Article by Dan Green

As a writer now retired I have previously written both extensively and speculatively about apparent hidden aspects of the Gothic Lincoln Cathedral, England, specifically its North transept Rose Window which without stained glass would act as a ‘Star Clock’ enabling one to view anti-clockwise rotating circumpolar stars at 15 degrees per hour, the foundation of our clocks and watches. Somewhat fittingly, here is my last Blog and swansong…

Pic 1: The Rose Window Star Clock (Copyright Crichton Miller)

Owing to having discovered certain anomalous dog associations within Lincoln cathedral I suspected some interaction with the dog star Sirius but later found that the constellation of Ursa Major was playing some apparent role when Utterance 302 of the Pyramid Texts found on the northern face of Unas’ pyramid provided a link that may exist between the heliacal rising of Sirius and Ursa Major, there being evidence that two step pyramids constructed at Saqqara were built as if to face one another, being designed deliberately to coincide and align with stellar symbolism, and involving Sirius and Ursa Major.
In the meanwhile I was quite content with accepting that the Rose window Star Clock at the Cathedral known as the ‘Dean’s Eye’ was conveniently placed to feature study of Ursa Major, for Rose windows are always found at the West of a Cathedral but at Lincoln it faces the North, home of the dead. It survives from the original structure of the building aligned true north. Astronomical computer research revealed to me that the Cathedral was presided over by the star Arcturus, Guardian of the bear of Ursa Major. On mid-day January 17th at Lincoln Cathedral (a time and date most significant for those interested in the mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau) not only is the constellation of Ursa Major overhead but the altar faces directly at Arcturus.

Pic 2; The Constellation Cygnus the Swan

Legend has it that St Hugh, Bishop and Patron of the Cathedral from 1186-1200, had a pet swan that would follow him about everywhere raising my suspicion that this was not fact but an allegorical tale hiding the reality that it was the constellation of Cygnus the Swan that Hugh was himself following about in the night sky. Could I find evidence that Cygnus too was involved in the hidden aspects of the Cathedral and Star Clock, and why? First of all I would have to find something tangible that would connect both Cygnus and Ursa Major and I received this enlightenment in the 2006 book ‘The Cygnus Mystery’ by Andrew Collins. Collins’ own homework found that in the sky religion of the ancient Egyptians it was the dual relationship used in unison Cygnus and Ursa Major who were the hidden guardians of the ‘Meridian Line’ an imaginary line running from north to south used for astronomical observations. It was thought that this line acted in a sense as a sky ladder, the key to ascension to our natural home within the heavens exemplified by relationship of Cygnus and Ursa Major. Cygnus of course, like Ursa Major, is also a northern constellation. Could Cygnus also be visible through the Rose window as it can be seen in the northern hemisphere on 9th September as well in summer?

Pic 3: The Dean’s Eye Rose Window

In 1192 after the earthquake of 1185 that destroyed much of the Cathedral, St. Hugh was tasked with overseeing the rebuilding under his direction, being responsible for the Deans Eye (eventually constructed sometime between 1220-1235) to remain alert to any activity at the Devil’s domain in the north before clocks time was kept in this way.
A computer star map taken at midnight November 1192 (before the north transepts and Dean’s Eye was constructed) shows that the pole star does not exist but what you see to the west is Alpha Cygnus in the asterism of the Northern Cross which is about 45 degrees from the centre.

Pic 4: Star Map November 1192 midnight (Copyright Crichton Miller)

Depending on the angle and where one might stand – most likely a well-kept secret – to peer through the Dean’s Eye Rose Window if there were no glass (it actually was removed and restored after a 16 year restoration completed in April 2006) would act as a clock for viewing circumpolar stars rotating anti-clockwise at 15 degrees per hour, the foundation of our clocks and watches. It does however look suspicious as Hugh’s swan allegedly followed him around all day and at night when he slept – exactly what the constellation does as the earth rotates. So, was the Dean’s eye Star Clock deliberately constructed to allow watching the formulation of a sky ladder or stairway into Heaven owing to the interaction of Ursa major and Cygnus, if one knew exactly where to stand and when? Does this suggest in any way a link or vantage point between Lincoln cathedral and ascension to Heaven? Has it once been knowingly placed upon some long forgotten holy place?
Lincoln appears to be the pivotal point for the Winter Triangle in the North and the Summer Triangle in the South if we allow them to translate perfectly upon the landscape of the British Isles. Our Summer triangle connects with Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila with its winter counterpart doing a similar job connecting Orion, Canis Major and Canis Minor creating the imagery of Orion the Hunter along with his two hunting dogs. In its pivotal role Lincoln represents Deneb the major star in the Cygnus constellation, and the dog star of Canis Major itself – a Sirius influence again somewhere in the mix.

Pic 5: Lincoln – pivotal to Summer/Winter triangles

Cygnus is commonly known as the Northern Cross, its connection with Christianity belonging to antiquity by way of it resembles Jesus’ cross of the crucifixion, sliding down each night towards the western hemisphere. Of its six asterisms most prominent stars there is even one corresponding in approximation with the crown of thorns. The Cross on which Jesus prepared his heavenly ascension is predated by the constellation of Cygnus echoing the fate of the Greek mystery god Orpheus.

Pic 6 & 7 – Patronal Banner – the Northern Cross?

If we take a look at the Patronal Banner of Lincoln cathedral we might now be tempted to see Hugh holding what may well be the Northern Cross of Cygnus with his legendary swan staring over at the centre. There is holly at the foot and upon the cross. ‘Holm’ is another word for ‘Holly’ which can grow a full rounded root crown. A crown or corona in this instance sees Lincoln cathedral placed upon Hugh’s head with a starry heavens in the background. If one were to wonder what would geographically be at the foot of the banner in relationship to the distance to the cathedral you would find it to be Swanholme Lakes Nature Reserve no less.
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Pic 8: Swans at Brayford Pool

Swanpool, a suburb of Lincoln, is only two miles away and even nearer at Lincoln Castle adjacent to the cathedral there is the north-east tower of Cobb Hall dating from the 13th century, a cob being the name for a male swan. Brayford Pool which is directly in front of Lincoln cathedral has long been a favourite haunt for mute swans and as such they are an important symbol for the city. No shortage of swan associations then, but none as great a signature as the Rose Window’s offering of Cygnus.

Pic 9: Star gazing St Hugh stands above on the spire of the South West West Turret

Note: Thanks to both Andrew Collins and Crichton Miller for inspiring this Blog article

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