AD 536: THE WORST YEAR OF HUMAN HISTORY
The volcanic winter of 536 was one of the most severe and prolonged periods of climate cooling in the Northern Hemisphere in the past 2,000 years. This event was caused by at least three simultaneous volcanic eruptions, although the exact locations of these eruptions remain uncertain, with several possibilities proposed across different continents. Most contemporary accounts of the volcanic winter come from Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, but the effects of the cooler temperatures were felt far beyond Europe. Modern research has determined that early in 536 AD (or possibly late 535), volcanic eruptions released massive amounts of sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere, reducing the solar radiation reaching Earth's surface and cooling the atmosphere for several years. In March 536, Constantinople experienced darkened skies and lower temperatures.
Summer temperatures in 536 dropped by up to 2.5°C below normal in Europe. The impact of the 536 volcanic winter was exacerbated in 539-540 by another volcanic eruption, which further decreased summer temperatures by up to 2.7°C below normal in Europe. Evidence suggests yet another eruption occurred in 547, extending the cool period. These volcanic eruptions led to crop failures and were accompanied by the Plague of Justinian, famine, and millions of deaths, initiating the Late Antique Little Ice Age, which lasted from 536 to 560. The plague alone killed one third of the population of the Byzantine empire.
The medieval scholar Michael McCormick described 536 as "the beginning of one of the worst periods to be alive, if not the worst year." Roman historian Procopius, in his account of the wars with the Vandals, noted in 536 that "the sun gave forth its light without brightness... and it seemed exceedingly like the sun in eclipse." In 538, Roman statesman Cassiodorus wrote about the weak, bluish rays of the sun, the absence of shadows at noon, and the feeble heat, among other unusual phenomena. Letters from this period discuss plans to relieve widespread famine. Accounts from the Irish Annals and Chinese sources also document crop failures, famine, and unusual weather patterns. Some authors reported that grain was so scarce that the price of one Kg was the equivalent of $2000 in modern currency. The Southern hemisphere was not spared either – there is evidence of the collapse of the Moche culture in Peru at that time.
Scientific evidence, such as tree ring analysis and ice cores, shows minimal growth in Irish oak in 536 and a significant drop in 542 after partial recovery. Ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica reveal substantial sulfate deposits around 534, indicating an extensive acidic dust veil.
Theories about the cause of the 536 climatic changes initially included both volcanic eruptions and impact events. However, more recent studies have identified strong evidence linking the observed dimming and cooling to a large volcanic eruption in 536, though an asteroid impact event during this period cannot be completely ruled out. The exact source of the eruption is uncertain. Recent geochemical analyses point to volcanoes from the Aleutian Islands, British Columbia or Mono Craters, California.
The 536 event and the resulting famine may explain the deposition of gold hoards by Scandinavian elites at the end of the Migration Period, possibly as offerings to appease the gods. It has been suggested that mythological events like the Fimbulwinter and Ragnarök could be based on cultural memories of this event. Some historians also speculate that the climate changes contributed to significant historical developments, including the Plague of Justinian, the migration of Mongol tribes, the fall of the Sassanid and Gupta Empires, and the rise of Islam. However, these ideas are not widely accepted within mainstream scholarship. Some recent interpretations link the climate change of 536 to events in Arthurian legend, such as the Battle of Camlann. Additionally, some historians argue that this catastrophe played a role in the decline of the Roman Empire.
The catastrophic events of this era merit a detailed astrological study. The critical constellation in play for this period was identified in the early 2000’s by American astrologer Richard Nolle as the “Justinian’s T-square”. A very powerful configuration consisting of a Saturn-Uranus conjunction opposed by Neptune and squared by Jupiter, in fixed (sidereal) signs. The position of Jupiter is of interest, being conjunct the Norma Cluster, near the centre of the Great Attractor. The timing of this event corresponds to the solar eclipse of March 8, 536. This occurred at 15*21’ Pisces (Sidereal), conjunct Algenib, a fixed star with unfortunate connotations. I cast the eclipse charts for the three most likely sites of the volcanic explosions. The chart for the Eastern Aleutians points to this area being the most likely initial eruption. It has Uranus rising and the T-square angular, occupying the 1st, 4th and 7th houses. The eclipse itself is in the 8th house of Death, biquintile Uranus and quintile Mars. The Aleutians region in Alaska is very active geophysically, with a whole chain of active volcanoes and frequent severe earthquakes.