Acharya S

The 2012 Astrotheology Calendar Acharya S

The 2012 Astrotheology Calendar serves as a basic introduction into the world of astrotheology and solar mythology. In addition to showing lunar phases, this calendar highlights the solstices, equinoxes and fire festivals with a different color for each of the eight relevant days. In our quest to inspire an interest in astrotheology, mythology and archaeoastronomy, we have also provided fascinating information about the astronomical alignments and astrotheological meanings of various archaeological sites and ancient artifacts from around the world. The calendar further explores the mythology surrounding the end of the Mayan calendar, as well as correspondences between the Mayan religion and biblical traditions.

Topics covered include:

• Inspiration for the Calendar--Our Connection to Nature
• What is Astrotheology?
• Is 2012 the End of the World?
• Kukulkan, Quetzalcoatl and Christ
• Archaeoastronomical Alignments
• The Sun
• The Moon
• The Solstice, Equinoxes and Peak Days
• Sources & Further Reading
• Cool Stuff & Other Websites of Interest

Images of the following artifacts and sites serve to illustrate the months, with informative commentary explaining the artifacts/sites' astrotheological significance and reasons for their inclusion in their respective months:

• Aztec Sun/Calendar Stone or Ollin Tonatiuh--the "Movement of the Sun"
• Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Persepolis, Iran
• Pantheon, Rome, Italy
• Drombeg Stone Circle, Glandore, Ireland
• Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, USA
• Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing, China
• Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan, Mexico
• Crack Cave, Comanche National Grasslands, Colorado, USA
• Almendres Cromlech, Evora, Portugal
• St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy
• Burlington Earth Clock, Vermont, USA

The cover image is of the Temple of Kukulkan or "El Castillo" at Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. Following is an excerpt concerning this temple site:

Together with the top platform, the temple's four stairways of 91 steps each total 365, representing the days of the solar year. "The pyramid's design reflects the equinoxes and solstices of our solar year in a spectacular game of light and shadow. During the equinoxes, the setting sun casts a shadow of a serpent on the northern steps of the pyramid."

The calendar contains six pages of text, with meticulous citation and a brief bibliography. Because it is printed as a book, there is no hole punched in it, but a pushpin/tack can be used to hang it.