The Cosmos and Humanity

Archaeology and history have shown that the invisible influences coming from the skies were perceived by primitive man as determinant for his survival. In response to these forces, and with the intention of interacting with them, he created the ‘Cosmic Calendar’, a group of ceremonial events, taking place through the agrarian year.


Utilizing myth and ritual, primitive man displayed an active attitude towards the use and control of this phenomenon, and of the cosmos, in its plenitude.


“Caduceu” Babilonic vase from the Altar of Asclepius
Observing the immense architectural works of the past, such as the Pyramids, Stonehenge, designs in South American fields which can only be perceive from the skies, as the Chaco Pueblo, and many others, it is possible to understand that primitive man had a greater awareness of the influences coming from the skies than today’s Western populations do.


Although this phenomenon may seem common to many cultures of the Northern Hemisphere, the system of beliefs that resulted from it is being lost in Europe, due to a different thought paradigm, originated with (and because of) the industrial revolution.


"Temptation“, German version, from Lutwin Vita of Adam & Eve
Due to the maintenance of the traditional agricultural practices in the Azorean Archipelago, as well as the related culture (migrated there centuries ago with Europeans who settled on these islands), the referred practices and/or festivities may still be observable there.


Island of Santa Maria (Arquitectura Popular dos Açores)
Perhaps due to their isolation, the Azores have not been so affected by the drastic destruction of this system’s logic which occurred all over Europe. Indeed, the primitive system of beliefs is still there, in the Azores, as a substratum, contained in myths, stories and folktales, as well as in the rituals, religion, and most traditional agricultural festivities, which are very frequent, following de Cosmic Calendar.


The premises sustaining this system of beliefs were rooted in the attitude assumed by primitive man, of being able to establish a direct interference in those forces, in such a way that is still a mystery to us. In spite of the lack of means, primitive man had a vast knowledge of Astronomy. As a result, he conceived of the relationship between Planet Earth and the Sun and other celestial bodies, as either interfering with human body, or being dependent on human activities or even in individual acts. Under this perspective, he elaborated rituals and magic acts in order to establish some sort of control over these forces.


Lady of Miracles, Corvo Island, winner of the battle against the Turkish
In his mind, Earth could be seriously damaged in some situations, if man omitted the execution of these cultual acts. The strength of this belief was such that it is still present in many current cultural performances, or in the impulse to perform them (which, apparently, is the explanation for their preservation till today).


Promises to the Holy Spirit