The secrets of the universe in 100 symbols / Sarah Bartlett.

Includes index.

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have felt compelled to engage with, understand, and control the universe. From 17,000-year-old shamanic cave paintings at Lascaux, France, to the ancient Egyptian mysteries of Isis and the strange runic inscriptions of the Vikings, the desire to harness these unseen powers has inspired, baffled, and seduced people everywhere. Clues to ancient beliefs and religions have been left around the globe by individuals and cultures, in symbols, inscriptions, monuments, and sacred objects. Organized thematically into four chapters-The Natural World, The Divine World, Signs and Systems, and The Mystic World-The Secrets of the Universe in 100 Symbols is a beautifully illustrated compendium of 100 diverse arcane objects, emblems, and icons that provide insight into and understanding of the mysteries of the universe. From the Aztec Calendar Stone and the Spear of Destiny to magic circles and Navaho sand paintings, each relic, representation, and code is presented and analyzed in detail to reveal the beliefs and practices of past civilizations from all around the globe. Astrologist Sarah Bartlett also explores what signs and symbols disclose about the deities worshipped by our ancestors, from creator gods and mother goddesses to Norse, Inca, and Hindu gods. Through every age and culture, philosophers, astrologers, prophets, poets, and artists have whispered secrets to pharaohs, statesmen, kings, and queens. Engaging and informative text brings to light the secrets and intrigues that surround each mysterious object and the beliefs of the people who used them, and highlights how to decode their signs and symbols.