Reflections: Iterations

What is Voynichese? In the latest of my stumbling attempts to answer this question I come to the conclusion: it is a system of astrological notation. 

To reflect on the steps traversed:

*I started, reasonably, with the assumption it must be a natural language awkwardly rendered - probably a remnant Latin. 

*Then, increasingly impressed by the artificial nature of the text, I considered the proposal that it is some sort of Llullian concoction.

*I was led towards: an artificial or philosophical language.

*I then explored a template/paradigm approach, arriving at the proposal that the text is generated from a dual paradigm: QOKEEDY and CHOLDAIIN. 

*Exploring the paradigms I observed various patterns (palindromic etc.) and tried various models and scenarios to explain them.

*Finally, I realized that such patterns are typical of the cycles of the YEAR.  The language is essentially cosmological. 

*This leads to the conclusion that it must be some sort of astrological notation. 

That, at this stage, is the best explanation. 

The methodology is to adopt a working assumption - and the assumption it is probably wrong - and then revise it, and replace it, as necessary. 

It is an iterative approach: each iteration should be an improvement. With each iteration we move closer to a solution. 

Readers can follow the steps traversed in previous posts on this platform.  

* * *

A system of astrological notation is the best explanation based on the internal evidence - following the inherent patterns of the glyphs and text - but this converges with external evidence.

I have come to be of the view that the inspiration for the text came directly from the Canones of Ptolemy. 

From that source, our author has created his own system of astrological notation (which we call 'Voynichese'.) 

This is now my working assumption as my research moves to the next phase. 

This strikes me as the best framework within which to proceed. This is the focus.

The text cannot be separated from the cosmology.

"Notation" is probably the best description. 

But there remains the million dollar question: if it is notation, what is being noted? What does this notation actually say? A record of what? Astrological notation put to what end? 

I readily admit that, after several years, I have still not 'translated' a single word of Voynichese. 

I can give an account of two key words, QOKEEDY and CHOLDAIIN - and much more now - but what does the text actually say, or signify? I have no idea. 

R.B.