By both Liaf and Morfessa
In the midst of the bright, starry winter sky is the constellation Gemini, trailing both Taurus and Auriga. In the middle latitudes, the twin stars are virtually overhead at some point in its travel (about midnight in late January).
The Greeks called them Apollo and Hercules, while the Latins called them Castor and Pollux (the present names of the stars). These were sons of Jupiter yet both of these myths are contortions of the real meaning. Nevertheless, the idea was preserved as a union of two people. So highly regarded were these two that this is where you hear the old expression "By Gemini!" The Apostle Paul mentioned Castor and Pollux in Acts 28:11 (if you were ever wondering what he was talking about there).
In the Denderah zodiac they are called Clusus or Claustrum Hor, which means "the place of Him who comes". It shows two human figures coming along, one of which seems to be a woman. The Coptic name was Pi-Mahi, or, "united". The Hebrew name Thaumim also means the same thing and in fact, that is the same word used in Exodus 26:24 pertaining to the coupling of the boards together in the tabernacle, thus showing the idea of being closely united. The star alpha is called Apollo, or, "ruler" or "judge". Beta is called Hercules, or, "one who comes to labor or suffer". The star Gamma is called Al Henah which means, "hurt" or "wounded". From these names, Bullinger claims this represents the two-fold nature of Christ, i.e., "God and man in one Christ." In addition, other gospel star writers also add the theme of Christ with His bride. Other star names mean "rest" (or the idea of reposing), "treading under feet", "the branch (spreading)" and "the seed". There is no shortage of 'branch' prophecies in the Bible, and from the names indicating rest and repose, we not only have a Victorious Christ who put his enemies under his feet, but one who will rule and reign in peace and safety. We will admit it may be somewhat difficult to ascertain for certain whether this constellation represents the dual nature of Christ, Christ with His bride, or both. We seem to see elements of both considering that those returning with Christ will rule and reign as He will. In addition, the fact that one of the figures is a woman is significant. However, given the contrasting names of the stars themselves, we can also see how it would apply to the dual nature of Christ.
This is the little rabbit constellation under Orion that is about to be crushed by Orion's foot. Before we pity the critter, let's look back at the original depiction of this constellation. In the ancient Persian planisphere, this constellation was pictured as a serpent. In the Denderah zodiac, this was an unclean bird standing on the serpent. The name is given as Bashti-beki which means, "confounded and failing". Some of the star names are Arnebo (Hebrew) which means, "the enemy of Him who comes", Nibal, "the mad", Rakis "the bound", and Sugia, "the deceiver". These are perfect descriptions of Satan, so there is no need to pity this so-called rabbit. Again, there are many references in the Bible that we've already discussed regarding Christ treading down His enemies.
If we draw an imaginary line left of Orion's belt, we find in the southern skies the brightest star in the heavens (next to that of the sun), Sirius (pronounced 'serious'). The Denderah zodiac calls Canis Major Apes, or "the head". He is pictured as a hawk that comes down quickly. The Persian planisphere calls him Zeeb, or "wolf". But as we've already discussed the perversions of the intended meanings, we dig deeper to the star names as well. Sirius means "the Prince". The star beta is named Mirzam, which means, "prince or ruler". The star gamma, Wesen, means, "the bright" or "the shining". Other star names mean, "who shall come", "the Prince", "the mighty", and "the leader". Therefore, all these star names, coupled with some of the constellation associations regarding "a head" and "coming quickly", show us that this has nothing to do at all with a hawk or wolf, per se, but the idea of a Prince. This constellation represents the verses of Scripture that say:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. (Isaiah 55:4)
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)
What is interesting about Sirius is that the ancients associated this star with intense heat. In July and August, the star Sirius was and is in the general region of the rising sun, hence it was believed that Sirius contributed to the heat of the sun. Hence, we hear the term "Dog Days", named after the "dog" constellation. As if there is some sort of magical effect to these days, little children are warned not to disturb their panting dogs lest they turn on them and bite them from minding the heat. And while we are on the subject of intense heat, we want to make a quick mention about the Dogon People of West Africa. Liaf remembers watching a show about this tribe several years back where the tribal leaders claimed to know of an invisible companion star, Sirius B, orbiting Sirius. They would whip a rope and object around and around while doing ritualistic dancing which was supposed to represent the 50 year orbit of the star (they knew it orbited once every 50 years). Indeed, it was not until about the mid-1800's that such a star was suspected and officially confirmed about 1970! Yet, how did these people know of this star for centuries? And how did the ancients realize Sirius had intense heat (it is indeed a very hot star)? Maybe we will take a side road on this later, but if you want some creepy reading before bedtime, we suggest you do an Internet search and find out about the claims of these people!
If you have already found the star Sirius from following Orion's belt, and Gemini twins higher up, then it is easy to find Canis Minor's star Procyon that lies between the two. The Denderah Zodiac name for this constellation is Sebak, which means "conquering" or "victorious". These brightest star Procyon, means, "Redeemer". The next star beta is named Al Gomeisa, or, "loaded", "bearing for others". Another star, Al Shira, or Al Shemeliya, means, "the prince of the left hand" (as if answering to the star Sirius). Thus, this chapter began with Gemini regarding the dual nature of Christ, and ends with a dual nature, in this case, one Triumphant (Sirius) and the other as Redeemer (Procyon). And if you noticed something as we have, this does not rule out the dual nature as to one being Christ, and the other His Bride, given the dependence of the star Al Shemeliya to the rest of the constellation, and the star Sirius.
Other star names also indicate the idea of a "prince", a "ruler" and even one who "completes" and "perfects". As it is written:
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 59:19-20).
We are almost done (with the series, that is)! Only two more constellations to go. However, we were contemplating adding an appendix to this series discussing some of the more arcane topics related to this, such as the face on Mars or the Dogon tribe. We are not sure if we will do this immediately afterwards, or in piecemeal fashion as time progresses. Either way, we are hoping that you have an excellent idea as to how the Bible is "written in the heavens" along with the realization there are, shall we say, some interesting 'cosmic' stories relating to the Bible throughout the ages.