"... derive from the Indo-European root ster, ... gives us the English words star, astral, stellar and disaster (not in the stars.)"

Any chance this root gives us the words 'mySTeRy' or 'eSoTeRic'?
Phil | 03.09.06 - 5:26 am | #

Not from what I can find.

Mystery:

http://www.etymonline.com/index....hp? term=mystery

Esoteric:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Eso...teric#Etymology
Dave | Homepage | 03.09.06 - 7:54 am | #

I thought I'd just share a couple of Tanach sources: Meestar (secret place) Jeremiah 13:17; bimeestar (secretly) (Psalms 10:9); Misootar (secret) Proverbs 27:5.
Phil | 03.10.06 - 7:04 am | #

Again, interesting coincidence, but
according to: http://www.bartleby.com/61/33/M0...3/ M0513300.html

"Middle English misterie, from Latin mystrium, from Greek mustrion, secret rite, from musts, an initiate, from mein, to close the eyes, initiate."
Dave | Homepage | 03.10.06 - 7:35 am | #

I guess I don't feel bound by Bartleby's in all occurrences.
Phil | 03.10.06 - 6:38 pm | #

I wouldn't be surprised, though, if Astarte was related to Easter, oestrogen, (steroids?,) etc, which are related to fertility, the sort of thing female goddesses had on their hands regularly.
Joel | 03.12.06 - 12:54 am | #

It doesn't seem that Astarte, Easter and estrogen are related, but the possible connections are discussed here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eostre
Dave | Homepage | 03.12.06 - 8:43 am | #