Paranellatons

The term "paranellatons" is of Greek origin, derived from "para" (beside, alongside) and "nellaton" (likely a corruption or variant related to "neilos," meaning river, or perhaps "nellos," a constellation). It denotes celestial bodies positioned alongside or in parallel with the main zodiacal paths, first appearing in ancient astronomical texts.

In ancient Astronomy the name was applied to certain stars and constellations whicli are extra Zodiacal, lying above and below the constellations of the Zodiac; they were 36 in number: allotted to the Decans, or one-third parts of each sign. The paranellatons ascend or descend with the Decans alternately, thus when Scorpio rises, Orion in its parauellaton sets, also Auriga ; this gave rise to the fable that tiie hor.ses of Phaeton, the Sun, were frightened by a Scorpion, and the Charioteer fell into the River Po ; that is the constellation of the Eridanus which lies below Auriga the star, [w.w.w.]

Helena Blavatsky's definition of "paranellatons" offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate architecture of ancient astronomy, a discipline far more entwined with myth and philosophy than our modern, purely scientific gaze often allows. These extra-zodiacal stars and constellations, allotted to the decans, were not mere celestial markers but active participants in a cosmic drama, their rising and setting synchronized with the zodiacal procession. This synchronization was not an abstract observation; it was the very engine of ancient storytelling and astrological interpretation. The fable of Phaeton, his chariot horses spooked by the Scorpion and the charioteer falling into the river Eridanus, is a prime example. Here, the celestial mechanics of paranellatons—Orion and Auriga setting as Scorpio rises—were translated into a vivid narrative of divine hubris and cosmic consequence.

This intricate interplay between celestial bodies and human understanding echoes Mircea Eliade's concept of the "sacred time" and "sacred space," where the cosmos is not a passive backdrop but an active force, imbued with meaning and agency. The ancient astronomer was not merely charting stars but reading a divine text, a language written in light and motion. The decans, as one-third divisions of each zodiacal sign, provided a granular mapping of the heavens, and the paranellatons served as a complementary layer, suggesting a universe far more populated and interconnected than a simple band of twelve zodiacal signs might imply. This holistic view, where the entire celestial sphere contributed to the cosmic order, stands in contrast to a more fragmented, modern approach. It invites us to consider how our own understanding of the cosmos, and by extension, our place within it, might be enriched by recognizing these unseen connections and the narratives they inspire. The paranellatons, therefore, are not just historical astronomical curiosities; they are remnants of a worldview that saw the heavens as a living, breathing entity, a source of both knowledge and profound mystery.

RELATED_TERMS: Decans, Zodiac, Nakshatras, Astrology, Cosmology, Mythology, Celestial spheres ---