Secret Theme Behind Narnia Books?
An upcoming BBC documentary will explore the theory that CS Lewis’ Narnia books are based on astrology.
The Narnia Code, which is due to be screened over Easter, examines the work of scholar Reverend Dr Michael Ward, who claims that each of the much-loved chronicles is based on one of the seven planets that made up the heavens in medieval astrology.
Dr Ward first started formulating the theory in 2003 when he was reading Lewis’ poem The Planets, which refers to the influence of Jupiter in ‘winter passed / And guilt forgiv’n’ – a theme which is echoed in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. He claims that the author’s detailed knowledge of medieval history meant he was an expert on the characteristics associated with each of the planets and linked one theme to each book. So for example, Prince Caspian is a story that focuses on Mars, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is related to the Sun and The Horse and His Boy is based on Mercury.
Director and producer of The Narnia Code Norman Stone said, ‘This isn’t the first theory on Narnia and I don’t suppose it will be the last but this is the best explanation yet’.
You can find out more about the theory in Dr Ward’s book Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis, available from Amazon.