VMs: Re: Folio 57v

[Nick Pelling <incoming@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi GC,

> In order to do this, the label outside the ring
> would have only one meaning - the 'north', 'pole'
> or 'artike' star.  There are a host of name
> variations for this.  the outside ring of very
> short names have to be star alignments, therefore
> star names.  I would expect the single character
> words to be probably numerical equivalents for the
> zodiac signs, and the rest to be names of 'fixed
> stars' within that particular zodiac house.

If the alphabet itself was derived from astrological signs, then some of 
the single characters may actually be those ones derived from the 
appropriate sign.

For example, in the arrangement I've been looking at, the looped picnic 
table is located within Sagittarius - and it's not hard to see 
(steganographically hidden within the symbol) the cross, shaft, and head of 
the Sagittarian glyph.

As normal, in the absence of more definitive proof, this may simply be 
projection on my part (and I don't mean the alchemical kind - no silver 
quoits in my house). :-)

> I'd welcome any advice at all on where to find
> information on the construction of these devices.
> I have several books from this time period with
> similar volvelles, and I'm going to spend some
> time going back and reading these sections very
> carefully.  In the meantime I'm open to new ideas
> on this that might explain different uses for this
> device.

I'm currently talking with some volvelle experts (there aren't that many 
out there), so will ask for their recommendations on this & pass them on.

Incidentally, I've also ordered a copy (for $15) of the uncompressed TIFF 
for this page from the Beinecke - Juan Rivera-Herrera (who's now in charge 
of VMS-related queries there) highly commends the quality of the TIFFs, so 
I can't wait to see what I get for my money. :-)

Closer examination has already yielded some nearly-invisible text beside 
the radial label at 7pm in the middle - with a bit of image enhancement, we 
may be able to make out what it says...

Cheers, .....Nick Pelling.....