The mid 1990’s must have been a Neptunian time for Geoffrey Cornelius for this is when he was involved in the writing of these two beautifully illustrated books. The language of the Stars and Planets and The Starlore Handbook .
Both cover similar material at first glance, although the Starlore Handbook is much more a star watcher’s guide to the skies whereas the Language of the Stars and planets spends more time on the ground with Paul Devereux describing sacred sites and alignments of the world. This book is also more focused on the history and mystery of star and astrological lore, whereas the Starlore Handbook describes the constellations and their associated myths and stories.
To give a taster of “The Language of the Stars…” Cornelius says “In the most sophisticated astrologies, the relationship between character, fate and the heavens is both subtle and natural, reflecting not a disruptive interference from external forces but a complex and universal harmony within the universe. Since the 18th century Enlightenment, science has gained an ever-advancing dominion over the material universe. Yet many people today believe that the ancients and so-called primitive peoples can show us something astounding: that the universe is animate, and that far from being gross matter, the reality around us is “ensouled” – filled with volition and intelligence.” This sets the scene for this book as a book of earth magic, tracing in outline, the history of astronomy and astrology around the world and setting out sacred sites and alignments where people have felt the potency of our living connection with the stars.
The Starlore Handbook is much more a skywatcher’s guide with sky maps for each month as well as maps for each individual constellation. The astronomy is discussed with the magnitude, distance and colour of the major stars included and a guide to the major meteor showers. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful little book with rich insights into starlore. For instance on Virgo we learn that “The Babylonians linked her with the goddess Ishtar, also known as Ashtoreth or Astarte. The latter is the forerunner of the Saxon fertility and spring goddess Eostre, whose festival is the origin of Easter, at a time of year when the constellation Vigo is becoming prominent in the evening skies.”
Both of these are wonderful little books and we look forward to meetinng the author in Edinburgh on 14th September.
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