The Stones And The Stars

There are at least 48 identified prehistoric stone circles in Scotland. In truth, very little is known about the people who erected them, and ultimately about what the stone circles were for. Most stone circles are astronomically aligned, which has led to the modern debate about why the alignment was significant. The megaliths certainly represented an enormous co-operative effort, would at the very least have demonstrated power and wealth, and being set away from any dwellings probably served a ceremonial, or perhaps religious, purpose. Observations at the site of the stone circles, of solar, lunar, and stellar events, have already cast light on some of the questions about the construction and use of ancient megalithic observatories. In his capacity as manager of the Parks Department Astronomy Project, author Duncan Lunan designed and built the first astronomically aligned stone circle in Britain in over 3,000 years. 'The Stones and the Stars' examines the case for astronomical alignments of stone circles, and charts the development of a fascinating project with a strong scientific and historical background. The work was documented in detail by the artist and photographer Gavin Roberts, and this archive has been added to since - so an appropriate selection of illustrations will bring the project vividly to life.

Bringing a fresh perspective on history by combining it with myth and superstition, this duology tells the story of a young man’s fantastical adventures before and during The Great War. 1904, Britain. Tom and his brother Gilbert are working with their prominent archaeologist father, trying to decipher the meaning of a mysterious stone circle near the Welsh/English border. The discovery of a peculiar stone with worrying effects on those who touch it plunge Tom and his brother into a breath-taking adventure to keep the stone out of the wrong hands. Stolen out of spite, hunted for by a shadowy warrior-clan, rescued in a daring burglary and gambled for in a game of life and death, the stone has been prophesied to hold back the Dark Times – if Tom and Gilbert use all their wits and courage to bring it to its destiny before the stars start to rain...

Keepers of the Stones and Stars is a witty young adult contemporary fantasy about a group of five teens chosen by magical gems to save the world. Save the world. Get the guy. Reed is leading his best life: he’s just kissed the boy of his dreams, his band is finally taking off, and he’s a shoo-in to getting elected as next year’s Student Council president. But he’s ready to give it all up when his suspiciously aristocratic guidance counselor tells him he has been chosen to go on the adventure of a lifetime. Because Reed is the first of five Stone Bearers to be chosen by magical gems and granted their powers. All he has to do is unite all five and lead them to seal a portal that will release an onslaught of uncontrollable chaotic magical energies, and destroy the world as we know it. It’s up to the Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Emerald, and Amethyst Bearers to save the world, fulfilling their roles in a centuries-old cycle that dates back to 17th century Mughal India and the first Keepers of the Stones and Stars.

The hermetic tradition claims "As above, so below". Did the ancients mean that literally? Stars, Stones and Scholars shows that many ancient megalithic sites are not tombs, but are remnants of ancient local, regional and perhaps even larger Neolithic surveys of the Earth by Stone Age astronomy, with gigantic stones being placed as immovable survey markers. Circa 40 photographs, 240 drawings and 80 maps show how megaliths were carved and "sculpted" with figures and cupmarks (holes in the stones) to represent stars and constellations, long before the modern astrological Zodiac was known. Megalithic sites from England (Stonehenge), Wales (Paviland), Scotland (Clava Cairns), Ireland (Newgrange, Knowth), Germany (Externsteine), Benelux (Weris), France (Carnac), Italy (La Spezia), Malta (Tarxien), Greece, Turkey (Anatolia), Scandinavia (Tanum), the Baltic, Russia, the Near East, the Far East (China and Japan), Africa, Central and South America (Tikal, Maya, Aztecs), Oceania (Hawaii), The USA (Cahokia, Miami Circle, Clovis) and Canada (Peterborough Petroglyphs) are included in this fascinating book.

Overlapping history with personal observation, this inspirational memoir shares the experience of one woman during the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostella, an ancient journey of more than 500 miles through northern Spain. Introduced to fellow pilgrims along the way and learning of their inspirational stories, this thoughtful work is filled with commonsense advice and spiritual guidance as the winter blusters around the travelers on their path. Emotionally confronting the reality of a loved one being diagnosed with incurable cancer, the author generously shares her experience of deep thought, light humor, physical challenge, and learning how to cope with helplessness on this pilgrimage of the spirit.

This book brilliantly illuminates part of our prehistoric heritage that has for long been shrouded in darkness and mystery. Built over 5000 years ago, the megalithic monuments of Ireland with their spectacular art have baffled scientists for generations. Now, through patient and extensive fieldwork, Mr. Brennan sets that ancient tradition in the astronomical and ritual context for which it was intended. What the author and his colleagues discovered was that most if not all the major Irish mounds are oriented to the rising and setting positions of the sun at critical times of the year-- solstice, cross-quarter day, equinox. Even more remarkably they found that the beams of light projected into the inner chambers at these times illuminate one after another the images carved on the stones, as if spelling out messages in an archaic code. Analysis of the carvings revealed an ancient preoccupation with solar and lunar symbolism, and true sundials and calendar stones are seen to exist here earlier than anywhere else in the world. In his text and own superb two-color drawings Martin Brennan fully documents these discoveries, as well as describing the researches of others and echoes from the distant past to be found in Gaelic literature. All the major Irish engraved compositions are illustrated, providing not only support for the author's theories but also a wonderful treasury of Irish megalithic art. With 300 illustrations in one and two colors.