The Gnostalgia Podcast On The Stars w/ Michal Paszkiewicz
Dec 26, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Michal Paszkiewicz, an independent scholar of the history of science with a focus on ancient astronomy, delves into the profound connections between stars and human culture. He explores how ancient civilizations utilized celestial alignments in their rituals and agricultural cycles. Michal also reflects on the lost art of navigating by stars due to urbanization and the impact of technology. The conversation highlights shifts in cosmology and the enduring quest for meaning in our relationship with the cosmos.
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How A Moon Hobby Became Historical Inquiry
- Michal Paszkiewicz began by tracing his interest to looking at the Moon and translating Riccioli's crater names.
- That led him to discover astronomy's deep ancient roots and Mesopotamian predictive models.
Stars As Practical Divine Guides
- The Magi's star fits into a long tradition where stars guided ritual timing and life decisions.
- Ancient cultures used stellar cycles to plan harvests and sacred festivals, linking cosmos to survival.
Long Barrows Prioritized The Dead And The Stars
- Michal describes European long barrows often aligned to stellar risings, showing funerary architecture linked to the sky.
- He notes more effort went into these tombs than ordinary dwellings, implying cosmic priorities.