(by 2 people)
The Golden Compass
An alethiometer (from the Greek 'aletheia' meaning truth), a fictional truth-measuring instrument created by Philip Pullman, the author of the best-selling fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials. The Golden Compass is another name for the alethiometer and is the title of the new movie which was released December 2007. You can find replicas below.
The Device
The device most resembles a clock or a compass. It has a brass casing and a crystal face. There are three short hands which can be directed to a combination of 36 symbols painted on the face and a fourth longer hand made from a dullish metal which moves of it's own accord.
The Alethiometer Poster
How Does the Alethiometer Work?
First of all, the user must direct the three smaller arrows to several symbols that represent the question that they wish to ask. Then they must find the meaning of each symbol on a mental 'ladder' visualized in their own mind and link these together whilst observing the movement of the longer hand.
It is the behaviour of the longer hand which answers the question. The user must assess the frequency and order in which the needle rests on a series of symbols, whilst holding the initial question in their mind. The correct reading of this activity allows the user to know the truth and divine the answer.
The device only reveals the answer to a particular query once so the inquirer needs to be particularly quick-witted, well-trained or gifted in order to use the device successfully.
The Interactive Alethiometer
- Bridge to the Stars
- Download your own desktop alethiometer from the Bridge to the Stars website.
Replica Alethiometers for Sale
You might even find a metal alethiometer here!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
The History of the Alethiometer
When the needle was held over a the symbols on a celestial map, Khunrath found that he could influence the way it moved by posing questions in his mind. Over time, he added more symbols and created a framework of readings. Soon, he realised that these readings existed independently of his investigations and were in fact part of a bigger pattern.
The experiments came to a tragic end when Khunrath, accused of dabbing in the occult by the new Emperor Frederick in 1612, was burned at the stake. However, the instrument and the book of meanings survived. Other scholars began to develop the art over time and a further five more alethiometers were constructed. One of which came to be in Lyra's possession.
His Dark Materials - Books on Amazon
His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)
Release Date: 09/23/2003
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $15.30 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $22.50
Used Price: $12.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
Discovering the Golden Compass: A Guide to Philip Pullman's Dark Materials
Release Date: 09/07/2007
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $0.59
Usually ships in 24 hours
Exploring Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials: An Unauthorized Adventure Through The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass
Release Date: 10/30/2007
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $9.95
Used Price: $0.05
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Rough Guide to His Dark Materials (Rough Guide Reference)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $11.04 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $12.99
Used Price: $2.96
Usually ships in 24 hours
Great Alethiometer Links
- Curious Goods
- This site showcases a beautiful handmade replica of an alethiometer. If you are lucky you might find one on eBay (see below).
- Random House - Definitions of Symbols of the Alethiometer
- A definition of the alethiometer symbols from Random House
- DadCanDo.com - Make an Alethiometer
- DadCanDo.com - Make stuff with or for your kids with beautifully designed completely free project plans and printer templates for easy download, no registration needed.
Would you like your own alethiometer?
Like this lens? Want to share your feedback, or just give a thumbs up? Be the first to submit a blurb!
