Taurus is a bold, noticeable "V-shaped" constellation seen in the wintertime along with other notable constellations such as Auriga, Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor and Gemini. There is no shortage of bright, dazzling starts in this area of the sky and when an amateur new at this notices the beautiful array of winter stars, no doubt he or she is looking in this direction. One of the brighter stars, Al Debaran, represents one of the "four-corner" stars we talked about at the start of this series regarding the cherubim. Al Debaran is Morfessa's favorite star as well (Liaf's is Arcturus). In addition, this dual-horned, powerful bull was symbolic of the tribes Ephraim and Manasseh (see Deuteronomy 33:17). Even though we got thru a lot of Lost Tribes stuff, one topic we did not discuss much about is heraldry. Whenever one sees a bull or unicorn as national standards (or family 'coat of arms'), one can suspect that one of those tribes are indicated.

We think that everyone is somewhat familiar with this brilliant constellation already. Besides the bright star Al Debaran, which means, "the leader" or "captain" in Chaldee, we also have the shared star El Nath with the constellation Auriga. This is NOT the same El Nath we talked about earlier in Aries, but the meaning is the same ("slain"). In and of itself, the double witness of this same star name is significant. We are drawing more from Capt's book (The Glory of the Stars) regarding Taurus due to his better references of the history of this constellation, but the overall meaning is the same. The Denderah zodiac calls this constellation by Isis ("who saves") and Apis, or, "the head" or "chief". But in the Hebrew, Arabic, Latin and Greek, the names all denote a bull, and one in the act of pushing or rushing. Thus then, we can see the themes of power and sacrifice here. What else is there about Taurus? Well, in the neck of Taurus is the famous Pleiades, a.k.a. "seven sisters" star cluster. A star cluster is a group of stars actually related to each other, whether they are from the same stellar 'nursery' or whatever. There may be gravitational bonds between them. This is in contrast to constellations that are only associated by a 'connect-the-dots' method but otherwise these stars may be many light years from each other. Morfessa actually claims to be able to see each of these tiny stars of the Pleiades with his naked eye, and when he drew them one day as he saw them, Liaf looked thru a telescope to see exactly the same thing Morfessa drew! They are arrayed in almost the same shape as the "Little Dipper". To most people, this star cluster looks like a fairly bright hazy patch in Taurus. Pleiades means, "the congregation of the judges or rulers". The brightest star of this cluster is Al Cyone, and means, "the center". Some believe it is the center of the universe, but more likely whether or not that is true it signifies the center of this cluster--- the main character. Perhaps this was what God had in mind when he asked Job in 38:31, Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

In addition to this star cluster being mentioned in the Bible, This same cluster, along with Al Cyone were related to the stellar alignments in the Great Pyramid.

Besides the themes of power, rulership, and sacrifice, the Pleiades have the theme of judgment about it. Thus, Taurus represents the Coming Ruler and Judge, One who was sacrificed, along with His saints.

It is also most noteworthy that due to the precession of the equinoxes, Taurus was the Vernal Equinox constellation the sun was in c. 2000 B.C. This is why you hear so many biblical stories about heathen calf worship. No doubt this is another example of where the truth was perverted by the pagan societies of the day. They understood something about this constellation as being the Lord and Judge, but associated it with their gods instead. We can go on for hours about this constellation, and perhaps we will later on in another message, but for now this is not the series to do that with. Besides the meaning of this constellation, we just wanted you to be aware of its great significance in many areas including pagan worship, the Great Pyramid, the standard of Ephraim and Manasseh, and angelic visions (One of the "four corners").

Morfessa and Liaf do not think there is one person in the whole United States who is not familiar with Orion, the hunter. It is the most recognizable and brilliant of all constellations. In addition, its famous star "Betelguez" is pronounced the same as the famous comedy horror movie Beetlejuice that was out several years back. The constellation is shaped like a large rectangle with three bright 'belt' stars going through the middle. These stars lay very close to the celestial equator making the constellation reach a peak height of about 50 degrees off the South horizon for middle latitudes. In the Denderah zodiac, he is called
Ha-ga-t, or, "this is he who triumphs". Orion was originally spelled Oarion from the Hebrew root which meant, "coming forth as light". As already stated, Orion is mentioned in the Bible, actually several places in Job 9:9, Job 38:31, and Amos 5:8. Since many scholars consider Job as the oldest book in the Bible, even antedating some ancient civilizations, the mention of Orion is significant in that it demonstrates the antiquity of these names.

The "sword" of Orion has the famous M42 nebula. Again, as with the Pleiades, it looks like a blur to the naked eye, but a small telescope reveals a gorgeous cloud of stars. The picture of this nebula is often used in space movies and science fiction programs. It is an excellent "beginner's" nebula since it is so easy to find and view. If you have never saw a nebulous, gassy array of stars in space, Morfessa and Liaf now encourage you to get off your duffs and do so, even if only with a pair of binoculars since this constellation is up high now this time of year. Orion is the picture of the "Light of the World". He has a club in his right hand wielding it in victory while holding the carcass of a lion in his left hand. And who is this lion? Does not
I Peter 5:8 also describe Satan as a roaring lion? If the Scriptures depict Christ as a lion, why do the Scriptures compare the devil to a lion also? The reason is because Satan is the great Imitator. But as Orion shows, The Lord Jesus will be victorious over the Enemy. In addition, his left foot is placed over the enemy (Lepus) in the same manner Ophiuchus' foot is over Scorpio.

The star names are interesting as well. Betelguez (the upper left of the rectangle--- this is a red, supergiant star) means, "the coming". The star Rigel (a hot supergiant) in the lower right of the rectangle means, "the foot that crushes". The fairly bright star Bellatrix in the upper right of the rectangle means, "coming quickly" or "swiftly destroying". Other star names have similar meanings entailing the meanings "crushing", "bruising", "breaking", "ruling", and "strong". We think Isaiah 42:13-14 summarizes Orion nicely:

The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

Eridanus is a long, winding constellation coming from Orion's foot going south. This is the "River of the Judge". The star name Archernar means "after part of the river". The star beta, called Cursa, means, "bent down". The star gamma, called Zuorac, in Arabic means, "flowing". We have this river coming from Orion flowing to Cetus, who in vain tries to stop the river. Likewise, this river was originally associated with a river of fire in ancient mythology. Hence, the themes of flowing judgment and fire all coming from Orion have been preserved. This pictures the Victorious, Returning Christ in Judgment as described in Daniel 7:9-11:

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

When the Lord Jesus comes again as a mighty, rushing judge as depicted in Taurus, we see Him now as the Shepherd in Auriga holding a 'she goat'. This little goat looks frightened of mighty Taurus. But what does the Bible say of this? Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. (Ezekiel 34:22). This passage sounds similar to the "sheep and goat" judgment in the time of the end. For those who would be left here to see the Lord return, who wouldn't be afraid seeing Jesus breaking forth from the heavens? Yet, he will gather his elect (all Israel) from the four corners of the Earth as Jesus said. Furthermore, pertaining to this Shepherd, the Ezekiel passage goes on to say, And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.

The name Auriga is from a Hebrew root that means, "shepherd". The star alpha has the Hebrew name Alioth, or, "she goat". It is known to most by the modern Latin name Capella and means the same thing. Capella is one of the brighter stars in the heavens brighter than Al Debaran. The star beta, called Menkilinon means, "the band" or "chain of goats". Likewise, another star name Maaz, means, "a flock of goats". In the Denderah Zodiac Auriga is called Trun, which means "scepter" or "power". Ironically, the scepter's top has the head of a goat! Even the Latin name Auriga, which means "charioteer", has this coachman carrying a she-goat (now who would ride along carrying a goat?). Again, people skeptical of these constellation meanings may point out that depending on the culture, the meaning changes somewhat. However, we feel that this actually verifies the common origin. In both variations, we have a goat in the picture. Thus, the major theme remains unchanged. Thus, Auriga is that Good Shepherd, One who will take care of His flock when He returns in power and judgment.

Whew! This was a long message! But we are almost done with only Gemini, Cancer and Leo to do yet.