Biblical Astronomy

Astronomy, ‘the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties’ (Merriam Webster) has been a hobby of mine for a number of years, but as a follower of Jesus I’ve found that much of the exploration has led to astrology, which is ‘the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects.’ (Merriam Webster)

I want to be clear that I am not following astrology or witchcraft, but instead am seeking a Biblical view of the night sky as well as science. I’ve looked up all of the Scripture in the Bible that has to do with the Cosmos and have included some key Scripture verses from the Bible and am studying what God has to say through the heavens. I’ll be sharing more about the discoveries in the coming months on my blog.

‘And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon and stars -
all the forces of heaven - don’t be seduced into worshiping them.
The LORD your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth.’

Deuteronomy 4:19 NLT

‘O Sovereign Lord!
You made the heavens and earth by Your strong hand and powerful arm.
Nothing is too hard for You!’

Jeremiah 32:17

Below is a little video that explains a bit of why I am featuring the Zodiac constellations, one a month, beginning in September and going through next August.

Zodiac Constellations

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

Psalm 19:1-4 NLT

I grew up learning God speaks to us humans in the form of the Bible, the written Word of God (1 Timothy 5:16). God’s Word is Truth. I still believe that is true. I also believe God speaks to us in many ways - through the Living Word in the person of Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as we are in relationship with him. God also speaks to us through his followers who are filled with his Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:3). One profound way God speaks is through creation, the natural world, including the sky.

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Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army,
one after another, calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.

Isaiah 40:26 NLT

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The story of God’s plan for humanity is written in the stars. It was written before the written Word was written. God named the stars which come together to tell more details of His story.

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him
nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5 NIV

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He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.

Psalm 147:4 NKJV

Sometimes it can get challenging discerning God’s voice, but one thing I am confident of is that God’s truth will not go against what is said in the original written Word of God. Our interpretation can miss the mark, and we may need to dig into the written Word to see what it really means, but God’s Word is Truth.

There is so much to discover. For each of the Zodiac constellation signs there are three supporting signs that reveal more of the story of Christ. I will not go into those constellations here on my blog, but you can read more about them in some of the books listed in the bibliography, listed at the end of the post.

Zodiac

What is the Zodiac?

Merriam-Webster defines Zodiac as ‘an imaginary band in the heavens centered on the ecliptic that encompasses the apparent paths of all the planets and is divided into 12 constellations or signs…’

The Zodiac is cyclical with 12 constellations or signs in the night sky that tell the story of God with humanity, in the signs of the Zodiac. Many of the stars are still known by their ancient names. I won’t be going into a lot of detail with these, but it’s been fascinating looking up the origins of them. (See bibliography at the end of the post.)

One thing I found confusing when I started to see if I could find the Zodiac constellation of the month is I couldn’t see it in the night sky. The sign for the month is actually when the constellation is lined up with the sun during the day. If we could see it, it would look like the sun is on a path and at that time it is shining through a specific constellation.

If you are unfamiliar with a Biblical view of the Zodiac and familiar with the Greek and astrology version, the first constellation in the line-up is Aries, but that is not the way it used to be in ancient times, and one of the ancient wonders of the world affirms this. The Egyptian Sphinx, connected to the Great Pyramid, marks the beginning and end of the Zodiac, with the head of a woman (Virgo) and the body of a lion (Leo). According to Bullinger, the Egyptian Temple of Esneh is located between the signs of Virgo and Leo. In the Bible the promise of a Savior coming through a woman is first told in the first book of the Bible, Genesis.

Monthly Constellation - Virgo

The Zodiac constellation of Virgo marks the beginning of God’s celestial story in the stars. It is the second largest constellation in the night sky, the home of 110 stars. This year the dates for Virgo are August 28-September 25th, which according to the Hebrew calendar is the month of Elul.

In Latin the name Virgo means virgin, a pure, virtuous woman. In Christianity she represents the Virgin Try, bearing the Christ child conceived by the Holy Spirit. The constellation picture shows a branch in Virgo’s right hand and grain in her left hand, where the brightest star, Spica, is located. Other stars in the constellation also emphasize the meaning, but I’ve focused on Spica the largest star in the Virgo constellation. The name means ear of grain (Latin); also called Tsemach (Hebrew) & Al Zimach (Arabic), both meaning 'branch' used in reference to the Messiah.

The Scriptures listed below are in the digital download and give insight into the significant symbolism of the Virgo constellation.

‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the Lord,
‘When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch;
And He will reign as king and act wisely
And do justice and righteousness in the land.
In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will live securely;
And this is His name by which He will be called,
‘The Lord Our Righteousness.’

Jeremiah 23:5-6 NASB

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For has been conceived in her is from
Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit).
She will give birth to a son,
and you are to name him Yeshua (Jesus)
[which means Adonai (God saves],
because he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:20b-21 CJB

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Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a Son,
and she will call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 NASB

More pages from the new constellation journal

Weekly Calendar pages

Beginning September weekly/daily journal pages. This month I designed the weeks to go horizontal across the 2-page spread

Stencils used in this journal

Watercolor paint is applied over stencils with a damp cosmetic sponge. I’ve shown how to stencil in a journal like this in the 2021 Plan with me posts listed in the blog menu.

**Stars stencil with stars mask edge 9x12”:** https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-Stars-Stencil-Stars-Mask-Edge-V-Sjodin-p/l843.htm
**Stars stencil with stars mask double border 6”:** https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-Stars-Mask-Double-Border-Valerie-Sjodin-p/s868.htm

This post has been updated on February 1, 2022 to reflect the current Virgo and biblical astronomy postings and offerings.

Blessings to you as you move onward, looking upward,
Valerie

Bibliography

God’s Voice in the Stars, Zodiac Signs and Bible Truth by Ken Fleming https://amzn.to/3SYRbX3

Looking Up by Troy A Brewer https://amzn.to/3R3nIJP & https://shop.troybrewer.com/looking-up/

The Witness of the Stars by E.W. Bullinger https://amzn.to/3PEUu2P & FREE ebook: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49018

Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning by Richard Hinckley Allen https://amzn.to/3cbw4QI

The Stars, a new way to see them by H.A. Rey https://amzn.to/3c7Ap7l

Space Scripture collage sheet digital download: offer expired.

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