How To Find The 12 Zodiac Signs & The Meaning Of Each In The Bible
It's amazing how much you can learn about astrology by reading the Bible.
If you're new to astrology, it may surprise you that the art of astrological forecasting, studying personality traits based on date of birth and time (AKA horoscope), came before the Bible.
The three magi mentioned in the discovery of the Christ child is an easy point of reference for people who are familiar with both astrology and the Bible. They were not only magi, but star-gazers who were well-versed in astrology and used the "night star," foretelling of the birth of Christ to find his exact location.
In astrology, each zodiac sign has its constellation, a particular power color and herb.
The magi brought gold, to symbolize the power of kingship, and it's also the color for Gemini (representing the past and the future). The magi brought frankincense, which symbolizes god-head. And they also brought embalming oil, called myrrh, as gifts for the Christ child.
The proximate time for Christ's birth would place him as the zodiac sign of Libra. If you look at the symbol of Libra, it looks like a challenge or speed bump to overcome.
Libra is also the symbol of justice for all, so even in this one event celebrated by Christians and non-Christians everywhere, there's a lot of astrological association to the birth of Christ, which also came long before King James decided to pull letters together and call it "the holy book."
People who read the Bible may start to notice similarities and wonder if planet placements, aspects in a person's chart, eclipses and lunar phases can really predict the future.
How does the Bible relate to the occult? Is God connected with the zodiac, or were the writers influenced by horoscope symbolism and used it as metaphor in scripture?
A Short History Of Astrology
The Zodiac was created in the 3rd millennium BC, during the Neo-Babylonian period.
In astrology, each zodiac sign is associated with a season in life, and these seasons are followed by the placement of the stars in the hemisphere. Each horoscope (or scope of time) divides the placement of the constellations, and each sign is put into 12 uneven sections.
In ancient times, people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. Therefore, everything revolved around the Earth, not the Sun.
We now know that the Earth moves around the Sun and it's the Sun that's the center of our solar system. So rather than the Earth moving through each zodiac section, and being used to divide the stars, we divide seasons by the placement of the Sun.
Astrology became a life path and soul journey. Later on, over the course of centuries, the Greek astronomer Ptolemy rationalized that the zodiac predicts the path our lives will take.
With this knowledge, he made 12 astrological signs — Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, and Leo. He called these predictions horoscopes, which means “hour of birth.”
What The Bible Says About Astrology
The Bible alludes to astrology in scripture.
The Bible's first book, written by Moses, starts to inform readers how the world began, and the maker of the stars. It also describes what their purpose is meant to be. Interestingly, they are, again, intended to mark seasons.
The Bible says that stars and seasons can be used as signs in Genesis 1:14: "And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heaves to separate the day from the night. And let them be signs and for seasons, and for days and years." (ESV)
The Bible says you can learn about God by studying the stars in Isaiah 40:26: "Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." (NIV)
There are different ways to say the same thing. Astrology helps people to study their life's challenges in order to provide guidance.
The Bible also recommends searching for answers, but instead of saying "journey" or "enlightenment," it uses the term "salvation from sin" (the making of an error that separates you from knowing who God is).
The Bible supports following the seasons to find your personal salvation — or, as astrology calls it, "your life's purpose."
The Bible believed that God was responsible for everything in the universe, including the stars. Believe it or not, these signs tell the story of the Gospel, just as it is written in the Bible. If you asked a Christian astrologer, many will say that horoscopes were meant to bring us to salvation.
Astrology is not a religion. It's a study of self through the learning of the universe and astrological seasons.
How does the Bible help you to understand the meaning of each zodiac sign? Here is a short description on each astrological symbol, according to both the Old and New testament scriptures.
1. Virgo, the Virgin
The Virgin Mary gives birth to Jesus Christ. In astrology, Virgo is associated with work, 6th house matters, and wellness.
One of the constellations the zodiac signs are named after is Virgo. Virgo is also named "Al Zimach," which means “branch.”
Jesus in the Bible is “the branch” that bears fruit, also known as the fruits of the Spirit.
Bible references:
Isaiah 11:1, 2: "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord"
Galatians 5:22, 23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law"
2. Libra, the Scales
Libra symbolizes judgment based on weight. In astrology, Libra is about humanitarianism, and balancing out light and dark actions.
Earthly crimes are judged based on laws made by governments. Spiritual crimes, which Christians call sin, are judged based on God. According to the Bible, sin is a debt, similar to karma.
But instead of you having to burn the karma with a good deed, the imbalance was paid by Jesus dying on the cross. The names of the stars mean that a debt has been paid.
Bible references:
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of the sin [is] death, and the gift of God [is] life age-during in Christ Jesus our Lord" (YLT)
Matthew 7:2: "For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measure to you" (ESV)
3. Scorpio, the Scorpion
Scorpio can be used to describe the dark side of the spirit. These symbols tie in with Genesis 3, in which Satan takes the form of a snake, and fights God.
God will take some hits, but in the end, according to Revelation, the last book of the Bible, he will be victorious over Satan.
Bible references:
Genesis 3:15: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel" (ESV)
Romans 16:20: "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (ESV)
4. Sagittarius, the Archer
Sagittarius is a figure of a centaur, a creature that is a man from the waist up, and a horse from the waist down. In astrology, Sagittarius is associated with learning, foreign topics and, yes, even religious studies.
He is always holding a bow and arrow. In the Bible, Jesus is both the rider and the white horse itself. He brings salvation to people, and will conquer Satan.
Bible references:
Psalm 45:4-5: "In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you" (ESV)
Psalm 64:7: "But God shoot his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly" (ESV)
5. Capricorn, the Sea-Goat
Capricorn is a creature that is half goat and half fish. He is about work and is ruled by Saturn in astrology.
Leviticus says that a goat was used to forgive people's sins. In order to obtain salvation, the Bible says a person must first confess their wrongdoing. Then, God can work to have that person become a better follower of his teachings.
Bible references:
Leviticus 9:15: "Then he presented the people’s offering and took the goat of the sin offering that was for the people and killed it and offered it as a sin offering, like the first one" (ESV)
Matthew 4:19: "And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (ESV)
6. Aquarius, the Water Bearer
Aquarius is a symbol of a man pouring water out of an urn. In the book of John, Jesus says that whoever believes in Him will have spiritual water flowing out of their body.
In astrology, he represents friendships, partnerships and even innovation. He's a bit radical, is ruled by Uranus, and breaks people from old ways of doing things.
Bible references:
Joel 2:28-29: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dram dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit" (ESV)
Isaiah 44:3: "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants" (ESV)
7. Pisces, the Fish
The figure of Pisces consists of two large fish, one headed to the North Pole, and the other headed towards the Sun.
In the New Testament, two fish can represent the Church and evil. Although the Church may seem to be losing to evil, it will overcome evil and triumph.
Pisces is the psychic energy of the Zodiac, and also the symbol of spiritual quests.
Bible references:
Matthew 4:19: "And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (ESV)
John 21:6: "He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish" (ESV)
8. Aries, the Ram
Biblically, Aries represents the Lamb of God: Jesus. If you trust in Him, you will reach salivation, but if you don't you will fall into evil.
In astrology, the Ram is the beginning of yourself. It's where you learn who you are.
Bible references:
Ephesians 6:14-17: "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace... and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (ESV)
Revelation 19:7: "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready" (ESV)
9. Taurus, the Bull
Taurus is a figure of a bull. Its constellation contains the star Pleiades, which is actually a cluster of seven stars.
Seventy bulls were sacrificed at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles is symbolic of the Age of Tabernacles, in which Christ will come again and rule for 1,000 years.
Taurus in astrology is related to being stubborn, but also sensuality. Taurus is ruled by Venus and teaches man about beauty found in nature.
Bible references:
Amos 5:8: "He who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the Lord is his name" (ESV)
Revelation 1:20: "As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches" (ESV)
10. Gemini, the Twins
Gemini is an image of two figures, one holding a club, and the other holding a harp in one hand, and a bow and arrow in the other.
This matches the connection between Jesus and the Church. A true marriage or connection should bring a couple closer to God and make them even more loving and religious.
Gemini is about going places and also rules communication in astrology.
Bible references:
Acts 28:11: "After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island — it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux" (NIV)
Ephesians 5:31-32: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church" (ESV).
11. Cancer, the Crab
A crab encircles and protects. This is a metaphor for marriage where we allow ourselves to protect an individual or family that we love.
In astrology, Cancer is about undying love and the respect a person has for authority.
Bible references:
Psalm 91:1: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty" (ESV)
Genesis 49:14-15: "Issachar [is] a strong ass, Crouching between the two folds; And he seeth rest that [it is] good, And the land that [it is] pleasant, And he inclineth his shoulder to bear, And is to tribute a servant" (YLT)
12. Leo, the Lion
The lion is the symbol of the tribe of Judah, the ruler is at the lion’s feet. The star Regulus is at the foot of Leo and means the little king. Leo represents the birth of Jesus.
In astrology, Leo is courage.
Bible references:
Genesis 49:9-10: "Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stopped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples" (ESV)
Psalm 91:13: "You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot" (ESV)
Steven Hall is a writer who covers Bible and astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.