RE: Pairing and heraldry in the VMs Zodiac
R. Sale > 05-04-2016, 09:27 PM
What I said was that the VMs Zodiac sequence was abnormal and "has been seen as unfamiliar, disruptive, strange and exotic" and so on. But an *abnormal* zodiac is still and abnormal *zodiac*. If it's not a zodiac, what is it? A generic nothingness? An amorphous blob? Pisces is too much like Pisces to be something else. And the second part, the zodiac medallions from Gemini onward, stands reasonably well without significant internal complications or contradictions. [Two missing medallions could be a significant problem.] But as it stands, it looks like a modified version of a standard zodiac sequence to me.
Of course, most of the attention goes to the abnormal part of the sequence. The right place, but for the wrong reasons. The sequence is too strange to see the simple truth behind it. By the time of the VMs parchment dates, due to the errors in the Julian calendar, the vernal equinox was well into Pisces. Any calendar, based on this event would have to start with Pisces. Starting with Pisces then puts the three best natural pairs (Pisces, Gemini and, with a bit of help, Cancer) into close proximity.
What does it take to create the pairing paradigm? To make it five in a row? Pure, idiosyncratic audacity. Cleave them in twain. - - It works. - And it adds to the strangeness of the text, which was seen as a desirable addition, as I see it. If the VMs makes sense, then that sense is hidden. Finding that hidden sense is a puzzle and the VMs is a series of puzzles.
The examples I cite are the examples that the VMs Zodiac illustrations provide, those that I can see. They are pairings found in the first five of the VMs Zodiac houses. So why not turn all the houses into pairs? Or is that too obvious?
Do all the astrological medallions need to be paired to fulfill the purpose of their being used?
Hiding something in an illustration is a strange conundrum. The object being hidden should look like it is not there, but it actually has to be there! If it can be clearly seen, it is not hidden. Therefore the image has to be ambiguous. And to clarify the subjective interpretation of ambiguity, a subtle collection of objective, positional confirmations.
Ideologically, the theme of pairing is found in Deuteronomy, where it says that in matters of litigation, fact should be established through the testimony of two or three witnesses. Transfer this requirement to VMs interpretation. The pairs are there to establish the paradigm. Following the pattern further is the choice of the investigator. This is a very strict requirement. And it is also a strong confirmation.
Heraldry, as a general subject, is a much better way to identify particular individuals and historical situations than with astrological medallions. Armorial heraldry was intended to identify individuals and families. Ecclesiastical heraldry is used to identify orders and ranks. The VMs combines both in a representation of a unique historical situation. The VMs is a complex and unique artifact. If it is to make sense in some way, then it will be in a way that is based on historical facts and traditions. The use of heraldry does just that, despite the illusion of the radial cloaking device. If it works, why not use it? That is to say, it was intended to function from the medieval perspective; whereas modern investigation has been much blocked by the obscurity of the relevant facts.
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