[Note: The following essay is a continuation in a different vein
of my previous essay titled “Seeing Red: Will Betelgeuse Go Supernova in 2012?” http://www.theorionzone.com/betelgeuse_supernova_2012.pdf]
Part 1: Alpha Orionis to Omega Terra
“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” Revelation 8:10–11
This famous passage from the Bible identifies Wormwood as a large star that will fall upon the earth in the End Times, poisoning the waters. During the course of this essay I will explore the possibility that this stellar body may refer to Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis), the right shoulder of Orion. I cite examples of its importance in primarily the Mayan, Hopi, Hebrew, Egyptian, Hindu, and Tibetan cultures. In the second part of the essay, I will discuss the role that the metal copper plays in regard to this constellation.
Wormwood is mentioned many times in the scriptures, usually in the context of bitterness, and is frequently linked with gall. This metaphorical meaning refers to the plant Artemisia absinthium, the leaves of which are particularly bitter. Thus, wormwood (lower case) signifies bitter sorrow and calamity.
The Hebrew word for wormwood is la'anah, which literally means “curse.”1 The Akkadian word Uri-anna, or “Light of Heaven,’ refers, significantly perhaps, to Orion.
Another biblical reference to wormwood includes a reference to Orion in the same sentence.
“Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:” Amos 5:7–8
In this warning to idolaters, the “seven stars” may be a reference to the northern constellation Arcturus, whereas Orion is a southern constellation. Note as well the further reference to waters, a possible flood, and the turning of day into darkness and vice versa.
Another verse continues the motif of Yahweh’s admonition to sinners who seek false idols, adding the threat of exile and ultimate annihilation. Note again the reference to non-potable water.
“And The Lord saith, Because they have forsaken My Law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My Voice, neither walked therein; But have walked
after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: Therefore thus saith The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.” Jeremiah 9:13–16
of my previous essay titled “Seeing Red: Will Betelgeuse Go Supernova in 2012?” http://www.theorionzone.com/betelgeuse_supernova_2012.pdf]
Part 1: Alpha Orionis to Omega Terra
“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” Revelation 8:10–11
This famous passage from the Bible identifies Wormwood as a large star that will fall upon the earth in the End Times, poisoning the waters. During the course of this essay I will explore the possibility that this stellar body may refer to Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis), the right shoulder of Orion. I cite examples of its importance in primarily the Mayan, Hopi, Hebrew, Egyptian, Hindu, and Tibetan cultures. In the second part of the essay, I will discuss the role that the metal copper plays in regard to this constellation.
Wormwood is mentioned many times in the scriptures, usually in the context of bitterness, and is frequently linked with gall. This metaphorical meaning refers to the plant Artemisia absinthium, the leaves of which are particularly bitter. Thus, wormwood (lower case) signifies bitter sorrow and calamity.
The Hebrew word for wormwood is la'anah, which literally means “curse.”1 The Akkadian word Uri-anna, or “Light of Heaven,’ refers, significantly perhaps, to Orion.
Another biblical reference to wormwood includes a reference to Orion in the same sentence.
“Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:” Amos 5:7–8
In this warning to idolaters, the “seven stars” may be a reference to the northern constellation Arcturus, whereas Orion is a southern constellation. Note as well the further reference to waters, a possible flood, and the turning of day into darkness and vice versa.
Another verse continues the motif of Yahweh’s admonition to sinners who seek false idols, adding the threat of exile and ultimate annihilation. Note again the reference to non-potable water.
“And The Lord saith, Because they have forsaken My Law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My Voice, neither walked therein; But have walked
after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: Therefore thus saith The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.” Jeremiah 9:13–16
The term Baalim, referring to biblical “false gods,” is the plural of Ba’al, which was the Phoenician god of the rain, thunder, fertility, and agriculture. The name literally means “master” or “lord.” Baal was also the Canaanite storm god.
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