What Astronomy Says About the Stars of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Let the sceptics explain how the stars on St Juan Diego's tilma "accurately reflect the constellations visible in the night sky over Mexico on December 12, 1531."

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has an array of stars on the cloak that reflect the sky at the time of the apparition.

When Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego, she did so in such a manner as to teach the native people about who she was, using imagery from their own religious practices.

This included a rose-tinted tunic with four-petaled flowers imprinted on it, symbolizing the earth and the four seasons. The rose color may point to the dawn, symbolizing a new era.

Around her mantle is a bluish-turquoise cloak with stars upon it. This is the color of both royalty and the heavens above. The color of the cloak gives the message that she might not be a god, but she is certainly from heaven.

The astronomy of the stars

What's remarkable about the stars that appear on her cloak is that these stars are not random. They were not simply an ornamental addition to the cloak to make it appear to be heavenly. Astronomers have identified these stars with the same stars that appear in the sky.

According to Datasciencemilan.org, "Scientific studies permitted by the Church since 1929 uncovered intriguing features, including the depiction of 46 stars on the tilma, which correspond to the popes following the apparition. These stars are aligned with the constellations visible in the skies over Mexico, showcasing an intersection of Christian and Aztec symbolism."

Furthermore, "The arrangement of forty-six stars accurately reflects the constellations visible in the night sky over Mexico on December 12, 1531."

The constellations included on her cloak are, "Berenice’s Hair, Hunting Dogs, and the brightest star of Draco, Thuban. This celestial arrangement reinforces her role as a virgin and heavenly queen, symbolizing divine majesty while maintaining a maternal presence."

Additionally, according to Pilar Licheri, "The constellations are displayed as if they were observed from outside the heavens. It is as if we had an image of someone looking at it from outside the universe."

It is a remarkable find and these stars on her cloak reflect the miraculous nature of the image imprinted on the tilma.

Pictured: The stars on the Tilma of St Juan Diego.