This constellation has to be without doubt the best known constellation to both professional and amateur alike. Situated in the northern sky and appearing indeed like a dipper, we were often told the end bowl stars point to the North star. And in our earlier message, we stated that the handle of the Big Dipper points to Arcturus (Liaf's favorite star). The Big Dipper is a circumpolar constellation if one lives about 40+ degrees or farther north, although the star at the end of the handle gets really close to the northern horizon depending on the time of day. If the handle points somewhat downward, then we know one cannot see Arcturus ---- the star would be below the horizon.

Let's look at the names of these stars to get the idea behind the meaning of the constellation. First of all, the Arabic name of this constellation is Al Naish or Annaish meaning, "the assembled together". The ancient Jewish commentators interpreted Ash as the seven stars of this constellation, and indeed may have been Arcturus (Ash) in Job 9:9 and 38:32. In other words, a marginal interpretation of "Arcturus and his sons" is "The Bear with her train".

The brightest star, Dubhe, we already stated means a "herd of animals" or "a flock". The star below that, Merach, in Hebrew means "flock" in Arabic, "purchased". Another one in the bowl, Phaeda or Phacda, means, "visited" or "guarded" and "numbered" (as in bred or named). The star Alioth, the first star in the handle nearest the bowl, means, "a she goat" (as was the name in the constellation Auriga we discussed earlier). The star Mizar, the middle star in the handle is an interesting star. It has a "double" called Alcor. This is an optical double. In other words, Alcor is not orbiting around Mizar. It is just in close proximity to Mizar from our vantage point. Their names mean "separate or small" and "the Lamb" respectively. The last star in the handle, Benet Naish (Arabic) means, "the daughters of the assembly". Other star names have these meanings: "the sheepfold", "multitude", and "many assembled", "redeemed", and "latter herd or flock".

Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.

Is there any doubt about Ursa Minor being the flock of the heavenly called people while Ursa Major is the greater flock of the Earthly people of Israel? Remember, Abraham was promised spiritual seed as the stars of the heavens. That's a lot--- or as Carl Sagan would say, "billions and billions". However, the sand of the seashore or dust of the Earth is even greater, and it represents the physical seed of Abraham, restored to her land and becoming covenanted in Christ at the time of the end. Until then, he promised their safety. And as we taught here on this site, that is why the peoples of Northwest Europe, the British Isles and the United States fared so well--- God kept his promises to the Patriarchs pertaining to their physical offspring in spite of their initial punishment! And from that great and blessed crowd, came the lesser fold from whom came the gospel message to preach to the entire world so that they'd also be blessed thus sharing in both the physical blessings of the larger crowd, and the spiritual blessings of His heavenly people.

Ever watch "Jason and the Argonauts" movie? Liaf and Morfessa loved that movie especially with the army of skeletons attacking. Whatever fables have sprung up from this constellation involving Jason and other folklore, the theme was that of a company of travelers escaping dangerous situations at every turn. Argo means a "company of travelers" as those on an emigrant ship. In the Egyptian planisphere, Argo has two decks (as we had the lesser and greater folds). And what about the significance of Jason in this protected company? The themes, even by virtue of this legend, seem to be the same as Cancer, Ursa Minor, and Ursa Major.

Argo today is known by the names of Puppis (the stern) and Carina (the keel) and also Vela (the sails). Basically, this large constellation trails Canis Major and much of this constellation lies in the southern part of the sky, especially Carina that has the bright star Canopus. Canopus never rises at Liaf's latitude but he has seen it at Morfessa's house since he lives much further south. Canopus means "the possession of Him who comes". Canopus is the next brightest star in the heavens next to Sirius in Canis Major. Other star names mean, "multitude and abundance", "possession", "the released who travel", "the desired", and "the Branch". Again, the theme is that of a great, protected company and the Messiah. As already pointed out, the greater fold, under protection of Him who redeems them, will be gathered and restored to their land.

We are now up to the last, and grandest constellation Leo and its companions in the next message to come.