Call for Papers

On the Historical Skies: Harmonies between Heaven and Earth
Samarkand 21 - 23 October 2022

Conference Theme

From the very beginning of the observation of the heavens, people have been looking to the stars in attempts to reveal their destinies though celestial phenomena. The earliest written chronicles, myths and legends speak about connections of the cosmos to the fates of people, of the rulers of kingdoms and countries, on the appearance of prophets and leaders, on changing of dynasties and, in general, on the shaping of the historical process.

The belief that the laws of the planetary motion can be applied to social and political life led to attempts to predict the future, explore the meaning and significance of political events, and to establish laws and rules for people’s behavior.

In December 2020, Jupiter and Saturn formed a conjunction in Aquarius. In Persian theory, transmitted into the Islamic world and Medieval and Renaissance Europe, this signifies an entirely new period of history, lasting around two and a half centuries. At such moments of change, kingdoms rise and fall and new prophets appear, preaching new religious teachings.

This academic conference invites speakers to discuss how celestial phenomena have encouraged people to participate in the historical process and political events through the study, exploration and understanding of the sky through astronomical observations, religious and philosophical thought, and works of art in different eras, in different regions and different cultures.

We invite submissions to speak on the use of astronomy and astrology in politics and history, and suitable topics include the use of astrology and astronomy in interpreting the past, managing the present or predicting the future, exploring technique, theory or iconography, in any culture or time period. Papers may explore individual instances of theory or technique, or the work of individual astrologers, or examples of the implementation of the application of astronomy and astrology in politics or history.

With best regards,

Dr. Nicholas Campion
Dr. Frances Clynes,
Karine Dilanian, MA

Abstracts should be 3,000 characters maximum, and include three academic references. Please use the abstract upload form below.

Also, please include a short biography of 3,000 characters maximum.

Deadline for submission: 15th June 2022.

All applicants will be notified about the result by the 25 June.

Publication: all speakers will be invited to submit to an anthology for publication by the Sophia Centre Press in partnership with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Abstract Submission Form

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