric astrology - and the well on the ground, in alchemy.

PART 6

Gallery

Bibliography, I Bibliography, II

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Gallery - on the baslisk

Today the basilisk is not known by many, or often confused with dragons, reptiles or snakes. The basilisk was a ‘key’ Antiquity’s mysteries of alchemy and esoteric star knowledge.

Very bright star Regulus, the Basilisk (photo 19-06-2006, near the Leo 1 Dwarf Galaxy). - Right: compare the light of Regulus/Basilisk with 4 planets at sunset (photo, nasa, conjunction of 31-07-2010 at sunset in Indonesia).

Left: Basilisk, manuss. of collection Beastiarius, 2, The Royal Danish National Library.

Right: Basilisk and The Alchemical Tree; behind is symbolism of 4 rivers of Paradise. (Drawing, the Renaissance).

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Left: Basilisk, manuss. from Belgium, 15th cent. - Right: Basilisk attacked by a weasel. Medieval manuss.

Basiliskos, Historia Naturalis by Gaius Plinius Secundus, German edition, Johann Heiden, illstr. Jost Amman,1584.

Basilisk, manuscript from France, Saint-Martial de Limoges, 13th century.

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Alchemists took into account the interaction with stars. - Left: Engraving from C Gesner: “The Practice

of the New and Old Physicke”, London, 1599. - Below: basilisk with royal crown, connected with stars.

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Emblema, showing a basilisk (almost like a dragon) curling - as an eternal circuit. Hand-colored pen drawing from the Renaissance.

Basilisk and its enemy, a weasel. Copperplate print in an alchemy book, by Wenceslas Hollar (1607-1677).

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Alchemists' books in the 1500’s carried a deep psychological significance, such as on the basilisk and little king. Bottom, right: Swiss city Basel’s arms, the name is read in the word basilisk; alchymists loved to work in that city.

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Left: Gold coin, a ½-ducat, issued ca. 1770 in Basel, showing a Basilisk and Archbishop-rod, the city’s symbol.

Right: Just as the city of Basel in Switzerland has a basilisk in the city seal or coat of arms, so too is the city seal (from 1295) of the town of Zwolle in the Netherlands provided with a basilisk, but it is here killed by St. Michael.

In Basel the basilisk is killed by St. George, and the name Basel has a pun on 'basilisk' - but these things do not take place at Zwolle, where St. George has become St. Michael, the city's patron saint.

The Basel bridge, Wettsteinbrücke, with the powerful basilisks, postcard photo 1911.

A close-up of one of the bridge’s bronze cast basilisk guardians.

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Basilisk design in a mosaic floor in the Vatican.

The Frederiksborg Castle north of Copenhagen was founded by the especially mystery interested King Frederick II of Denmark, who held the patronage of Tycho Brahe and his experiments on the esoteric

sciences: astrology and alchemy. King Christian IV with the same interests expanded the castle in the 1600’s.

The author Ove von Spaeth is here on his way exploring this rich renaissance castle of which both of the two kings so exuberantly had equipped with antiquity's symbolic figures representing a Hermetic legacy of special knowledge. On the so-called King-wing’s two-story marble gallery there are reliefs of ancient planetary gods in carts drawn across the sky - and two of the draught animals are basilisks!

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Bibliography, I - orientating

Allen, Richard H.: Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, reprint, New York 1964, pp. 255-258.

Ashbrook, Joseph: The Astronomical Scrapbook. Skywatshers, Pioneers, and Seekers in Astronomy, (ed.: Leif J. Robinson,- & intro: by Owen Gingerich), Sky Publishing CorporationCambridge, Massachusetts 1984.

Baring-Gould, S: Legends of the Old Testament Characters from the Talmud, London 1871, p.32 & 60.

Brewer, B.: Eclipse, (Earth View), Seattle, 1978.

Gingerich, Owen: Astronomy in the age of Columbus, Scientific American, 267, Nov. 1992, pp. 100-105. - - : The Great Copernicus Case and other adventures in astronomical history, Sky Publishing CorporationCambridge, Massachusetts & Cambridge University Press 1992.

Gormly, James L.: Keeping the Door Open in Saudi Arabia. The United States and the Dhahran Airfield, The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, 1945&#x2013;46, - Diplomatic History, Volume 4, Issue 2, 1980, pp. 189-206.

Hergé: Prisoners of the Sun, Little, Brown, 1975.

Lippman, Thomas W.: Arabian Knight. Colonel Bill Eddy USMC and the Rise of American Power in the Middle East, (Selwa Press), September 1, 2008.

Pannekoek, A.: A History of Astronomy, 1961, (Dover) New York 1989.

Peterson, I.: Newton's Clock: Chaos in the Solar System, (W.H. Freeman), New York, 1993.

Ptolemy (Ptolemæus), Claudius: Tetrabiblos, II, 9, London (Loeb) 1971.

Robson, Vivian E.: The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, London (1923) 1941.

Spaeth, Ove von: The basilisk and royal astrologers, Horoskopet Magazine, March 2006, yr.9, No.1,

pp.20-22, No.4 in OvS’s series; - updat. from publ. in ’Stjernerne’, Jan.1984 (yr.28, No.4, pp.162- 165, art.No.34 in OvS’s series). (Horoskopet: 11 art. on the basilisk from Mar.2005 till Oct.2007). - - : The royal-star Basilisk in the initiation teachings, Horoskopet Magazine, March 2007 (yr.10, No.1, pp.24-27); - updat. from publ. in ’Stjernerne’, Nov.1978 (yr.23, No.2, pp.47-53, OvS’s art.No.5). - - : The Basilisk among The Four Royal Stars, Horoskopet Magazine, Jun.2007 (nr.2, pp.24-26); - updat. from publ. in ’Stjernerne’, Dec.1978 (yr.23, No.3, pp.112-117 & 128, art.No.6, new series.

Steel, D.: Eclipse. The Celestial Phenomenon that Changed the Course of History, (Joseph Henry Press), Washington DC, 2001.

Wilson, Colin, The Starseekers, London 1980.

The ‘mythical basilisk’, in a print from 1497.

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Bibliography, II - orientating, regarding Richard the Lionheart and the Basilisk star

Appleby, John T. (ed.): The Chronicle of Richard of Devizes at the Time of King Richard the First, (Thomas Nelson and Sons), London 1963.

Bingham, Caroline: The Crowned Lions: the Early Plantagenet Kings, (David & Charles), London 1978.

Brooke, Zachary Nugent: The English Church and the Papacy from the Conquest to the Reign of John, Cambridge 1931.

Broughton, Bradford B.: The Legends of King Richard I, Coeur de Lion: a study of sources and variations to the year 1600, (Mouton), The Hague 1966.

Brundage, James A.: Richard Lion Heart, New York 1973. - - : The Crusades, Holy War, and Canon Law, (Variorum), London 1991.

Burges, James Bland: Richard the First, (Garland), New York 1977.

Finucane, Ronald C.: Miracles and Pilgrims. Popular Beliefs in Medieval England, London 1977.

Gillingham, John: Richard the Lionheart, (Weidenfeld & Nicolson), London 1978.

Hallam, Elizabeth (ed.): The Plantagenet Chronicles, (George Weidenfeld & Nicolson), London 1986.

Hinde, T.: The Doomsday Book, (London and Markham), Ont. 1985.

Holmes, George (ed.): The Oxford History of Medieval Europe, (Oxford University), Oxford 1992.

Landon, Lionel: The Itinerary of King Richard I: With Studies on Certain Matters of Interest Connected With His Reign, (Pipe Roll Society), London 1934, 1935.

Norgate, Kate: England Under the Angevin Kings, Vol. II, (Macmillan & Co), London 1887. - - : Richard the Lion Heart, (Macmillan & Co), London 1924..

Runciman, Steven: The Kingdom of Acre and the Later Crusades, “The History of the Crusades”, Vol. 3, (Penguin), England 1954.

Schramm, Percy Ernst: A History of English Coronation, (trans.: Leopold G. Wickham Legg), Oxford 1937.

Spaeth, Ove von: The Lion’s Heart‚ (‘Løvens Hjerte‘), Booktrader's Magazine, yr.20, Copenhagen 2008, pp. 55-62; - updat. from Horoskopet Magazine, Jun.2007 (yr.10, No.2, pp.24-26); - in SwedanoJournal

May 2004 (yr.3, No.5, pp.11-13); - updat. from Stjernerne, Feb.2000 (yr. 43, No.11, pp.12-17).

Trautz, Fritz: Die Könige von England und das Reich 1272-1377, Heidelberg 1961.

Constellation The Lion (Leo) showing the big star at its heart, - of Beyer’s Atlas: “Urania's Mirror”, 1825.

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PART 7

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Summary - Comments - Extended reading

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Illustrationen på forrige side:

Sun and Moon come together at a stage in an alchemy process. The rooster is a ‘starting point’

for the basilisk (which has a rooster head). Copperplate print from the alchemy text

"Atalanta fugien", 1618, by Michael Maier.

PART 7

Summary

Comments Letters and opinions

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Summary - via quotations by Ove von Spaeth from the book

(3900EN)

” The monster which St. George destroyed was mentioned being a basilisk more often than as a dragon. Many people do not know a basilisk. In the texts in the Bible where the basilisk is mentioned this word had often, in the 1900’s, been changed to be the serpent or lizard. ” .

(3901EN) .....

” The Basilisk was generally described as a rooster with a body of a snake. Its poison was so deadly that just to cross its track was enough to kill a human. Besides the strong poison it was said that a basilisk’s gaze could kill a human being or turning him into stone. ” .

(3902EN) .....

” From Antiquity there are a number of narratives about astronomers, who, from the bottom of a well, could observe the stars also in the daytime light. According to ancient traditions there is in the star wisdom of the initiated the idea about “a well in the sky”. As its bottom it has the Leo constellation, the main star of which is Regulus/Basiliskos, the royal star. The constellation opposite in the sky - the top of the celestial well, so to speak - is the Well Pitcher which was the earlier name of the Aquarius. ” .

(3903EN) .....

“ In the ancient art of alchemy in Antiquity a certain phenomenon, the 'little king', Basiliskos, was conceived as the start of a development into something fantastic, famous, or "rich" - the same features were related to the Basiliskos star in the sky. In 357 BC a priest-astrologer of the temple of Greek island of Samothrache planned the pregnancy of Queen Olympia, so that Alexander the Great could be born exactly on the (summer's) day when the Sun passed the Basiliskos star. “ .

(3904EN) .....

” Since basilisk both can mean 'little king' - a prince - and a monster this doubleness is in fact included in an older myth or parable, known in alchemy and the ancient initiations cults, namely the narrative about the basilica to be found at the bottom of a well. And if a princess with a pure heart kisses this mysterious creature - often in the form of an ugly toad (*monster’) coming out of a well - it turns into a prince/little king. ” .

(3905EN) .....

” In particular, the basilisk has a long-term historical role in star knowledge and alchemy, but now almost forgotten so those parts of history can be difficult to understand by people today. ” .

(3906EN) .....

” In ancient traditions, there was put great significance in the fact that four of heaven's brightest stars are located along the ecliptic in every corner of the world. They were called the four royal stars. The most brilliant of these is the Basilisk star, also called the lion’s heart. Among the ancient Persian astronomers, the magoi, the star was also known as "The guardian of the North" and considered to have been a marker for the summer solstice around 3,000 BC.”

(3907EN) .....

” The Basilisk is a fable monster in Middle Eastern and European mythology. The name derives from Greek basileos, ‘king’, hence basiliskos, ‘little king’. In myths it described as a special lizard known as a mixture with a snake’s body and a rooster’s head - and so lethal that a glance from it would kill a person. The basilisk came into the world by “a rooster’s egg hatched by a snake”. ” ..

(3908EN) .....

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Comments - letters and opinions

(3900EN#01) Lost knowledge from ancient Egypt The Esoteric Community - www.thesco.org - Lost knowledge from ancient Egypt by Theomas. The blog presents some facts about ancient Egypt that are, not a part of mainstream knowledge: Giza Plateau’s Lost pyramid, hidden chambers in the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx riddle, the cross and skull location, and crossing the circle. Another candidate for the cross, is the heavenly cross one can create by drawing the appropriate lines between the four Royal Stars of antiquity: Regulus (Leo), Aldebaran (Taurus), Antares (Alpha Scorpio) and Sadelmelik (Alpha Aquarius). Thus the author, Ove von Spaeth, writes that the four royal stars of antiquity, seen in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius were said to create a big cross in the sky. In addition, Ove von Spaeth even claims that "… Originally this knowledge (of precession - my insert) seems to have been known to secluded cults, not least in Babylon, but also in India and Egypt with their teaching by the initiated groups more than anything this included star knowledge " Little imagination is needed to see that the Sphinx could maybe incorporate these four star signs, namely a lion, a bull, a man, and a scorpion. The Sphinx thus becomes the heavenly cross, put on the ground. Only the Scorpion seems the odd one out in this picture. This confusion may have originated from the fact, asserted by Sir William Drummond, that in Abraham's day Scorpio was figured as an Eagle - and "... It has always been associated with the sign Scorpio and by the Cabbalists with the Hebrew letter Vau and the 6th Tarot Trump "The Lovers". (“The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology”, by Vivian E. Robson, London 1923)- - See: http://users.winshop.com.au/annew/Aquila.html , and also the book "Genesis of the Cosmos", by Paul A. Laviolette. For a different view of the possible meaning of the four royal stars, look here. I am aware that the traditional view of the Sphinx is that it depicts a Lion, with a man’s head. No Bull, and no wings. However, Dr. Ramses Seleem, writes on p. 25 of his illustrated edition of the Egyptian Book of the Dead that the Sphinx, Horus, indeed has the neck of a bull. - Written by Theomas, Nov.9,2007/Apr.12,2008. :: Theomas, (Thomas Roed Jakobsen),TheEsotericCommunity,blog,info,Nov.29, 05:43 - www.thesco.org/blog/Theomas/188/330 - changed April 12, 05:32 - (12.Apr.2008). - - - -

Comment by Ove von Spaeth: The Egyptian sphinx could be representing the line of sight in the sky from Regulus/Basilisk in Leo unto Sadelmelik in Aquarius - heaven’s famous "well shaft" of importance to alchemists. The second branch of the celestial cross may be seen in the Babylonian version of the figure often depicted as a bull with wings - the line of sight from Aldebaran in Taurus to Antares in Scorpio. (Theomas’ Sphinx has all four).

(3900EN#02) The royal star Basiliskos The Royal Star, basilisk, in the teachings of the initiated, December 2007 - reference: - about esoteric astrology - www.moses-egypt.net - observed by Johnny Ejberg: "... Here, Ove von Spaeth brings to light unusual knowledge of ancient divisions of the sky and the geometric patterns formed by the stellar visual connection lines and the planetary paths - all being perceived as code keys in an exclusive religious insight from the cosmological teachings of the mystery cults that also related to alchemy. ... "- Ove von Spaeth's article is also published in Astrological Magazine the Horoscope, Jan.2007, no. 1, pp.24-27.

:: Johnny Ejberg, Selvet.dk, Denmark’s spiritual web-magazine - www.selvet.dk - 15/12-18/12, 2007 - & - http://www.visdomsnettet.dk/a-295/ - Subject: at Selvet.dk: The Royal Star, basilisk, in the teachings of he initiated - (15.dec.2007).

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(3900EN#03) Argues convincingly for Regulus as the starting point It is amazing that the age of Aquarius is pushed forward into future when you see it so clearly manifested now. Especially when one of the few astrological ideas [ca.100 years] is to easy confirm since it is associated with Uranus and technological developments. Jo Hermann describes beautifully the celestial mechanism in Stjernerne Magazine 7/1987 and Ove von Spaeth argues convincingly for Regulus as the basis point of the celestial zodiac so that technically we can calculate the change moment to the year 2011/2012. It relieves the age of Pisces symbolized by Jesus and Christianity, and which started ca. 150 years BC where a mysterious teacher X taught about the children of light and darkness, and Jesus perfected as the Jewish theme. - We do not have much experience regarding the ages, but it seems quite convincing occult. Approx. 2300 BC the start of the Chinese culture, and approx. 4500 years BC the Egyptian. Maybe the culture of Indian started at the dawn of Gemini. But with Pisces on the MC, zenith, their era seems almost secret unattainable. The Vatican has hidden secrets of Pisces. :: Ib Lynæs, - NetVaerket.dk - Wednesday 06th December 2000 - 14:37 - (195.249.50.253 - 195.249.50.253) - (6.Dec.2000). (3900DA#04)

The four Royal Stars Here's something about the importance of the royal star Regulus: http://www.thirax.dk/artikler/OveSpaeth/Ove36/index.htm. And other articles by Ove von Spaeth: http://www.thirax.dk/artikler/OveSpaeth/OveX/index.htm - e.g. 2) The Templar knowledge from Egypt. 5) In the footsteps of Moses' legacy of Egypt. 6) Science Myths and ... All in the portal www.thirax.dk . 12:57pm - (8.Feb.2014). - - - -

The four Royal Stars, Antares, Aldebaran, Regulus and Sadelmelik are contained in the so-called four fixed constellations. Those four constellations are well known for as relating to the four evangelists Mark, Luke, John and Matthew. This group's symbolism is collected in the Sphinx with human head (Aquarius), Lion-anterior, Bulls-abdomen and wings of eagles (Scorpio’s "phoenix": "... When Scorpio sticking themselves to death, it rises like the eagle towards the heights ..."). You will see this symbol on the four Royal Stars in the four fixed constellations/signs in countless combinations - and in countless contexts. Also read Ove von Spaeth's texts on Antares, Aldebaran, Regulus and Sadelmelik: www.thirax.dk/artikler/OveSpaeth/Ove35/index.htm :: Karin Bente Andersen, - February 15, 2014 at 4:30pm - facebook - Månedsbladet Stjernerne Public Group - (15.Feb.2014). (3900EN#05) Highly interesting on the Basilisk star "... We quit now the series recorded from Troels-Lund's book "Daily Life in the Nordic Countries" starting last year at the occasion of Astrological Museum's 5-year anniversary. So, the controversial and very thorough researcher Ove von Spaeth, has created a highly interesting series of articles about the mysterious basilisk, as both the star (Basilisk star is today called Regulus) and as a mythical monster dating back to Antiquity. We are now at the merger of Astrological Magazine, The Horoscope, with the "Cornelius", which is Astrological Museum’s electronic organ for nerds, and now published for the last time. We aim to bring one of these very technical articles in each issue, and we've started with von Spaeth's article series. Later we bring new articles on astrology and research. We try to embrace the whole of the astrological spectrum and bring substance both for those who are new and for those more versed in the wonderful world of astrology ... " :: Karl Aage Jensen, ed., Astrological Magazine, No.3, 2005, p.2 - - (21.Jun.2005).

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Ancient stars - info on Ove von Spaeth’s paper on dating the oldest Egyptian star-map (Senmut)

Ove von Spaeth: "Dating the oldest Egyptian Star Map", Centaurus International Magazine of the History of Mathematics, Science and Technology, vol. 42;3, July 2000, pp.159-179. The treatise on dating of Senmut star map has been prepared so that it can be analyzed by experts from different exact sciences, like astronomers and mathematicians, as well as from the humanities, e.g. Egyptologists and historians. This could not be solved without both directions in interaction. Astronomers gave statements, now one by the humanities:

Discovering the star map research - 9 October 2011 - Review :

A closely-reasoned scientific article - this thoughtful and reflective leap brings new light on Senmut's star map.

Dating the Oldest Egyptian Star Map In this treatise, 'Dating the Oldest Egyptian Star Map', Ove von Spaeth developed the implications and significance of a configuration of planets and stars represented on the most ancient Egyptian star-map - the 'Senmut Star Map' - from the reign of Queen Hatshepsut (ca. 1500 BC) during the 18th Egyptian dynasty. By drawing upon the resources of modern astronomy and mathematics, von Spaeth computed and verified the presence of distinctive planetary conjunctions represented on the Senmut map as a factual occurrence in the skies. By doing so, he was able to indicate a more exact dating of its time and period in Egyptian history and of the reign of Queen Hatshepsut. His approach - a combination of modern astronomy, statistics of rare planetary conjunctions, mathematics, archaeological materials, and Egyptology - allowed for a fuller understanding of Egyptian history dating and shed light on the place of ancient astronomy in its cultural contexts.

On detail and perspectives In all: a closely-reasoned scientific article that explores the implications and significance of an unusual configuration of planets and stars represented on an ancient Egyptian star map - the Senmut Star Map established 3,500 years ago - the world's oldest star map. Earlier scholarship on the Senmut star map by Egyptologists focused mainly on identifying the planets and stars depicted on the map and analyzing its principal features but the significance of the actual configuration of these stars and planets remained unrecognized. By drawing upon the resources of modern astronomy, the author, Ove von Spaeth, has here been able to compute and verify the presence of the distinctive planetary conjunctions represented on the Senmut map as a rare and factual occurrence in the skies and so also to indicate a more exact dating of its time and period in Egyptian history. His approach - a combination of modern astronomical and mathematical evidence with archaeological materials and Egyptology - allows for a fuller understanding of the development of astronomy in ancient Egypt and to provide important chronological evidence about the reign of Queen Hatshepsut. As well, it reveals that ancient Egyptians were not concerned merely to represent astro-mythological features in star maps as aspects of their cosmology but to mirror concrete and specific events in the sky as and when they occurred. Such usage of star maps in ancient Egypt, interpreted as here with support from modern astronomical computational methods, opens up areas of research and investigation that have remained largely unexplored for lack of interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives derived from critical relations between modern science, archaeology, and Egyptology. Ove von Spaeth's treatise takes a thoughtful and reflective leap in this direction and brings startling new light upon the skies of the Senmut star map.

:: Anu Kumar, Ph.D. in English Literature, Pittsburgh University, - M.A. in Sanskrit Studies, Copenhagen University, - Associate Professor in Hindi at Aarhus University, - (9.Oct.2011).

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Statements - on Ove von Spaeth’s Treatise on Dating of the world’s oldest star map (the Senmut map)

"... the findings are very ingenious and admirable, and quite surprising considering the apparent lack of interest of the Egyptians in this sort of astronomy ...I have visited and photographed the Senmut tomb several times, and I find it quite fascinating. Thus I find the paper especially interesting. ..." :: Owen Gingerich, Research Professor in Astronomy and the History of Science, The Harvard- Smithsonian Institution, Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge Mass. - (11 October 2001). _

"... the article on the Senmut ceiling, with so many interesting observations. ..." :: Erik Hornung, Professor Dr., Ägyptologisches Seminar der Universität Basel - (24 Oct.2001). _

"... We congratulate for the discovery and we wish the author good luck with the further investigations. ..." :: George V. Coyne, S.J., Director of Specula Vaticana (Vatican Observatory), Città del Vaticano; - & Gustav Teres, S.J., astronomer, Vatican Observatory, Castel Gandolfo, Italy - (12 Oct. 2001) _

"... this important and fascinating paper - many congratulations on the research ...and it is a major advance. - (Years ago I did an English translation - not published so far - of E.M. Antoniadi's book on Egyptian astronomy). ..." :: Sir Patrick Moore, D.Sc.,Astronomer, CBE, FRAS, Science editor at the BBC, - (15 Sept.2000). _

"... The resulting date of Senmut's star map, objectively proven by the author on an astronomical basis, adds, in my opinion, a considerable contribution to the debate concerning the Egyptian chronology. ..." :: Kristian Peder Moesgaard, D.Sc., Professor, History of Science Department, Aarhus University;- Director of the Steno Museum, Denmark's National Museum for the History of Science, Aarhus - (10 February 1997). _ "… Dear Colleague, - dating the Egyptian star map conveys materials we would not otherwise have, we appreciate it. (Will be passed on later to the Oriental Institute library). ..." :: Robert D. Biggs, Professor, Ed., Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago - (12 October 2001). _

"... a pleasure to announce that the work on Dating The Oldest Egyptian Star Map has just been published by Anistoriton - providing the readers of this Journal a selection of the news of the article published in the electronic version (Vol. 6/2002, Issue V 021) ... Congratulations and thank you for the permission. ..." :: D.I. Loizos, Professor in History, Editor-in Chief, Anistoriton History, Archaeology, & ArtHistory Journal, (ISSN 1108-4081), www.anistor.co.hol.gr/english/enback/v021.htm - (7 March 2002). _ "... Without any knowledge of astronomy I am nevertheless convinced that from an Egyptological point of view the paper by Mr. Ove von Spaeth contains new and valuable information concerning the date of Senmut's star map. ..." :: Erik Iversen, Dr.Phil.h.c. Egyptologist, formerly the Copenhagen University - (20 Jan. 1997). _ "... I have read your article "Dating the Oldest Egyptian Star Map" with great interest. I agree with your conclusions as to the general positions in the sky of the planets, the sun and the moon and the general dating of the configuration. - I find that there is really a solar eclipse at a time that is very close to the one you state, but provided the time is ephemeris time. - Actually there is no safe way of extrapolating that far back in time but the correction (ephemeris time to universal time) would be accurate to within +/- some hours. ..." :: Lars Gislén, D.Sc., Professor, Dep. of Theoretical Physics, University of Lund (12 Sep.2000).

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OVERVIEW - the author and his works Ove von Spaeth is a scholar, historian, writer and researcher; also an artist and graphic designer. He was born and lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the 1970’s, Ove von Spaeth began studying ancient history and religions and ancient astronomy. And in the 1980’s, a study in depths of the world’s oldest star-map from Egypt - the ‘Senmut star-map’ - he published in 1984 the first investigations, and in 1999-2000 he published some ground-breaking results in Centaurus, the international history of science journal, vol.42. The author’s treatise reveals that ancient Egyptians were not concerned merely to represent astro-mythological features in star maps as aspects of their cosmology but also to mirror specific events in the sky as and when they occurred. Supported by modern astronomical computational methods, it opens up areas that have remained unexplored. From the start this venture led him also to further studies on ancient Egypt resulting in 1999-2005 in his five books on the historical Moses and the Egyptian background. The books and the historical material develop the Egyptian context of Moses in greater detail and outlines and deals with existing literary and extra-textual sources on the life of Moses, the role of this biblical prophet as a military and religious leader, philosopher, pioneer, and formulator of a code of law. Von Spaeth's method also consists of bringing together ancient Hebrew texts, such as ancient Rabbinical Writings and Egyptian inscriptions and manuscripts for comparing the accounts for cross-references with regard to specific events in Egyptian history. From this as well from the astronomical records, the author suggests that these sources (including Josephus and Manetho) complement each other in supporting the view that Moses was an exiled prince, while mostly official records of his existence were systematically erased.

The Book-series on researching the historical Moses: • "De Fortrængte Optegnelser : Moses' ukendte egyptiske baggrund" (The Suppressed Record), Assassinating Moses, Vol.1, Copenhagen, 1999, & 2004, - (ISBN 87-7876-124-7). • "Gåden om Faraos Datters Søn : Moses' identitet og mysterium revurderet" (Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's Daughter ), Assassinating Moses, Vol. 2, 2000, - (ISBN 87-7876-195-6). • "Den Forsvundne Efterfølger : Moses' skjulte krig før og under Exodus genopdaget" (The Vanished Successor), Assassinating Moses, Vol.3, Copenh., 2001, - (ISBN 87-7876-259-6). • "Den Hemmelige Religion : Moses og arven fra Egypten i fortid og nutid" (The Secret Religion), Assassinating Moses, Vol.4, København, 2004, - (ISBN 87-7876-240-1). • "Profeten som Ukendt Geni : Ny viden om Moses' avancerede pionergerning" (Illumina- ting Moses the Advanced Pioneer), Assass. Moses, Vol. 5, 2005, - (ISBN 87-7876-393-2).

Treatises and other Papers: • "Dating the Oldest Egyptian Star Map", (Aarhus University and) Blackwell/Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 2000, - pp.159-179, - (ISSN 0008-8984). • "Astronomical code key for exact dates in Tycho Brahe’s 'Urania Titani': Et digt om Sophie Brahe" (in'Urania Titani': a poem about Sophie Brahe), a critical edition with translation by Peter Zeeberg, Museum Tusculanum, Copenh., 1994, pp.311-321, (ISBN: 87-7289-278-1). • "Historiske stjernekort" (Historical Star Maps), Nord.Astronom.Tidsskr.13-14,1980,179-180 • Critical notes with Introduction and Glossary for Gunnar Raman's scientific Danish version of "Patanjalis Yoga Sutras" including the classical comments, Strubes Publishers, Copenh., 1968, pp.9-13, 91-95.

Other Books and E-books: • "Billeder af Byer" (Images of Cities), Strubes Forlag, Copenhagen, 1966, reprint 1969. • "Psychedeliske '67" (Psychedelic '67), Strubes Forlag, Copenhagen, 1967, extd. ed. 1969. • Internet based: over 30 e-books on history, astronomy, art, religions: www.moses- egypt.net

:: Anu Kumar, Ph.D. in English Literature, Pittsburgh University; M.A. in Sanskrit Studies, Copenhagen University; Associate Professor in Hindi, Aarhus University, - (30.Nov.2011).

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Related e-books of the Ove von Spaeth series .

www.moses-egypt.net

Nostradamus, the New Millennium - and the Basilisk By OVE VON SPAETH e-book-1100EN | ISBN 978-87-89171-22-7 Legendary Renaissance author of prophecies, Nostradamus (Michel de Notredame),

was for the most of his life widely celebrated and highly controversial - this widespread

interest has never ceased. Nostradamus' poetic but cryptic Quatrains (verses) are claimed by many of his

followers to hide information also about future events. His prophecies were incredibly popular and are currently very much debated.

Regents, Admirals and the Royal Astrologers By OVE VON SPAETH e-book-1200EN | ISBN 978-87-89171-24-1 Astrology has played a bigger role in history than researchers usually see. Through

times, the kings and generals allowed astrology to be their often less hidden co-player and have let it affect transactions which in posterity with several cases may seem both

illogical and unwise.

Until the 1800’s, astrologers had given advice more or less wise in the political game and sometimes produced fine prospects for propaganda..

Alchemy's Mysteries, with Moses, Brahe, Newton, Jung By OVE VON SPAETH e-book-3000EN | ISBN 978-87-89171-49-4

Why did Moses instruct the Israelites to drink the gold dust from the Golden Calf?

Knowledge of such things is connected with "Egypt's wisdom gold" which Moses brought out of Egypt. In modern times, Carl Jung paid much interest.

From the alchemists' "opus" - their personal integrated process with the processing of metals - the mysterious gold dust, 'panacea', is recognized and believed to cure

all diseases. Tycho Brahe and Newton were alchemists.

Star Tradition from a Mysterious Past By OVE VON SPAETH e-book-2300EN | ISBN 978-87-89171-31-9 Even today it is possible to find many clear traces of a very early knowledge of

the stars. The traces can now be presented with contexts which were not possible to

show previously. It seems that there was once a prevailing world-wide astro-mythological knowledge

which was based on several common ideas in a cosmological system. This was often infused with religious significance.

Star Knowledge from Ancient Egypt By OVE VON SPAETH e-book-1300EN | ISBN 978-87-89171-09-8 Religious ideas about the stars were infused with astronomy in Babylonia, but how

far-reaching or integral were the original understandings of the starry skies in Egypt's 3,500 year-old culture? Scholars have doubted whether the ancient Egyptians were

able to predict eclipses.

In all early civilizations, eclipses were considered important. We discover that Egypt's astronomical knowledge is far more integral than expected.

The book-series were made possible by support by free donation, yet it is mandatory from institutions and business. - Info :

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From ancient wisdom and the cosmology

www.moses-egypt.net

Cultic knowledge from ancient mystery teachings and cosmo-spiritual insight

Exclusive, cultic knowledge from a mystical and cosmological superstructure of Moses' religion is still evident in the Bible - and with connections that it has not been possible to demonstrate till now. Down through the ages an initiated elite upheld these secrets, partly Egyptian, teachings that had been passed on by Moses to the Israelites.

From back in Antiquity the Bible also appears to have served as a 'mystery text', and a special language was developed 'within' the lines of the biblical texts. This has later been forgotten - but did anyone else besides the old priests know how to read the concealed language, the basic Bible codes? Ove von Spaeth's book: “The Secret Religion. - Moses and the Egyptian Heritage in the Past and Present”: the book makes it clear how Moses is the first known founder of a religion - and his teachings have inspired several world religions. Ancient sources reveal that his religion originally included also the 'mystery gold' from Egypt and the secret of God's name.

"The Secret Religion" also illuminates religion's lost dimension: on the idea of reincarnation. This teaching was known with the early Christians but later banned by the Church in a coup. In later centuries, the Bible was at the top of the Church's blacklist. Previously, the hidden teachings had reappeared among Egyptian Gnostics and in the cults of Antiquity, and subsequently in the Hermetic books which later contributed to the Renaissance. The special doctrines were known not least from the regained Egyptian-Greek work “Corpus Hermeticum” containing Egyptian wisdom - and ideas of reincarnation, and the Hermetic holistic concept, - now also for use in the new worldview.

From the ancient Egyptia n world connection points with the Old Testament universe - and in a continued stretch further through ancient, medieval and in particular the Renaissance up to our time - the reader is experiencing a fascinating and captivating journey through the book's unique themes. From a new angle the book reveals important traces of an early spiritual culture. Recognizable features are still in existence today in everyday language, customs and laws. A continuously vibrant heritage which also delivers a more unusual material that in itself challenges later tradition.

"... This is a recommendation, a recommendation of an unusual piece of work, and the adjective 'unusual' should be taken in the most positive sense of the word imaginable. - This is an essential book about Moses, truly a revolutionary work. - A stringent, disciplined work - and it reads like an exciting novel; an epoch-making interpretation! ..." - Jes P. Asmussen, Ph.D. in Theology et h.c., Professor, The Carsten Niebuhr Institute for Near East Studies, University of Copenhagen.

(the book’s appendix on discussions of sources:) "... I read the presentation with great interest. It is logically and soundly structured and has many things to tell along the way - my compliments for that.” - Bent Melchior, former Chief Rabbi of Denmark, and Rabbi for the Jewish Community, Copenhagen.

- - - Online store: Lemuel-Books, www.lemuelbooks.com -&- online bookshop: Bog & Mystik: www.bog-mystik.dk

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Ancient and present wisdom on man and universe in interaction

During the oldest ages, cosmology with time and space and the starry world was a part of the religion, and stellar observatories were also sacred cult places. The sun with power and heat as the basis for life's blooming, and the Moon with its changing phases and with the impact on water supply and likewise a basis for biological life - both were the subjects of worship. And the great philosophers, from Plato to Kant and Einstein, were always interested in the starry universe and the entire cosmos.

Astronomy is known with much right as 'the mother of sciences'. And not least, astronomical studies carried out in Antiquity’s great cultural nations contributed much in this field. Up to the Renaissance, an almost unbroken tradition had been in existence. On the whole the topics about celestial science and knowledge of the stars were together included in the world picture from far back in ancient times. But several thousand years later the new science and ideas in the Renaissance gradually extended the understanding. However, almost simultaneously it also scattered the unified whole picture into a vigorous polarization, i.e. in a physical world and a spiritual world - with still more weight put on the first item.

However, a world as being only a physical and bio-mechanical “machine” would necessarily have to appear with a much too narrow picture of reality and explanation potential. A major part of the ancient knowledge, not least about a special comprehension from the star observations as a hereditary knowledge from Antiquity, became less understandable on that new background and sometimes rather worthless - and easier forgotten.

Experience and knowledge arisen from studies of the firmament have been an extremely important contribution to most of the spiritual knowledge of most the oldest cultures in religious and secular fields from cosmology to advanced mathematics. From the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks this legacy became our basis. If the overall continuity erodes, the broadness of our idea of life and world will be limited. However, extensively future science will be able to correct this and renew this important dimension.

Insight in the ancient knowledge is essential in order to understand many things in our cultural heritage in the Western world. Ove von Spaeth has brought to light many of the old data of the ancient astro-spiritual perceptions. He presents them in their larger context in a series of works and e-books that can contribute to the renewal this important topic. Among his works on the ancient star knowledge and history, the following are available:

Advanced ancient knowledge, onward to new knowledge - value in History of Ideas

By Ove von Spaeth's presentation of valuable, often neglected materials, not least on ancient Egypt and the historical Moses - left behind by conventional research - the material now became a challenging factor by its very existence. Profusion of the material results in a critical mass with the effect of comprising, strong confrontation against common, habitually based theories. It resulted in an open clinch with ruling ideas in these fields, e.g. by the theologians. According to the author, the "two cultures" of the present - i.e. the spiritual and the physical sciences - after their separation introduced during the Age of Enlightenment as a necessity for the later modern development - now have to get into interaction again and into redefinition on the basis of the new knowledge of human beings.

“… the author is also able to prove a very close connection between the ancient Egyptian

perception of the world and a modern perceived realistic initiation psychology, this breathing new life and meaning into the gradually sectarian, petrified Christianity. In fact, via Ove von Spaeth the Moses of 3,500 years ago becomes a life-giving source for modern people …” - Jurij Moskvitin, philosopher, writer, compositor, mathematician.

The author’s work is not only spurred on by huge knowledge but also inspiring enthusiasm and culture-historical horizon with far-reaching perspectives being important in relation to decisive concepts and traditions within common religion phenomenology and the History of Ideas. Many of the cultural history subjects he publishes in e-books: www.moses-egypt.net

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The author’s project for history research - and his works

New Research - on the historical Moses, Egyptian cults, and pharaoh's astronomy

New knowledge behind history - Ove von Spaeth has carried out interdisciplinary research on enigmatic Egypt and written a fascinating work providing new orientation on the historical Moses’ exceptional life. The books bring to light unique insights previously not possible to show. The enigma of Moses - re-evaluated! Historical Moses, his fate and mystery are presented for the first time with its rich course of events. New data and discoveries regarding Moses’ true status and era. Amazing findings influence history with important extensions all the way up to present time. The author’s books reveal Moses from new, unusual angles and give a keen insight into ancient Egyptian mystery cults and initiation rituals and the traces of Egypt's spiritual impact on the laws of architecture and pictorial arts. A convincing, appreciated work.

"... with unusual insight and understanding he explains the religious rationale behind innumerable phenomena of history and present time … in a vivid yet logically structured and easily understood manner …" - Jens-André P. Herbener, M.A. in Comparative Religion and Semitic Philology; Project leader, at The Royal National Library of Denmark, of the New Scholarly Translation into Danish of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)

Online store: Lemuel-Books, www.lemuelbooks.com -&- online bookshop: Bog & Mystik: bog-mystik.dk

* * * Ove von Spaeth's book-series about the historical Moses comprises:

The Suppressed Record: Moses' Unknown Egyptian Background The book calls attention to a significant material depicting Moses as an Egyptian prince and heir to the throne but deprived of his future position as pharaoh and forced into exile as a result of complex intrigues and coups at the royal court of the pharaohs Hatshepsut and Thutmosis III (ca. 1500 BC). Ove von Spaeth reveals the revolutionary attack on Moses and documents how his life and his position were surprisingly different than previously thought. New information and rare information are brought to light from Egyptian, Jewish, Greek, Latin, Arabic and Indian sources. With particular focus on ancient Egyptian conditions juxtaposed with archaeological investigations and astronomical dating in a grand synthesis. (Ove von Spaeth, 1999 & 2004) - C.A. Reitzel Publishers, Copenhagen, - (ISBN 87-7876-124-7).

The Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's Daughter: Moses' Identity and Mystery Re-evaluated New reality behind the myth of Moses as an Egyptian pharaoh prince who was ousted in a coup, had his reputation destroyed, and mysteriously disappeared. Important sources especially from Egyptology and rabbinical Talmudic texts can demonstrate that Moses was born to Queen Hatshepsut 3,500 years ago and rose to power as a high-ranking leader among the country's elite. But when he, like his mother shortly after, was overthrown in a coup, most of the records of his existence were systematically erased. Von Spaeth brings to light a significant material that uncovers a starling great number of parallels between Moses and Queen Hatshepsut's vizier, Senmut. More attention-arousing findings, for the first time in an overall presentation, provide important clues to verify the existence of Moses in Egypt 3,500 years ago. (Ove von Spaeth, 2000) - C.A. Reitzel, Copenhagen, - (ISBN 87-7876-195-6).

The Vanished Successor: Moses' Hidden War before and during the Exodus Rediscovered In an important phase of the life of Moses as an exiled prince, he tries repeatedly to regain his

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claim to the throne of the Pharaohs. He excellently exploited Middle East’s early historical field of tension by coordinating a series of strategic uprisings in the Egyptian empire’s neighboring areas. Finally in Egypt a crucial rebellion was staged by Moses supported by the Hebrew immigrant groups. When the revolution failed, these groups start striving to have their own land and sovereignty. The knowledge about the "forgotten feud" before and during their exodus, adds new understanding of unclear circumstances behind Moses' dramatic role in Egyptian and Hebrew history. (Ove von Spaeth, 2001) - C.A. Reitzel, Copenhagen, - (ISBN 87-7876-259-6).

The Secret Religion: Moses and the Egyptian Heritage in the Past and Present Moses is the first known founder of a religion, his teachings characterize several religions in the world. Prehistoric Sources reveal that it also originally contained 'the mystery gold' from Egypt and the secret of God's name. Exclusive cultic knowledge from a mystical and cosmological superstructure of Moses' religion is traced. An initiated elite maintained through the ages this secret, partly Egyptian teachings that Moses had passed on to the Israelites - showing extended connection between ancient Egyptian mystery cults and early Hebrew spiritual traditions. Many of the cults were politically active and intervened in specific historical events with traits later leading to influencing Western culture. (Ove von Spaeth, 2004) - C.A. Reitzel, Copenhagen, - (ISBN 87-7876-240-1).

Prophet and Unknown Genius: New Knowledge about Moses' Advanced Pioneer works The Bible greatest prophet, with a past as a highly educated Egyptian prince, created an advanced law - while the rest of his visionary innovations were later forgotten. Several of his laws having modern principles: environmental laws, social laws, and the right of asylum. With his skills Moses could unify the people of Israel and provide them with law, philosophy, religious and political knowledge, a calendar, and the development of a written language system with its own alphabet enabling a formation of the biblical texts. New knowledge about the man behind the myth and his continuing significant influence culturally on the present world. Antiquity greatly esteemed Moses for his versatile talents as a military commander, philosopher, learned astronomer, mystic - even magician, healer, and inventor. (Ove von Spaeth, 2005) - C.A. Reitzel, Copenhagen, - (ISBN 87-7876-393-2).

Online store: Lemuel-Books, www.lemuelbooks.com -&- online bookshop: Bog & Mystik: bog-mystik.dk

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Ove von Spaeth: Dating the Oldest Egyptian Star Map (Centaurus, ISSN 0008-8984)

New discovery in the world's oldest star map - the exceptional map by Senmut, the vizier

The author reveals that Senmut's 3,500-year-old star map - which was considered only to show star mythology - discloses in detail an exact picture of a particular gathering of planets in a defined celestial sector. This implies in itself information about a specific time. The decoding can be verified objectively by modern astronomical computing. Similar planetary concept of the same localization and precise placement can be seen ‘copied’ also on later Egyptian star maps. The edition of Ove von Spaeth's treatise, essential for new orientation, originates from "Centaurus International Magazine on The History of Mathematics, Science and Technology", 2000, vol.42, pp.159-179: - his scientific pioneering work has gained genuine admiration and international respect for its untraditional observations and finding solution of the special difficult problems with decisive significance in ancient Egyptian astronomy and chronological perspectives. In addition, it has supported research for an improved dating of Moses' historical period.

"... The findings are very ingenious and admirable, and quite surprising considering the apparent lack of interest of the Egyptians in this sort of astronomy. ..." - Owen Gingerich, Research Professor in Astronomy and the History of Science, The Harvard-Smithsonian Institution, Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Mass.

Online: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. (for the Blackwell Group) : http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/search/allsearch

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The Web Archives

The special archive on the Internet: www.moses-egypt.net

A greatly useful asset is the project's website with archives’ collection of wide comprehensive information and documentation established around Ove von Spaeth's works and retrieval of valuable material, sources and finds, often such that were by-passed by traditional research. The website, established in November 1999, became early a success also in the book world and achieved cult status on the web. On the website we can also read about the implicated controversial research history, now open to posterity.

The web-archive contains hundreds of pages of related articles, - and the response: inter-national book reviews of the author's books, articles and e-books, - and from other public opinion: feature articles, literary essays, debates, letters, additions, recommendations and disapprovals, questions, documentations and bibliographies. Not least, accumulated interest has grown about this web-site's research-related factual information.

* * * E-books On-line

Most of Ove von Spaeth's books are also available as E-books on-line

Easily accessible on the Internet - a rich online library of cross-cultural scientific knowledge on history, anthropology, religion and astronomy.

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Interest Group for The Ove von Spaeth Papers

on History and Science: - Rediscovery, Insight, Renewal

INTEREST GROUP FOR THE OVE VON SPAETH PAPERS

facebook • www.facebook.com/groups/45399163234/

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” The author’s works were published to extend the understanding of discoveries and results achieved from unusual research: a thoroughly documented discovery

book-series which explores rediscovered parts of our early cultural heritage of significance for history of today.

Our author opens up the important treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom from Greece, Rome and

the Renaissance and the original sources in ancient Egypt - to be seen in the light of modern science. ”

“ With his interdisciplinary authorship Ove von Spaeth has also uncovered special traces in overlooked

or forgotten knowledge of our early historical basis. Without such necessary research of exciting sources and

significant finds, we would today often lose important links to ancient information and knowledge, in the tradition of which we all live daily. - A considerable

collection of the author's books and articles are now further accessible in multiple media. “

“ Our knowledge of the past is much more abundant than normally anticipated. Many concrete historical data

about what we frequently call myths are available in many of the world's libraries and museums - unfortunately,

not often studied, simply gathering dust. The author's project comprises new-orientation in the collected data which were in jeopardy of 'disappearing'. The

traces are revealed in a surprisingly new light through his books’ constantly turning prism of history. “

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* * * About this book:

* The ancient fairy tales about ‘the basilisk in a well’ is a parable, derived from the ancient Middle Eastern initiation cults. From the idea of the spirit in the bottle/container/well, perhaps there was something else behind? In particular, the basilisk has a long-term historical role in star knowledge and alchemy.

* Basilisk is a star name and can mean a 'little king', prince - or a monster! This plurality is also included in older myths or parables known in esoteric astrology and alchemy and the ancient initiations cults, namely in the narratives about the basilisk to be found at the bottom of a well. But if a princess with a pure heart kisses this mysterious creature - often in the shape of an ugly toad (‘monster’) coming out of a well - it turns into a prince/little king.

* The 4 so-called royal stars are very clear stars - and were conceived as being of particular importance. It was the brightest of them, Basiliskos-Regulus, The Lion’s heart, which was known as both a royal star and a monster !

* The surprising but almost forgotten mythological and alchemical horror figure, the basilisk, had a great significance in the alchemy in interplay with the star knowledge. In several myths the Basilisk is known as a mixture with a snake’s body and a rooster’s head - and so lethal that a glance from its eyes would kill a person.

. Ove von Spaeth

History and Science: Rediscovery, Insight, Renewal.

Author and researcher, Ove von Spaeth, is recognized internationally for his works on the historical Moses and ancient Egypt. His interdisciplinary explorations provide new orientations and inform on vital areas of culture and evolution. His research is based on exacting studies in history and astronomy. He is also recognized for his pioneering work in accurately dating the world's oldest star map and establishing a scientific methodology. It includes a significant contribution to the chronology of Egypt and the Moses era. The author has carried out extensive research on Egyptian history, archaeology, ancient star knowledge, religion, anthropology, cultic mystery doctrines, and mythology. With acute proficiency and years of experience, he researches in depth and detail the intriguing material.

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