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| Bloody Moon (Public Domain) |
It seems quite ironic that a 2014 blood moon (lunar eclipse that makes for a copper-colored view) took place shortly before Columbus Day.
Five hundred and ten years ago (in 1504) Christopher Columbus wanted to appear god-like to the indigenous people of what is now Jamaica. Wikipedia
explains that “he and his crew were eating a good deal of the inhabitants’ food,” and Columbus had hoped to plunder even more of it by convincing the natives that he was divine.
Due to readings from astronomical tables and local clocks, Columbus knew that a lunar eclipse was about to occur. Columbus then convinced the natives that it was he who had made the moon disappear. He threatened to withhold it indefinitely if they didn’t hand over their food.
This strong-arm tactic unfortunately worked. It worked so well that Columbus became a master at coercing, robbing, torturing and killing natives throughout the New World.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_eclipse#Selenelion
Copyright October 9, 2014 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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