The zodiac has long been and is, to this day, a main source of astrological predictions. Jewish sources as well speak of the consequences of being born under the different signs (see for example, Zedah LaDerech of R’ Menachem ibn Zerach). However, even excluding calenderical considerations, rabbinic sources attach much non-astrological symbolism to the zodiac. This can provide thematic material around which to create stories demonstrating God’s relationship with man.
The most obvious symbolism expressed by the zodiac corresponds to the months of the year as stated in Pirkei d’Rebbi Eliezer (chapter 6). This incorporates into the zodiac the themes manifest by the months themselves. Thus, Aries, in which the sun was located on the vernal equinox corresponds to Nissan the Month of the Spring (see ). The holiday of Passover (the Celebration of Spring) occurs during Nissan and is celebrated by bringing the Paschal lamb as a sacrifice. Libra in which the sun was located on the autumnal equinox corresponds to the month of Tishrei in which is celebrated the Festival of the Harvest. The Days of Judgement, represented by scales, are also celebrated during Tishrei.
Each sign of the zodiac is also said (Yalkut Shimoni, Exodus 418) to represent one of the 12 tribes. During the 40 years the Jews wandered in the wilderness, the tribes camped around the Tabernacle in four camps of three tribes each. The first, encamped to the east of the Tabernacle and was headed by the tribe of Judah joined by Issachar and Zebulun. They correspond to the signs of Ares, Taurus and Gemini respectively. The second, the camp of Reuben was to the south of the Tabernacle and Reuben, Simon, and Gad thus correspond to Cancer, Leo, and Virgil. And so on.
A third symbolism is put into the mouth of the evil Haman when deciding on which day he should mass murder the Jews of the Persian empire (Esther Rabbah 7:11). Looking for an astrologically opportune time, Haman discards certain times because they are governed by zodiacal signs which would be auspicious to the Jews. Ares contained the merit of the Paschal lamb, Taurus the merit of Joseph who was compared to a bull, Gemini the merit of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar, and so on.
With the range of themes available, the zodiac, then, can serve as a conduit through which we can characterize the various interactions between man and God. Using the zodiac as a framework for a series of novels may then serve as an appropriate Jewish Narnia.
We will continue to explore the themes of the zodiac in our next post.
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