A Kingdom of Stargazers

A Kingdom of Stargazers PDF Author: Michael A. Ryan
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 0801463165
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 231

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Book Description
Astrology in the Middle Ages was considered a branch of the magical arts, one informed by Jewish and Muslim scientific knowledge in Muslim Spain. As such it was deeply troubling to some Church authorities. Using the stars and planets to divine the future ran counter to the orthodox Christian notion that human beings have free will, and some clerical authorities argued that it almost certainly entailed the summoning of spiritual forces considered diabolical. We know that occult beliefs and practices became widespread in the later Middle Ages, but there is much about the phenomenon that we do not understand. For instance, how deeply did occult beliefs penetrate courtly culture and what exactly did those in positions of power hope to gain by interacting with the occult? In A Kingdom of Stargazers, Michael A. Ryan examines the interest in astrology in the Iberian kingdom of Aragon, where ideas about magic and the occult were deeply intertwined with notions of power, authority, and providence. Ryan focuses on the reigns of Pere III (1336–1387) and his sons Joan I (1387–1395) and Martí I (1395–1410). Pere and Joan spent lavish amounts of money on astrological writings, and astrologers held great sway within their courts. When Martí I took the throne, however, he was determined to purge Joan's courtiers and return to religious orthodoxy. As Ryan shows, the appeal of astrology to those in power was clear: predicting the future through divination was a valuable tool for addressing the extraordinary problems—political, religious, demographic—plaguing Europe in the fourteenth century. Meanwhile, the kings' contemporaries within the noble, ecclesiastical, and mercantile elite had their own reasons for wanting to know what the future held, but their engagement with the occult was directly related to the amount of power and authority the monarch exhibited and applied. A Kingdom of Stargazers joins a growing body of scholarship that explores the mixing of religious and magical ideas in the late Middle Ages.

A Kingdom of Stargazers

A Kingdom of Stargazers PDF Author: Michael A. Ryan
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 0801463165
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 231

Get Book Here

Book Description
Astrology in the Middle Ages was considered a branch of the magical arts, one informed by Jewish and Muslim scientific knowledge in Muslim Spain. As such it was deeply troubling to some Church authorities. Using the stars and planets to divine the future ran counter to the orthodox Christian notion that human beings have free will, and some clerical authorities argued that it almost certainly entailed the summoning of spiritual forces considered diabolical. We know that occult beliefs and practices became widespread in the later Middle Ages, but there is much about the phenomenon that we do not understand. For instance, how deeply did occult beliefs penetrate courtly culture and what exactly did those in positions of power hope to gain by interacting with the occult? In A Kingdom of Stargazers, Michael A. Ryan examines the interest in astrology in the Iberian kingdom of Aragon, where ideas about magic and the occult were deeply intertwined with notions of power, authority, and providence. Ryan focuses on the reigns of Pere III (1336–1387) and his sons Joan I (1387–1395) and Martí I (1395–1410). Pere and Joan spent lavish amounts of money on astrological writings, and astrologers held great sway within their courts. When Martí I took the throne, however, he was determined to purge Joan's courtiers and return to religious orthodoxy. As Ryan shows, the appeal of astrology to those in power was clear: predicting the future through divination was a valuable tool for addressing the extraordinary problems—political, religious, demographic—plaguing Europe in the fourteenth century. Meanwhile, the kings' contemporaries within the noble, ecclesiastical, and mercantile elite had their own reasons for wanting to know what the future held, but their engagement with the occult was directly related to the amount of power and authority the monarch exhibited and applied. A Kingdom of Stargazers joins a growing body of scholarship that explores the mixing of religious and magical ideas in the late Middle Ages.

A Kingdom of Stargazers

A Kingdom of Stargazers PDF Author: Michael A. Ryan
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 0801463157
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 231

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Book Description
Astrology in the Middle Ages was considered a branch of the magical arts, one informed by Jewish and Muslim scientific knowledge in Muslim Spain. As such it was deeply troubling to some Church authorities. Using the stars and planets to divine the future ran counter to the orthodox Christian notion that human beings have free will, and some clerical authorities argued that it almost certainly entailed the summoning of spiritual forces considered diabolical. We know that occult beliefs and practices became widespread in the later Middle Ages, but there is much about the phenomenon that we do not understand. For instance, how deeply did occult beliefs penetrate courtly culture and what exactly did those in positions of power hope to gain by interacting with the occult? In A Kingdom of Stargazers, Michael A. Ryan examines the interest in astrology in the Iberian kingdom of Aragon, where ideas about magic and the occult were deeply intertwined with notions of power, authority, and providence. Ryan focuses on the reigns of Pere III (1336–1387) and his sons Joan I (1387–1395) and Martí I (1395–1410). Pere and Joan spent lavish amounts of money on astrological writings, and astrologers held great sway within their courts. When Martí I took the throne, however, he was determined to purge Joan’s courtiers and return to religious orthodoxy. As Ryan shows, the appeal of astrology to those in power was clear: predicting the future through divination was a valuable tool for addressing the extraordinary problems—political, religious, demographic—plaguing Europe in the fourteenth century. Meanwhile, the kings' contemporaries within the noble, ecclesiastical, and mercantile elite had their own reasons for wanting to know what the future held, but their engagement with the occult was directly related to the amount of power and authority the monarch exhibited and applied. A Kingdom of Stargazers joins a growing body of scholarship that explores the mixing of religious and magical ideas in the late Middle Ages.

The Last Stargazers

The Last Stargazers PDF Author: Emily Levesque
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1492681083
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 358

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Book Description
The story of the people who see beyond the stars—an astronomy book for adults still spellbound by the night sky Embark on a captivating cosmic journey with The Last Stargazers. This enthralling book takes you on an awe-inspiring exploration of the night sky, offering a unique perspective on the vast celestial wonders that have fascinated humanity for millennia. Written by astrophysicist Dr. Emily Levesque, The Last Stargazers combines scientific expertise with captivating storytelling, making it the perfect companion for both astronomy enthusiasts and curious minds. Dr. Levesque's passion for the stars shines through as she shares her personal experiences and encounters while working at some of the world's most renowned observatories. Delve into the fascinating world of astronomy as you uncover the secrets of distant galaxies, supernovae, and elusive celestial phenomena. Discover: Inspiring narratives: Dr. Levesque's engaging storytelling transports readers to the front lines of astronomical research, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a modern-day stargazer. Cutting-edge research: Stay up to date with the latest scientific breakthroughs and advancements in the field of astronomy, as Dr. Levesque shares her firsthand experiences and encounters. Accessible explanations: Complex astronomical concepts are made understandable and relatable, allowing readers of all backgrounds to appreciate and comprehend the wonders of the cosmos. Personal perspective: Gain insight into the personal journey of a dedicated scientist as she navigates the challenges and triumphs of studying the stars. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer, a casual stargazer, or simply someone with a curiosity about the universe, The Last Stargazers is an indispensable guide that will ignite your passion for the cosmos and leave you in awe of the wonders that lie beyond. Take a leap into the vast unknown on a celestial odyssey like no other.

The Stargazer's Guide

The Stargazer's Guide PDF Author: Emily Winterburn
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061976377
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
The Stargazer’s Guide is an accessible astronomy guide to the history, science, and myth of the night sky, perfect for anyone entranced by the stars. Guiding readers through what there is to see in the sky, why it’s interesting, and how previous generations viewed and interpreted it, expert stargazer Emily Winterburn entertains and informs with this fun, accessible, and appealing look at the beauty of the heavens.

The Stargazer's Handbook

The Stargazer's Handbook PDF Author: Giles Sparrow
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781681449715
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
From the craters of the Moon to the far reaches of Orion, The Stargazer's Handbook will enable you to explore space without leaving the comforts of Earth. All you need are a pair of binoculars and a clear night sky to experience the wonders of the universe. This book will take you on a journey through space, beginning with our own moon and neighboring planets before exploring the fascinating sights of deep space-from hypergiant suns and stellar nurseries to blazing nebulae and swirling galaxies. Each star, planet, or constellation is fully illustrated and accompanied by an annotated star map, as well as close-up images that zoom in on areas of interest. Featuring up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, monthly sky maps for both northern and southern hemispheres, history and mythology of all 88 constellations and the rationale behind the names of stars and constellations, The Stargazer's Handbook will fully equip you with the tools to navigate-and understand-the night sky.

Mindful Thoughts for Stargazers

Mindful Thoughts for Stargazers PDF Author: Mark Westmoquette
Publisher: Leaping Hare Press
ISBN: 1782407669
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 163

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Book Description
“In his handy pocket-sized book, Mark Westmoquette presents a constellation of musings on how the mysteries of the outer universe—from shooting stars and eclipses, to the journey of a photon—connect us more deeply to our inner universes.” - FLOW magazine Noticing the wonders of the night skies can foster a sense of curiosity, awe and deep interconnectedness like nothing else on Earth! Mindful Thoughts for Stargazers presents a constellation of meditations on how the mysteries of the outer universe connect us all more deeply to our inner universes. Astronomer and ex-Zen monk Mark Westmoquette explores how astronomy proves to be an enlightening tool to transformative awareness–through shooting stars, eclipses and the journey of a photon, we discover how to find meaning and presence here and now.

Star Tales

Star Tales PDF Author: Ian Ridpath
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 0718894782
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
Every night, a pageant of Greek mythology circles overhead. Perseus flies to the rescue of Andromeda, Orion faces the charge of the snorting Bull, and the ship of the Argonauts sails in search of the Golden Fleece. Constellations are the invention of human imagination, not of nature. They are an expression of the human desire to impress its own order upon the apparent chaos of the night sky. Modern science tells us that these twinkling points of light are glowing balls of gas, but the ancient Greeks, to whom we owe many of our constellations, knew nothing of this. Ian Ridpath, award-winning astronomy writer and popularizer, has been intrigued by the myths of the stars for many years. Star Tales is the first modern guide to combine all the fascinating myths in one book, illustrated with the beautiful and evocative engravings from two of the leading star atlases: Johann Bode’s Uranographia of 1801 and John Flamsteed’s Atlas Coelestis of 1729. This classic book, now in a revised and expanded edition, presents additional information on the constellations with new and enchanting illustrations. For anyone interested in the stars and classical mythology, for anyone who is an armchair astronomer, this is the perfect gift.

Astrology through History

Astrology through History PDF Author: William E. Burns
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1440851433
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 432

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Book Description
Alphabetically arranged entries cover the history of astrology from ancient Mesopotamia to the 21st century. In addition to surveying the Western tradition, the book explores Islamic, Indian, East Asian, and Mesoamerican astrology. The field of astrology is growing rapidly, as historians recognize its centrality to the intellectual life of the past and sociologists and anthropologists treat its importance in a number of modern cultures. Despite the historical and cultural significance of the subject, most reference works on astrology focus on instructional techniques and are written by astrologers with little or no interest in the history of the topic. This book instead offers an objective treatment of astrology across world history from ancient Mesopotamia to the present. The book provides alphabetically arranged entries by expert contributors writing on such topics as horoscopes, court astrologers, Renaissance astrology, and comets. While it considers the Western tradition, it also treats Islamic, Indian, East Asian, and Mesoamerican astrology. In doing so, it explores the role of astrology in shaping science, literature, religion, art, and other defining cultural traditions. Sidebars offer excerpts from various historical texts, while entries provide suggestions for further reading.

Information

Information PDF Author: Ann Blair
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691179549
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 902

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Book Description
"Information technology shapes nearly every part of modern life, and debates about information--its meaning, effects, and applications--are central to a range of fields, from economics, technology, and politics to library science, media studies, and cultural studies. This rich, unique resource traces the history of information with an approach designed to draw connections across fields and perspectives, and provide essential context for our current age of information. Clear, accessible, and authoritative, the book opens with a series of articles that provide a narrative history of information from premodern practices to twenty-first-century information culture. This section focuses on major developments in the creation, storage, search, exchange, management, and manipulation of information, as well as the many meanings and uses of information over time. Coverage spans Europe, North America, and many other places and periods, including the medieval Islamic world and early modern East Asia, as well as the emergence of global networks. A second, alphabetical section includes more than 100 concise articles that cover specific concepts (e.g., data, intellectual property, privacy); formats and genres (books, databases, maps, newspapers, scrolls, social media); people (archivists, diplomats and spies, readers, secretaries, teachers); practices (censorship, forecasting, learning, surveilling, translating); processes (digitization, quantification, storage and search); systems (bureaucracy, platforms, telecommunications); technologies (algorithms, cameras, computers), and much more. The book concludes with an informative glossary, defining terms from "analog/digital" to "World Wide Web.""--

Magic in the Middle Ages

Magic in the Middle Ages PDF Author: Richard Kieckhefer
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108861121
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
How was magic practiced in medieval times? How did it relate to the diverse beliefs and practices that characterized this fascinating period? This much revised and expanded new edition of Magic in the Middle Ages surveys the growth and development of magic in medieval Europe. It takes into account the extensive new developments in the history of medieval magic in recent years, featuring new material on angel magic, the archaeology of magic, and the magical efficacy of words and imagination. Richard Kieckhefer shows how magic represents a crossroads in medieval life and culture, examining its relationship and relevance to religion, science, philosophy, art, literature, and politics. In surveying the different types of magic that were used, the kinds of people who practiced magic, and the reasoning behind their beliefs, Kieckhefer shows how magic served as a point of contact between the popular and elite classes, how the reality of magical beliefs is reflected in the fiction of medieval literature, and how the persecution of magic and witchcraft led to changes in the law.