Hedgerow
This article is the sixth in a 13-part series.
Interestingly, the secular horoscope begins with Aries most likely because astrologers thought the sun’s position was in the Aries constellation at the time of the spring equinox. (Although many argue that the sun wasn’t in Aries on the dates originally thought.)
Secular astrology maintains that Aries is a ram, following the Egyptian and Persian traditions. The Egyptians celebrated a feast in honor of the Ram before the full moon prior to the spring equinox. On the fourteenth day of the moon huge celebrations erupted with Egyptians putting foliage or some kind of decoration over their doors. They crowned the ram with flowers and marched in processions. The Persians also had a similar festival of Aries.
However, in ancient manuscripts Aries is a lamb. In Syriac, Amroo, means the “Lamb,” similar to John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
In Arabic, the symbol of Aries, Al Hamal, means the “sheep,” the “Gentle,” and the “Merciful.” Likewise, the principle stars in this constellation mean “the wounded” (El Nath), “the bruised” and “the slain” (Al Sharetan).
The Romans identified Aries with a lamb in the myth of Nephele and her two children Phrixus and Helle. Nephele’s lamb was sacrificed to Jupiter, which yielded the Golden Fleece, the highest treasure among men. (Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun and the largest planet in the solar system. Jupiter is also the name of the Roman king of the gods, the god of thunder and lightening. In Greek, his name is Zeus.)
However, if the constellation and its decans are understood within their original design, it becomes quite clear that Aries again points to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. He is the Seed of the Woman, the Lamb who was slain, the exalted one who rules over all with his divine dominion and glory.
Aries (March 21-April 20), according to Seiss, represents the Lamb on the throne, and:
“the gladdest period in all the history of the Church and people of God. The songs break forth in heaven in tremendous volume of Worthiness, and Blessing, and Honor, and Glory to the Lamb for redeeming men by His blood, and making them kings and priests unto God, and certifying that they shall reign on the earth.”
The decans of Aries are:
- Cassiopeia: The True Church of God lifted up and seated next to her glorious Redeemer is depicted as the most beautiful of all queens, “the glorified woman.” Her beauty is unmatched; she is perfect; is like pure gold (Ezek. 16:14; Eph. 5:27; Psalm 45:9). Her foot rests on the Arctic Circle. In one hand she holds a branch of victory and in the other she is arranging her hair. A glorious star-crowned king, to her right, is holding out a scepter to her, “his bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
She is universally considered Andromeda’s mother, representing the heavenly church, who is the mother of the earthly church (again pointing to the church’s dual nature as described in Pisces). She represents heavenly triumph and the great marriage ceremony described in Revelation 19:7,8.
Cassiopeia is an astronomical wonder:
The seat of her throne is comprised of four stars of the third magnitude. The star on her right is on the equinoctial colure, lying on a straight line with the star in Andromeda’s cheek in the North Pole. It includes a binary star, a triple star, a double star, a quadruple star, and extraordinary number of star clusters.
Seiss writes Cassiopeia has been a great mystery to astronomers: “A star, surpassing in brilliancy and splendor all the fixed stars, suddenly appeared on the tenth of November 1572, and after shining in continuous glory for sixteen months, disappeared.”
- Cetus is the great sea monster described in Revelation 20:1-3 and the Leviathan in Job 41:1-10 and Isaiah 27:1. Cetus has an enormous head, mouth, and front paws, and his body and tail are like a whale. Cetus is the largest of all in the sky– and is the persecutor of the church.
Mira, a star on its neck, is a star of the second magnitude, which becomes invisible every 300 days. Mira is a striking symbol of the Great Deceiver. The Band, which upholds the Two Fishes of Pisces, pass the front foot of the lamb and is fastened on the neck of this monster. Cetus may be the largest, but it is bound. Its other stars Menk’ar and Diphda mean, “the chained Enemy” and “the overthrown” respectively.
Satan is loose but he cannot break away from the chain of the Lamb. Seiss writes:
“By the same power with which He upholds the Fishes, He restrains the devouring Enemy; and with that same power He will yet fasten up the monster for final destruction.”
- Perseus is “the Breaker” who fulfills Micah’s prophecy. (Micah 2:12,13) The stars in his grouping mean, “he who breaks,” “the one who carries away,” and “who helps.” He is a mighty man wearing a helmet, with winged feet and wielding a sword. He stands with one foot on the brightest part of the Milky Way, with his right arm out-stretched holding a sword dripping of blood. In his left hand, he holds the head of Gorgon. (In Greek mythology Perseus cuts the head off of Medusa using Pluto’s helmet, Minerva’s buckler, and wings on his feet and a diamond sword furnished by Mercury. After his victory he saw Andromeda chained to a rock and on the condition that she would marry him, he broke her chains and killed the sea monster about to devour her.)
Medusa means, “the trodden under foot.” The principle star in the Gorgon’s head, Al Ghoul or Algol, means “the evil spirit.” It’s other stars, Rosh Satan and Al Oneh, mean “Satan’s head” and “the weakened, the subdued,” respectively.
Like Mira, the principle star, Algol, changes every three days from a star of the second magnitude to One of the fourth, within roughly three and a half hours.
The message of Aries presents the outcome of the church. The Seed of the Lamb in Virgo becomes a sacrificial lamb out of which the church is created. Unfailing spiritual waters, intercession, and renew the church. The Bands uphold and govern those forever bound with the Lamb amidst constant turmoil. Hated and threatened by the Evil One, the right hand of the Redeemer cuts off Medusa’s head, puts the Leviathan in chains, and lifts up Andromeda to Cassiopeia’s starry heavenly throne.
The stars in their glory sing the chorus of Revelation 5:13 and 19:6-7:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever.
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready.”
The promise of Aries is God’s great favor. The Lamb is in the midst of the throne upholding, protecting, and comforting his flock through all trials, dangers, and ailments. Believers can cling to his golden fleece and know that Satan cannot touch a hair on their head. Perseus will deliver His people and they will live with Him forever.
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