Kings looked to the stars for ruling guidance

In his new book, “A Kingdom of Stargazers,” Albuquerque author Michael A. Ryan covers the relationship that three medieval rulers of Spain’s Kingdom of Aragon had with astrology.

Two of them — Pere III, who ruled in the mid-14th century, and his son Joan I — spent lavishly on astrological writings, and astrologers were important members of their courts. When Pere’s other son, Martí I, assumed the throne in the late 14th century, he removed the astrologers, who were seen as a challenge to Roman Catholic orthodoxy. Astrology, along with magic and the occult, were intertwined with notions of power, authority and providence.

“The book is an outgrowth of my dissertation,” said Ryan, an associate professor of history at the University of New Mexico, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate seminars mostly on medieval topics, among other subjects. “I analyzed serious prophetic and visionary texts. I was struck by the amount of astrological imagery.”

Ryan will discuss “A Kingdom of Stargazers” at 3 p.m. today at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW. Cornell University Press is the publisher.

AT PAGE ONE: Jo Walton will discuss her latest book, “Among Others,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at Page One, 11018 Montgomery NE. Walton won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer for her debut novel, “The King’s Peace,” and her novel “Tooth and Claw” won the World Fantasy Award. A native of Wales, she lives in Montreal.

AT BARNES & NOBLE: Mara Purl autographs copies of her book “What the Heart Knows, A Milford-Haven Novel, Book One” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Barnes & Noble in Coronado Shopping Center. In the book, artist Miranda Jones begins to trust her heart enough to escape from her life of privilege and start over in Milford-Haven, the small town of undiscovered beauty on California’s Central Coast. She connects with environmentalist Samantha Hugo, 20 years her senior, who gave up a son, and with restaurant owner Sally O’Mally, who left Arkansas to create her own dream. Each woman wrestles with her issues while balancing careers. But none is aware that journalist Christine Christian has just been murdered. The novel is based on Purl’s BBC radio drama “Milford-Haven U.S.A.” She has also appeared in the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

AT ALAMOSA BOOKS: Sandi Wright discusses her book “The Adventures of Santa Fe Sam” from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. The store is at 8810 Holly NE.

IN SANTA FE: Collected Works, at 202 Galisteo, presents these two events this week. … Jessica Y. Sarabia and Barbara Jean Ruther participate in the bookstore’s Shared Reading Series at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Sarabia reads from her new novel, “The Choice,” which follows the character E, who has a rare degenerative disease and probably won’t live a normal life. That prospect flips when she discovers that her cells can cure cancer and prolong life. Ruther’s novel “Saving Snowflakes in My Pocket: Love’s Survival Through Years of Deception” tracks a love triangle involving Michael, his wife, Sarah, and his brother Jonathan. … At 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Michael J. Gelb of Santa Fe chats about his new book, “Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age.” The book offers practical, evidence-based information to help readers understand how to optimize their mind. Gelb is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning and innovative leadership. He co-wrote it with Kelly Howell. Gelb wrote the best-seller “How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day.”