There is one star above all others which periodically sheds its light upon the world, but about which very little is known, and on the occult significance of which little or no light has been hitherto shed. I refer to what is popularly, and as I shall show, correctly known as the Star of Bethlehem.
I propose to bring the facts into review with the intention of finally establishing the place of this star in cosmical symbology, and also of showing its connection with the central fact of the Christian religion—the Nativity.
The Star is due to make its appearance during the present century, but at what precise date cannot be determined, owing to lack of data. It was seen in the year 945, again in 1264, and by Tycho in 1572, and after becoming visible in the daytime, so great was its lustre, it gradually faded away and disappeared. Sir J. Herschel thought from these facts, that it would reappear in 1872, but such was not the case. The appearance of a large luminous star in Perseus at the beginning of this century led to the belief that it was the long-expected visitant. The body, which was named Nova Persei, was eventually considered by astronomers to be a centre of disruption, on account of its sudden flaring up and disappearance. It may have been this or a collision of two telescopic stars. Tycho tells us that the Star gradually grew in luminosity until it outshone Sirius and even Venus, and as gradually disappeared. This seems to suggest a star of great eccentricity and vast orbit, whose major axis is at right angles to the sphere of visibility, so that it appears to us “end on.” It would thus grow and gradually disappear, without any sensible alteration of its position in the heavens, as here depicted—
Figure 1.
It is of interest to note that mythology connects the Star with Cassiopeia, Andromeda her daughter, and Perseus the husband of Andromeda. These three constellations are in close proximity to one another in the heavens; together with Cepheus, the husband of Cassiopeia and father of Andromeda.
The Star appeared above “the head of Andromeda,” according to Tycho, which would give it about 32° of N. declination, and thus make its appearance vertical to the latitude of Bethlehem in Judea. The sign of the zodiac coinciding with its longitude would thus be Aries, which according to Ptolemy rules over Judea. It is the Oriental sign and stands in relation to the cardinal points thus—
Figure 2.
This observation satisfies the requirements of that passage where the Magi are reported to have said: “We have seen his Star in the East, and have come to worship Him.” Then if a geographical quarter was referred to by “the East,” why should they travel westward from Persia to Judea? Obviously they referred to the quarter of the Heavens, and, being Astrologers, would well know that Judea was signified by Aries, in which sign the Star made its appearance. Its “standing over the house where the child lay,” indicates its position in the zenith of Bethlehem at the time of its southing, the latitude of Bethlehem being 31° 43´ N. in agreement with the observed position of the Star in Tycho’s day.