I found this information about the Pleiades which can be viewed in the December nighttime sky.  The Pleiades are a group of stars. My thanks to Jean Stepnoski for bringing the Pleiades to our attention.

 

"The etymological derivation of the name Pleiades (Πλειαδεσ) is uncertain. Robert Graves, the late English poet and writer, records in his 'The Greek Myths' (1955) that it may be derived from either the Greek 'plein' for 'to sail', or 'pleios' meaning 'many'. Another possible root is from Pindar, an early Greek poet, who named the cluster the Peleiades – 'a flock of Doves' – and this is, perhaps, the original form." (www.pleiade.org/pleiades_02.html) 

 

A flock of doves?!

 

In Greek mythology the Pleiades were seven sisters: Maia, Electra, Alcyone, Taygete, Asterope, Celaeno and Merope.

 

Continuing to quote from the article cited above... "In an alternative myth, the Pleiades were the virgin companions of Artemis, to the ancient Greeks, the goddess of hunting and the Moon. Whilst stalking a hind, the great hunter Orion crept into a sunlit glade, disturbing the innocent play of the sisters. They fled in alarm. His immoderate passions enflamed by their beauty and grace, he pursued them relentlessly, as was fitting for the greatest mortal hunter. In frustration, Artemis pleaded with Zeus to for his intervention. With characteristic olympian sarcasm, he did. As the hunter closed in on his prey, Zeus transformed the sisters into a flock of doves. They flew into the heavens, beyond the reach of their pursuer, but also removed from earthly companionship with the goddess!"

 

According to the same source, the ancient Romans had another name for the Pleiades... "The Bunch of Grapes / The Spring Virgins. (Classical Roman)."

 

In Revelations we see seven stars: 

Revelation 1:20 says:

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right

hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the

angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which

thou sawest are the seven churches.

 

 There are three mentions of the Pleiades in the Bible... twice in Job and one in Amos.  In these books, the Pleiades are actually mentioned by name.  In Revelations the seven stars (possibly inferring the Pleiades) are referred to as the seven churches.  Read Job 9:9 and Job 38:31.  Next read Amos 5:8...

 

  He made the Pleiades and Orion; He turns the shadow of death into morning And makes the day dark as night...

 

 December seems to be significant and this may be another puzzle piece.

 

YBIC

Bruce Baber