The dates 2nd February and 11 November look suspiciously close to half
or cross quarter days (Candlemass and Martinmass) . These functioned in
Scotland as two of four Scottish Term Days, days on which the rent was
due. They had legal force and of course were saints' days.
Frank 55N 1W
On 23/07/2012 04:14, Roger Bailey wrote:
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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