HALE-BOPP IN MARCH

Chart 28 shows the path of the comet Hale-Bopp from March 1 to April 5, 1997. The constellation border lines are shown on the chart. The constellation Lacerta seen on the chart is not part of the Mazzaroth or 48 constellations. The early Chinese illustrated it as a flying serpent. Other than that, I do not know of its Biblical meaning, if there is one. It may have been part of a near-by constellation in ancient times.

On March 15/16, Comet Hale-Bopp comes into conjunction with the stars Scheat (who goeth and returneth) and Markab (returning from afar) in the constellation Pegasus (The blessing quickly coming). On March 22, the comet will be in conjunction with the star Alpheratz (the broken down) in the constellation Andromeda (The redeemed in their bondage and affliction). On March 28/29, the comet will be in conjunction with the star Mirach (the weak) in Andromeda. On April 3, the comet will be in conjunction with the star Almach (struck down) in Andromeda.

The following is from "The Witness of the Stars" by E.W. Bullinger concerning the constellation Andromeda.

"This is a peculiar picture set in the heavens. A woman with chains fastened to her feet and arms, in misery and trouble; and bound, helpless, to the sky. Yet this is the ancient foreshadowing of the truth."

"The virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow" (Jer. 14:17)

Could this be the time of beginning of "Jacob's Trouble" or is it another sign of things to shortly come to pass? We will find out soon.

MERCURY/SATURN CONJUNCTION

Mercury and Saturn will come into conjunction on March 20/21 in the constellation Pisces (represents Israel). Chart 29 shows the conjunction on March 21, at 4:45 a.m. Israel time. The planets will not be seen at this time from Israel, since they will be far below the horizon. The planets will be seen in near conjunction just after sunset on March 20 from Israel (see Chart 70 in "A Voice Crying in the Heavens"). The planets will be seen in actual conjunction, as shown on Chart 29, just after sunset on March 20 in areas in the Mountain and Pacific time zones of the United States. The sun and Venus are also in Pisces. Comet Hale-Bopp is very near conjunction with the sun at this time. The conjunction of Mercury and Saturn will occur about 12 hours after the sun is in the Vernal Point or Vernal Equinox position. The Vernal Point is where the ecliptic crosses 0 degrees right ascension and 0 degrees declination. When the sun is in that position, it marks the first day of Spring. At the time of the planetary conjunction, Comet Hale-Bopp will be in conjunction with the Vernal Point. I will let the reader do the analysis of the above events. It will be interesting to see if certain earthly events begin to unfold at this time.

LUNAR ECLIPSE AND HALE-BOPP

The following is from the article "Comet Hale-Bopp at its Peak" by Edwin L Aguire, Sky and Telescope.

"Observers get a brief respite from moonlight on the night of March 23-24. That night the full Moon undergoes a deep (92 percent) partial eclipse visible throughout most of the Americas and western Europe. Comet watchers in western North America, especially those in the Pacific Northwest, will get a bonus: the eclipse will cleanse the sky of most moonlight from about 8:15 to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time -- squarely in the prime comet-watching window. Mars, at magnitude -1.2, is also visible 12⁰ above or to the upper right of the eclipsed Moon. The following evening, Hale-Bopp glides less than 5⁰ north of the Andromeda Galaxy, M31.

The climax of the Comet Hale-Bopp's performance should extend through the moonless period from March 26th to about April 14th. The comet should then be highest in the northwest after dusk and also its brightest. Depending on how vigorously water ice sublimates of its nucleus, the comet's total brightness could peak anywhere from magnitude 0 to -2."

According to solar physicist Patrick S. McIntosh (HelioSynoptics), "It appears that the sunspot minimum is over and that the rise of the new sunspot cycle may accelerate early in 1997. Disturbances to the interplanetary environment may rise to a significant level by April. If so, observers may see some added attractions in their watch of Comet Hale-Bopp. Comet tail disconnections are associated with discontinuities in the solar wind."

Optimum viewing times of the lunar eclipse on the evening of March 23 in the four time zones of the Continental United States are:

Eastern 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Central 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Mountain 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Pacific 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The moon will be in the constellation Virgo (representative of the Woman of Revelation 12) during the eclipse (see Chart 76 in A Voice Crying in the Heavens). Please pray for clear skies, especially for the Pacific Northwest, where we rarely see clear sky evenings this time of the year.

Mars will be near conjunction with the star Denebola (the Judge or Lord who cometh) in the constellation Leo during the eclipse.

THE RETURN OF THE GEDI

The third episode of the "Star Wars Trilogy" The Return of the Jedi will be playing in theaters throughout the United States in early March. The Heavenly theater at that time will be portraying the Return of the Gedi. The star Al Gedi (the Gedi) in the constellation Capricornus represents the One who was sacrificed for our redemption. The star Deneb Al Gedi which means the sacrifice cometh, is also in Capricornus (The goat of atonement slain for the redeemed). The Hebrew name for the constellation Capricornus is Gedi (the kid or cut off, the same as the Arabic Al Gedi.

The following is from "The Witness of the Stars", p. 76.

"Is not this exactly in accord with the Scriptures of truth? There were two goats! Of "the goat of the sin-offering" it is written, "God hath given it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord" (Lev. 10:16, 17): of the other goat, which was not slain, "he shall let it go into the wilderness" (Lev. 16:22). Here is death and resurrection. Christ was "wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities." "For the transgression of MY PEOPLE was He stricken (Isa. 53). He laid down His life for the sheep." See also Lev. 16:5-10.

In this coming month, will most Americans be watching for "The Return of the Jedi" or THE RETURN OF THE GEDI? (the return of the One who paid the price for our redemption). I hope and pray the latter.

"Come, Lord, and burst the captives' chains,
And set the prisoners free;
Come, cleanse this earth from all its stains,
And make it meet for Thee!
Oh, come and end Creation's groans --
Its sighs, its tears, its blood,
And make this blighted world again
The dwelling-place of God."