Hello! I created this Website to present a summary of the ideas expressed in my book (above) about how sacred aspects of Astronomy can explain many mysterious features of European history. These include:
1) Megalithic monuments.
2) An ancient European religion called Mithraism.
3) Features of medieval churches.
4) Puzzling histories of the Knights Templar and their likely spiritual descendants, the Freemasons.
I believe astronomy offers a key to unlock puzzles about Stonehenge and other mysterious European sites like Rennes-le-Chateau and Santiago de Compostela. Let me explain:
Astronomy and Stonehenge
Stonehenge is only one of hundreds of sites in the British Isles where complex arrangements of huge standing stones, erected almost 5,000 years ago, can be found. It has long been thought that a reverence for astronomical events was a major factor in the construction of Stonehenge. For example, the main axis of the monument points to the position of the rising sun on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice:
Also, pairs of stones outside of the main monument point to both the positions of the sun at the summer and winter solstice and also to the full moon in the month of the solstices.
Curiously, at the latitude of Stonehenge, the positions of the moon and sun are precisely at 90 degrees to each other, allowing the creation of an astronomical rectangle. THIS IS POSSIBLE ONLY AT THE PRECISE LATITUDE OF STONEHENGE.
Many other megalithic sites can be found in England and in Europe. For quite a few of them (eg., so-called recumbent stone circles in Scotland or the stone circle in Romania at Sarmizegetusa) orientations towards the solstice sun or moon are also indisputable.
Curiously, a very large and ancient (7,000 year-old) megalithic circle was recently discovered at Goseck in central Germany (see Scientific American, Dec. 2003, p. 32). This circle also shows orientations to the sun and moon, and is located at the PRECISE LATITUDE AS STONEHENGE (51 degrees North). Thus, it seems likely that ancient peoples of Europe venerated the sun and moon and constructed unusually large and prominent megalithic monuments at astronomically significant latitudes. At these latitudes, the positions of the sun and moon allowed the creation of rectangles and perhaps other polygons within a megalithic site.
Interest in sacred aspects of astronomy did not die out with megalithic culture.
Astronomy and Mithraism
Long after the builders of the megaliths had disappeared, the most prominent religion in Europe originated in a reverence for astronomical events. Mithraism dominated Europe between 300 BC to about 300 AD. Worshippers who were inducted into this religion were shown a puzzling array of images in hundreds of underground Mithraic shrines located all over Europe. These images portrayed the sun-god Mithras astride a bull and surrounded by images of the sun, moon, stars, and animals that represented the constellations of the Zodiac.
As initiates progressed toward the ultimate secret of the cult, they ascended through 7 levels that were symbolized as steps upon a ladder. Thanks to Dr. David Ulansey, who published a book about Mithraism in 1989, we know what that ultimate secret was. Ulansey demonstrated that this religion originated in the discovery of the precession of the equinoxes, and that Mithras represents the godlike power that is slowly causing the celestial vault of stars to slowly rotate once every 26,000 years. We now know that this is due to a slow wobble of the earth's axis, but ancient peoples venerated this phenomenon as a sign of cosmic power.
Astronomy and early Christianity
The early Christian church, aspiring to attract former followers of Mithras, appears to have incorporated some elements of astronomical veneration into Christianity. Here are some examples:
The church established the Mithraic day of the Sun as the sabbath, rather than the Saturday sabbath of Judaism (and Jesus!).
The day of the birth of Mithras was December 25, shortly after the day of the winter solstice (December 21). This may be the origin of the dating of Christmas.
Easter itself is rooted in astronomy, being designated as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring Equinox.
The Virgin Mary is accorded two days in the Christian calendar: March 25 (Annunciation Day)(traditionally celebrated as the Spring Equinox since the time of Rome) and August 15 (Assumption Day). On August 15, the sun sets at the point of a prominent stellar triangle created by some of the brightest stars in the sky (Arcturus, Regulus, and Spica)(see diagram, below). This stellar triangle encloses the constellation Virgo, long identified with the Virgin Mary. Thus, many of the days celebrated by the Church may have been adopted and modified from a pre-Christian veneration of the sky.
Diagram of the night sky on Aug. 15, showing the sun setting near a stellar triangle enclosing the constellation Virgo
Astronomy and Medieval Churches
In addition to incorporating some of the astronomical symbolism of traditional beliefs into Christianity, the Church also appears to have incorporated selected megalithic monuments into many medieval Christian churches. Megalithic standing stones can be found in quite a number of medieval churchyards in the British Isles. One famous example of this practice is the cathedral at Chartres, south of Paris. This cathedral was built upon a megalithic gravesite. It contains an unusual clear pane of glass in a stained glass window. On the day of the summer solstice, a ray of sunlight passes through this clear pane to illuminate a special flagstone set in the floor. It seems clear that this cathedral retains a memory of a pre-Christian veneration for an astronomical event.
Another example, discovered by an amateur German researcher named Hermann Weisweiller, is the cathedral at Aachen, Germany. This cathedral was constructed in 792 AD by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne. The north window in this cathedral is placed to exactly position the Pole star in the center of the window. Also, the cathedral is one of 6 medieval structures in the area that precisely fall on a straight line pointing to the position of the sun at the summer solstice. The cathedral is located, once again, AT THE LATITUDE OF STONEHENGE where the sun-moon angles equal 90 degrees. It seems likely that this cathedral was deliberately designed to incorporate elements of a pre-Christian veneration for the sun, moon, and stars that may have been evident in a megalithic monument previously positioned at the site of the cathedral.
Charlemagne's Cathedral at Aachen
Astronomy and the sign of Constantine
The Emperor Constantine, who converted the late Roman Empire to Christianity, fought a famous battle against his adversaries on October 27, 312 AD outside of Rome. It is said that on the eve of battle he saw a symbol in the sky resembling the Greek letters Chi and Rho, which the Christians used to refer to Christ. He ordered his soldiers to put this symbol on their shields, believing that by this sign he would win ("in hoc signo vinces"). He did win the battle. Astronomers have since determined that on that date and at that latitude, the four bright planets in the night sky fortuitously formed an almost perfect line, which was interstected by a line drawn through two extremely bright stars (Altair and Formalhaut) to form a cross. This likely was the inspiration for Constantine's interest in Christianity. He also was interested in the astronomy-based religion, Mithraism.
Astronomy and the Knights Templar
The powerful order of military monks called the Knights Templar owned hundreds of properties throughout medieval Europe and constructed numerous castles and churches. Many of these Templar properties are located quite close to megalithic monuments (eg., in Marlborough near the huge megalithic monument at Avebury, in Aachen, Germany, near the cathedral, and near megalithic monuments at Carnac, France). Thus, some Templars must have known of the existence of megalithic monuments. However, is there any evidence that they also understood the astronomical significance of any megalithic sites?
Some Templar properties show clear astronomical orientations. Here are some examples:
The Templars at Bornholm
A number of characteristically circular Templar churches are found on the small Danish island of Bornholm, which also has an unusually large number of megalithic monuments. In one church, Osterlars, a pair of windows point precisely at the position of the setting sun at the winter solstice. Curiously, at the LATITUDE OF BORNHOLM, THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE SETTING SUN AND RISING SUN AT THE WINTER SOLSTICE IS PRECISELY 90 DEGREES. This is another astronomically significant latitude. This Templar church suggests that the Templars had an interest in astronomy and may have understood the astronomical significance of this particular latitude. At this latitude in Ireland and England, unusually numerous and prominent megalithic monuments, also oriented to the sun and moon, can be found.
The Templars at Rennes-le-Chateau
The small French village of Rennes-le-Chateau has been the site of intense interest since the publication of books by Henry Lincoln and colleagues ("Holy Blood/Holy Grail") and by Dan Brown ("The DaVinci Code") that describe mysteries associated with this site. One mystery is that fact that 3 medieval churches and castles built by the Templars in this area are located on three evenly spaced mountain peaks. Together with 2 additional peaks, these Templar structures are located at the points of a perfect pentagon:
Templar Structures at Rennes-le-Chateau, Blanchefort, and Bezu in France are located at 3 points of a perfect pentagon
While the meaning of this arrangement is not certain, it is interesting that AT THE LATITUDE OF RENNES-LE-CHATEAU, THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE SUN AND MOON AT THE SOLSTICE EQUALS 72 DEGREES. This is the angle required to construct a star or pentagon. So, at this latitude, the sun-moon angle can be used to construct a pentagon rather than a rectangle like that seen at the latitude of Stonehenge.
Also, a line drawn through Rennes-le-Chateau, a Templar castle at Blanchefort, and a church at Arques has long been termed a "sunrise line" and according to a village tradition, points to the rising sun on a specific day during the summer. This day in fact is August 15, and the line points to the position of the stellar triangle enclosing the constellation Virgo (see above). Also, the line makes an angle of 72 degrees from true north. Thus, many references to astronomy, to pentagons, and to 72 degree angles are apparent in the positioning of these Templar structures. It is also interesting that a number of prominent megalithic standing stones appear to occupy critical geometrical positions within the overall scheme of buildings in the area.
The Templars at Santiago de Compostela
The Templars played an important historical role in northern Spain. One site of particular interest is the church at Santiago de Compostela. The name of this church derives from the Latin for two things: Saint James (Santiago) and Field of the Star ("campus stellae" in Latin). The church has long been claimed to possess the remains of Saint James. Why, however, should the name of this cathdral be associated with a star? It is of interest that this church is located at the SAME LATITUDE AS RENNES-LE-CHATEAU. At this latitude, once again, the sun-moon angle = 72 degrees, needed to construct a star or pentagon.
There are also numerous megalithic monuments in this area, and the nearby Templar castle at Ponferrada is constructed in the shape of an irregular pentagon with cryptic references to the signs of the Zodiac. References to stars and to astronomy are thus also present in medieval structures in northern Spain.
SUMMARY
Unusually prominent assemblies of megalithic monuments can be found at specific latitudes in Europe. At these latitudes, the sun-moon angle during the summer solstice either equals 90 degrees (the angle needed to construct a rectangle, as at Stonehenge, Aachen, Goseck) or 72 degrees (the angle needed to construct a star, as at Santiago de Compostela or Rennes-le-Chateau). Medieval constructions at these (churches or castles constructed by the Knights Templar) show astronomical alignments suggesting that the pre-Christian symbolic significance of these sites was not forgotten, but retained by medieval builders.
Astronomy and the Freemasons
Considerable evidences suggests that the modern-day organization of Freemasonry, which first made its public appearance in 1717, may derive many of its customs and symbols from the Knights Templar. Also, the customs and symbolism of Freemasonry contain many references to astronomy and also may partly have originated in Mithraism. Here is the evidence:
Freemasonry and Mithraism
1) So-called Masonic tracing boards display images of the sun, stars, and moon, just like Mithraic paintings and sculptures.
2) A common Mithraic symbol was a ladder with seven “gates” or spaces between the rungs that each represented one of the seven levels attained by initiates progressing towards the utmost secret of the cult. Masonic Tracing Boards also depict a ladder or staircase with three rungs that correspond to the three degrees of initiation.
3) During one of the stages of the initiation rites of Mithraism, an initiate is ceremonially “killed” by a participant so he can be reborn into a new life. An emperor of the late Roman Empire, Commodus, outraged his fellow Mithraic worshippers when he participated in such a ceremony by committing a genuine murder instead of a merely symbolic one. In the Third Degree ceremony of Freemasonry, an initiate is also ceremonially “killed” to commemorate the fate of a Masonic figure named Hiram Abiff.
These similarities between the rites of Mithraism and of Freemasonry seem too numerous to disregard as mere coincidence. Conceivably, Knights Templar returning from the Middle East may have become acquainted with Mithraic rites there and incorporated them into their own initiation rites. When the Knights Templars were brutally supressed in 1307, surviving Knights went underground, continuing their traditions and transferring them to the early forms of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry and Astronomy in America
1. Christchurch
Several sites in America that appear to be created by Masons seem to show evidence for astronomical themes. One site is located near the town of Kilmarnock, in Lancaster County, Virginia, southeast of Washington, D.C. and not far from the Chesapeake Bay. A church at this site called Christ Church displays some curious astronomical orientations. This church has been intensely investigated by a local amateur astronomer, Stephen Stewart, who has written several privately published monographs on the subject (54 Turnberry Ct., Weems, VA, 22576, phone (804) 438-6830).
Christ church was erected on the site of an earlier church, built in 1670 and replaced in 1735. It is oriented 31/2 degrees away from an east-west axis. This positioning allows a beam of sunlight to pass through an oval window placed over the west door and illuminate the altar only 2 times a year: once on April 5, and once 180 days later, during the time of the autumnal equinox. Because of variations in the moon's pathway from year to year, Easter can occur on any Sunday between mid-March and mid-April (Easter falls on the first Sunday after a full moon following the spring equinox). April 5 is at the exact midpoint of all possible dates for Easter.
In addition, a number of other structural features point to a preoccupation with astronomy and divisions of the year:
1) the church is cruciform in shape and has 12 walls and 12 windows, equal in number to the months of the year.
2) there are 26 pews in the church, equal to half the number of weeks in a year.
3) The north window is positioned at an angle of 37 degrees so that the Pole star is centered within it at night. This is reminiscent of the same Pole star orientation seen in the cathedral at Aachen (see above).
The plan of the church may have been adapted from a design by the distinguished English architect Sir Christopher Wren, who was believed to have been a Freemason and who once taught astronomy at Oxford. Christ Church has many architectural similarities to Farley church in Surrey, England, just south of London, which was restored by Christopher Wren and which at one time also possessed a circular window over its main entrance door. Wren died in 1723, so it would seem unlikely that he could be directly responsible for Christ Church. However, his son is known to have emigrated to Virginia at about the time of the construction of Christchurch.
Funds for the church were provided by Robert “King” Carter, an extremely wealthy owner of a large tobacco plantation in eastern Virginia. Carter’s ancestors had immigrated from England in the 1680’s and maintained their connection to the mother country. Carter himself was educated in England and had an opportunity to observe many buildings designed by Wren to replace those lost in the Great Fire of London. While Carter probably did not design Christ Church himself, he may have employed an architect who adapted Wren’s design. Carter died in 1732 and was buried in an above ground tomb on the grounds of his new church. His tomb is inscribed with a skull and crossbones, a symbol that is often, though not exclusively, associated with Freemasonry. Also, historical documents show that Carter's son became a Freemason in the middle of the Eighteenth Century. Thus, this American church shows an association with Freemasonry and shows some of the same astronomical orientations detectable in older European cathedrals.
2. Washington, D.C.
The British author David Ovason has recently proposed that the overall plan of the Federal Triangle in Washington DC may have been influenced by Masons and has strong astronomical themes (see Ovason's book--"The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital"). The triangle marks out an angle of 72 degrees from due north. The hypotenuse of this triangle is formed by Pennsylvania Avenue. In mid-August, Pennsylvania Avenue points directly at the setting sun, which is located at the position of the Stellar Triangle in the sky that encloses the constellation Virgo. Ovason has suggested that the Federal Triangle is an earthly mimic of the Stellar triangle. This is the same combination of stars pointed at by structures at Rennes-le-Chateau, France (see above).
The Federal Triangle in Washington, DC, viewed from above, and its orientation to the sun setting just below the Stellar Triangle enclosing the constellation Virgo
In summary, many structures in Europe and America that were influenced or created by Knights Templar or Freemasons show alignments to specific astronomical phenomena. I contend that these structures reflect an ancient interest in sacred aspects of astronomy that was inherited from pre-Christian societies. This interest in astronomy appears to explain numerous puzzling aspects of European and American history. More details and documentation of these ideas can be found in my book, "Sacred Sites of the Knights Templar: ancient Astronomers and Freemasons at Stonehenge, Rennes-le-Chateau, and Santiago de Compostela" by John K. Young, FairWinds Press, 33 Commercial St., Gloucester, MA, 01930 (publication date = 2003). My book is also available at amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com//