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The '''Southern Cross''' (also known as Crux) is a constellation in the southern sky. It is one of the most easily recognized constellations, and it is often used for navigation in the southern hemisphere as the Pole Star is in northern hemisphere. It is included in the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Brazil and Samoa. | The '''Southern Cross''' (also known as Crux) is a constellation in the southern sky. It is one of the most easily recognized constellations, and it is often used for navigation in the southern hemisphere as the Pole Star is in northern hemisphere. It is included in the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Brazil and Samoa. | ||
Over the 25,800-year cycle of the precession of the equinoxes, the position of the Southern Cross relative to the south celestial pole varies considerably. The stars of this constellation were known to the ancient Greeks and were visible as far north as Britain in the fourth millennium <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. However, by 400 <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>., most of the stars of the constellation never rose above the horizon of Athens. It has been noted that the Southern Cross was last visible on the horizon in Jerusalem around the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.<ref>Richard Hinckley Allen, ''Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning'' (New York: Dover, 1963), p. 185.</ref> | |||
The ascended masters have spoken about the Southern Cross on a number of occasions: | The ascended masters have spoken about the Southern Cross on a number of occasions: |