I have often said "Everything I need to know I learned from sundials". The
nerd stuff is easy to understand in this context, the ability to cast a sundial
of ant type for any location and orientation. But it goes well beyond that,
into the cultural aspects, answering not just the "how" questions but "why". I
am now working with Rafael Soler on the solar phenomenon with the cathedral in
Palma Mallorca. Here there are a couple of interesting solar displays due to
the orientation of the rose windows in this cathedral. One is on the winter
solstice, the other when the solar declination is about 17°, 2nd February, 2/2,
and 11 Nov 11/11. These happen to be the feast days of Candelaria (Candlemas)
and St Martin (Martinmas). These are significant dates in various Christian
traditions but they go way back in many cultures. Candlemas is half way from
the winter solstice to the equinox, a significant calendar event. Martinmas in
many cultures is thanksgiving day, a day to celebrate the harvest and
slaughter the pigs in preparation for winter. The 11th minute of the 11th hour
of the 11th month is also the timing of the armistice that ended WW1, now
Remembrance or Veterans day in many countries. The sun rules the seasons and
our cultural norms. Some are so deeply engrained that they are hard to
acknowledge. Sundial can provide a window.
For specific information stay tuned to the presentation at the NASS Conference
on "The Cathedral of Light" or wait for Rafael Soler's article, "The Phenomenon
of Sunlight on Rose Windows" in a future Compendium. These cover the nerd stuff
but really cannot answer "why".
Regards,
Roger Bailey
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