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September 23, 2017

There are several problems with this theory.  The first issue is that it claims that this is a once in 7,000 year occurrence.  The Catholic Astronomer has an article that can be found at: http://www.vofoundation.org/blog/biblical-signs-sky-september-23-2017/ that deals with this issue.

It brings out several points: “First, in one year, thanks to the Earth’s annual orbit, the sun travels the entirety of the ecliptic, and thus passes through every one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac.  The sun is in Virgo every September.  Second, in one month the moon goes through its cycle of phases, and travels the entirety of the ecliptic, and thus passes through every constellation of the zodiac—all owed to the period of the moon’s orbit being one month.  Therefore there is always a day or two every year when the sun is in Virgo and the moon is just to the east of Virgo (just past the “feet”).  So, the celestial “woman clothed with the sun with the moon at her feet” is as common in September as is the U.S.’s Labor Day.”

But what of the crown of twelve “stars,” comprised of three planets and the nine stars of Leo?  The response to this question is another question—why nine stars in Leo?  There are many more than nine stars in Leo.  Those nine are just brighter ones that are often depicted as comprising the general outline or shape of the constellation.  But in fact there are scads of stars in Leo and surrounding the “head” of Virgo.

And yes, multiple planets being at Virgo’s head while Jupiter is in Virgo’s center and the moon is at Virgo’s feet is somewhat unusual.  But it is not that unusual.  The period of Jupiter’s orbit is a little less than twelve years, and therefore Jupiter will be in Virgo (with the sun there, too, and the moon at the feet) once every eleven or twelve years.

 So the sun in Virgo, the moon at Virgo’s “feet”, and Jupiter in the constellation are regular occurrences.  This leaves the planets at the “head” (the number depending on the number of stars granted to Leo) as the determining factor in making a “momentous” celestial arrangement.  Indeed, while various Internet sources speak of the specific celestial arrangement here as being “unique in human history” or “once in 7000 years”, in fact it is not unique to September 23, 2017.  This basic arrangement happened before—in September 1827, in September 1483, in September 1293, and in September 1056…

Another main problem is that the sun will not “clothe the woman” on September 23, 2017.  The sun will be over the left shoulder.  In order to “clothe the woman” the sun would have to be in the middle of the constellation.

This celestial line up did occur on September 11, 3 BC, the date that many scholars believe Jesus Christ was actually born.