Signs and Seasons: Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy

Signs & Seasons is lavishly illustrated, with images that depict the appearances of the night sky, to prepare you for what you can see outside on any clear night, at home or anywhere you might travel.

Learn astronomy through the quoted words of Scripture and many authors - ancient, medieval, and modern, Christian and secular alike - from Aristotle and Cicero, Augustine and Basil the Great, Martin Luther and John Calvin, to Shakespeare and Leonardo da Vinci.

Importantly, Signs & Seasons sets the record straight about supposed "pagan influences" in astronomy, and offers challenging Biblical and historical explanations that distinguish the legitimate science of astronomy from the ancient superstition of astrology.

Also includes 40 pages of Field Activities. These activities accompany each chapter to enable the student of the sky to make systematic observations of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. These field activities will assist in creating a field journal that enable a high school student to establish work hours toward high school credit. These activities can also be used by younger students under parental supervision.

Also includes an extensive Glossary, a Biographia of Quoted Authors, and Astronomical Tables to assist the reader in finding the constellations and planets. Reading this book can help you rediscover your forgotten astronomical heritage!

Recommended ages: 13 and up, but usable by all ages

ENDORSEMENTS AND REVIEWS
"Signs & Seasons presents clear explanations in a captivating writing style that is peppered with interesting and little-known facts, as well as activities that make it all very concrete and applicable. I've never seen a better explanation of the spatial and geometric relationships of the earth and the heavenlies. This course is perfect for any middle school or above student ready for the next step in understanding astronomy. They are sure to become wiser as they discover the lost skills that served as the foundational learning of the early scientists from Ancient Greece to the Colonial era. I highly recommend this book as a follow-up to my Astronomy course, and one that will take the student further with their studies, giving them a near perfect understanding of the expanse of the heavens and God's purpose for astronomy.

Also, be sure to sign up for Jay's astronomy newsletter (at www.classicalastronomy.com). You'll be the first to hear of approaching comets, eclipses, and other night sky phenomena." -- Jeannie Fulbright, Apologia Science Curriculum


"Include this delightful book in your study of God's creation. Every page is chock full of information and illustrations to drive home the concepts. Building line upon line, precept upon precept, Ryan invites you to join in with the heavens as they declare the glory of God." -- Homeschooling Today Magazine


"Our family receives more materials for review than we sometimes know what to do with. Oftentimes, we'll just skim the pages to get a general idea of the curriculum's general usability and quality. If it makes the basic grade, it's good to go. If it's superior, sometimes we'll even adopt it into our own homeschooling program. We found something superior. It's a brand-new book on astronomy from a totally Christian perspective, and our family is so impressed with it. Why? Because we're learning! And we're on the edge of our chair doing so.

The author quotes ancient sources throughout the entire manuscript, tying in centuries of knowledge and understanding. For most people today, the sky has lost its appeal. It's gone flat. Our culture has no time, no desire to study astronomy the way scholars have throughout the ages. What happened? Where have the deep thinkers gone? Astronomy is fascinating; it opens up new worlds--literally! It explains time and dates, light, seasons, and dimension. One important aspect of this book is that it puts to rest the various "pagan influences" in astronomy. It incorporates biblical explanations and sends old superstitions packing.

We love this book and use it in our own homeschool. Yes, our kids are getting the best possible astronomy class with Jay Ryan's book (and all of the included graphics). But something else just as wonderful has happened as a result: we as the parents are finally learning about this little-studied science on a deeper level for the first time. Don't skip astronomy, and don't just gloss over it either. Avoid the dumbed-down curriculums. Signs & Seasons delivers. Highly recommended!" -- Paul & Gena Suarez, Publishers, the Old Schoolhouse Magazine