In constructing their system of nature, the ancient Astronomers
constituted it of the Earth, the Firmament, the Planets, the
Constellations and the Zodiac, and we will refer to them in the order
named.
The Earth.
Believing that the earth was the only world, that it was a vast
circular plane, and that it was the fixed and immovable center around
which revolved the celestial luminaries, the ancient Astronomers, in
conformity to the requirement of the doctrine of future rewards and
punishments, as inculcated in the Egyptian Version of the Exoteric
Creed, divided it into an upper and an under, or nether world, which
they connected by a sinuous and tenebrious passage.
The Firmament.
The azure dome, called the firmament in the book of Genesis, was
believed to be a solid transparency, which we find described, in the
fourth chapter and sixth verse, of that collection of Astronomical
Allegories, called the Apocalypse, or Book of Revelation, "as a sea of
glass like unto crystal." It was represented as being supported by four
pillars, resting upon the earth, one at each of the cardinal points,
which were designated as "the pillars of heaven." Conceiving the idea
that there were windows in the firmament, the ancient Astronomers
called them "the windows of heaven" and taught that they were opened
when it rained, and closed when it ceased to rain. Hence it is evident
that the ancient Astronomers did not refer to these pillars and windows
in a figurative sense, but as real appurtenances to a solid firmament,
as will be seen by reference to Gen. vii. 11, and viii. 2, Job xxvi.
11, and Malachi iii. 10.
The Planets.
Believing that the stars were but mere flambeaux, suspended beneath the
firmament, and revolving round the earth, for the sole purpose of
giving it light and heat; and observing that seven of these, answering
to the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, had
perceptible movements, in relation to the other luminaries, the ancient
astronomers designated them as planets or wandering stars.
The Constellations.
Perceiving that the other celestial luminaries maintained the same
relation to each other, and designating them as fixed stars, the
ancient astronomers grouped those visible to them into forty-eight
Constellations; and giving names to these, they also attached names to
the stars of larger magnitude, which was done for the purpose of
locating and distinguishing them with greater ease.
The Zodiac.
Through twelve of these Constellations, mostly contained within a belt
of 16 degrees in width, and within which the planets appeared to
revolve, the ancient astronomers inscribed a central line representing
the Ecliptic, or apparent orbit of the sun, which they divided into 360
degrees; and quartering these to denote the seasons, they named the
cardinal points the Summer and Winter Solstices, and the Vernal and
Autumnal Equinoxes; the former referring to the longest and shortest
days of the year; and the latter to the two periods when the days and
nights are equal. An abbreviatory sign having been attached to each of
these constellations, the great celestial belt containing them was
called "the wheel of the signs," or "a wheel in the middle of a wheel,"
as designated by that old Astrologer, Ezekiel the Prophet, in chap. i.
and 16th verse. But for the reason that, with only one exception, the
forms of living things, either real or mythical, were given to them,
this belt, ultimately, wad designated as the Zodiac; or Circle of
living Creatures, see Ezekiel, chap. i. Constituting the essential
feature of the ancient Astronomy, we present, in our frontispiece, a
diagram of the Zodiac, as anciently represented, to which, as well as
to Burritts' Celestial Atlas, our readers will be necessitated to make
frequent reference.
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Recent researches among the ruins of ancient cities have developed the
fact that several centuries before the beginning of our era the
astronomers had invented the telescope, and discovered the true or
heliocentric system of nature; but for the reason that religion had
been based upon the false, or geocentric system, it was deemed prudent
not to teach it to the masses. Hence, hiding it away among the other
secrets of the Esoteric philosophy, the knowledge of it was lost during
the Middle Ages; and when rediscovered, the hierarchy of the Church of
Rome, upon the plea that it was contrary to the teachings of Scripture,
resorted to inquisitorial tortures to suppress its promulgation; but,
in spite of all their efforts, it has been universally accepted; and,
in this otherwise enlightened age, we have presented to us the anomaly
of a religion based upon a false system of Astronomy, while its
votaries believe in the true system.