Celestrial Geography

I'm just now getting my mind wrapped around the rather slippery concepts of astro-mythology. The book Hamlet's Mill has been a valuable resource to explore this topic. David Mathisen's blog and his books are another valuable resource.

The basic kernel of astro-mythology is that celestial events have corresponding representations as characters and (fictional) geographical places. More importantly, there's a systematic logic to the poetical language that's used in their description. In theory, the poetic language could be translated to dreary scientific language, or even numbers--like dates and times and star positions.

Hamlet's Mill points out that the poetic language of the classical mythology renders dates, that is time, as geography, that is, space. This is one of the more confusing aspects of the subject. However, the following picture, I think (from this excellent website) helps to clarify.

The apparent journey of the sun and the apparent journey of the constellations through the sky over the years can be described with a handful of concepts: The ecliptic, the celestial equator, the solstices and the equinoxes, and precession of the equinoxes.

The symbolic furnishings of a Masonic lodge seem to allude to these points. The pillars are, perhaps the winter and summer solstices. The floor is often black and white checkerboard pattern, and could symbolize the equinoxes (equal parts night and day). Alternative, the pillars and floor can be thought of as a measuring device.

Another major symbol all over the world is the cross. The cross in the context of celestial geography is the crossing of the Sun above or below the celestial equator. I believe this is symbolized in Under the Dome by the chasm into the underworld of the confusingly named town of Zenith--perhaps similar to the Egyptian underworld duat.

Barbie prepares to Descend

It's also symbolized by the return to Chester's Mill through a Red Door... I think. Perhaps the fall and spring equinoxes? Giant shrug. 

The Red Door --- Open It

When the characters return to Chester's Mill, the end up in the water. (Think of the opening scene of The Bourne Identity) Interestingly, the subject of "Under the Dome" seems to be the precession of the equinoxes, which is the subject of Hamlet's Mill. 

I'm currently trying to decide the direction of the symbolism. Being "under the water", I think means being beneath the celestial equator, that is, fall through spring, the winter. (Think of Jon Snow) The converse, being in the air (or being on fire) would seem to be the spring equinox through the summer and fall.

I'm also puzzled at the violent symbolism of the spring crossing. The crucifixion of the Jesus character in the Bible is violent to say the least.

One of the more famous esoteric symbols in the conspiracy theory world has an easy explanation when decoded with the celestial metaphors.

The cross, is the crossing of the sun (I guess the skull) on the March (3rd Month) equinox, i.e. 3/22. Although, actually the official date of the equinox is 3/20 or 21 most years... so maybe the mystery is not solved.