Are the stars out tonight? As always, plus a few other interesting sights. The Geminid meteor shower is in progress. This meteor shower is the only one, aside from the Quadrantids, that didn’t originate from a comet. The geminids are thought to come from a Palladian asteroid. This yearly meteor shower happens typically around December 13th and 14th, with up to 160 meteors per hour.
Meteors and the Ice Age
We can imagine what thoughts came to mind in ancient times, seeing a sea of lights moving across the night sky. For the most part meteors are of little danger, but the belief that a meteor caused the end of the reign of dinosaurs and the start of the ice age is enough to generate a little concern. The theory of the meteor ice age has also been challenged, blaming it on the plume and gases from volcanic activity that brought the dinosaur population down.
What Are Meteors? Myths and Meaning
In Roman times it was thought that the stars were candles lit by the angels, with each representing a soul here on earth. Imagine having your own star, your own angel to watch over you.
The Romans also carried a myth that meteors were associated with dragons, thus being a sign of great power. The waxy substance once called zmeu-blood has been found with meteors, and was perhaps believed to be dragon blood. Today we call zmeu-blood ozokerite, derived from Moldavia.
Another ancient belief from Roman times is that the passing meteor was an act of magic, perhaps the workings of a sorcerer casting a spell.
Last but never least, the Romans as well as other cultures have looked to the skies for signs from Divine sources. It was believed that the sky was an open palette for messages and signs.
Geminid Meteor Showers Myths and Meanings by Dennis Finn.