THE MYSTERIOUS ORIGIN OF THE MOON
And the Non-Moon of Genesis
The most beautiful object in our sky is the moon, and next to the sun, it is by far the most conspicuous. It comes and goes bit by bit every month. We look at it. We study it. We still write poetry about it even though some of its mystery and mystique have faded since we visited it.
It is our constant companion. Has it not always been so? Scientists tell us that it preceded our species by millions of years.
There are three major competing theories of the moon’s origin. One holds that it and the Earth condensed out of the same cloud of stellar dust at the same time long, long ago (the uniformitarian’s origin of choice). It has been argued that such condensation is not possible, but this notion has a tenacious grip on many minds.
Another proposes that the moon came from the distant reaches of the solar system and was captured by Earth more than 4 billion years ago.
The third is the concept of cleavage, or terrestrial fission—the idea that the moon, by an uncertain mechanism, was ejected from the earth. This event usually is ascribed to an ancient prehistoric period, but unorthodox proposals are occasionally heard for an era after the advent of man.
It is our constant companion. Has it not always been so? Scientists tell us that it preceded our species by millions of years.
There are three major competing theories of the moon’s origin. One holds that it and the Earth condensed out of the same cloud of stellar dust at the same time long, long ago (the uniformitarian’s origin of choice). It has been argued that such condensation is not possible, but this notion has a tenacious grip on many minds.
Another proposes that the moon came from the distant reaches of the solar system and was captured by Earth more than 4 billion years ago.
The third is the concept of cleavage, or terrestrial fission—the idea that the moon, by an uncertain mechanism, was ejected from the earth. This event usually is ascribed to an ancient prehistoric period, but unorthodox proposals are occasionally heard for an era after the advent of man.
Now orthodox cosmogonies, like orthodox geology, adhere religiously to uniformitarianism (the present is the key to the past), with no regard for ancient records that might indicate a different history for Earth and its moon.
But do any ancient stories indicate anything other than a uniformitarian history for the moon? Whose culture can remember when the moon was not with us? The memory of its ancient presence seems to be preserved in some of our oldest literature, the Book of Genesis: “And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. . . .” (Genesis 1:16). Regardless of whether they classify the first chapter of Genesis as history or as poetry, believers and skeptics alike have always agreed on how to interpret the terms of this passage. What could be more obvious than the “greater light” of the sun to “rule the day” and the “lesser light” of the moon to “rule the night,” even though the sun and moon are not explicitly identified? Within our experience, this seems to be the only possible interpretation.
Moonless Nights
In March 1973, however, I suggested that “lesser light” might be a reference to a genuine source of light—a light-emitting body unknown to modern eyes—rather than to the moon. This same idea was later put forth in a claim that there is undeniable evidence that the concept of a NIGHT-sun as well as a DAY-sun existed in ancient Babylonian thought; according to authors L. M. Greenberg and W. B. Sizemore, these “suns” were viewed, respectively, as the lesser and greater chief lights of heaven.
Could the moon actually have been preceded by, and now be confused with, an object no longer known or recognized?
In May 1973, Immanuel Velikovsky published a short article citing several references to an alleged ancient era in man’s memory when there was no moon. In summary, he states:
The traditions of diverse people offer corroborative testimony to the effect that in a very early age, but still in the memory of mankind, no moon accompanied the earth. Since human beings already peopled the earth, it is improbable that the moon sprang from it; there must have existed a solid lithosphere, not a liquid earth. Thus it is more probable that the moon was captured by the earth.
In May 1973, Immanuel Velikovsky published a short article citing several references to an alleged ancient era in man’s memory when there was no moon. In summary, he states:
The traditions of diverse people offer corroborative testimony to the effect that in a very early age, but still in the memory of mankind, no moon accompanied the earth. Since human beings already peopled the earth, it is improbable that the moon sprang from it; there must have existed a solid lithosphere, not a liquid earth. Thus it is more probable that the moon was captured by the earth.
The truth of this allegation could imply that the Genesis account was recorded after a lunar capture. But a late appearance of the moon would explain the lack of a reference to months in the first chapter of Genesis even though days, seasons, and years are mentioned. Months are correlated, of course, with the moon’s orbital period.
The first biblical reference to months is in relation to the chronology of the Deluge. This would imply that the moon was no stranger to man at that time. Between the first chapter of Genesis and the Deluge, however, there is no allusion to the introduction of the moon. We must look elsewhere if we are to find a more definite contrast between the lesser light and the moon.
The first biblical reference to months is in relation to the chronology of the Deluge. This would imply that the moon was no stranger to man at that time. Between the first chapter of Genesis and the Deluge, however, there is no allusion to the introduction of the moon. We must look elsewhere if we are to find a more definite contrast between the lesser light and the moon.
A Diminished Light
The sought-after connection resides in various traditions—a commingling of recollections contrasting two quite dissimilar objects—suggesting that the nature of “the moon” was not always the same as we know it to be.
From the Bomitaba in Africa:
Once upon a time there were two suns, the one we have and the moon. It was very tiresome for mankind, which being constantly in heat and light could not rest comfortably. One day one of the suns suggested to the other that they should both bathe, and pretended to jump in[to] a river; the other threw itself in and was quenched. Since that time there is only one sun, and though the moon lights men it no longer warms them.
Once upon a time there were two suns, the one we have and the moon. It was very tiresome for mankind, which being constantly in heat and light could not rest comfortably. One day one of the suns suggested to the other that they should both bathe, and pretended to jump in[to] a river; the other threw itself in and was quenched. Since that time there is only one sun, and though the moon lights men it no longer warms them.
The Luyia of Kenya say that “God created the Moon first and then the Sun. In the beginning the Moon was bigger and brighter, and the envious Sun attacked his elder brother. They wrestled . . . and the Moon was thrown in the mud and dirt splashed over him so that he was not so bright. God intervened . . . [and said] that the Sun would be brighter henceforth and shine during the day. . . . The Moon would only shine at night.”[ The term elder brother lends support to the argument being made here.]
And from the Hebrews:
“Thou didst create the heaven and the earth, the heaven exceeding the earth . . . and now thou hast created the sun and the moon, and it is becoming that one of them should be greater than the other” [said the moon]. Then spake God to the moon: “I know well, thou wouldst have me make Thee greater than the sun. As a punishment I decree that thou mayest keep but one-sixtieth of thy light.” The moon made supplication: “Shall I be punished so severely for having spoken a single word?” God relented: “In the future world I will restore thy light, so that thy light may again be as the light of the sun.”
“Thou didst create the heaven and the earth, the heaven exceeding the earth . . . and now thou hast created the sun and the moon, and it is becoming that one of them should be greater than the other” [said the moon]. Then spake God to the moon: “I know well, thou wouldst have me make Thee greater than the sun. As a punishment I decree that thou mayest keep but one-sixtieth of thy light.” The moon made supplication: “Shall I be punished so severely for having spoken a single word?” God relented: “In the future world I will restore thy light, so that thy light may again be as the light of the sun.”
Finally, the Navajos have a myth that says that since time was assigned, there have been twelve moons (one each month of the year), whereas before there was only one moon. The Navajo myth suggests that an unknown celestial object preceded the moon. It was constant in the heavens; it was an object that did not experience twelve deaths and rebirths each year as does the moon.
An Unorthodox Conclusion
We thus may visualize a magnificent luminous sphere, an immense golden orb, in addition to the sun, as having been at one time a familiar presence in Earth’s sky. Long since forgotten, it left no discernable evidence of its former status—no physical record.
And then the moon appeared, making obscure even the written record.
Our solar system is not what it once was. It is not difficult to see in these various traditions veiled remembrances of the change that has been suggested: the passing of a large celestial source of light and the introduction of a smaller and merely reflective, dimmer entity. The moon did indeed follow a more splendid predecessor and was captured by our planet within man’s memory. (Follow the trail in my book.)
And then the moon appeared, making obscure even the written record.
Our solar system is not what it once was. It is not difficult to see in these various traditions veiled remembrances of the change that has been suggested: the passing of a large celestial source of light and the introduction of a smaller and merely reflective, dimmer entity. The moon did indeed follow a more splendid predecessor and was captured by our planet within man’s memory. (Follow the trail in my book.)
Copyright 2011 by James Strickling
www.jimstrickling.com
www.jimstrickling.com
Above is an excerpt from MAN AND HIS PLANET – An Unauthorized History by James E. Strickling, Eloquent Books ISBN: 978-1-60693-099-1.
- The Origin of Language
- The Mysterious Origin of the Moon
- Noah’s Flood
- The Tower of Babel and The Confusion of Tongues
- Sodom & Gomorrah (For What Really Happened to …)
- Archaeoelectrics and the Israelites
- New Testament Archaeoelectrics – The Electric Spirit of Pentacost
About the Author
James Strickling holds degrees in electrical engineering and marketing. He is also a cum laude graduate in Interdisciplinary Studies (natural sciences, ancient history, philosophy). He is a former N.A.S.A. contractor and a former Member of the AT&T Technical Staff. He also taught mathematics for fifteen years at Georgia State University. Mr. Strickling has published numerous articles in interdisciplinary journals in the United States and Europe. His research and insight have led to many remarkable and original observations concerning earth’s mysterious history.
MAN AND HIS PLANET: An Unauthorized History is a truly objective study of the creationism/evolution controversy. It examines both sides of this issue by employing each side’s supporting arguments to refute its own conclusions. An extraordinary alternative fills the resulting void. It also presents an astonishing picture of earth’s history, dealing at length with natural electrical phenomena occurring in antiquity and recorded in ancient documents, the Bible among them. Such phenomena would not be obvious to the typical anthropologist or historian. But thanks to his electrical engineering background and an unfettered perspective, Strickling has shed a surprising new light on a number of ancient mysteries.
Book Reviews
From Simon Barrett, Blogger News Network
I am the first to admit that I am a 55 year old man that still acts like a two year old. There is a one word question that I ask over and over again, Why? It is a simple three letter word, and I have used it so often I am surprised that I have not worn it out. It is however one of the very best questions that anyone of any age can ask. Give it a try, pick any subject, and prefix it with the word WHY. You might surprise yourself with the answer.
Author James Strickling asks why? Not why do the bills keep growing, nor why do gas prices keep increasing. He asks a far bigger why? The cosmic why?
Author James Strickling asks why? Not why do the bills keep growing, nor why do gas prices keep increasing. He asks a far bigger why? The cosmic why?
I have read books preaching Creationism, and I have read books that decry it in the name of Natural Selection, or the more popular term Darwinism. Both offer convincing arguments. If you explore either side of the argument you discover some most inconvenient issues.
I actually rather enjoy them. Watching Creationists and Darwinists go at each other is far more entertaining than any sporting event could ever be!
When I discovered James Strickling and his new book Man And His Planet I just knew that it was on my reading list.
When I discovered James Strickling and his new book Man And His Planet I just knew that it was on my reading list.
James Strickling has created an interesting and thought provoking book. He has opted to tread in the no-mans minefield of exploring both sides of the argument. A position that puts him in the ‘cross hairs’ of both sides.
The is a very old saying, there are three versions to every story, there is mine, there is yours, and there is the truth which lays somewhere in the middle. It is that middle that Man and His Planet explores. Some of the themes at first seem well trodden paths, but James Strickling manages to take them in new directions.
The is a very old saying, there are three versions to every story, there is mine, there is yours, and there is the truth which lays somewhere in the middle. It is that middle that Man and His Planet explores. Some of the themes at first seem well trodden paths, but James Strickling manages to take them in new directions.
What I find interesting in the contest between the Creationists and and Darwinists is how both sides take the same ‘data sets’ and interpret them for their own advantage. For example, I can not think of a single book on the subject that does not explore the life and times of the lowly Pepper Moth. It is so famous it should have its own Reality TV series!
Depending on how you use the Pepper Moth story you can debunk Darwin and the slow process of evolution. Equally you can use the Pepper Moth to bolster Natural Selection. In some ways it is the glass half empty, glass half full conundrum.
Depending on how you use the Pepper Moth story you can debunk Darwin and the slow process of evolution. Equally you can use the Pepper Moth to bolster Natural Selection. In some ways it is the glass half empty, glass half full conundrum.
One area that James Strickling dares to broach in Man And His Planet is that of verbal, and written communication. It is a very complex subject, and one that certainly bothers me. There are numerous species that vocalize, however, the vocalization tends to reflect emotion, Pain, Fear, Happiness, Friendship, etc, rather than more complex constructs. How did man develop linguistics?
Equally baffling is the diversity of languages. It is easy, or at least relatively easy to understand the origins of English. Parts are borrowed from Latin, Greek, and some more contemporary cultures. But where did Latin come from?
Equally baffling is the diversity of languages. It is easy, or at least relatively easy to understand the origins of English. Parts are borrowed from Latin, Greek, and some more contemporary cultures. But where did Latin come from?
If we assume the Natural Selection model we run into a bit of a problem. We should all be essentially talking the same language. Of course there would be regional differences, products and even concepts may exist in country A, but not in country B. But surely both would share common concepts, and common vocalizations. But we do not see that. So how did language evolve?
Man And His Planet is not one of those tedious 1000 page rambles, it is a compact 216 pages, with another 40 pages of references and index. But within the 216 pages James Strickling manages to cover an enormous amount of ground. Regardless of your position on Creationism or Darwinism this book is well worth reading.
I will end this review with a comment I made earlier, there are three versions to every story, Yours, Mine, and the Truth.
Read More Other Unsolved Mysteries article!
