Notre Dame Fiat Lux

The book presents a collection of seven historical essays on the topic of Notre Dame de Paris - it aims to explore its role and function throughout nine centuries of layered and complex history. These seven different essays, seven separate chapters are different ways in which we can understand this important edifice, and the ways in which it has impacted not only French, indeed world's history. Notre Dame de Paris continues to be an important presence in our everyday life, even if we are not aware of it, as the story of conception largely is the story of the creation of our now globally shared culture and lifestyle. The book is divided into seven chapters. First presents general historical information on Notre Dame. Second chapter is dedicated to Notre Dame seen as the temple of astrology and alchemy. The third chapter presents the connection between the knights Templar, the freemasons and the cathedral. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the connection between Notre Dame de Paris and Marian catholicism with the practice of love as we know it today. The fifth and author's personal favorite chapter is dedicated to the connection between Virgin Mary and Aphrodite, or, the pagan roots of this particular cult. Sixth chapter deals with the great bubonic plague of the 14th century and how it affected the life and functioning of the cathedral. Finally the seven chapter is dedicated to the relation of Notre Dame de Paris with the industrial, 19th century era Paris.