I read an account recently on a major news internet site (1) of the possible source of the sighting of the Star of Bethlehem, the symbol that supposedly presaged Jesus Christ’s birth. Now a couple of things were interesting in the article. First, that astrology was included in the rational for the sighting, over that of comets or any other kind of space sighting. Second, that astrology and astrologers were accorded the respect they deserve, in that astrology was not dismissed in the article, and, third, the Magi were acclaimed as “priests who were astrologers”, which, of course, they were.
For those of us who don’t know the Christmas story, the Magi were priest-astrologers from the East, most probably Persia. They saw signs in the heavens that told them that a birth of a king was soon to be accomplished on earth and so they traveled to Jerusalem to speak to King Herod, who was at that time the king of the Judean people. The article goes on to state what the astrology placements were for the years 3-1 B.C.. One of the dates mentioned is August 12, 3 B.C., a time when Venus and Jupiter were conjunct, or placed together, in the zodiacal sign of Leo.
Taking a look at that date in particular, though other dates in that time frame are mentioned, I had to reflect on the meaning of the signs and planets involved. Venus is the planet of love and Jupiter is the planet of mercy and kindliness. Leo is the sign of the king. Would ancient astrologers of that time, who according to the author of this article associated the sign Leo “with the destiny of the Jews” have known that the proclaimed messiah would be an individual of love and kindliness and one to bestow great blessings on his people, the ancient Israelites? Would they have been told of the prophecy of a “King of the Jews” coming to Judea?
A Venus and Jupiter conjunction in the sign Leo would have the same meaning then as now. Love, expansion and great mercy would be shown in that aspect, and the person possessing it could be expected to show an overflowing spirit to those around him. Leo can be a very loving and giving sign, and prone to showing great acts of courage. Would not the “Christ” need to have those characteristics?
Where else would the planets have been that day? The Sun of course would have been in 18 degrees of Leo, right in the center of the royal sign. That would mean Venus, Jupiter and the Sun were all grouped together in a stellium of planets in one sign. The proclamation that a king is born would surely have been made steadfast to the Magi when they saw that in the sky.
Now for our modern eyes, I think it is interesting to see where the planets that the Magi were not aware of were: Pluto was at the end of Virgo, the sign of service, duty and servanthood; Neptune was in Scorpio, the sign of the deep, hidden mysteries of life and of transcending one’s passions and lusts to a higher power; and Uranus was at the very end of Pisces, the sign it is just entering now, in 2003.
As we all know, we have just passed from the Pisces Age to the Age of Aquarius, as the song says. It is enlightening to me to see how the heavens played out the drama soon to be taking place on earth. Virgo and Pisces have long been described as the placements of martyrdom and servanthood, respectively. Unknown to the Magi, these aspects were also taking place as they made their long trek from Persia to Judea.
We may never know for certain what truly happened in Judea when Yeshua came into being, but it is important to recognize that many beliefs take part in this story; Jewish, Christian and Zoroastrian; they all have a role. Mercy, love and kindliness are universally important; they always have been and always will be. At this time of the year, that is the most important gift we can give each other, and ourselves.
1) John Mosley, program supervisor for the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, MSNBC website
Sally Cheyne McDonald on Dec 24 |
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thanks isabelle..! as a christian astrologer i loved your piece. i can accept it, though in jeff greenes pluto book he has a christ chart as a sun in early pisces with a sag asc..who knows! but i have heard from other sources that he was a leo. the sun/son king...that beautiful beatles song that opens side two of the beatles abbey road, which to me has always been a religious experience. mean mr mustard: george bush, keeps a ten bob note up his nose, such a mean old man..
happy holidays!
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