Signs & Seasons: Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy

Using the biblical use of astronomy--for signs and seasons--as a foundation, this illustrated book will take a deeper look at the stars and sun we so often view. Filled with notes on historical practices, readers learn about where the terms A.M. and P.M came from, how Passover is linked to astronomical cycles, and the biblical heritage of timekeeping through the sky! 40 pages of field activities are included as well. 225 pages with index and astronomical tables.

Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered why God made so many stars? In school we often learn how far away the stars are; that the sun is a great ball of nuclear fusion; and that Mars looks red because of the iron oxide in its rocks. Most of what we hear about in the “scientific” news is regarding grand theories like the big bang or cosmic strings. Yet, from the beginning of time to a little over a hundred years ago, nobody would have thought of the stars as pointless! Genesis 1:14 says: “And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.”

Jay Ryan, a former editor of Sky and Telescope magazine, now teaches homeschoolers how to use the sky as God intended. This method even has a cool name: Sky Craft. Students saturate their minds with the constellations and their practical applications, such as timekeeping and navigation. The author takes a visual approach to what he says is a “visual” science. He fills his pages with more than 400 simple illustrations of what can be seen with the naked eye. Not only does he teach you about classical astronomy and Sky Craft, but he also teaches the history of this wondrous science.

Numerous biblical passages and quotes from the great minds of the ancient world (Geminus, Cicero, Macrobius, and Aratus) fit seamlessly into the lessons. The 40 pages of field activities have step-by-step detailed instruction. Though intended for junior high and high school science credit, the book can be used by the whole family or as a gift for any stargazer. Book is 262 pages, hardcover; field journal and test manual is 192 pages, softcover. From Fourth Day Press.

---Nigel

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Amanda Bennett (Chattanooga, TN), July 17, 2009

With all of the attention on space this month, I thought that I would share an exciting curriculum discovery – Signs & Seasons: Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy, by Jay Ryan. For those of you with curious children and an interest in space, this book brings a practical and thorough answer to teaching them about astronomy in a way that they will always remember. No telescope required, just eyes and time and a desire to learn. This book presents a Biblical presentation of classical astronomy, using scripture and great illustrations with the lessons to clearly take the reader by the hand and learn about the signs and seasons and clockwork of the heavens. Great for a family project, this book also provides an independent 7-12th grader with an unforgettable course. Well written, Signs & Seasons provides a hands-on understanding of so many terms and ideas used in the study of astronomy. For high school students using this curriculum, Mr. Ryan has also developed Signs & Seasons: Field Journal and Test Manual, a Workbook for Establishing High School Credit. As an engineer, mom, and author, I can honestly say that this is a rare find for families that want to learn more about God’s heavens. I find myself reading through the pages and watching the sky at night more often these days. My thanks go to the author, Jay Ryan, for taking the time and writing this text for the up and coming generation of believers and seekers!

Reviewed by Wes Callihan (Potlatch, Idaho), April 21, 2009

For most of history, until the advent of electric lights, everyone knew the constellations, the names and paths of the stars and planets, and the phases of the moon; and they could roughly tell time by the stars as well as by the sun. Furthermore, throughout western history, astronomy was considered one of the seven liberal arts, a knowledge that was not only interesting but elevating like poetry and music, and intellectually strengthening like mathematics; and because of that, references to the heavens are everywhere in literature and poetry, and so we miss out on a large part of their meaning because we no longer know the heavens. The entire upper half of our vision when we're outdoors at night is terra incognita to us. It doesn't have to be that way. I've been teaching classical astronomy for many years, and Jay Ryan's Signs and Seasons is the best text I know of for those teaching at home who want to participate in this important part of our cultural heritage. Jay's fascinating and systematic presentation of the fundamentals of the heavens, his quotations from authors throughout history, and his clear and illuminating illustrations all serve to create interest as well as understanding. His supplementary materials go even further in helping the home teacher to lead their student through the process of understanding the heavens. Best of all, Jay's method and sequence of introducing the appropriate information reinforces the classical method of learning - that is, the process of studying astronomy through this text reinforces the development of clear understanding of particulars (grammar), a vigorous understanding of the connections between those particulars (logic), and a coherent expression of both (rhetoric). The text encourages reason as well as delight.

Reviewed by Perla Sarmiento de Adams (Saudi Arabia), April 20, 2009

Few months after its publication, I got a copy of Sign and Seasons. My intention was to use the book as a unit study in the homeschooling vacation. Being close to that time, I took it from the bookshelves, and oh no, I can not believe I leave this book all these months sleeping in the bookshelves. Signs and Seasons is one of the most well written books I have seen for homeschoolers. It takes you by the hand thru a new area for us twenty-one century citizens. Classical Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences and has been one of the most important subjects in all human history. The Classical Astronomy has been neglected by modern curriculums. This one tome curriculum is recommended for children 13 years and up, but is so well written and has many quotations from the Scriptures and ancient, medieval and modern authors. I am using it to read at loud to my four year old son. The book has also many illustrations, not the type to entertain children, the ones for learning. The book in addition to cover the major topics in classical astronomy has a large glossary of terms, short biographies of the quoted authors, and Field Activities. This is the kind of curriculum that you can study as a family, going all together to observe the night sky, dusting off your ability to observe and just enjoy God wonderful creation.

Reviewed by Jean in Wisconsin (Wisconsin), January 10, 2009

As soon as my copy of Signs and Seasons arrived, I started out reading rapidly through several chapters, but I soon snapped the book shut--and reopened it at the beginning; there was too much fascinating information in each chapter that I was going to miss if I continued dashing through the book! To be truthful with you, I was puzzled at first by the old script and ornate language Jay had used for the introductory pages. As I read, I found that they were modeled after the style of the old colonial almanacs which were written at a time when the knowledge of basic astronomy was more commonly known. From ancient times to the Colonial era, the average person knew much more about the rising and setting sun, the seasonal changes in the night sky, the phases of the moon, and the dance of the planets. It was not until we had the technology of modern times that people could live day to day without that knowledge. This book offers us a chance to learn and understand what our ancestors knew—and more. Jay takes us step-by-step through classical astronomy—the traditional and historical study of the cosmos that anyone with access to a clear night sky can learn. No expensive or fancy equipment is needed—just this text and a little time out of doors. Throughout the text, there are numerous illustrations to help us understand the concepts such as the tilt of the earth, the path of the sun, the seasonal changes of the constellations, the zodiac, equinoxes, and solstices. In the back of the book there is a section of field activities—dozens of hands-on activities and instructions that direct the students to go outside and observe. This book could be used as a one or two semester class depending upon how much time was spent doing the field activities. This is a great introduction to the cosmos that I highly recommend!

Reviewed by Trudy (Stratford, NJ), November 12, 2008

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in preparation for teaching an astronomy course to elementary students. While I did not do the experiments suggested, I was able to increase my understanding of the sky. It has been a great resource and has provided inspiration as to what to teach at the lower level. I would highly recommend it as an introductory book to anybody who wants to start learning astronomy as the ancients understood it.

Reviewed by Kathleen (Stafford, VA), June 03, 2008

Signs & Seasons focuses on "Classical Astronomy," which is about getting to know the sky as opposed to the physics of the universe. Designed to be used without a telescope, it teaches how to observe the sky as the ancients once did. What struck me right away was how beautifully it is written. The author discusses how human existence, until recently, has been connected to the changing rhythms and cycles of the sky. I was filled with a yearning to recover that intimacy. Much of the text is devoted to vocabulary and the etymology of the terms used, referencing Greek, Latin and even Old English roots. Several hundred illustrations make the concepts easy to comprehend. The field activities are interesting and clearly explained. The end of the book contains a glossary, tables to help locate the constellations at different times of the year, a bibliography and an index. This course, designed to be used with high schoolers, needs to be logged and documented because it does not fit easily into a "read a chapter, take the test" kind of schedule. Keep track of the hours spent studying and doing the field activities and then translate those hours into a high school credit. I am doing the course with my 9yo and 11yo, which requires a bit of tweaking, but so far it has not been a problem. The overwhelming message of the book is that man has lost the familiarity he once had with God's heavenly creation. This was a natural consequence of inventing mechanical time keepers. Since we no longer *need* the sky to live our lives in a practical way, we no longer take notice of it. This course creates and satisfies a desire to know about the sky and its inhabitants. Acquiring this knowledge is necessary to consider oneself truly educated.

Reviewed by Cindy Downes (Broken Arrow, OK), September 16, 2007

My first impression when I picked up this curriculum was - how do I read this? The author uses fonts and text that emulate the style of Colonial Almanacks. Those of you who use a Classical method of homeschooling will feel quite at home; however, for those of us who do not, it presents a bit of a challenge. Once you get past the preface, however, a majority of the text is in a modern style. The text offers a complete study in astronomy as well as suggestions for further reading, astronomical tables, brief biographies of quoted authors "with an emphasis on their relevance to classical astronomy," a glossary, and field activities. The section on field activities presents ideas on creating a field journal, as well as many hands-on activities that will make the unit much more meaningful. For instance, in Chapter 1, you will create a backyard compass which will be used throughout the year for observing the skies. There are also instructions on how to sketch the earth's rotation, and the sun's daily motion. A globe activity helps students understand the geocentric and heliocentric theory. Directions for creating a volvelle to illustrate the daily motion of the sun are included as well as a journal entry suggestion for a classical astronomy time line. Also included is a pair of Eclipse Shades for safe solar viewing. I heartily recommend this book to those who enjoy the Classical method of homeschooling as well as those who desire to give their children an in-depth look at astronomy from a Biblical perspective.

Reviewed by Paula (Denver, CO), August 12, 2007

Jay Ryan does and outstanding job of explaining astronomy in terms simple enough for anyone to understand!! I am very impressed with this easy-to-understand, God honoring book. Jay Ryan has a passion for astronomy and for giving God the glory He deserves. There are plenty of hands on field activities to reinforce the info in each chapter. The field activities can also be counted towards high school credits if you home school. This is the BEST astronomy book I've seen!

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Author: Jay Ryan
Located in: Cleveland, Ohio
Submitted: July 19, 2007

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I'm a Christian home school dad in Cleveland, Ohio, the father of five children (three sons and two daughters). My wife Debbie and I have been married nearly 20 years.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  In studying astronomy over the years, particularly the early American almanacs, it became clear that for centuries astronomy had been done to the glory of God. Words of praise to the LORD filled these almanacs. The world has forgotten classical astronomy, choosing instead to dwell on evolutionary theories and exotic, theoretical bodies that no one can see. It is hoped that the traditional study of the Sun, Moon, and stars can be reclaimed for Jesus by a young generation of students here in the 21st century.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  It is my hope that students of all ages will rediscover the wonderful order the LORD has established in the sky and truly appreciate how "the heavens declare the glory of God." (Psalm 19:1)

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  The inspiration for this project came from reading the great works of astronomy -- works of science and also literature. Many books were read from classical, medieval, and early modern times, authors including Cicero, Chaucer, Galileo and many more. I also came to love the astronomical almanacs of colonial America, an early source of science and literature among the Founding Fathers. Through this study, it became increasingly clear that classical astronomy had been studied throughout history but became neglected during the 19th century -- a state of affairs that continues today.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  We offer the Classical Astronomy Update, a free newsletter of astronomy for Christian home schoolers (though everyone is welcome). You can sign up at www.ClassicalAstronomy.com. Feel free to drop an email anytime.

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