Biblical Astronomy of the January-February 2016 Planetary Alignment
Could the rare alignment of the five brightest planets in our Solar System; Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars seen on the horizon over the next month, be related to the Biblical heavenly signs surrounding, the Star of Bethlehem? These five planets will be visible to stargazers in the pre-dawn skies from Jan. 20th through Feb. 20th, 2016. There has not been a similar alignment of these five planets since 2004, but for the proper context of this year’s planetary quintuplet, there are many intriguing points to consider in light of previous recent planetary alignments leading up to this planetary alignment. As the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015 was wrapping up late last Summer into the Fall, there is a 1 degree Triangular massing of Jupiter-Venus, Mars in Leo on October 28th,2015, which is preceded earlier in the month with a planetary alignment with Regulus in Leo, [see Figure 1 below]. This is significant due to its resemblance to the Rev. 12 heavenly sign marking the birth of Christ, we have discussed in previous posts on this blog.
Rev. 12:1-2
12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
In Fig. 1 below we can see how the alignment of three planets in Leo forms the crown of the Woman–Virgo with 12 stars, consisting of the 9 fixed stars in Leo, combined with the planets Jupiter, Venus and Mars, forming the Crown of 12 stars over Virgo’s head. A very similar planetary alignment will be seen again in Sept. of 2017, [Figure 2.] involving the same players, with the exception that Mercury will replace Jupiter in Leo, since Jupiter will be birthing in Virgo’s midsection. The planetary alignment in 2015, serves as key celestial foreshadowing 2 years prior to this birthing of Jupiter in Virgo, when these heavenly signs that marked the birth of Christ will be repeated in the Fall of 2017. As we will see, this month’s planetary alignment of five shows another sign along the path leading us to the heavenly signs of 2017.
Figure 1. Planetary Alignment in Leo, October 3rd, 2015
As there were 3 Jupiter-Venus Conjunctions marking the Rev. 12 birth signs of Christ in 3-2 BC, so this triple alignment of Jupiter-Mars, and Venus in Leo with Regulus, reflects a similar spiritual light in the context of the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014–2015. In fact the Rev. 12 heavenly sign: the [Sun clothing Virgo with the Crescent Moon at her feet] on Sept. 17th, 2015 is announced by Mercury-Gabriel located just outside the womb area of Virgo, united with Spica/Al Zimach, on this day 2 years ahead of the rewind of the Great Wonder in Heaven, on Sept. 23rd 2017! Thus we can not only view this first planetary parade of five in 2016, but also the second alignment of these five planets in August of 2016, as added heavenly signs involving Jupiter-Venus opening the next 2 years, leading up to the birthing of Jupiter in retrograde motion in Virgo’s womb in 2017.
Best seen before dawn, the brightness of Venus and Jupiter make the event easier to find whether by the naked eye or binoculars. With Jupiter rising first, and the red-hued Mars next, golden-tainted Saturn, followed by Venus the brightest planet and lastly Mercury. Jupiter rises first as night falls early in these winter evenings, followed by Mars after midnight, before Saturn, Venus and Mercury join the conga line. Their timing will vary each day depending on observers location. Mercury will be closest to the eastern horizon, which is why it is the last to appear low in the sky, Mercury however should be more visible starting the first week of February. The waning Moon will also shed its lunar light among these five aligned planets partially occulting Jupiter on Jan. 27th, continuing it trek through the planets on the ecliptic till Feb. 6, 2016.
Does this planetary alignment tell a story? If so what does it mean? Biblical Astronomy does relate a narrative in the stars and constellations which hold them, as the planets pass through the 12 houses on the ecliptic, [Ps. 19]. Each of the 12 main signs of the zodiac relates to one of the 12 tribes of Israel, and the star pictures of the constellations each tell a different aspect of the story of the Coming Redeemer-Jesus Christ, [Gen. 49]. Also, each of the planets or “wandering stars” have their own Biblical symbolism, for example Mercury is Gabriel the fleet Messenger Archangel, appearing in Sagittarius depicting Christ as the victorious returning Conqueror, winning the war in heaven as his arrow pierces the heart of the scorpion–Scorpius. This theme is established not only with Mercury’s presence in the head of Sagittarius, but Venus the Bright and Morning Star is also seen on top the Archer’s Bow, doubly emphasizing the Lord’s speedy Return. Since this rare planetary alignment is taking place after the completion of the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad, the Victorious Return of Christ FOR his Saints can surely occur at any time-Are You Ready? Saturn is Satan’s planet in Ophiuchus/Scorpius, the scorpion, symbolizing the Redeemer’s conflict with the enemy. Satan knows he is defeated and that his time is very short, but he will never stop fighting against God, His only begotten Son, the Church and Israel because of his hatred for the Light that defines is very existence.
Figure 2. Sagittarius [Ps. 45:3-5]
We can’t ignore the Sun in Capricorn, as the atoning sacrifice of the Light of the World, that truly is the only Hope of our dark and perverse world, increasingly run by the enemy and his minions. We owe our very lives not only in this world, but also in the coming new age, all to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ who gave himself for us when we were dead in sin. Mars the red planet-signifies on one hand, Michael the Warrior Archangel doing battle with the enemy, but it can also symbolize the Savior’s shed blood, which seems a better fit with the atoning work of the redeemer seen in Libra’s balances, which portray the Savior paying the price to purchase us back from sin, and the enemy slave-master holding us in bondage. Thus we can see a consistent theme with Mars in Libra and the Sun in Capricorn with this planetary alignment. Jupiter also appears in Leo in this rare alignment of planets, as the King planet presides in the ruling house of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, [Rev. 5:5]. This shows the ultimate power of the regal Lion-King as he puts down the rebellion of the serpent-scorpion once and for all, utterly destroying the enemy under his feet, seen in Leo’s claws rending Hydra-the serpent destroyed! [Isa. 27:1]
Thus the message of this planetary alignment fits with our quickly returning and conquering Lord, and our preparation for that great day! These same five planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will appear together again this summer between the 13th & 19th of August, 2016 but “Mercury and Venus will be positioned low in the western sky at dusk, not easily seen from the northern hemisphere.
When this heavenly sign of the five brightest sentinels of our solar system in their planetary alignment is taken in the context of the concluded Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015, we certainly have more than enough evidence in a mandate from heaven, telling us of the speedy and inevitable Return of the Lord Jesus Christ! As we overcome the increasing evil of this world, with the Lord’s Good, as he showed in his fathomless Love, we will surely show ourselves as Children of Light.
Sources
1. The Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger
2. Earth and Sky
3. solarsystem.nasa.gov [picture credit]
4. 2015 Sky & Telescope [picture credit]
