Constellations of Words – Learn about the world of the stars above us
On each of the constellation pages under the subheading “Clues to the meaning of this celestial feature” the symbolism and etymology of the name of the constellation is explored.
This study is based on the belief that each constellation has its own unique clusters of related concepts, and that the etymology of the names and associated key words will express their essential meaning.
The whole heavens is the ultimate or “overall” pattern in the concept of “cosmic order”. Cosmic order relates to the Hermes Trismegistus’ axiom “as above, so below”; the harmony between the heavens and the earth, the earthly order corresponding to the cosmic order. The heavens is understood to be the macrocosm, and man the microcosm; and hence according to Paracelsus the structure of the human body itself is the structure of the entire universe.
Man, the human being, the highest evolved product of the microcosm, is seen as the synthesis of all nature; animals, birds and each living thing emphasizing some unique or exaggerated feature that symbolically represents some function of the human condition, and some part of the human body.
