The 12 signs of the zodiac are envisioned as 12 'doors' or 'houses.' Because of the Precession, the sun enters a different 'house' at springtime about once per 2-thousand years and causes us to enter a new astrological 'Age.' The phenomenon was well known to the ancient astrologers, and it was used as a title of the Age of human history in which one lived. If the sun rose in Aries at the Spring equinox, it was called the Age of ARIES. If the Spring equinox was in Pisces, it was called the Age of PISCES, etc. Actually, every astrological Age had a double name, e.g. ARIES-Libra, PISCES-Virgo, etc. The double name comes from the names of the constellations or 'signs' where the sun rises at both the SPRING and Fall seasons of the year. Modern astrologers say that we are now entering the Age of AQUARIUS-Leo or Leo- AQUARIUS.

Next, we consider some astrological symbolism in the Book of Genesis. Genesis 49 is a word picture describing the signs of the zodiac and are correlated with the names of the 12 tribes:

Reuben, 'boiling over with water,' is Aquarius (the Water Bearer)

Simeon and Levi, 'the brethren,' are Gemini (the Twins)

Judah,'the lion's whelp,' is Leo (the Lion)

Zebulon, 'who shall dwell at the beach of the sea,' is Pisces (the Fishes)

Issachar, 'a gelded donkey lying down in the cattle pens (REB)' is Taurus (the Bull)

Dan, 'a serpent in the way,' is Scorpio (the Scorpion)

Gad, 'a troop shall press upon him; but he shall press upon their heel,' is Aries (the Ram). [Aries, being the first sign of the zodiac, 'presses upon their heel' in the circular zodiac.]

Asher, 'the weigher of bread,' is Libra (the Scales)

Nephtali, 'a hind let loose,' is Capricorn (the Goat)

Joseph, 'whose bow abides in strength,' is Sagittarius (the Archer)

Benjamin, 'ravening as a wolf, devouring his prey by morning, dividing the spoil at night,' is Cancer (the Crab)

The 12 sons have been named but one sign remains- Virgo (the Virgin). This sign is 'veiled,' and is correlated with Dinah, Jacob's daughter (Gen 30:21).

In addition to the names 'Pisces,' etc., the ancient Jewish astrologers named the signs of the zodiac after the twelve tribes in the manner suggested in Genesis. Thus the name of the first sign was 'Gad/Aries'; the second sign was 'Issachar/Taurus', etc.