Beyond the Blue Horizon: Myths & Legends of the Sun, Moon, Stars & Planets

by E.C. Krupp

In his classic study The Masks of God, Joseph Campbell conducted us on a fascinating global tour, showing how the seeds of myth grew in a similar fashion throughout the history of civilization. Before Campbell there was Sir James George Frazier who, in The Golden Bough--his pioneering study of magic, region, and folk custom--demonstrated how world mythologies exhibit "the effect of similar causes acting alike on the similar constitution of the human mind in different countries and under different skies." Now, in Beyond the Blue Horizon, eminent astronomer E.C. Krupp guides us expertly through a bewildering maze of cultures and civilizations--from the stone age to the present day--making clear that while the skies of these diverse peoples may vary, they speak nearly the same language.

Beyond the Blue Horizon is a treasure trove of myths, legends, and stories in which people have, through the ages, attempted to understand the cosmos and its meaning for humankind. Collecting an astonishing amount of lore between the covers of a single book, Krupp explains why our ancestors were so intrigued by the heavens, and what their celestial stories meant. Readers will learn, for example, that many cultures saw a rabbit--rather than a man--in the moon, and that this moon-rabbit, as a symbol of sacrifice and rebirth, is a cousin of our own Easter Bunny; that to our ancestors, an eclipse challenged the stability and integrity of heaven and thus threatened order and life on earth; that the magical sleigh ride and chimney antics of Santa Claus echo the ancient journeys of shamans and witch doctors; that our "dog days" of July and August originated in Roman times with the summer appearance of Sirius, the Dog Star; and that the contemporary stories of UFOs reveal the mystery and meaning the sky still holds for us as we approach the twenty-first century. Of course, there is much, much more that will delight and intrigue; even readers familiar with world mythology will find
plenty that is new and strange in Krupp's rich panorama.

An epic, authoritative, and cross-cultural exploration with over 150 illustrations,Beyond the Blue Horizon tells how all civilizations searched the sky to understand to universe--and our own place in it.

Genres: Mythology, History, Astronomy, Science, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavier on the mythology this archeoastronomy book draws a lot from Joe Campbell. It isn't bad but what is difficult is it jumps around cultures for mythological stories loosely based on major celestial objects. I dunno I did pick up one or two things from it.

[Kathy Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mythology, Folklore and science centered on astronomical objects is the subject of this book. Comparisons of how various cultures viewed and explained everything from the milky way to the constellations and in many cases WHY they varied are fascinating. The Egyptians felt the Sun traveled in a boat across the sky because their culture revolved around the Nile, other cultures thought the Sun rode across the sky in a chariot because that was their principle mode of transportation. The Folklore and mythology represented and recounted here covers the globe from Australia to The arctic and from the Native Americans to the Middle East. Great source material.

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice view of astronomy, starting with the earth & moon and moving outward, overlaid with various mythologies for each step. These mythologies are worldwide, yet in numerous ways very similar. A nice read, but it will take a while.