This is posted on alt.astronomy because there is over 500 years of
astronomical research regarding the Star of Bethlehem (Kepler, etc.).
Additionally, during the Christmas Season, planetariums all over the
world host a Christmas Show featuring the many theories regarding The
Christmas Star.


The Star of Bethlehem - appearing on March 2nd 5 BC

Background information and links to actual ancient star charts:

Any celestial event that is assigned a 'meaning' (beyond physics) is
within the realm of ancient astrology.

Astronomy is 'observation' and astrology is 'interpretation'. So the
appearance of a 'star' indicating a 'birth' is, in fact, an
astrological context (interpreting astronomical events).

At the time of the birth of Christ, astrology and astronomy were the
same 'science'. In fact, the only reason that celestial events and
objects were studied was to try to ascertain what 'meaning' was to be
derived from the observed phenomena.

To date, all of the astronomical theories and possibilities for
possible Star of Bethlehem candidates have been thoroughly
investigated. All of the astronomical theories are rather mundane,
however, all astronomical commentators have done a superb investigatory
job probing the window of time (7 BC to 4 BC) and coming up with
possible 'Star of Bethlehem' theories.

Christ, according to the New Testament, was born before King Herod
died. Herod's death is a matter of historical account and it occurred
in April of 4 BC ( 3 B.C.E. because of no year "0" ). A lunar eclipse
marked the passing of Herod (April 13th 4 BC).

NO ONE but the Magi 'saw' the star.

The star that 'stops' (over a house) is the sun at a solstice point
(solstice means 'sun stationary') and a 'house' is a component of an
ancient (and contemporary) astrological chart.

The 'house' of (containing) the mother is the astrological 4th house
which begins at the time of the summer solstice.

The Old Testament states that the Messiah/King will be born in
Bethlehem (Hebrew for 'house of bread'). 'Bread', in astrology, is
related to the astrological sign of Virgo (The Virgin).

There is further writing in the Old Testament about a 'star' (asterism,
which is also plural and meaning a 'collection of' or 'constellation')
linked to the birth of the Messiah/King.

It was from these prophesies that the Persian Magi became aware of the
birth of a Messiah / King. The only remaining issue is 'what star'?

The Persian Magi were highly advanced astronomer/astrologers. By
'highly advanced' I mean being possessed of the knowledge of the entire
solar system as it is encoded in mathematic symbols in the construction
of The Great Pyramid at Giza (2800 BC).
See, http://www.templeofsolomon.org/Pyram..._symbolism.htm for a
virtual mind boggling overview of The Great Pyramid.

With that said, it seems that the Star of Bethlehem was an astrological
event witnessed ONLY by the highly advance Persian Magi.

The 'Star' is revealed in an ancient astrological chart and created by
the astrological (geometric) associations (planetary aspects) of moving
bodies in our solar system.

The star chart can be viewed he
http://www.templeofsolomon.org/pageone.htg/pageone.htm

A comparison of astronomical charts and astrological charts for the
2nd of March 5 BC can be seen he
http://www.templeofsolomon.org/StarofBethlehem-star.htm

The astrological charts have been prepared by employing the same
methods that were used by ancient astrologers at the time of the birth
of Christ. The configuration revealed in the star charts occurs only
once in over 40,000,000 years!

The Season's Best to One and All,
John Charles Webb, Jr.