Gnomon
Gnomon is a cool word.
It is the name for the part of a sundial that casts a shadow.
The Wikipedia definition points to the greek word as “one that knows or examines.”
In that sense, perhaps, that is a unique feature of the evolution of the human species as well.
Homo-Erectus.
No doubt tools that were invented for extending oneself, came in tandem with a realization of one’s cast shadow.
Shadow is perhaps not as important to 4 legged creatures?
To be aware of one’s shadow, is to be aware of oneself outside of oneself - as a shadow is a physical phenomenon.
And we are a diurnal species. We need sunlight.
Some nocturnal species have a mechanism behind their retina called a Tapetum. I remember this from elementary school because it is a funny word.
The way I heard it described is that “cat’s can amplify star light so they can see it night.”
Which is true enough to make the point that our human eyesight has a way of relating to our own physical shadows in a way that is different from other species.
I love the night shadows cast from a full moon.
I think about how up until modern history, night shadows functioned so much differently than now.
First, the straightforward way to imagine it, is how bright the night sky is in the middle of nowhere - which means, away from “artifical light.” When you’re camping in the desert.
I love my moon shadow.
Second, just think how many shadows there were dancing around walls all the time because of fire light.
Just a blazing light source on the floor, casting massive shadows across rooms.
That sounds really disorienting.
Perhaps the impulse in uplight for interiors is more rooted in the desire to avoid one’s shadow.
Is it agnomonically rooted?
Agnomon — something that blocks the part of a sundial that casts a shadow.
Perhaps, psychologically - we could say that an “Agnomonic tendency” is that which blocks one’s shadow from view.
I’ve never read Carl Jung - I hear he’s into shadow stuff.
I like all the words that spring from the greek root of gnos or gnostikos — which I would transcribe as “self-knowing”
I like this idea - that the gnomon - the part of the vertical element that casts a shadow - is where my mind/brain is.
My head is the gnomon.
Perhaps a series of gnomonic sculptures is in order!
Gnomon and Agnomons.
Gnostics and Agnostics.
I think that is why I’ve never connected with the term agnostic.
Why would I reject my own self-knowing?