by Timothy W. Burnett
In his book Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed, Wierwille synthesized Martin�s research concerning the celestial events surrounding the time of the Christ's birth, with God's word related to the same events.
During the period of Jesus Christ's birth a large number of significant celestial events occurred in the heavens that can be precisely traced by modern day astronomers. In their respective books, Wierwille and Martin provided simple illustrations of star positions to show the various significant events that occurred within the constellations Leo and Virgo before during and after Jesus� birth.
Significant celestial events are those that occur in such unusual ways and with unique repetition that they attract the attention of star gazers. When the related stars have spiritual symbolism, they grab the attention of the star trackers who understand God's word written in the stars. This is why the Magi knew without a doubt that a "King of the Jews" was born.
Due to limitations we cannot list all the related celestial events that reportedly occurred during that period of time. They involved the following stars and constellations: Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Mercury, Regulus, Leo and Virgo. The celestial events included conjunction, retrograde motion, triple conjunction and massing of planets.
When two or more planets and stars line up so that a straight line can be drawn through them to the celestial north pole, a conjunction has occurred. A triple conjunction occurs when one of the stars pass three times into conjunction. Here, the related star first passes in the normal direction, and then starts to reverse its motion back through the conjunction, and finally returns through in the normal direction. Retrograde motion means a star appears to move in reverse motion.
Wierwille laid out six possible candidates for "his star." The first five consisted of two conjunctions between Jupiter and Venus that occurred on August 12, 3 B.C. and June 17, 2 B.C., and three conjunctions between Jupiter and Regulus on September 14, 3 B.C., February 17, 2 B.C. and May 8, 2 B.C. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Wierwille reported that a final sixth conjunction in Leo would have completely convinced the Magi that a King was born. This one involved the massing of four planets, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Venus in the constellation Leo.
Wierwille observed that Jupiter was the one planet that stood out as the most likely candidate for "his star." Jupiter is historically and spiritually known as the kingly planet. It has royal symbolism and significance. After watching the high number significant events involving Jupiter in the constellation Leo, the Magi likely became persuaded that a King (Jupiter) was born out of Juda. As recorded in Genesis chapter 49, Judah is referred to as a lion.
As it is written in Genesis 49:9-10 "Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, you are gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver [king] from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." Jesus Christ's lineage can be traced through Mary back to Juda.
During the next week, star gazers should be able to enjoy a special celestial event involving Jupiter and Venus with the moon. According to an article by Joe Rao in Space.com, the two planets are currently converging close to each other in the pre-dawn sky, and will appear closest to each other during the early morning hours of Friday, February 1st. And a few days later Rao reports that the crescent moon will appear very close to them.
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