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# Signs and Wonders: Celestial Phenomena in 16th-Century Germany I love this imagery of celestial phenomena (including northern lights, meteor showers, etc.) in relation to the recent eclipse and aurora borealis. I've been thinking about how people in medieval times would have experienced this. I’ve saved a few images for [[World Building]] but there are many more after the link. These were interpreted as signs of the end times (some things never change) and an act of God. I’m also fascinated by the fact these broadsheets have been painted! I now want to research the process of early woodcut broadsheets. ![[Public-Domain-Celestial-Phenomenon-Over-Nuremberg.jpeg]] Celestial phenomenon over Nuremberg, March, 1561 [Public Domain Review](https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/celestial-phenomena-16th-century-germany/) > Most of the images below come from _Einblattdruck_, a form of broadsheet that consisted of a title, woodcut, and an account of wonder. These sheets could be created rapidly, disseminated widely, and purchased cheaply. News and current events were thus being printed with greater speed and reach than ever before. > Below you can browse a selection of broadsheets containing accounts of wonders, courtesy of Zurich’s [Zentralbibliothek](https://www.e-manuscripta.ch/search/quick?query=Himmelserscheinung). --- Aurora Borealis ![[Public-Domain-Warhafftige vnd erschröckliche Newe Zeyttung_ so sich am Himmel erzyget hat_ den 6. Martij_ Anno 1582 Ja_ vngefahrlich von 9. biß auff 12. vhr gestanden.jpg]] Northern lights observed over Ausburg on March 6, 1582, interpreted as an omen of disaster. ![[Public-Domain-Ein wunderbarlich Gesicht_ so am xxviij. Decembris_ im LX. Jar_ inn der Statt Nůrnberg vnd ausserhalb_ ist gesehen worden.jpg]] Report of a northern lights phenomenon observed over Nuremberg on December 28, 1560. The text interprets the natural phenomenon as a warning sign from God. ![[Public-Domain-Fire-Sky.jpeg]] Report including a pictorial representation of a northern lights phenomenon (“a great broad long flame”) over Eggolsheim near Forchheim on December 28, 1560. ![[Public-Domain-Was zu Nürnberg am Himel dises Tausendt fünffhundert zwey vnd sibenzigsten jars_ im Januario den 17. in der nacht gesehen worden ist-2.jpg]] Report of northern lights over Nuremberg on January 17, 1572, in the evening from eight o'clock until around midnight. The author of the text compares the northern lights with the heavenly glow above the Temple of Jerusalem and interprets the event as a divine sign of the end-time fire of the impending Last Judgement. Other Celestial Phenomena ![[Public-Domain-Celestial-Dragon2.jpeg]] Depiction of a star that was seen in Calabria, with a fire-breathing dragon and the zodiac sign Aquarius. The text includes a prognostication for the years 1585 to 1587, which announces numerous catastrophes and political upheavals. ![[Public-Domain-Sky.jpeg]] Halo or secondary sun apparition over the Elbe on March 21, 1551 with the silhouette of Wittenberg below. ![[Public-Domain-Celestial-City.jpeg]] “The terrible miracle of two earthquakes which happened in Rossanna and Constantinople in 1556”, interpreted as a sign of the Last Judgement, foretold by comets. Note the damage to the Hagia Sophia. ![[Public-Domain-Suns.jpeg]] Report and depiction of a halo and secondary sun apparition on January 16, 1561 over Rottenburg ob der Tauber, which is interpreted as an end-time warning sign. ![[Public-Domain-Celestial-Sun.jpeg]] "An extraordinary face appeared as the sun." Report of a halo around the sun on May 12, 1556 over Nuremberg. The celestial apparition was interpreted as a warning from God to mankind. ![[Public-Domain-Shooting-Star.jpeg]] The comet that appeared over Augsburg in November, 1577. ![[Public-Domain-Moon2.jpeg]] Report two celestial phenomena observed near Worms on November 26 and 27, ca. 1540. The astral bodies on the right are presumably comets. ![[Public-Domain-Dragon.jpeg]] Report on an ominous apparition in the sky of Lonnerstadt near Erlangen, 1558. The weather phenomenon depicted is related to the dragon of the Apocalypse as a sign of the end times in Revelation 12. ![[Public-Domain-Moon.jpeg]] A report of a nocturnal celestial apparition in the form of a letter to the royal governor of Salon-de-Provence, 1554. The apparition is interpreted as an omen of various catastrophes. ![[Public-Domain-Celestial-Phenomena-00038.jpeg]] Report and depiction of a halo and secondary sun apparition on January 16, 1561 over Rottenburg ob der Tauber, which is interpreted as an end-time warning sign. ![[Pubic-Domain-Eclipse.jpeg]] Report of the apparition on March 2, 1561 in Nuremberg. The broadsheet claims that the divine signs should be taken seriously in view of the Last Day and will lead to a penitential life on earth. --- ###### Observations from Solar Eclipse 2024 We experienced a partial eclipse. There was only the tiniest sliver of sun showing. Looking through the glasses at a bright yellow orange cookie with a larger and larger bite missing feels removed. Like it’s hard to believe it’s really happening. Meanwhile the environmental effect is very real. The light ever so slowly dimming and becoming less contrasted. Like a Supernatural filter descending on the world. (The SPN TV show - not the genre.) ![[2024-04-Eclipse-Glasses.jpeg]] The shadows (when viewed from a longer distance - like tree branches or a colander raised in the air) dance with crescents. I tried many artsy shots, but the best one seems to be this. ![[2024-04-Eclipse-Crescent.jpeg]] The eclipse challenges our sense of normalcy in a way that feels inspiring re fiction writing. What other small things (the shape of a shadow) can make the world feel magic? --- ###### Observations from Aurora Borealis 2024 I can’t believe we could actually see this in Arkansas. To be fair, the effect to the naked eye was very dull (like a mauve smudge on the sky), but the camera was like a portal into another dimension. ![[2024-AuroraBorealis-Arkansas-2024.jpg]] ![[2024-05-Aurora-Borealis-NW0Arkansas.jpg]] --- ###### 🐝 Cross Pollination [[World Building]] [[2024-04-Week-2]] [[2024-05-Week-2]] --- ###### 🌱 Gardener’s Notes Added: April 11, 2024 --- ###### 🍄 Tags #eclipse #celestial #newspaper #public-domain