The Biblical Origin of the As Above So Below Theory

There is an ancient concept about a sort of connection that exists between stars and days of the week (Sun Day, Moon Day…), Birthday and Zodiacal Signs, Body parts and Zodiacal Signs, Metals and Olimpic Gods (Mercury etc.). Our ancestors used to think that there is a sort of connection between Macrocosm and Microcosm. They even coined the expression “As above, so below”.

Their basic assumption was that if a certain system includes 12 parts (e.g. Zodiac) and another system includes 12 parts (e.g.months) there is a sort of connection between the parts in each system so that the first in one system matches the first in the other system

Capricorn = 22 December - 19 January

Aquarius = 20 January - 18 February  etc.

This is a most prominent concept in astrology and in alchemy.

In the Bible this same concept appears

1. in Exodus 39:14

“The stones were corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they were twelve, corresponding to their names, engraved with the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes”.

2. In the connection between the name of a Tribe and its estate: Yehuda - Jerusalem and south, Reuben - South Jordan River etc.

3. In the connection between the name of a Tribe and its blessing (Genesis 49).

4. In the connection between the Zodiac and the Israeli Tribes in Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37) where Joseph’s eleven brothers (tribes) bow to him as the 12^th star, while each star represents a sign of the zodiac. (The sun represents Jacob and the moon represents Rachel).

This sort of thinking lead, so it seems, to the interpretation that the 7-branched candelabrum correspond to the 7 days of the week and also to the interpretation that the Star of David represents the 7 days of the week: the hexagon in the center represents Saturday while the 6-trianles around it represent the working days.

Pisces constellation represents Judea

Yogi Ramacharaka  in his book Mystic Christianity, The Yogi Publication Society, 1908 claims that the three wise man from the east were experienced astrologers who witnessed the conjunction of Mars Saturn and Jupiter, in the Constellation of Pisces and since Pisces, was known to astrologers at that time (and even today) as the  constellation that represents Judea, they came to Jerusalem, capital of Judea, to look for the Savior, and eventually found Jesus (lead by other clues) in Bethlehem.

Pisces Sign Postage Cancel

Pisces sign appears on a postage cancel marking the monthly philatelic fair, which took place at Dizengof center, Tel aviv, in 6.3.2007. According to the Hebrew calendar March falls on the month of Adar whose sign is Pisces. 

Why two fishes? 

-Because they represent, according to Jewish tradition, the two months of Adar in a leap year.

Picture is courtesy of Moshe Rimer.

Jahangir Coin

Pisces sign appears on an Indian Zodiac coin minted between 1605 and 1627 C.E. by Mughal ruler Jahangir. I don’t know if the influence is Hindi or Muslim (or both) since Jahangir was a Muslim, but the Indian zodiac looks like the western astrological wheel.

Picture is courtesy of Scott Semans.

Beit Alpha 2008

The Pisces sign in artist Judith Weinshall Liberman’s work titled: THE ZODIAC SERIES I, looks like the one which appears in the 6th century mosaic floor wheel of the zodiac excavated at the synagogue in Beit Alpha, Israel. In the original Beit Alpha mosaic floor wheel one had to bend his head in order to see the details (at least as it was captured by photography). I like Judith’s way of facilitating the viewing of the different zodiac signs, as well as her division of the signs, according to their color, to the four seasons. Pisces, as a Water Sign has a blue background.

All Rights Reserved to Judith Weinshall Liberman 2008

Roman Symbol of the Dolphins

Charlotte R. Long wrote in her book The Twelve Gods of Greece and Rome (p. 295) that the 1st century C.E. Altar, found in Gabii in 1793 by Gavin Hamilton shows the twelve heads of the Roman gods in relation to the zodiac signs relieves that run along the side of the cylinder along with their symbols. Neptun rules Pisces and his symbol are the Dolphins (seen on the right, swimming one above the other).

I copied this picture from Wikimedia Commons. It was Uploaded by Jastrow (2006) entry: Image:Altar twelve gods Louvre Ma666.jpg

Sentimental Nurturing

Pisces sign and glyph appear on a humoristic 2007 Australian Zodiac stamp designed by
Mitch Vane along with the interpretation of two personality traits associated with this sign.