Septentrio (Latin for north/seven plow-oxen) 

Septuagint (LXX), Organized documentation of Old Testament translation to Greek- heavily used and quoted by New Testament authors to bridge Hebrew scripture with the Greek-speaking world. 

Key Connections Between the Septuagint and the New Testament

• Usage: New Testament authors, including Paul, frequently cited the Septuagint, rather than the Hebrew Masoretic text, for their Old Testament quotations (roughly 90 direct quotes and 80+ allusions).

• Translation Influence: The Septuagint rendered Hebrew concepts into Greek, influencing New Testament terminology, such as using parthenos (virgin) in Isaiah 7:14, which is quoted in Matthew 1:23.

• Early Church Bible: The Septuagint served as the primary, authoritative Bible for the early Greek-speaking Christian church and was used in missionary work.

• Contextual Examples: Phrases like "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34) reflect the vocabulary of the Septuagint (Judith 11:19). 

While septentrio refers to the seven stars of the Big Dipper and the north, the Septuagint refers to the legendary 70+ translators who translated the Old Testament. You can learn more about this 

The word "Septuagint" comes from the Latin septuaginta ("seventy"), referring to the 72 (or 70) Jewish scholars who traditionally translated the Torah into Greek in the 3rd century BC. 

Key details:

• The Septuagint (often abbreviated as LXX) is the oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, begun in Alexandria, Egypt, around the 3rd century BC.

• "Seventy" vs. North: The name "Septuagint" comes from the Latin word for seventy (septuaginta), based on the story that 72 scholars translated the text- all completely in agreement with no need for clarification or edits. The legend of the 72 translators is famously detailed in the Letter of Aristeas, often discussed in histories of the text, such as this article on BibleArchaeology.org

• Etymology: Septentrio (north) is derived from septem (seven) and triones (plow-oxen), referring to the seven stars of the Big Dipper/Plough constellation, while Septuagint is derived from septuaginta (seventy).

• Context: The Septuagint was used extensively by Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians, frequently quoted in the New Testament.

The Big Dipper, a prominent asterism within the constellation Ursa Major, has been recognized for millennia by northern hemisphere cultures as a guide, tool, and mythological symbol. It has historically been interpreted as a bear, wagon, plow, or coffin and served as a vital navigation tool for ancient explorers and, famously, as a guide to freedom on the Underground Railroad. 

• Ancient Civilizations: Known in ancient China as the "Northern Dipper," part of a cart for government officials, while in Mesopotamia it was seen as a wagon. The Romans associated it with a plow and also considered the ability to distinguish the binary star at the bend of the handle (Mizar and Alcor) a test of good eyesight for archers.

• Arabic Lore: Ancient Arab and Bedouin traditions saw the "bowl" as a funeral bier (coffin) and the three handle stars as mourners or "daughters" following it, often translated as Banāt Naʿsh.

• Native American Traditions: Many indigenous cultures viewed the constellation as a bear, with the handle stars representing hunters or trees.

• European Folklore: It was often viewed as a chariot or wagon, referred to as "Charles' Wain" (wagon) or Elijah's Chariot

Ursa Major, the "Great Bear," is one of the oldest recognized constellations, documented by Ptolemy in the 2nd century and rooted in prehistoric myths of a cosmic hunt. Primarily known for the "Big Dipper" asterism, it has historically served as a critical navigational tool for finding the North Star. 

Ancient Mythology and Cultural Significance

• Greek Mythology: The constellation is most famously linked to Callisto, a nymph turned into a bear by a jealous Hera, and later placed in the sky by Zeus along with her son, Arcas (Ursa Minor).

• Other Interpretations: Many cultures saw a wagon, plow, or dipper rather than a bear. In Hindu tradition, they are the Seven Sages (Saptarshi). In some Native American stories, the stars represent three hunters chasing a bear.

• Cultural Importance: Roman mythology called them Septentrio (seven plough oxen). It is featured on the flag of Alaska, representing its role as a guide to the north. 

Astronomy and History

• Definition: Listed as one of the original 48 constellations by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD.

• Position: As a circumpolar constellation in the Northern Hemisphere, it is visible year-round, never dipping below the horizon.

• Notable Features: Contains the Big Dipper, used to locate Polaris. The constellation is rich in deep-sky objects, including the Owl Nebula and multiple galaxies like M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy). 

Significance in History

• Navigation: Wanderers in the Northern Hemisphere have used the Big Dipper for centuries to identify the North Star and guide their travels.

• Underground Railroad: In American history, the Big Dipper was known as the "Drinking Gourd" and used by slaves to find their way north. 

For a detailed, in-depth account of the constellation's mythology, you can read more from the American Association of Variable Star Observers. 

Arktos Megale (Greek: Ἄρκτος Μεγάλη, "Great Bear") is the ancient Greek name for the constellation known today as Ursa Major. It is one of the 48 constellations listed in Ptolemy’s 2nd-century Almagest and is commonly associated with the Big Dipper asterism. The term is the etymological root for "Arctic," referring to the northern region under this bear constellation