I love this painting — something about it, I’m not sure. It’s called The Journey of the Magi, painted by French painter James Tissot around 1894. According to the story, their names were Balthasar, Caspar and Melchior. They are regarded variously as kings, wise men or magi; they were astrologers, as they were well informed (as magi) and following the prophesy of an unusual star. They refused to meet with Herod a second time, despite his instructing them to return to him, and thus did not betray the location of the infant Jesus. I propose that Jan. 6 be elected by all Christian faiths to be the day of tribute to astrologers.
The vibrant yellow causes this painting to stand out among many of the Magi. This brilliance against the spartan (yet detailed) landscape gives the astrologers an importance and mystical quality not always felt in other portrayals. . Tissot painted this (c. 1894) after several trips to Palestine where he studied the landscape, people, lighting. Prior to this his work was mostly of european socialites.
This painting almost feels “modern”.
Lovely choice for the first Astrologer’s Day. Thx, E.
Seeing the Magi as astrologers is a redemption of a story that has otherwise been convoluted to fit into the Christian canon of scripture.
Eric, thanks for the great image of the traveling Magi. May we all find a bright star to enlighten us in astrology.
Not to diminish the Magi, but to provide a laugh to all in this coldest time, do check out John Goodman, Robert DeNiro and Sylvester Stallone in the Three Wise Guys (Three Wise Men) skit from SNL from mid-December. Some of the funniest dialog I have heard in a long time. Enjoy. http://theweek.com/article/index/254165/snl-watch-de-niro-stallone-and-john-goodman-play-the-three-wise-guys
JannKinz
“Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream
Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream
My shangri-la beneath the summer moon, I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin’ through Kashmir”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfR_HWMzgyc
just found this documentary this weekend, haven’t had a chance to watch yet but an interesting proposal that “The three wise men were Buddhist monks who found Jesus and came back for him around puberty…” – http://esotericquotes.com/movies/jesus-buddhist-monk-bbc-documentary/
why only christian faiths? do other faiths have astrology days? i’d hug an astrologer every day if i could. can you feel me now? 😉 Ox~s
Unusual Occurrences in The Desert.
Of course, the infant Yeshua, surrounded as he was in the manger by new lambs, would have been born in the Spring. I’ll bet those wise astrologers of old looked to the Aries point, with is was the Equinox point 2K years back, to know when good things were going down on the Eastern shore of the Middle Earth Sea.
((()))
Glorious idea! We all need t-shirts that read “Have you hugged your astrologer today???”
In the meantime, Epiphany is the start of the carnival season that ends at Mardi Gras and Lent. I love the multiculturalism of the US, with every single day dedicated to one holiday or another. I love the painting too. Thanks for telling the story Eric.
I love the yellow robes, I’ve read that yellow is a color of wisdom. Yes, today should be the day to honor all astrologers!
from Liz Webb
Traditionally … Melchior was Persian, Caspar/Gaspar was Indian, and Balthazar was Arabian. Some think they may have ALL been Persian or Yemeni Jews. Gaspar is a short version of “Gudapharasa/Gundopharron” (referred to in the book of Thomas) … the king for whom the City of Kandahar (the city he founded) was named. Afghan was part of Persia.
It is likely they were all Persians (Zoroastrians) who believed that the rise of a birlliant star would accompany the birth of a ruler of fire and light. In fact, it is believed that the Christian division of good vs. evil is completely derived from Zoroastrianism and that the rise of this star signalled the coming of Azur Mazda (Illuminating Wisdom) who would oppose Angra Mainyu (Destruction).
To protect the location of this child from Herrod – who it is said had questioned them on their way to the child ad was to have questioned them on their return – they returned by another route, on which they died. Their remains are said to have been collect and made their way to Germany; housed in the Shrine of the Kings in Cologne … which is the largest known reliquary in the world.
about an hour ago
I love this too: is it the camels, the mountains, the sky, that vibrant yellow? I can’t say, but it is very beautiful.
I second that motion if it includes everyone else, too!