This week we have an unusual opportunity to see all five visible planets and the moon in the sky before dawn. You can count down the planets and review their symbolic meanings.

Saturn, namesake of the seventh day of the week, can be found in the constellation Scorpio (The Scorpion). The most prominent feature of Saturn is its ring, an ancient symbol of a crown, picturing Christ the Ruler.

Venus, the planet of the sixth day, is named for the pagan mother goddess (The Norse goddess gives us “Friday”). It strands for Christ the Seed of Woman promised in Genesis 3:15. Venus is also known as the Bright Morning Star (Rev 22:16), another name for Christ. Venus is near Saturn in Scorpio this week.

The fifth day is named after the planet Jupiter and the Pagan Roman God (“Thursday” in English). The most prominent feature on Jupiter is a giant red spot, reminding us of Christ’s wounded side on the cross. Jupiter represents Christ the Suffering Savior and will be found in the constellation Virgo (The Virgin).

The Planet Mercury gives its name to Wednesday, the English version of the pagan Roman God Mercury. Mercury is the “morning star laid low” (Is 14:12) and as such represents Satan. Mercury’s Greek name, Hermes, derives from “The burnt one”, indicating Satan’s ultimate destination and the planet’s closeness to the Sun. Look for it in Sagittarius (The Archer) about 8 degrees below Venus, or under the feet of the Seed of Woman.

The red planet, Mars, gives its name to the third day (Tuesday in English). The red color shows its meaning, representing the Blood of Jesus. Mars is in the feet of Virgo where the Blood Moon of March 23, 5 BC announced the Birth of Jesus.

Monday, the second day, is named after the brightest object in the night sky, the Moon. Described in Scriptures as the faithful witness in the sky (Ps 89:37), the Moon represents the followers of Christ.

It is next to Jupiter in the constellation Virgo. 

At sunrise, all but the Moon will disappear into the brightness of the Sun, namesake of the first day of the week. The Sun is described as the bridegroom and the champion (Ps 19:4-5), representing Christ. It is the sustainer of all life on Earth and is our source of light, like Christ. It is not surprising that everything else fades away in the brightness.

So get up early this week and count down the planets. You’ll be glad you did.