Astronomer Michael Molnar wrote ‘The Star of Bethlehem – The Legacy of the Magi’ (Rutgers University Press, 1999) in which he deduced Jesus bar Joseph was born on April 17, 6 BC (17.4.748 AUC / 29 Nisan 3755 HC) based on the photograph of a coin. From his website:
“Superposed on the photograph of the coin is what I found: Jupiter underwent two occultations (‘eclipses’) by the Moon in Aries in 6 BC. As the regal ‘star’ which confers kingships – its gift is amplified when Jupiter is in close conjunctions with the Moon (see the astrological chart below, as Jupiter is not by modern terms close but 21 degrees away, but historically the luminaries were allowed orbs of a full 30 degrees).
The second occultation on April 17 6 BC coincided precisely when Jupiter was “in the east,” a condition mentioned twice in the biblical account about the Star of Bethlehem. In August of that year Jupiter became stationary and ‘went before’ (i.e. retrograde) through Aries, where it became stationary again on December 19, 6 BC.
TrendingThis is when the regal planet ‘stood over.’ – a secondary royal portent also described in the Bible. There is also secondary confirmation from a Roman astrologer that the conditions of April 17, 6 BC were believed to herald the birth of a divine, immortal, and omnipotent person born under the sign of the Jews, which we now know was Aries the Ram (Lamb). The coins of Antioch and ancient astrological documents show that there was a Star of Bethlehem as reported in the biblical account of Matthew.
Michael Molnar, The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi.
Molnar continues in his book that the Magi were “wise men” who practiced Greek astrology and saw the star, not a comet and not a supernova.1 The people of Jerusalem did not see the star because they did not know Greek astrology, but Herod did and he took action against the babe. In the Bible, Molnar writes that the star appeared in the “east” which was Aries and that was unusual, which is why it signified the birth of the promised Messiah.
I chose sunrise, which according to the website TimeandDate for this date in Bethlehem, Israel is at about 6 am. This makes Jesus’s ascendant be 05 Taurus 15 or the symbol of a “bridge that spans a gorge” how he transforms physical earthly limitation into assets. This symbol, Jones writes, ” is all about the possibility of the continuance of the human experience” through someone who can “instinctively channels his powers to the ultimate benefit of mankind”. Its keyword is “Channelship.”
The layout I have chosen is the whole house method, the Hellenic style prevalent at his time of birth. Looking at the chart, it is obvious he has quite a preponderance in Taurus, that Marc Jones gives the keyword of “Virility”. Jesus also has another preponderance , this time in Pisces, with the keyword “Sympathy”. This makes a rather nice image of a strong man who is kind and gentle enough to care for others without being condescending.
The chart layout makes Jesus Bar Joseph (son of Joseph as he would have been registered with the Roman authorities) a Sabian Bundle Temperament Type — a person ignoring all others and listening to His own inner voice. Finally, his part of fortune, that mathematically derived point that shows a person’s mission or goal in life is 11 Taurus 58 or “Window Shopping.” The name of the degree is rather humourous in this case, but Jones writes that is it is a symbol of a man’s imagination as a corrective force for human achievement.
I personally think Molnar is right. How bout you? In the mean, either have a Happy Easter or a good Palm Sunday today and come this Thursday, do not forget to wish him a 2,024th birthday.
Bibliography.
- Molnar, Michael, The Star of Bethlehem, the Legacy of the Magi, New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1999. Since revised and republished 2013. pp. 17-25.
- American Heritage Dictionary, channel
- . The medium through which a spirit guide purportedly communicates with the physical world.
