Could the crucifixion be thought of as a metaphor?

Jordan Maxwell (alternate theorist) said that ‘Spiritual and Intellectual Enlightenment always dies between two thieves: regret from the past and fear for the future"-thus the two thieves and the dying in the crucifixion. And it would also follow that instead of a man, Jesus would be a metaphor for the sun or ‘spiritual and intellectual enlightenment’. When we’re enlightened it ‘dawns’ on us’, like the dawn from the sun’s rays awakening us from darkness and obscurity. In that regard, Jesus being God’s ‘son’ or ‘sun’, actually makes a bit of sense.

The twelve disciples representing the 12 signs of the zodiac makes sense as well. The 12 signs of the zodiac revolve around a circle, or the sun.
It’s usually thought of as the 12 signs of the zodiac. Leo is even represented with the others here http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/astrology/astrology_images/zodiac_picture_images.jpg

And for Christians, this alternate take on it isn’t twisting anything. It doesn’t cast a past event in a negative light. Spiritual and intellectual enlightenment is a good thing.

Why not. Sounds pretty good, as you have put it to us.