Ek'lib'

Extract from an Ek'lib'.

An Ek'lib' is, in Mutulese astronomy, a book that tabulates parameters used for the calculation of the positions of Astronomical objects in the sky at a given date. While they often focused on a purely practical approach to astrology , which was one of the most socially important sciences of the Mutulese society, sections of these books could be dedicated to more theoretical aspects of mathematics and astronomy, generally in the form of ritual explanations. In addition, the astronomical observations and calculus recorded in these texts are accompanied by prophecies, religious commentaries, and fragments of mythology.

Origin

The word come from classical glyphic Chʼolti, one of the predecessor of the modern Mutli. It is made of the word "lib'(i)", meaning a flat surface, and "Ek', "star". It's both a wordplay with the similar sounding "Heklib", which is a word still used in Mutli to qualify any and all vertical panel, and an apt description of these books as "star tablets" or "star panels".

The oldest Ek'lib' recovered are from the Paol'lunyu Dynasty and may have been some of the first books produced in the Divine Kingdom. Like all books produced in Northern Oxidentale, they were folding books made in amate paper and covered by a thin layer of plaster used both to help the conservation and the writing of the books.

Famous Ek'lib'

Sakal Witz Chak Ek'lib'

The most famous Ek'lib' is most certainly the "Great Table of Sakal Witz", named after the city in which its redaction began during the Chaan Dynasty. It was not only infuential in mathematics and astronomy, but also would contribute heavily to the creation of the future White Path as it served as the basis of the official mythology solidifed by the Ilok'tab Dynasty and one of the criteria for the recognition of local myths was if they matched or not with the events described in the Ek'lib'. Since the invention of printing, many copies of the book were made, and many commentaries and additions were made but the original copy remain in Sakal Witz.

The book is divided in nine chapters, written by at least six different anonymous scribes. The first chapter is an introduction explaining the rituals required for the creation and interpretation of prophecies and tying back the creation of astrology to the "Hun Ajaw", the mythical K'o. The second chapter is an astronomical table and a treaty of medecine dedicated to the lunar goddess Ix Chel associated with the healing arts. The third chapter is an astronomical table of Venus calculating the position of the morning star over a period of 312 years. The fourth chapter are tables dedicated to the lunar and solar eclipses, and the fifth a large collection of multiplication tables, from the 9 to 91. The sixth is a table calculating the dates of the Kʼatun, the prophecies surrounding the events that might occur during these special days, and the rituals that need to be performed. The eight is a telling of the Deluge that destroyed the previous world and the ninth a long description of the new year rituals that must be practiced during the five Wayel Days. The ninth chapter is a long enumeration of the "Snake days" that note when mythic events supposedly happened. The second half of the chapter also detail the various manifestations and aspects of Chak. After this introduction to the god of rainstorms, the tenth chapter describe its affiliation and travel with Mars, accompanying a detailed table of the planet's cycle. Finally, the eleventh chapter is a treaty on agriculture as well as a prophetic almanach aimed to guide and advice farmers on harvests for the following decades.