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1. Introduction to Biblical Astrology
“There shall be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars.” – Jesus Christ, Luke 21:25
Astrology in the Bible is a topic that has sparked debate and curiosity among scholars, theologians, and spiritual seekers. While astrology—the belief that the positions and movements of celestial bodies influence human affairs—has ancient roots and was widely practiced in many cultures, its presence in the Bible is subtle and often contested. Some see astrology as incompatible with the monotheistic teachings of the Bible, while others argue that certain biblical passages reflect astrological knowledge or symbolism.
For example, the Star of Bethlehem guiding the wise men (Magi) to the birth of Jesus in the New Testament is often interpreted as an astrological event. The Magi were likely astrologers or astronomers from the East, using the star’s position to navigate. Additionally, references to the constellations—such as Orion, Pleiades, and the Bear—appear in the Book of Job, suggesting that the biblical authors had knowledge of celestial bodies and their movements.
While the Bible includes warnings against divination and astrology (such as in Deuteronomy and Isaiah), the role of the heavens as signs or symbols of divine intervention is also mentioned. The complexity of astrology’s relationship to biblical teachings reflects broader historical interactions between religion, science, and mysticism, inviting ongoing exploration of the biblical view of the cosmos and its spiritual significance.
2. Biblical Astrology
The Bible is filled with references to astrology. This is because astrology was widely accepted as truth in Biblical times. Christians who believe that astrology is Satanic would be surprised to learn that the Bible is filled with astrology and even Jesus himself made numerous references to astrology as in the Bible verse above shows.
People believed in the study of the stars in Biblical times. Everyone knew the influence of the sun on the Earth, and the sun was a star. It certainly made a pattern, so far as life on Earth was concerned – it shaped everything, or at least nourished everything – and the shape had to be such as to allow the sun to give life to it.
One of the great astrological stories in the Bible is the story of the star of Bethlehem. It is written that the star was a sign from God signaling the birth of the Messiah into the world. The three Magi, Persian astrologer-kings, determined the time of this birth by the position of this star. In 1600, Johannes Kepler hypothesized that this star was actually a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Confirmed by modern astrology, this symbolism ties in with the prophecies of that era concerning a Messiah amongst the Jews. The conjunctions occurred at the end of Pisces, ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter is the planet of kings. Saturn is the planet that rules the Jews, thereby giving the king of the Jews. This was a very infrequent triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn and it occurred in the year 7 B.C.
The following are some of the most interesting Biblical references to astrology.
“I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know – God knows. And I know that this person – whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows – was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that humans are not permitted to tell.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-4)
The phrase, “I know a person,” is a euphemism people used in those days to refer to themselves in a humble manner. Paul explained that he was taken to the “third heaven.” The phrase, “third heaven,” is a reference to the multi-level realms of the afterlife. This is an astrological/religious concept believed by Jews, Christians, Gnostic Christians, Platonists, and other people in those days. A correlation with Paul’s third heaven can be found in the Gnostic book entitled the “Apocalypse of Paul.”
The Apocalypse of Paul also describes Paul’s afterlife visit to the third heaven. It also describes how Paul travels through a hierarchy of heavenly realms all the way to the “tenth heaven.”
According to Flavius Josephus, the famed Jewish historian, the Jewish temple at Jerusalem had the twelve signs of the zodiac inlaid in its floor. Josephus also stated that the twelve loaves of showbread in the temple was a reference to the zodiac. In modern times, Israel issued stamps with the zodiac signs identified with the twelve tribes of Israel and the astrological symbolism of the temple.
The Bible states that God made the heavenly bodies to show us “signs” of his intentions. These signs can be read by anyone who knows how to interpret them. Astrology is about interpreting these signs in the motions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars.
“And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the Earth.” And it was so.” (Genesis 1:14-15)
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the Earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:25-27)
In the verse above, Christ uses astrology to reveal the “signs” in the sky of his coming.
The Bible states that the first communication from God came from the stars. David writes in his Psalm:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day after day utters his speech and night after night shows his knowledge. There is no tongue or language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the Earth and their words to the ends of the world. In them (the heavens) he has set a tabernacle for the sun.” (Psalm 19:1-4)
“Can you bring forth the Mazzaroth (the zodiac) in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? (an astrological constellation)” (Job 38:32)
The Bible verse above shows God using astrology to answer Job.
The Bible also describes an astrological sign called the “Morning Star” which is a reference to the planet Venus. The Morning Star, also known as the “light bringer”, is also an astrological symbol that functions as a sign for the onset of dawn. It appears as a brilliant “star” at night just before the sun rises and brings light each morning to Earth. The greatest function of this “light bringer” is as a symbolic reference to the Messiah who brings the light of God to the people. The Bible also uses the term “Morning Star” as a reference to all sons of God including Lucifer, the “light bearer”.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)
“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)
“Just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the Morning Star.” (Revelation 2:27-29)
“How you have fallen from heaven, O Morning Star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the Earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14)
“After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said: “May the day of my birth perish … May its Morning Stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.” (Job 3:1-10)
“Where were you when I laid the Earth’s foundation? … On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the Morning Stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7)
In one of the prophetic dreams of Joseph, he saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to his star. The interpretation of this dream was obvious and that was that Joseph’s father (the Sun), mother (Moon), and eleven brothers (eleven stars) will bow down to him.
“Then he (Joseph) had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” (Genesis 37:9-11)
Of course, we all know the rest of the story that they indeed had to bow down to Joseph when Pharaoh made him a prince because of his ability to interpret dreams.
Here is an excellent Bible passage that describes the astrological influences on humanity:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Astrology refers to every 2160 years as a new “astrological age” which is a different sign of the zodiac that comes into position to influence the Earth. The Bible describes events that will occur according to the signs of the “astrological ages”.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
“Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32)
“The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.” (Matthew 13:39-40)
“What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)
“No one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age … None of the rulers of this age understood it.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)
“[Christ was raised] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:21)
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened … who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)
“Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages.” (Hebrews 9:26)
“Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.” (Revelation 15:3)
All these Bible verses are referring to the end of the age of Pisces (the fish, the Church age) and the beginning of the age of Aquarius (the water-bearer, Christ).
Jesus was born under the end of the age of Aries (the ram or lamb) and this may explain why he called himself the “lamb of God.” By the time Jesus began his ministry, it was the beginning of the age of Pisces (the fish, the Church age). The sign of the fish has special significance to Christianity because the sign of the fish has been known throughout the millennia to be the sign of Christianity. Jesus recruited “fishermen” as disciples to make them “fishers of men.” He fed the masses with a miraculous draft of fishes. His followers were know in Latin as “pisciculi”, the “little fishes.” A commonly used icon in Christian churches is the “Vesica Piscis“, which is Latin for “mouth of the fish”. Its shape resembles a fish without a tail. It can be seen in the shape of stained glass windows in many churches and cathedrals. The Pope wears a ceremonial hat in the shape of a fish head.
The world has already entered a new age, the age of Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). It should be obvious to Christians that the identity of this “Water-Bearer” is the one who (1) came from the waters of Galilee (2) baptized with water (3) changed water into wine (4) walked on the water (5) washed the feet of others with water (6) calmed the ocean waters (7) gives living water (8) says we must be born of water (9) drank the cup from the Father.
Sometime during the age of Aquarius arrives, major Earth changes were foretold by Jesus and Edgar Cayce to occur. Jesus said that before this happens, there will be wonders in the sun, moon, and stars signaling this coming age of the Christ consciousness. This is a good reason why every Christian should study astrology so that these heavenly signs can be interpreted.
Another astrological reference concerning Christianity deals with the winter solstice which begins on December 21. It is the day of the year when the night is longest and the daytime shortest. The ancient Egyptians noticed that on the autumn equinox, the sun does not set farther south and sets in the same place on the horizon for three days. This is an astrological reference to when the sun (Son) goes down for three days (dies) and then begins to rise again (resurrection). Using the crude instruments available, ancient astronomers were able to detect by December 25th of each year that the daytime had become noticeably longer. This date was chosen, and remains, the traditional date for followers of many different religions to celebrate the “rebirth” of the sun. Following the equinox, each succeeding day has slightly more sunlight than the previous day. It was seen as a promise that warmth would return once more to the Earth. Numerous pre-Christian religions honored their gods’ birth or rebirth on or about that day.
The ancient Egyptians knew that as long as the sun rose in the morning, life would continue on the Earth. This explains why the Egyptians used the sun as their symbol for the eternal life of the cycle of the seasons. In many Christian churches today, the symbol of the cross with a circle in the center of it appears on church steeples. This icon of the circle as representing the sun, comes from the Egyptian belief that the sun represents eternal life.
The Egyptian religion held that the Sun of God, Horus, was killed under the sign of Virgo (the virgin) but was resurrected in the age of Leo (the lion). This is why the Egyptians built the Sphinx with the head of a woman (Virgo) and the body of a lion (Leo).
During the days of Moses, the Hebrews were subject to the religion of Egypt. Before the worship of Amun-Ra (the major Egyptian deity) was instituted, Egyptians worshiped Isis (the Mother of God). When the Hebrews left Egypt and arrived in Canaan, their religion was influenced by the Canaanite religion whose God was named El (the planet of Saturn). The Star of David is a symbol which comes from the star of Saturn (El) which is the planet the ancients used to refer to the Hebrews.
The Hebrews adopted Saturday (from Saturn’s day) as their day of worship. Christians, whose astrological influence was the sun (also from Egyptian origin), worshipped on Sunday (or the sun’s day).
The story of Jonah (Semetic for “sun”) is about a man who is swallowed by a whale (death) and remains in it’s belly for three days at which time the man is freed (resurrection). This story is another symbolic of the astrological account of how the sun remains still for three days during the winter equinox. It is also symbolic of the resurrection of Christ.
When Moses came down from the mountain, he saw the people worshiping a golden calf. This idol came from the Egyptians astrological worship of the sun. Golden represents the color of the sun. The calf (Taurus the bull) represents the age in which the Moses lived when he wrote the Torah. When history moved into the next sign (Aries the ram), the Hebrews celebrated the approach of their Messiah by blowing rams horns. The sign of Aries influenced many religions to adopt the lamb of God concept.
The concept of the zodiac is very ancient, with roots in the early cited cultures of Mesopotamia. Astrology is, more than likely, the oldest religion created by humans. The first twelve-sign zodiacs were named after the gods of these cultures. The Greeks adopted astrology from the Babylonians, and the Romans, in turn, adopted astrology from the Greeks. These cultures renamed the signs of the Mesopotamian zodiac to symbols of their own mythologies. This is why the familiar zodiac of the contemporary West bears names out of Mediterranean mythology.
The concept of reincarnation is a necessary tenet of astrology. The notions of reincarnation and karma together explain why some people are born into lucky circumstances and others into unfortunate conditions. For astrologers concerned with the question of why some people are born into a life of hardship written large across their horoscopes and other people seem to be born under a lucky star, reincarnation and karma prove important explanatory tools to understand divine justice. Reincarnation also provides a framework for explaining why a person has certain personality traits. They are carryovers from past lifetimes.
