Star
Ploting 2000.
"The countdown to doomsday"
(The book is hopefully soon available also in English)
Abstract
What is there about this magical point in time, the year 2000?
Sepp Rothwangl literally takes the time to explore this question. By taking his
time - something which the reader definitely should do - the author considers a
broad range of phenomena. From the nature of numbers to astronomy and calendar time,
Mr. Rothwangl finds a surprising correlation between calendars and the curious
fall of the Mayan culture. Using a golden leitmotif, the reader is led through
the history and mythology of calendar, time and astronomy from the
beginning of ancient world right up to the magical year 2000. A short glossary
in the appendix explains astronomical jargon and provides an overview of the
world’s myths. The reader is playfully invited to work with the book to
transport himself / herself back in time to past turns of the eras. In this
way it is possible to better understand how astronomy was born through the
appearance of a North Star and how the discovery of the regularity of the stars
gave birth to a cult of heavens. This cult projected the gods to the heavens and
has legitimized to this day the power and influence of religions. Peter
Rosegger, favorite son of Alpl and Styrian poet, knew of the
"Teufelstein", the Devil’s Rock, a well-preserved prehistoric
calendar rock. Its existence was reason enough for the author, himself, like
Rosegger, a farmer in the woods, to begin studying archaeoastronomy as a young
man, becoming an expert in the field of calendars. The book takes the reader on a
journey from the "Teufelstein" in Styria to the pyramids and
Persepolis, through the solar system to the Star of David and the Star of
Bethlehem and into the philosophy of ancient Greeks. Along the way, Rothwangl
shows parallels in the myths and fairy tales all over the world, escorting the reader
right up to the month of May in the year 2000. This Great Moment (Star
Attraction) in May 2000 marks the end of the Christian Age of Pisces and the
beginning of the Age of Aquarius based on the human calendar tradition. This is
the day on which all of the gods of the heavens mentioned in the ancient
mythical cult of heavens will meet again. It’s up to humankind whether these
gods will remain in the heavens or whether they will venture back to earth. This
will be the Last Day of the old age and the Day of Judgment and first day of the
new age and calendar, a time for the birth of new myths and the understanding of
previous ones, and another step in mankind's own journey to the stars. An
exceptional calendar provides the reader with an exciting opportunity to count
down the time to this magical year of Star Attraction.
230 pages, 85 Pics , ATS 298.- EURO 21,66
Edition Styria Print Graz, Kleistgasse 73.
ISBN 3-901921-03-6
Order at calendersign@chello.at
Review
Doz. Dr. Ernst Goebel, from the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Vienna wrote:
„Sternstunde 2000. Der Countdown zum Jüngsten Tag" ISBN 3-901921-03-6 („Star Ploting 2000. „The countdown to Last Day or Doomsday) by Sepp Rothwangl offers us a wonderful gathering of mythology and natural science about the magical thoughts of various cultures up until to the intellectual movements and philosophies of our time. It is self evident, that there are subjective meanings contained within, however it is obvious that unlike previous efforts which have often given apodictic or sectarian viewpoints, the reader is given plenty of room for personal ideas. The book is not only comprehensible to the novice in astronomy and mythology, but is also enjoyable and exciting, and can only benefit one.