Emperor Julian was born in 332 AD. In his writings he reveals his childhood fascination with the sun. The more he thought about the sun, the more he was moved by the majesty, life giving principle and spiritual significance of the "King of the Universe." A few excerpts make his feelings quite obvious:
Portrait of Emperor Julianus Apostata (Julian the Apostate) on a coin from Antiochië
"The apparent world then, perpetually subsists about the sun; and his light, which surrounds the universe, obtains an eternal seat; so as not to be subject to any variations of place, since it is forever the same. But if anyone is willing to conceive by mere thought alone this eternal nature as temporal, he will easily know respecting the sun, the king of the universe, who immediately illuminates everything with his light, what abundant goods he eternally confers on the world."
The ancient mystics conceived of the existence of three suns which illuminated three different spheres of existence. The lowest sphere was the physical material sun which unfolded and vitalized all matter. This lowest sun dissipates the darkness and we observe things lighted and we see the surface of these things. The second sun existed in the realm of soul and dissipates ignorance and nourishes the psychic side of human beings. The second sun is visible to the soul, and enlivens the soul, but invisible to the physical consciousness. In the sphere of the second sun our soul beholds things self-luminous, the true inner-light of all things. The third sun was referred to as the spiritual or root sun, and was conceived of as the highest Intellectual sun and provides the life-light that nourishes and sustains spirit.
The ancients believed that these three individual suns, constantly provide sustenance within their spheres of body, soul and spirit. Departing from the proximity of these suns and their light, one loses the participation in the fullness of their light.
The Phoenicians "believed the light of the sun is the sincere energy of an intellect perfectly pure; its fountain is not just body, but the sincere energy of intellect, illuminating in its proper habitation the middle region of the heavens: scattering its light, it fills all the celestial orbs with powerful vigor, and illuminates the universe with divine and incorruptible light."
Julian also remarked, "I earnestly entreat the sun, the king of the universe, that he will be propitious to me for my affection to his divinity; that he will impart to me a good life; more perfect wisdom; a divine intellect; and a gentle departure from the present state of my earth life."
Thus the ancients had a fascination for many aspects that the sun provided. Taking into consideration just the physical aspect, we tend to overlook the importance of the sun in healing, due to the increased fear regarding skin cancer. The ancients knew the sun was a source of health, and sun-bathing is mentioned far back in antiquity. Science has discovered that the effect of light and heat from the sun, stimulates the functional activities of cells, and stimulates and promotes elimination of toxins through the sweat glands and induces an increased influx of blood.
Researchers have also furnished evidence that there is a decrease in red-cell count and a lowering of hemoglobin in the blood when individuals are placed in darkness. Of course the most important aspect is getting adequate amount of sunshine for its Vitamin D. Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that those with the lowest vitamin D levels have more than double the risk of dying from heart disease and other causes over an eight-year period compared with those with the highest vitamin D levels.
The Phoenicians "believed the light of the sun is the sincere energy of an intellect perfectly pure; its fountain is not just body, but the sincere energy of intellect, illuminating in its proper habitation the middle region of the heavens: scattering its light, it fills all the celestial orbs with powerful vigor, and illuminates the universe with divine and incorruptible light."
Julian also remarked, "I earnestly entreat the sun, the king of the universe, that he will be propitious to me for my affection to his divinity; that he will impart to me a good life; more perfect wisdom; a divine intellect; and a gentle departure from the present state of my earth life."
Thus the ancients had a fascination for many aspects that the sun provided. Taking into consideration just the physical aspect, we tend to overlook the importance of the sun in healing, due to the increased fear regarding skin cancer. The ancients knew the sun was a source of health, and sun-bathing is mentioned far back in antiquity. Science has discovered that the effect of light and heat from the sun, stimulates the functional activities of cells, and stimulates and promotes elimination of toxins through the sweat glands and induces an increased influx of blood.
Researchers have also furnished evidence that there is a decrease in red-cell count and a lowering of hemoglobin in the blood when individuals are placed in darkness. Of course the most important aspect is getting adequate amount of sunshine for its Vitamin D. Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that those with the lowest vitamin D levels have more than double the risk of dying from heart disease and other causes over an eight-year period compared with those with the highest vitamin D levels.
Heliotherapy - Sun bathing to heal various maladies
Dr. Edward Podolsky in his book, How to Charm with Color, mentions:
- "that with the influence of sunlight; pain, fever and chills disappear readily and the condition of the blood is often improved."
- "Anemic, chlorotic and scrofulous patients have been found to derive immeasurable benefit from sun-baths."
- "Sun-baths have shown to help with sinus infections and ulcers, which after exposure, start with a profuse discharge that occurs, followed by sloughing, the formation of healthy tissue, and a gradual drying and healing of the sinus infection or ulcer."
Dr. Auguste Rollier (middle), a.k.a. the Sun Doctor, treating a patient with exposure to the sun's rays
Dr. Auguste Rollier, or the "Sun Doctor," developed the method of heliotherapy or light therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis. (Helios was the god of the Sun in Greek mythology.) His cure rested on the theory that the sun contained antibacterial, analgesic and strengthening properties. In 1903 he began practicing his ideas one valley over from Villars-sur-Ollon, at Leysin, Switzerland. By 1927, Rollier offered “the most improved treatment of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis” in Western medicine. He oversaw thirty-six sanatoria in the Vaudois Alps treating over 3,000 patients. His cure rate was exceptional and he saved the limbs of many patients who were scheduled for amputation.
Florence Nightingale also realized the importance of natural sunlight on health, insisting that patients should have sunlight in their sick rooms.
Those of us who are spending a lot of time on computers need to be cognizant of receiving the maximum beneficial effects of the sun. A lot of problems may be stemming from being too sedentary and not receiving enough direct sunlight. Sometimes the easiest solutions have the most profound effects.
To empower.
Florence Nightingale also realized the importance of natural sunlight on health, insisting that patients should have sunlight in their sick rooms.
Those of us who are spending a lot of time on computers need to be cognizant of receiving the maximum beneficial effects of the sun. A lot of problems may be stemming from being too sedentary and not receiving enough direct sunlight. Sometimes the easiest solutions have the most profound effects.
To empower.
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