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By William Van Zyl
Published on 19 January 2025
“SShhuusss, shhuu.”
“It is here. It is coming in!”
“Not a word from anyone now. Quiet, please.”
The Sun slowly creeps into the ancient mound, inching forward like a divine intruder. The high rock ceilings, untouched for millennia, seem to gasp with surprise, their jagged edges gilded in golden light. Dust motes swirl and a few startled spiders scurry up their gossamer threads for a better vantage point. Their webs, graveyards of bygone insects, shimmer eerily, each tiny skeleton a testament to the passage of time.
As the light inches deeper, it touches the bones of the long-dead Irish men and women entombed within. Slowly, as if stirred by some unseen force, their spirits begin to move.
Light, warm and blinding awakens them from their year-long slumber. With each passing second, the heat of the Sun breathes new life into the cold, musty remains. A silent procession begins as the spirits shuffle toward the source of the light—a cosmic aperture out of the mound is guiding them to freedom.
They have waited patiently for this moment, biding their time in the timeless dark. But this year is different. It is 2024, and their turn has come. Someone—or something—has moved them forward in the celestial queue. The aperture stands ready, and so are they. The celestial sky is waiting on more divinity.
Archaeologists and scientists armed with cutting-edge equipment bear witness to this ancient ritual. Their digital apparatus hums with precision, capturing every shift, every flicker, every ray.
On the computer screen, red letters flash with the finality of history marked in data:
Table of Contents
Sat, 21 Dec 2024, 9:21 am, Winter Solstice, Ireland.
The Sun, the spirits of the dead, and the living—each playing their role in this timeless drama—merge in a fleeting moment where science and myth, light and shadow, light and darkness, life and death intertwine.
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IMAGE: The Mound. Newgrange, County Meath, Ireland. CREDIT: Flickr. Ron Cogswell.
IMAGE: Entrance to the Newgrange Passage Tomb, County Meath, Ireland. Photo taken in April 2018. The Megalithic Passage Tomb of Newgrange, nestled in present-day County Meath within Ireland’s Ancient East, is a timeless marvel of human ingenuity. Constructed around 3200 BC, the Boyne Valley Mound at Newgrange predates both England’s Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, solidifying its place among the world’s most ancient monuments. These passage tombs built by Neolithic farming communities over 5,000 years ago showcase a remarkable understanding of astronomical phenomena. The Winter Solstice Sunrise alignment at Newgrange remains one of its most awe-inspiring features, a testament to the builders’ advanced knowledge of celestial movements. Newgrange’s grandeur and meticulous craftsmanship suggest it served as more than a tomb. This “Temple of the Ancestors” was likely a hub of astrological, spiritual, religious, and ceremonial significance, akin to modern cathedrals’ role as centres of worship and resting places for dignitaries. Newgrange’s most celebrated feature is the illumination of its passage and central chamber by the rays of the rising winter solstice sun—a moment when ancient architecture and cosmic alignment unite in a breathtaking spectacle. Credit IMAGE: Flickr. Ron Cogswell.
IMAGE: Newgrange. A close-up of the exterior. Credit: Flickr. Photo by Alex.
For 17 fleeting minutes each year, during the Winter Solstice in Ireland, a shaft of sunlight pierces the ancient temple mound of Newgrange, a man-made marvel over 5,000 years old. This ethereal light travels deep into the passageway, illuminating the sacred heart of this “Cathedral of Light.” Legend tells of a spiritual exodus as the Sun’s rays open a celestial portal, allowing the spirits of the ancestors buried within the mound to escape. Sweeping upward, these spirits ascend into the sunny sky, transforming into celestial beings that take their places among the constellations.
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Meanwhile, in Egypt:
“Look, it is time. See, the Orions’ belt aligns perfectly now!” says Mostafa.
“The King is going up into the sky where he belongs,” says his friend Ahmed.
Mustafa: “The Pharoh is almost there, in his divine position in the sky.”
“Look at my hands? I have worked on this pyramid for the past 51 years,” says Ahmed.
On the perfect winter solstice, aligning with the Sun and the Orion belt, the Sun inches into the long chamber in the great pyramid. The light touches the Pharoah. He ascends into the sky; his ultimate dream is fulfilled, to become a divine being. However, the question is, did the Pharaoh’s spirits make it into the heavens? Are they watching over us? What do you think?
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More about the Great Pyramids of Giza.
I will briefly discuss the relationship between their Sun God Ra and the actual Sun (the precision of their built structures, temples, and sculptures – aligning with celestial objects).
This divine alignment of light and passage finds a parallel in the towering pyramids of Giza, whose enigmatic apertures link earthly tombs to heavenly realms. The Great Pyramid has inspired the Orion Correlation Theory with its mysterious shafts leading from the King’s Chamber to the heavens. The pole stars, including the north star, were known as “imperishable stars” or “the indestructibles.” The Egyptians tied these unflinching stars with their beliefs about the afterlife and thought their deceased pharaohs would join them there. “I [the king] will cross to that side on which are the Imperishable Stars, that I may be among them.” Researchers suggest that these channels align with the stars of Orion’s Belt, guiding the spirit of the Pharaoh to his eternal throne among the gods. These architectural apertures created millennia apart, embody humanity’s yearning to transcend mortality and connect with the divine.
IMAGE: Great pyramids of Giza, Egypt. Credit: Flickr. A Baibars.
IMAGE: The Great Pyramid contains 4 mysterious small shaft ‘channels’ within its superstructure. These channels connect the King’s Chamber to the pyramid exterior, yet never fully connect the Queen’s Chamber to the outside. Credit: YouTube. One Solution to the Four Channels of the Great Pyramid.
DIAGRAM: The Great Pyramid of Giza’s channels are shown in red. For light and ventilation. These were blocked and consequently opened by scientists and explorers in the late 1800’s.
IMAGE: A closeup of one of the apertures (openings) of the Great Pyramid of Giza. As seen from the inside. No other Egyptian pyramid has such channels, and they have confounded explorers for many years. Credit: YouTube – Title: One Solution to the Four Channels of the Great Pyramid. Link: https://youtu.be/-Wz1ARwxVGc?si=4G7kvwYncWU4zKwb
IMAGE: Light rushing through one of the channels (Giza). Credit: YouTube – Title: One Solution to the Four Channels of the Great Pyramid.
But wait, there are many more Sun phenomena in Egypt! I did not know it. I share it with you.
The Solar Drama: A Pharaoh’s Eternal Gaze
Sun, 25 Oct 2020 – 05:23 GMT
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the horizon, a divine spectacle unfolded near the Giza Pyramids, casting a golden glow over the timeless Sphinx. At that moment, the ancient Egyptians’ mastery of astronomy came alive again, drawing scientists and admirers to marvel at the celestial precision of their monuments.
Abu Simbel (Egypt):
Each year on October 22, the world bears witness to the breathtaking phenomenon at Abu Simbel, where the Sun aligns perfectly to illuminate the face of Ramses II. Discovered in 1874, this solar event occurs just after sunrise, as sunlight travels down the temple’s entrance and penetrates a sacred chamber. Within twenty minutes, the golden rays reach their destination—a small, hallowed room housing statues of gods and kings, now bathed in heavenly light.
IMAGE: Abu Simbel – the site of the Abu Simbel sun festival and one of the most well-visited sights in Egypt. The sun enters through the door in the middle. The 4 “Kings” are seated inside, waiting for the Sun. See the next image. Credit: Flickr. Elite Tour Club. Site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elitetourclub/5984674943/
IMAGE: Inside Abu Simbel temple, the sun lights the gods on special days. The event is called the ‘Sun Feast.’ As the sun rises on these special days, its rays penetrate the temple’s inner sanctum and illuminate the statues of the gods seated within, leaving only the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II in shadow. This mesmerizing event is a testament to the ancient Egyptians’ advanced understanding of astronomy and architecture. Credit: Jakada Tours Egypt. Website: https://jakadatoursegypt.com/abu-simbel-sun-festival/
IMAGE: Artificial light. Can you see the outlines of the electrical light? Look at the shadow in front – on the far right. Abu Simbel – inside the temple. Here, the 4 gods are lit up artificially so visitors can see the simulated solar effect. Credit: Elite Tour Club (Flickr). https://www.flickr.com/photos/elitetourclub/6050116905/in/photostream/
This awe-inspiring alignment is not unique to Abu Simbel. Across Egypt, similar phenomena have been observed in temples built with cosmic foresight. On that same October morning in 2020, the Sun cast its brilliance upon the statue of the deity Amun Ra in Luxor’s Karnak Temple. It illuminated the mysterious Qarun Palace in Fayoum.
These ancient sites, scattered across the sands of Egypt, host the solar phenomenon annually, their architectural genius a testament to the Pharaohs’ profound understanding of the universe.
Below is a list of these extraordinary locations where the Sun, Earth, and human ambition converge in a timeless dance of light:
A list of the Cosmic Symphony of Ancient Egypt: Capturing the Sun at the Equinoxes.
At Karnak Temple, the cosmos becomes an architect, orchestrating a divine moment known as the “Winter Solstice.” On this sacred day, the Sun God Ra, the most revered deity of ancient Egypt, celebrates his celestial birth. The Pharaohs designed the temple with unparalleled precision to capture this phenomenon, leaving nothing to chance. Their meticulous astronomical calculations herald the arrival of winter each year, turning the temple into a radiant calendar of light and shadow.
Simultaneously, at the temple of Deir el-Bahari, thousands gather to witness another solar marvel. Here, the Sun’s rays pierce through the sanctuary of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple, illuminating its grand halls. From a different angle, Karnak Temple offers a complementary spectacle as the winter solstice casts its golden glow on the sacred grounds of Luxor.
In Fayoum, the temple of Qasr Qarun becomes the stage for another cosmic celebration. Each December 21, the Sun illuminates the Holy of Holies, drawing crowds to witness this celestial convergence with awe and reverence.
Further north, at the Dandara Temple in Qena, the Sun’s touch graces the Divine Birth House twice a year, on February 4 and November 8. Hundreds of visitors watch as the light sanctifies the space, honouring the feast of the falcon-headed deity Horus, a moment that unites the heavens and the earth in sacred harmony.
Even the Temple of Hibis in the New Valley bears witness to this cosmic precision. On September 6 and April 7, the Sun’s rays pierce the Holy of Holies, affirming the ancients’ profound understanding of celestial mechanics.
And finally, the Great Sphinx of Giza gazes eastward, eternally aligned with the seasonal equinoxes. On March 21 and September 23, the Sun rises directly over this enigmatic guardian, marking the arrival of spring and autumn. This alignment was no accident—it was a deliberate message from the Pharaohs, a testament to their cosmic vision.
IMAGE: Behold the Great Sphinx of Giza, an enduring enigma carved from the solid limestone of the Giza Plateau. Nestled between the majestic Pyramids of Giza and the life-giving Nile River, this colossal monument was crafted during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre, around 2558 to 2532 BC. As one of the world’s oldest and largest statues, the Sphinx is a testament to ancient ingenuity. Yet, its true purpose and the identity of the figure it immortalises remain shrouded in mystery, captivating historians and dreamers alike for millennia. Credit: Flickr. Warren LeMay (uploaded to Flickr in 2019).
Each of these solar phenomena reflects the genius of ancient Egypt, where temples were not mere structures but celestial instruments designed to capture the rhythms of the universe. In these moments of alignment, the Sun becomes a divine messenger, illuminating the sacred, the eternal, and the extraordinary legacy of the Pharaohs.
And now for the magnificent Christian take on the ‘Aperture of Light’:
We are the Temple of God, says the Bible. God’s Holy Spirit wants to dwell in us.
A good example is the Tabernacle of Moses (later the Temple of Solomon). See the sketch/diagram below for the layout. In simple terms, the only light in the Holy Place is the Golden Lampstand (seven feeds). And, then, when God Himself – once a year – meets with Moses (or the high priests) in the Holy of Holies. Moses was instructed to sacrifice a perfect lamb outside and dripped the blood on the mercy seat (lid on the ark of the Covenant). The glory of God would then light up the sacred room. The sins of the nation of Israel would be pardoned (remission of sin) once a year.
IMAGE: Inside the Tabernacle of Moses. The Golden Lampstand in the Holy Place (first room) is on the far left. Moses is standing in the Holy Place holding a censor (incense). The table of shewbread is in the middle. In the background (there was a veil, and you could not see the Ark of the Covenant in the Holies of Holies (only the High Priest was allowed to enter and atone for the nation’s sins – once a year). Credit: Posses the Vision (website). https://possess-the-vision.com/seeking-jesus/passing-from-the-way-and-into-the-truth/the-golden-lamp-stand-and-jesus/
The Golden Lampstand represents the Light of God – The Holy Spirit – also present in the hearts of born-again Christians. The Holy Spirit dwells inside believers.
Note that believers have a permanent light inside them – the Holy Spirit. They are a temple of God. Believers don’t have to toil to build a temple or structure. Jehovah – God Almighty has already created the temple; all men are created in a mother’s womb.
King David says in Psalm 139: 13 & 14 NIV
13. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
If you are a non-Christian, you can experience the ‘Light of His Son’ in minutes. You do not have to slave; you don’t have to wait for a Summer or Winter Solstice; you don’t have to build a temple or structure; you only need your words and a repentant heart. As long as it takes you to read the following paragraphs and do a simple prayer, you can experience the Son’s warm, enlightening rays in your spirit, man. Yes, it is that simple.
The Bible presents a spiritual aperture: Jesus Christ. Note the ‘APERTURE’ is always open. The Son is always available.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). KJV
Jesus also declares:
“I am the Light of the World.” John 8:12 ESV
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..” John 14:6 NIV
Jesus invites us to step through the Kingdom aperture—from the darkness of sin into His marvellous light. This spiritual passage is transformative, transcending time and space as it grants believers a place in the eternal light of God’s presence.
We don’t have to use ancient architecture or align equinoxes.
The landmarks I have mentionmed illustrate humanity’s enduring desire to bridge the physical and the divine, to find pathways from earthly existence into celestial eternity.
However, we do not have to work that out.
All we need is His Words.
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130.
A friend just read this article and he reminded me of this great scripture:
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Malachi 4:2 AKJV.
If you have not received Christ, I have included a sinner’s prayer.
Lord, I give you my heart; I am a sinner trapped in darkness. I desperately need You. Jesus, I open the door of my heart to You now; please come into my heart. Forgive me of all my sins, wash me with your precious blood, and cleanse me from all my sins, transgressions and iniquities. I need you; please enter into my heart. I submit myself to you; I will serve You from this day forward. Jesus, thank you for saving me. Thank you for transferring me from darkness to Your marvellous Light. Amen.
If you have said the simple prayer, you are born again. You have been transferred from darkness to His Light. Find a good Bible-believing church and attend regularly. Read the Bible daily, and pray to God every day. Your life will never be the same again.
Dear reader, I trust you have enjoyed reading THE APERTURE.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate APERTURE, transferring His ‘Light’ to people every day.
Copyright © 2025 William Van Zyl
The Aperture.
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without the publisher’s express written permission except for using brief quotations in a book review.
Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand) on January 20, 2025
More articles and resources are available at Five House Publishing.
Read more online: https://fivehousepublishing.com/
More about the Author: http://williamvanzyl.com/
Wonderful insights of the Saviour Jesus Christ.
Thanks, James. A blessed 2025 to you and your family. Cheers. William
Your post really breaks this down in an easy-to-understand way.
Thanks Carissa. I am glad the the article provided you with an easy understanding of the topic. Regards. William Van Zyl