This is how the stars formerly in the Sign of the (Circular) Altar, came to be reckoned in the Claws [pg 204] of the Scorpion; and this is how the circular scales of Libra came to be substituted for the ancient Circular Altar.
This corruption of the primitive teaching of the Altar, shows how the enemy attempted to seize on the Atonement, bring in “the way of Cain,” and substitute human merit for the atoning sacrifice of Christ; thus perverting the truth at its fountain head. Just as in Gen. iii. we have the woman's promised Seed in conflict with the Enemy, so in Gen. iv. we see the Scorpion's claws—“the way of Cain” in conflict with “the way of God.”
There can be but little doubt, therefore, that the first Sign of the Zodiac was Virgo, the second was the Altar, and the third was the Scorpion. The lesson which they teach is clear: The Seed of the woman (Virgo), who was to come as a child, should be a sacrifice (the Altar) for the sins of His people; endure a great conflict with the enemy (Scorpio), in which He should be wounded in the heel; but should in the end crush and tread the enemy under foot.
Footnotes
[1.] For what is meant by “Structure,” see A Key to the Psalms, by the late Rev. Thos. Boys, edited by the present author, 7, St. Paul's Churchyard. Price Five shillings. [2.]
Viz., in A (verses 7, 8),—
“Converting,” from שׁוּב, to return, as the sun in the heavens.
“Testimony,” from עוּד, to repeat, hence, a witness, spoken of the sun in Ps. lxxxix. 37.