The central proposition of this book is that the evidence of stories and images from around the world suggests that most cultures passed through a stage of interpreting the human condition through the Moon. And these myths are the original form of what was later called philosophy. Nearly 50 words can be traced back to their origin in the word "moon", including man, mind, mental measurement mathematics, omen, meditate, madness, remember. How is it that the moon has become so central to our vocabulary and, from this, our lives? Jules Cashford draws on art and mythology, poetry and literature, archaeology and psychology from around the globe to explore how the light of the moon has shed itself over every dark corner of our history. As well as exploring prehistoric archaeological remains, and the arts in many ancient civilizations, myths of cultures from across the world are recounted and analyzed for the light they shine on this potent symbol: from Artemis and Diana through the Hare in the Moon in China and the Sudanese myth of the Moon Bull. We even discover the reason for the Easter Bunny - and why a male bunny lays eggs.
- ISBN10 0297842234
- ISBN13 9780297842231
- Publish Date 14 June 2001
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 21 February 2005
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 352
- Language English