posted January 20, 2006 10:56 PM              

"The Biblical Zodiac

The twelve major constellations of the Zodiac are referred to in the bible as the "Mazzaroth." The word "Zodiac" comes from the Greek zoad, which means "the way" or "the path." According to many Christian scholars, God depicted his story and his promise of salvation within the stars.
The saga begins with Virgo (a virgin) bringing forth a son. Libra (balance) follows, an indication that man does not possess the power to save himself. The price is deficient. A scorpion and an archer appear together, symbolizing the battle between Satan (Scorpio the Scorpion) and Jesus Christ (Sagittarius the Archer). The intent of Satan is to sting (and thereby kill) Christ in order to thwart God's plan of salvation. The archer has his bow drawn toward Satan and the half-man half-horse depicts the dual nature of Jesus Christ: God and man. Next, comes Capricorn, an animal which is part-goat and part-fish. The goat was often used in sacrificial ceremonies to cleanse sins on the day of atonement. Christ was, in effect, that perfect sacrifice, adopting the sins of the world. A water-bearer (Aquarius) is next to enter the arena, pouring out an endless supply of water. Within that water are the fish (Pisces) which personify Jesus Christ as one who died to save the human race. Pisces Australia (the southernmost fish) dwells in the flow. As the fish cannot survive outside the water, so this symbolism states that an individual is unable to survive outside the pouring of the Holy Spirit. Pisces is a twofold constellation, representative of both Jew and Gentile who will be bound to Satan until the return of Jesus Christ. Satan, of course, is engaged in constant battle with the Church. Early believers used the sign of Pisces to secretly identify themselves.

A ram (Aries) appears, depicting the reign of Jesus who will soon return, heralding the triumph of the Church over Satan. In the guise of a bull (Taurus), Christ will return to lead the charge and "gore" the evil before setting up his rule on earth. Gemini the Twins presents a picture of the newly-acquired dual role of the savior: the suffering servant and the righteous judge. A crab (Cancer) depicts a place of safety for those believers who will escape the Day of Judgment. In the form of a lion (Leo) will the victory of Christ be complete and the defeated Satan cast down. Thus in glorious triumph, does Leo step upon the head of Hydra the Serpent."

www.novareinna.com/constellation/bible.html

posted January 21, 2006 06:11 PM              

Your quote said:

quote:

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The word "Zodiac" comes from the Greek zoad, which means "the way" or "the path."

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This is incorrect. The word "zodiac" comes from the Greek which means "circle of animals":

quote:

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From the Greek Zodiakos, meaning circle of animals, or zoo. www.planetsnstars.com/terms_astro.aspx

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Correcting,

posted January 21, 2006 07:00 PM              

P.S.Edit:Following a quick check with other sources, as is hinted at in the above article, the meaning of "animal(s)" does not appear to be part of the original meaning, after all...

posted January 22, 2006 12:36 AM              

A quick Google search confirmed the "circle of animals" definition: http://www.google.com/search?q=zodiakos+definition

However, I am noticing that the sites which have the alternative definition seem to be proposing this theory about the "biblical zodiac". So maybe they are trying to fit the Greek words into something that fits their theory of the "biblical zodiac"?

Also, here is another definition of "zoad" referring to "living creatures": http://www.mazzaroth.com/Introduction/ConstellationsOfTheZodiac.htm

Wondering about bias,

posted January 22, 2006 12:55 AM            

here is a quote from the last link Tim listed:

" The zodiac is often described as a circle of animals, the word comes from the primitive root, zoad, which comes from the Hebrew sodi. In the New Testament it is the Greek word ‘Zoon’ a living creature, a beast, a living being (‘zoe’, life). In the Revelation it is always those beings (creatures) which stand before the Throne of God, giving glory and honor to Him."

posted January 22, 2006 10:53 AM              

You say it like it was MY quote. Ha Ha ... sorry you were unable to see and/or appreciate the article because of a debatable definition of one word, which does little to change the spirit of the excerpt. But hey, while you try to understand the well intentions of others here, I'll try to understand your need to be right.

posted January 22, 2006 11:08 AM              

I only referred to it as "Your quote said" because you were the one who posted the quote. If you had written out the comment I would have begun "You said". While it is true that the definition of "zodiac" is only one of the points made, it seems to be a major point in their argument. In fact the quote you posted begins:

quote:

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The word "Zodiac" comes from the Greek zoad, which means "the way" or "the path." According to many Christian scholars, God depicted his story and his promise of salvation within the stars.

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and the other quote newbie mentioned refers to this "fact" in large, bold letters. This seems to be a MAJOR point for this new theory. Once we correct this error so it reads: "The word "Zodiac" comes from Greek words which means "circle of animals." According to many Christian scholars, God depicted his story and his promise of salvation within the stars," the argument for a "biblical zodiac" seems MUCH less likely to be true.

It is not a need to be right which prompted me to post, but a concern that you were accidentally posting something misinformative, which was attempting to reinvent Greek astrology for its own purposes.

I appreciate and have enjoyed all your other very informative posts on astrology.

Circling the animals,

posted January 22, 2006 11:19 AM              

I already know what happened!

PS: Let this thread BREATHE!

posted January 22, 2006 01:22 PM              

I strongly objected to your comment:

quote:

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But hey, while you try to understand the well intentions of others here, I'll try to understand your need to be right.

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and I responded to clarify the point, that it was NOT a matter of "being right" but a matter of trying to find out the truth. I also was responding to your suggestion that this new interpretation of zodiac "does little to change the spirit of the excerpt". In fact it seems to me it changes the "spirit of the excerpt" a great deal, as I indicated in my post.

As to "letting this thread BREATHE," it doesn't make much sense to me to post something and then become upset because the responses you are getting are not the responses you wanted. I consider this a discussion, and as I come up with additional points which support my conclusion or if others misunderstand my comments, I will post the new ideas or clarifications, civilly and politely, inviting comments from all.

Breathing,

posted January 22, 2006 02:16 PM              

astro junkie, I'm quite convinced Tim didn't intend to make it sound as though anything of the excerpt you posted actually was coming from your own mouth. When I read his attempt to correct the facts last night, not for a second did I get the impression that he was criticizing YOU - instead, it sounded to me like a simple, matter-of-fact statement, and I understood his "your quote" exactly as he has explained it, despite English not being my native language (plus, I was already very tired when reading the thread ).
It's not my intention to take sides or anything, but if I had written what he did and you had responded with the same words you used towards him, I would have felt treated unfairly, as well.

posted January 22, 2006 07:52 PM              

... AND ... You're right again! Hot damn!

posted January 22, 2006 07:55 PM              

Point taken and appreciated. Glad you got something out of the link.