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The 19-Year Metonic and the Convergence of Matching Luni-Solar Eclipse Tetrads.

Welcome to the June 2025 Blog Everyone! Happy Independence Day! In the special month of June, we recognize our 11-Year Anniversary of this Biblical Astronomy Research Blog. However, it’s even more special that we can rejoice in the God given Freedom to celebrate our upcoming National Anniversary, as we were able to enjoy the 250th year of the US Army, which was organized before we ever became a nation. We are a young nation compared to certain others but we have plenty to be thankful for with the freedoms we enjoy in our nation, though we must stay vigilant to continue enjoying our freedom, which is not free! There are always threats from those who would steal our freedoms, and we must stay faithful watchmen to keep our freedoms safe! This begins with each US Citizen, and as Christians we are first and foremost Citizens of Heaven, which is the true source of our freedom we have from the Heavenly Father, not the Government! As Scripture says; 

1 Peter 5:8, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

Our Spiritual Enemy is a personal adversary, meaning he is aware of our individual strengths and weakness and has designed his attack strategies against us accordingly. But God’s Promises are so much bigger, as He has promised to always make a way of escape from the snares of the devil, and as we stay vigilant we can avoid them and their consequences.

As I Cor. 10:13 says;
“¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” ¹⁴ Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

The enemy tempts us to try to entangle us in sin for evil, while God only proves us good and worthy of His calling. In the context of Biblical Astronomy a good way to apply the exhortation in I Cor. 13:14 to flee from idolatry is to avoid all forms of astrology, like countless ancient cultures worshipped the stars in the sky putting their pantheons of gods ahead of our heavenly Father-God, as He alone sits on His Throne. Nothing or nobody else sits with God on His Throne! Even Jesus sits at God’s right Hand on his own Throne, not on God’s Throne, since Jesus is not and never was the only Omniscient, Omnipotent, & Omnipresent God!

In this month’s blog, our focus on Luni-Solar Eclipse cycles, starts with a 346.62-day eclipse year, as Moon, Earth and Sun realign on the ecliptic, in the same Lunar node . This involves the coordination of three different kinds of years:

Solar Year: The Earth’s orbital cycle around the sun. 365.242 days
Lunar Year: The Moon’s cycle to fulfill 12 Earth orbits. 354.3 days
Draconic Year: when earth, moon & sun align @ Lunar node on the ecliptic. 346.6 days

We should not focus on any one of these types of years, but look at a coordination of all 3. The Metonic Cycle period is almost exactly 19 years after when lunar phases repeat at the same time in the solar year. 235 lunar months=1 hour, 27 minutes & 33 seconds longer than 19 tropical years. In ancient Athens of 5 B.C. Meton worked out this cycle to be a whole number of 6,940 days. Using these whole numbers allows a clear view of the Creator’s inherent heavenly order in the Luni-Solar Eclipse Calendar.

Solar Year= 365.24 days. 365.24 x 19 = 6,939.6 days (every 19 years)
Synodic (Lunar)= 29.53 days. 29.53058868 x 235 = 6,939.68 days (every 235 months) That’s a difference of about only 2 hours, every 19 years! Also 19 Draconic Years = 6585 days, 18 hours, 44+ minutes. While 255 Draconic months (lunar nodes) = 6,939.11 days. 20.02 eclipse years (40 eclipse seasons) #1

The Draconic (Eclipse) calendar results from the alignment of the Moon in a lunar node about every 346 days, a cycle completely independent of the solar and lunar cycles, less than half a day difference every 19 years with the lunar and solar calendars! Also, 223 Synodic Months = 6585 days, 7 hours, 43+ mins.

Not only does the Sun appear the same size as the Moon in the sky, but these 3 different calendars all line up allowing for perfection in man’s observation of time and eclipses.

When these 3 annual cycles align, it forms a pattern where eclipses can be predicted, most clearly in a 19-year [6940+/- day] Metonic cycle. Thus, eclipses generally repeat about the same day of the year, every 19 years. In the Saros cycle of 223 Lunar months, or 18 years & 11 days, Eclipses are easier to predict. As the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth spun the Sun, Moon & Stars in their cycles according to His Perfect & Omniscient timing, we find insightful wisdom and understanding of His order of Creation, as the ancient Jews did setting their holy days via the luni-solar calendar as the Father of Lights ordered Moses, [Gen. 1:14-19, Ex. 12:2, Num. 10:10]. The cycle of Luni-Solar eclipses also warns of impending judgment, since the crossing points of these eclipses across the US Heartland held our attention like few other celestial signs in recent history.

The enemy’s desire to prevent the Lord Jesus Christ’s 1st Coming, by Haman’s genocidal plot, foiled by Mordecai and the bravery of Queen Esther, saved the Jews by the Hand of God Almighty in their day, so today it remains a goal of terrorist groups like Hamas #2 and other foes with our spiritual adversary to inflict a maximum pain and destruction on Israel and Christianity. God’s righteous judgment is complete as the evil are exposed and dealt with via the perfect justice of our Heavenly Father.

The specifics of the Luni-Solar Cycle related to the repeating eclipses involves the special case of three Solar Eclipses that recently trisected the Continental US, as they relate to the Blood Moon Tetrad/Quintet of 2014-2016.

USA-Three solar eclipses in 7 years starting in 2017 – See the A? #3

It’s hard to find any nation in history as geographically trisected by Solar Eclipses as the USA is in a 2422-day span on 8-21-2017, 10-14-2023 & 4-8-2024, eclipses. “A“ is for Alpha, (Hebrew) Alef. This “A” consists of 3 lines; 2 X’s. The 8-2-2017 and 4-8-2024 eclipse dates in a 2024 Comparison Chart of Repeating Eclipses below, shows when the Hepton Total Eclipses fell, both on Monday’s. The 3/25/2024 Purim Blood Moon was the first of 3 Purim Eclipses in a row from 2024-2026.

As we consider the import of the Penumbral Lunar Eclipses in 2016, and the Purim Blood Moon, of March 2025, we uncover a relation to a 70 AD Blood Moon Tetrad marking the Roman’s destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This shows a mark of God’s Judgment on Israel as seen in the history of the Sieges of Jerusalem, totaling 27 in number; [9×3] including 3-a number of divine completeness related to Judgment=9. This Siege of Jerusalem is the 20th such instance, in the history of Israel, this one carried out by forces under the Roman Titus in 70 AD, as the Temple was burnt in spite of Titus’ orders against it .#4

This summary from our Biblical Blood Moon Calendar post, shows the 70 AD Roman Temple Destruction as Jesus Prophesied, [Matt. 24:1-2]. I’ve added the 3 Consecutive Purim Eclipses, from 2024-2026, plus the 3/23/2016 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse that supplies the 5th Eclipse in a 2014-2016 Blood Moon Eclipse Quintet matching the Eclipse Quintet from 2024-2026! This is a most ancient example that I’ve found adhering to the pattern of an Eclipse Quintet, here including a 70 AD Blood Moon Tetrad followed by the 3/4/71 Purim Eclipse.

We find more evidence that a 70 AD Eclipse Quintet fits this pattern in 2033 AD/471 BC Matching Repeating Eclipses 2500+ years apart, to the month from 471 BC to 71 AD, When we add 4 sets of Repeating Matching Eclipse Charts above and below; 3/30/70 & 3/30/2033, 4/14/70 & 4/14/2033, 9/23/70 & 9/23/2033, 10/8/70 & 10/8/2033 bracketing a Rev. 12 sign, on 8/27/70, we find a relevant prophecy not only of this Rev. 12 sign at the birth of Christ on 9-11-3BC, but also with Virgo being crowned as Esther’s crown as Queen of Persia, put her in position to protect God’s people of Israel in Ancient Persia-as the wife of King Darius I, against the evil plots of Haman. 

Figure 4. Solar & Lunar Eclipses in 69-71 AD.    2016 Solar & Lunar Eclipses omitting Adar 2:

Partial Lunar       Sukkot            10/18/69

Total Solar            Nisan 1            3/30/70      Total Solar Eclipse 3/9/2016-Nisan 1

Penum Lunar       Passover        4/14/70      Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Passover  3/23/2016/               Nisan 14

Rev. 12 sign  [central sign]         8/27/70      and a Jupiter–Venus union!

Ann. Solar        Rosh Hash          9/23/70      Annular Solar Eclipse 9/3/2016/ Trumpets Feast 

Penum Lunar       Sukkot           10/08/70    Penumbral Lunar Eclipse 9/16/                                               Sukkot            9-16 to 9/23/16

Partial Lunar       Purim             3/4/71

Total Lunar          Purim             3/23/2016   Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

Total Lunar          Purim             3/24-25/24  Total Lunar Eclipse

Total Lunar          Purim             3/14-15/25  Total Lunar Eclipse

Total Lunar          Purim             3/2-3/2026  Total Lunar Eclipse

This gives us 5 Lunar Eclipses on the key Hebrew Purim Feast. This is no small matter as it follows the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015, giving us an initial modern Blood Moon Quintet of 2014-2016! Purim on Israel’s calendar also taking place prior to the Transit of Mercury, May 9th 2016, serving as a celestial bracket with the 2032 Mercury Transit, recalling Rev. 19:17–20:5 and the Angel Gabriel’s end-time mission. Added notes of interest for the Chart above refers to the Nisan 1-Total Solar Eclipse on 3/30/70, mirrored below in upcoming Blood Moon Eclipses also on 3/30/2033 reflected 2500+yrs before in Esther’s times, on 3/31/471 BC. Please see Comparison Charts for Repeating Eclipses from modern AD dates of 2024-2033 to 480-469 BC dates of Ancient Israel/Persia under King Darius I-Queen Esther.#5 A more inclusive set of Charts covering all dates along these lines is forth-coming soon.

The 69-71 AD Blood Moon Tetrad marking the Roman’s destroying the Temple 542 years after the Repeating Matching Eclipses of Esther & Mordecai from 469-480 BC is reflected also in Solar and Lunar eclipses of 2014-2016, leading to a 2017 rewind of the Rev. 12:1-2 Great Wonder. Amazingly, another version  of this Rev. 12 Celestial Wonder took place on August 27th, in 70 AD, [Plate 1.] below, between a 4/14/70 Passover Lunar Eclipse, and a 9/23/70 Rosh Hashanah Solar Eclipse! The idea that this Rev. 12 sign shows amidst a 70 AD Blood Moon Tetrad followed by the 3/4/71 Purim Partial Lunar Eclipse, sets early precedent linking the Rev. 12 sign with a Jupiter-Venus union, in Leo’s hind paw, 72 yrs. after Christ’s 3 BC birth [seen in Plate 1. below] in context of Purim Lunar eclipses.

Plate 1. The Rev. 12 sign on August 27th, 70 AD: with a Jupiter–Venus union! #6

In our extended view of the Eclipse crossing over the USA- 3 Solar eclipses shape the first and last sky signs [Virgo & Leo] on the Ecliptic forming the Celestial Sphinx as the Alpha/Omega, or the Aleph/Tav characters over N. America, as seen above & below.

HEBREW IS READ RIGHT TO LEFT… ALEF AND THE TAV

Paleo-Hebrew was the script in which the Old Testament was written, not the modern script that is currently used (standardized c. 200 B.C.) On the left is a Tav–the last (22nd) Hebrew alphabet letter – essentially a cross or “X” in the graphic above. On the right is the Paleo-Hebrew Aleph–first letter of the alphabet. The Tav is written by the shadow of the Moon on both locations. The Aleph-(our Alpha- or letter A) is written by shadows of the 2017, 2023 and 2024 Luni-Solar Eclipses over the USA. #7

The Alpha and the Omega

Reading right to left, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Rev. 22:13… viewing the Aleph (A) over the USA, mapped in last section, it forms a Cross as we find in Eclipses over the Middle East in 2027 and 2034. This provides a pattern of the Paleo-Hebrew Aleph–the first letters of the OT alphabet aligned with the eclipse shadows over the middle east, where Queen Esther and Mordecai defeated the Evil genocidal plot of the Serpent’s Seed-Haman, aligned with today’s current sky signs, opening with three consecutive Purim Eclipses in 2024-2026. We also find the Creator’s Hand marking the lands He promised to Abraham, in a much larger plot of real estate than seen in modern maps, that the UN allotted for Israel based on The Balfour Declaration.

Total Solar Tav over America-2017 and 2024

 Like a cross, it’s also a Tav, the last [22^nd] letter, in the original Hebrew Alphabet. It means truth. In the Greek alphabet, “X” is the symbol for the letter ‘chi. ‘Chi’ (or X) is the 1st letter in the Greek word for “Christ” that also embodies as the Word “Christ“, that explains both Christ’s title as “the Logos” [John 1], and also the holiday greeting “Happy Xmas.” In the early days of Christianity, believers used this letter X as a secret symbol to show their association in the Church to others. The above map illustrates the Total solar eclipses of 2017 and 2024 over America, both on Mondays, separated by a 2422-day span of (7-eclipse years).

The Mideast Eclipses of Aug. 2/2027 and Mar. 20/2034—see the “X” below.

[map from 1260d.com] #8

The key dates of this coming Middle-eastern Eclipse crossing-starting in about 2 years; on Aug. 2^nd 2027 and March 20^th, 2034, get our attention for a number of reasons. Not only are they a follow-up to the Eclipse Crossing over the US from 2017 to 2024, but as the author points out this eclipse crossing near the Giza Plateau, embodies the southern border of land promised to Abraham by God in Gen. 15:8, [see Ex. 6:1-8]. In our recent OT History class, Rev. Jon Nessle showed how the Jews have dwelt in this land of Israel starting with Abraham for over 1900+ years! This evident truth of Bible history will never be erased by holocaust denying terrorists. The Comparison Chart of matching Eclipses in 2027AD and 477BC below, depicts the matching Aug. 2nd eclipses in both 8/2/27 AD and 477 BC when Queen Esther & Mordecai turned Haman’s evil plot on himself in ancient Persia under King Darius I. This 27 AD Tetrad comes on the heels of the third consecutive Purim eclipse of 2024-2026.

On Aug. 2nd, 2027 and March 20, 2034 Total Solar Eclipses will cross near the Valley of the Kings in Egypt…that will also be separated by a 2422-day span (7 Eclipse Years). Like the American Total Eclipses, both are Hepton Cycle eclipses occurring on Mondays. All four Eclipse Crossings are members of the same Hepton Cycle. This period of 27 AD to 34 AD contains all probable dates of the Historic Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Central events of Spiritual significance in Human History, God marked them out in His foreknowledge as He spun the cycles of the Sun, Moon and Stars in perfect sequence & time in primary mission focus of His only begotten Son, the long-prophesied Messiah of All Scripture, fulfilled and completed via the Word and Will of our Heavenly Father, whose spoken and Written Words never fall to the ground, but always succeed in their purposes assigned to them by the Almighty.

AMERICAN OMEGA–THE TOTAL ECLIPSES 

Monday Aug 21 2017

The USA divided in half on Aug. 21, 2017. Seven months and 1 day after Trump’s first inauguration. First day of the month of Elul, Hebrew year 5777. In Jewish tradition, the month of Elul is a time of repentance to prepare for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. #9

Monday April 8 2024

2422 days later, the USA was divided South to North, along with Mexico and far eastern Canada. This occurs 8 days after Easter & 14 days before Passover. #7

The Middle-east eclipses occur on boundaries of this 2,000-year anniversary, but no solar eclipse can naturally occur on the exact day’s anniversary. Jesus was crucified at Passover (full moon). Solar Eclipses happen at New Moon. Total eclipses occur 7 eclipse years (draconic years -346.6 days) apart, both on Monday –Moon Day, in a span of 2422 days. They’re part of a unique series of eclipse groupings called a Hepton. 10#

In the Metonic Cycle [approx. 6940 days] there is an alignment of Solar, Lunar & Draconic Years. In this special alignment, Eclipses can repeat near the same day of the year every 19 years, although dates slightly vary as Saros cycles proceed. This is a key element of celestial timekeeping, seen in our Comparison Charts of Repeating Matching Eclipses. For example, we are currently in a time frame that began with a Total Solar Eclipse on March 20, 2015, ending with a Spring Equinox Total Solar Eclipse on March 20^th 2034.

THE GREAT 10-14-23-AMERICAN RING OF FIRE

Ring of Fire 2023

The Hepton Cycle is a pattern of 7 eclipses occurring within an almost 20 solar year period (a 21 eclipse year period) –each eclipse occurs on the same day of the week (the current week-day is Monday). It coordinates 41 lunar months &  7 eclipse years. #11

Hepton eclipses are spaced at 1211 day intervals.

1211 days is 7 eclipse seasons or 3 and 1/2 eclipse years.

An eclipse season is 173 days. An eclipse year is 346 days.

This Annular eclipse formed a Ring of Fire from Oregon to Texas moving on to S. America over a 2023 fall weekend, on October 14^th, 2023, one of three Solar Eclipses trisecting the USA in Seven Years, [2017-2024].

The 3/20/2015 Spring Equinox Eclipse Metonic framed key Eclipses of the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad/Quintet linked to a 3/23 Purim Eclipse in 2016 that totaled 5 Eclipses on Hebrew Feast days from 2014-2016. This set the stage for a complimentary convergence in the 2034, 19-year Metonic with the 2014-2016 Eclipse Quintet, that led into the related 2024 Eclipse Quintet witnessed in the 5 Eclipses last year in 2024, that opened with 3 Purim Eclipses in a Row in 2024-2026.

5 Eclipses in 2024

3/24-25/2024 Purim Total Eclipse
4/8/2024 Total Solar Eclipse
9/17-18/24 Partial Lunar Eclipse
10/2/24 Annular Total Eclipse
10/17/24 Lunar Eclipse

A cycle of Solar Eclipses from March 18 in both 1969 and 1988, with a partial Solar Eclipse in 2007 on March 19^th, all on 19-year Metonic anniversaries as these Equinox signs led to a Spring Equinox Metonic at the North Pole Eclipse on 3-20-2015…[my birthday] that continues 19-years later with a Middle-eastern Eclipse Crossing on 3-20-2034, also on the Spring Equinox.

Could this 19-year boundary provide the framework of an Eclipse Judgment as a mandate from heaven? This seems to be some of the strongest evidence I have ever seen, when we take into account the convergence of Matching Eclipse Tetrads from the period of 480BC-469BC, as Esther and Mordecai in Ancient Persia, foiled the genocidal plot of evil Haman as a forerunner of the End times Anti-Christ, was reversed when Haman and his ten Sons were hung on the same gallows he intended to hang Mordecai on. It is certainly no coincidence that these ancient Persian Eclipse Tetrad dates match our modern Tetrad dates from 2024-2034! Since the Heavenly Father initiated the cycles of the Sun, Moon and Stars, He is the Undisputed Author of this convergence of Luni-Solar signs, with their perfect timing inside the temporal boundaries formed by His Own Hand.

Let’s further inspect a key Pacific Northwestern Spring Equinox Total Solar Eclipse in recent US history.

The Autumn Equinox Eclipse Metonic arrived in the Shanghai Ring of Fire Eclipse of September 23, 1987. It finishes on September 22nd 2033 Partial Lunar Eclipse. #15

Footnotes

1. https://eclipsewitness.com/eclipse-judgment-series
2. “Hamas” is a Hebrew word  [H2555-Chamac]. Strong’s Concordance, James Strong.
3. https://eclipsewitness.com/eclipse-judgment-series
4. Number in Scripture– E.W. Bullinger, p. 238
5. Supernatural by Design Youtube video-“This Purim Eclipse Changes Everything. Pt. 1.”
6. Plate 1 picture credit; Stellarium Astronomical Software on Aug. 27th, 70 AD
7. https://eclipsewitness.com/eclipse-judgment-series
8. map from 1260d.com
9. https://eclipsewitness.com/eclipse-judgment-series
10. IBID
11. IBID
12. IBID
13. IBID
14. IBID
15. IBID
16. NASA’s Five Millennium Canon of Eclipses for these dates [https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLE/5MCLE-Figs-04.pdf]
`17. Star Dairies of Ancient Babylon available via Sachs-Hunger (1988-1996) and Hunger (2001).
18. [https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/]
19.  [https://webspace.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/eclipse/downloads/huber_de_meis_2004.pdf]
20. https://eclipsewitness.com/eclipse-judgment-series
21. IBID
22. IBID

One of the tenets of the Celestial Prelude is that aspects of the Celestial Signs marking Christ’s birth and his 1st Advent, appear again in the End Times in the Celestial signs predicting the Lord’s Return. We have referred to the signs of the Return of Christ as the Celestial Encore.

 Our blog this month shows how the Celestial Signs of 7-4 BC, especially those of 5-4 BC are apparent again to open the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015, including signs of 2016-2017 and 2024. Our inquiry into the Celestial Signs comparing the events near the Birth of Christ show key elements that resemble the signs of his Return. Thus, as we list Guide Stars forming the
Celestial Prelude of the Birth of Christ, we will identify signs leading also to his Return in the Celestial Encore.  

The May 2025 Blog continues our study of the Book of Esther in ancient Persia, as she’s crowned Queen of Persia, in signs of Virgo and Leo. The name “Esther-” is a Persian equal of Zend Avesta names “Stara,” and “Star,” linking to Babylon’s “Ishtar,” in myths of Planet Venus, #1 as in other pantheons. Resuming our view of Esther’s Book we find a Bible Etymology of her name in Strong’s [#635] on Est. 2:7- 2nd Targum #2 , as Persian for “Esther” is “star” or “sitareth” #3 The word, was used for “Venus“ by Syrians denoting the planet–bringing good fortune. This ties direct to Venus’ as one of 3 planets  aligned to Regulus in the 9 fixed stars of Leo, a bright and Morning Star in Virgo’s Crown, as Esther was crowned Persia’s Queen by her mate & King–Darius I echoing 2nd & 3rd level Celestial Crowns of Queen Virgo joined to King Leo in the Celestial Sphinx, of the Rev. 12 sign. In Fig. 1 below we find varied versions of the Rev. 12 Sign, to embody Celestial truths in the signs marking Christ’s birth, both in 3 BC and in 2017.

Figure 1. The Rev. 12 Sign in 2017.

Esther 2:16-18

¹⁶ So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

¹⁷ And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

¹⁸ Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to
the state of the king.

As the Persian for “Esther” is “sitareth” or “star,” it also derives from “Sathar;” to Hide,“#4 as Esther was hidden in her guardian’s house, and her Jewish stock hidden after Mordecai’s direction, a palace official-as her guardian, had deep affection for her, raising her as his daughter. He guided her to rise to the Queen’s throne of the greatest world empire at that time, [Est. 2:7, 10-11]. Mordecai’s wisdom and Esther’s courage & faith sustained Israel’s destiny. The serpent’s seed in the record of Esther [Gen. 3:  15] was evil Haman, diametrically opposed to the Jew’s and their cause; schemed the genocidal plot to destroy them, foiled by Esther and Mordecai. The two seeds of Gen. 3:15–in the first prophecy of Christ the Promised Seed of Israel, was opposed to the seed of the Amalekites that Saul failed to remove via God’s command [1 Sam. 15:3, 7-35]. Esther did not make this mistake! She was not being vindictive as some say, but obeyed God and Mordecai to the last detail, to wipe Haman and his son’s-the Serpent’s seed away.

As we identify the Stellar signs leading to the Lord’s Return in the Celestial Encore, our search takes us to the Celestial signs of 7-4 BC. As the 5-4 BC Eclipse patterns of an Eclipse Tetrad led to Christ’s first Advent, so we will find like signs leading to his Second Advent- a triumphant Return in his 2nd Coming. Below is a 5-4BC overview of the Lunar Eclipses on Hebrew Feasts that led to the Birth of Christ on Sept. 11, 3 BC.

Celestial Signs of 6-BC to 4 BC.

March 13–14, 2025 Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon) when compared with 5-4 BC Eclipses leading to Christ’s birth, form the Eclipse Tetrad seen above. The March 13-14 Purim Partial Lunar Eclipse has received false past notoriety as  the Eclipse marking the death of Herod. Much has been made of this March 13-14 Purim Lunar Eclipse in 4 BC, as many “experts“ have made this their favored candidate for the Eclipse marking the death of Herod. But as Dr. Ernest Martin has conclusively shown, the Jan. 10, 1 BC Eclipse is the only Lunar Eclipse of four credible Eclipses marking Herod’s death; the only real option, once all pomp of his lavish funeral and viewings are considered.#5 As we find answers to the question of the date of Herod’s death, we can accept astronomical studies of this period will be the most dependable and accurate way to resolve a chronology of Herod’s death. A study of Eclipses, is the most reliable means to verify the truth in historical records! As astronomers posited a 4 BC Lunar Eclipse of March 13-14, it became favored by many theologians as the eclipse visible over Israel, highlighted by Josephus, to mark Herod’s death.

 As this seemed like the main eclipse candidate for the death of Herod before the nearest Spring Passover in this period, nearly a month before Passover, many theologians saw reason to fit all the events of Herod’s death, funeral and mourning into a very tight space of only 29 days, between this 4 BC Eclipse and the next Spring Passover. In reality, cramming these events into this inadequate space, makes No Sense with less than 1/2 the time needed to fit these events that demand a bare minimum of 70+ days! Thus its not hard to see why many find cause to search for good reasons to reconsider this date of Herod’s death. The date is based on Josephus’s work in Antiquities 17.6.4 #6 as he commented on a lunar eclipse just before Herod died. This was linked customarily to the 3/13/4BC eclipse before the Spring Passover. With no lunar eclipses visible in Judea thereafter, and only 3 other potential entrants, 2 of which occurred in the year 1 BC, the choice of 4 BC date for the Eclipse was made. But, theologians were obviously 3 years too early in their count, as they seemingly cast consensus to the wind with witnesses of a majority the Early Church Fathers & prominent historians, who set the birth of Christ between 3-1 BC.#7

The biblical and astronomically derived birth dates of Sept. 11th, 3 BC, or 17 June 2 BC are in general agreement with all these historical records as the Star of Bethlehem- Rev. 12, 3 BC sign/Venus union date of 17 June 2 BC fell in the same 3/2 BC birth year held by Tertullian, Epiphanius, Clement, Orosius, Africanus, and others, seen in Table 1: Historical Accounts of the Birth of Christ. Epiphanius cited a birthday of 7 January 2 BC, near 5 mo. earlier. In some cases, authors cited exact dates for Jesus’ birth as our 9-11-3 BC date for the Rev. 12:1-2 sign. In other case–references, Clement provided a birth on 18 November 3 BC, near 7 months earlier. Clement quoted others who said Christ was born on 20 May 2 BC, less than a month’s difference from an astronomical derived date of 17 June 2 BC. It’s evident astronomical dates are more accurate than historical accounts, as we may expect, since God was the Record Keeper. All 3/2 BC dates were followed by the Magi’s trek to Bethlehem around 25 December 2 BC, when “the star stood over where the young child was.” Matthew 2:9. #8

The morning after the Eclipse, Herod’s sickness worsened, for which his doctors treated him about a week, to no avail. At doctor’s advice, Herod left Jericho for mineral baths @ Callirrhoe 25 mi. away on the Dead Sea, with round trip back to Jericho taking another week. To maximize the effect of his death and funeral-mourning, Herod planned to assemble all prominent Jewish elders from his Judean kingdom to attend his funeral @ Jericho. To send couriers on a round trip to notify them took another week, putting us 3 weeks away from the eclipse of March 13, 4BC. Next, Josephus tells us letters from Augustus in Rome came, to give Herod permission to execute His son Antipater, and so he did. This was followed by Herod’s death 5 days later, putting us 4 weeks out from the Eclipse.#11

Since Herod planned his own funeral, his monstrous ego would allow no less than the “Grandest funeral ever bestowed on a King.” These plans were not begun in preparation for the official procession till after Herod’s Death. Several more days were needed to prep for a royal procession from Jericho to Jerusalem, and the final resting place of the Herodian-8 mi. South of Jerusalem. All royal regalia, and Crown Jewels ordered under Palace Guard, were ordered with spices to embalm Herod’s body [Lk. 23: 56, 24:1], that needed 500 domestics to carry. The Funeral procession with much pomp and their whole Army with the Commanders were summoned to Jericho, not to mention relatives, dignitaries of all kinds, from Judea and bands from bordering nations. This adds minimum one week. On top of this, Royal Jewish funerals allowed 30 day mourning period with another week for Herod’s Family.

Once a 25 mile Jericho trip to Jerusalem was made by bare-foot Pallbearers covering about 1 mile a day, to the 25 days were added one more week for the body to lie in state in Jerusalem, with more time in the Herodian. This allowed a bare minimum time, for these events to take 8 weeks from the March 13-14, 4 BC Eclipse. Once we add time from Herod’s Death and Burial, Archelaus with his immediate family had a private 7-day mourning, with a funeral feast followed for the Jerusalem public. This takes us 9 weeks out from the 4 BC Lunar Eclipse.#12

This was followed by other official activities prior to the Spring Passover. The new King Archelaus had duties to open his new administration. He liberated prisoners from Herod’s rule, heard legal decisions, gave the people audience, making changes and promotions in the military, to mention a few. With the Passover, and official duties to deal with, an added week is needed, bringing us to a bare minimum of 10 weeks away from the Eclipse.#13 Thus we can conclude that in no way the March 13-14, 4 BC Eclipse could have been Josephus’ Eclipse, as it simply doesn’t allow enough time for events of Herod’s death and funeral procession to occur. The temporal interval from a March 13-14, 4 BC Eclipse to the next Spring Passover was only 29 days! The impossibility to squeeze historical & procedural rituals of Herod’s Death in between this Eclipse and next Spring Passover, eliminates a 4 BC Eclipse on March 13-14 from reasonable or potential consideration.

According to NASA, a total lunar eclipse occurred over the Middle East on March 23rd, 5 BC. Based on data collected from the Javascript Lunar Eclipse Explorer by Fred Espenak and Chris O’Byrne, #14 The eclipse over Jerusalem began the penumbral phase (lunar phase as Moon rise is slightly dimmer) at 17:29 (5:29 PM) and the penumbral eclipse phase ended @23:12 (11:12 PM). The Total eclipse phase began @19:30, (7:30 PM) ending at 21:12 (9:12 PM). The start of the eclipse wasn’t visible till after an hour being below horizon. NOAA’s online solar calculator computed the Jerusalem sunset was 17:52 (5:52). #14a

Figure 2. Adoration of the Magi by Giotto di Bondone. (1267–1337)#19

According to the texts of Flavius Josephus: Herod died after a day the Jews observe as a fast that occurred just before an eclipse of the moon (…); after Herod reigned for 34 years from the time when he had put Antigonus to death, and for 37 years from the time he was appointed king by the Romans (…); before the Passover. #20 There was a key fast that occurred exactly a month before Passover: the Fast of Esther! The day before Purim was a fast day commemorating Queen Esther’s command for all Jews to fast before she approached the king. Purim fell on March 12–13, 4 BC. As we already know the 4 BC Eclipse is not relevant to Herod’s Death, we must look to consider its true context related to Purim. With an eclipse and a fast on March 12–13, 4 BC, a month before Passover. What is the key to Purim bracketed between Esther’s Fast and Passover? Esther’s Fast (Taa’nit Ester, Hebrew: תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר) was a Jewish fast from dawn till dusk on Purim eve, that commemorated the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim. If the date of Esther’s Fast falls on Shabbat (Saturday), the fast is instead observed the prior Thursday. Like other minor fasts, Ta’anit Esther begins at dawn/first light and ends at nightfall; (full dark). #21

The record of [Est. 4:3-16] shows aspects Evil Haman used to plan and execute his foul plot to exterminate all the Jews living in Persia, [Esth. 3:1-6]. This plot was initially triggered by Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman or give him reverence, but in Haman’s rage he expanded his genocidal plot to murder the entire nation of Jews in Persia, [Esth. 3: 4-9]. Haman also held a bribe to contribute to the King’s profit to clear the way for his plan to go into effect with royal approval.

We must recall Esther 2:16-18 marked the Crowning of Esther over Vashti, as the Queen, by King Darius I. We noted how this symbolic act also embodied Crowning of Virgo as seen in the Celestial Sphinx. This act invoked by the Hand of God to bless and protect His people in Israel and all the land of Persia, that enemies of Israel tried to destroy via this seed of the serpent-Haman.

Esther 2:16-18

¹⁶ So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. ¹⁷ And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

The Jewish document-the Megillath Taanith (Scroll of Fasting), though it records festival days too) refers to two semi-festival days where no mourning was permitted. One is Kislev 7. The month Kislev answers in most years with our December. The other day was Schebat 2. This month aligns to our late January/early February. No one knows why the two days of feasting are commemorated yet they must have been days of joy ordained before the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem. What did they honor?#22

…M. Moise Schwab, whose extensive studies of this scroll, favored the 2nd of these days, Schebat 2 (January 28th) as  the actual day commemorating Herod’s death. This latter date interestingly, fits remarkably well with the January 10th Eclipse of Josephus. Herod’s death on this very day would have occurred 18 days after the eclipse. Josephus reports this could have been the time when two rabbis (later executed) provoked the young men to tear down the golden eagle from the eastern portal of the temple. Such an occasion may have inspired some commemorative date, especially in light of a war which it triggered, [more on this below].#23

The Megillath Taanith records an unknown fast day for commemoration. It was Tebeth 9 (January 6th in 1 BC).#24 This could not only have been the very day Esther was taken to the King in Est. 2:14 above, which also was in the month Tebeth, it may too have been the day the rabbis were tried and sentenced under Herod. And three days later on Friday, Jan. 9th, when the rabbis were burnt alive related to the lunar eclipse predicted for that night. A delay of their execution to the eve of the eclipse (since there were no biblical festival days involved as with the March 13, 4 BC. eclipse) would allow Herod to tell the superstitious crowd that even God was frowning on sacrilegious deeds of the two rabbis and God would express His displeasure that night with an eclipse.

Recognizing the January 10, 1 BC. eclipse as the one mentioned by Josephus has much historical value in another way. Scholars wondered for years why Josephus referred only to this one eclipse out of the hundreds that occurred over the generations that he covered in his histories. Why single out this one?

Other than the historical importance of Herod’s death itself, it should be remembered that it was also the very day following the martyrdom of the two illustrious rabbis whom the whole nation admired & esteemed. This was an important event for commemoration to the Jewish people. But there was a national event even more severe than that. The occasion of the rabbi’s deaths led directly to the massacre of 3000 Jewish worshippers at the next Passover in temple precincts. Archelaus (Herod’s Heir) ordered this slaughter, resulting in the very unusual cancellation of all Passover services, a requirement stated in Numbers 9:6–14.#25

This was a most extraordinary event. Such a repeal of Passover services because of 3000 dead bodies being within the temple precincts was a most unique incident  in the history of temple services. Nothing like it had ever happened before. The suspension of this most important Jewish festival in the calendar of the Jews was long remembered by the generality of the Jewish people. Yet, there was another event linked with the cancellation of Passover that would equally have brought that year to special remembrance by the Jews.

This slaughter of the 3000 Jewish worshippers in the temple led directly to a major war between the Jews & the Romans that occupied the whole of the following summer and autumn. Josephus said that this war was the most serious conflict to occur in Palestine from the time of Pompey in 63 BC. to the Roman/ Jewish War of 66 to 73AD. To subdue the Jewish rebellion, the Romans had to muster their three legions in Syria, plus auxiliary forces (about 20,000 armed men in all), to put down the rebellion that erupted. This war’s end saw, 2,000 Jews crucified and 30,000 sold in slavery. This was a very serious war
in Palestine. And what started it? Nothing other than 2 deaths of the rabbis associated with the eclipse of the Moon near Herod’s death. This is one of the major reasons that that eclipse was long remembered by the Jews.#26

The eclipse of January 10, 1 BC, the true Eclipse marking the death of Herod was Total, well visible and longer lasting than the one of March 13, 4 BC, which likely was not noticed. In the 1st century, lunar eclipses were often interpreted as death omens for a sovereign, as recalled (near 50 AD) by the Roman historian Quintus Curtius: But, the day before, the eclipsing moon began by hiding the brightness of its disk when a kind of veil of blood came staining its light. #27

A goal of our study was to judge historical, archaeological and chronological evidence to evaluate what supports the eclipse that can properly conform to the evidence provided in the records. Astronomy is the universal key and in the case of Josephus’ eclipse, the considerable historical and archaeological documentation allows historians to pinpoint the precise lunar eclipse to which Josephus had reference. He reported a few days before the eclipse-2 rabbis provoked Jerusalem youths to remove a golden eagle that Herod placed over the Temple’s east gate. These rabbis had deemed this eagle’s presence as being contrary to Laws of Moses. And in broad daylight a group of young boys began to cut down the eagle.

These Jewish youths were caught in the act and near 40 of them were ordered to go before Herod and the Sanhedrin (Israel’s Supreme Court) to answer for this outrage. The two rabbis who executed the plan were singled out for judgment. The rabbis and the young men were finally convicted of high criminal actions (sacrilege and sedition). As most of the youths got milder sentences, but the two rabbis were ordered to be burnt alive.

What has this information to do with the significance of our eclipse, if it was on March 13, 4 BC.? The truth is, it is devastating to it. It means that those rabbis would have been burnt alive on the Jewish day of Adar 14, the first day of the two high days of Purim. No court, unless its completely illegal, would have had criminals executed and certainly not rabbis on the special day commanded in the Bible when the Jews “rested … a day of feasting and gladness” (Esther 9:17–18). This would have put Israel in an uproar over such actions.#28

The eclipse of Josephus must have been on January 10, 1 BC. All the events logged by Josephus fit quite well with this eclipse, and only with this eclipse as there were 3 months from this eclipse to the next Passover. The messengers sent by Herod to Rome at the end of Antipater’s trial in the previous autumn would have arrived back in Palestine (to Herod in Jericho) in 2-2 ½ months, a very realistic period. 

When we include the March 13, 4BC Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse on Purim, with the 5BC eclipses of the previous year, we find a Tetrad of luni-solar eclipses on Hebrew Feast days leading to the birth of Christ. To my knowledge there has not been an Eclipse Tetrad tied to the birth of Christ previously, though a Blood Moon Tetrad was ostensibly linked to Christ’s Crucifixion in 32-33 AD. But, this crucifixion date puts Jesus in his 36th year, not entering his 30th year to open his ministry, as Scripture teaches. [Luke 3:23]

As we adhere to Jan. 9-10, 1 BC as the eclipse marking Herod’s death, an April, 28th 28AD crucifixion date fits Christ exactly opening his ministry over a year earlier in 27 AD. This links to the “acceptable year [singular] of the Lord” as Jesus prophesied, [Lk. 4:19-22], opposed to a ministry of 3 years long held in religious tradition. The Purim Lunar Eclipse was also a potential factor in the Eclipse Tetrad of 2014-15.

The 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad has garnered amazing media attention and hype from many quarters, but few noticed a 5th Lunar Eclipse in 2016 that fell on the heels of this 2014-15 Quartet. A Lunar Quintet in 2014-2016, provides the 5th Lunar Eclipse on the key Hebrew Feast Day of Purim. This is not an item we should ignore, as most have, since it followed the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015, supplying us a Blood Moon Quintet of 2014-2016! In fact, we should take special notice of the Lunar Quintet for at least 3 key reasons; first as we examine vital Celestial signs that occurred in 2017, it helps to note what precedes the cluster of eye-opening signs in 2017, in context.

Second, as we find below the 5 Lunar Eclipses starting in 2024, open 3 consecutive years of Purim Eclipses from 2024-2026, [+10 years– 2014-16!]. These 3 Purim Eclipses in a row occurring 10 years after the 2014-16 Blood Moon Tetrad/Quintet providentially set the stage for 10 years of repeating Matched Eclipse cycles from 2024 to 2033. These are unique in that they begin with the 3 consecutive Purim Lunar Eclipses opening in 2024 through 2026. We are supplying the two bracket Charts of 2024 & 2033 Eclipses for reference and illustration here, to cover the details of the remaining 7 years in Future blogs.   

Between these 10-year Bracket Charts we find Repeating Eclipses that match our modern skies with those of Esther & Mordecai. The 10-year period goes from 480 to 471 BC in Ancient Persia, related to our Modern era of 2024-2033. These Charts appear to reflect how Esther and Mordecai defeated evil Haman as a forerunner of the Anti-Christ, and as Repeating Eclipses starting in 480 BC in Ancient Persia marked the rise of Haman in opposition to Esther and Mordecai, so today we are warned by the timing of God’s Hand in Celestial Signs along with the records in Esther and the balance of Scripture, how to navigate the End Times against the Adversary.

Here are Eclipses including 3 consecutive Purim Lunar Eclipses starting last year;

5 Eclipses in 2024 matching the Eclipse Quintet of 2014-2016:

3/24-25/2024 Purim Total Eclipse
4/8/2024 Total Solar Eclipse [Crossing over US]
9/17-18/24 Partial Lunar Eclipse
10/2/24 Annular Total Eclipse
10/17/24 Lunar Eclipse

4 Eclipses in 2025

• Mar 13–14, 2025 — Purim Total Lunar Eclipse
• Mar 29, 2025 – Partial Solar Eclipse (this page)
• Sep 7–8, 2025 — Total Lunar Eclipse
• Sep 21, 2025 – Partial Solar Eclipse

4 Eclipses in 2026

• Feb 17, 2026 – Annular Solar Eclipse
• Mar 2–3, 2026 — Purim Total Lunar Eclipse
• Aug 12, 2026 – Total Solar Eclipse
• Aug 27–28, 2026 — Partial Lunar Eclipse #29

As the 2025 Purim Lunar eclipse was in process between Leo and Virgo, it was located exactly where the Head of Virgo is crowned near the Tail of Leo, as the Moon passed from the constellation Leo, the coming Lion King-Jesus, to Virgo, the virgin, or bride. This can also be viewed to embody the union of Queen Esther and King Darius I in marriage, as Esther was crowned by her King.

 Purim began Wednesday eve on the Hebrew Calendar, Mar. 23, 2016 and continued through Thursday night, March 24^th, which was also the first full Moon after the Spring Equinox. We have pointed out in previous blogs how this 2016 Eclipse Tetrad & Purim Eclipse matched exactly with a luni-solar Eclipse Tetrad when the Roman’s destroyed Jerusalem’s Temple in 70 AD, as prophesied by Christ in Matt. 24:1-2.

 The record of the history and origin of the Purim Feast in the Book of Esther, is significant today for a number reasons, not the least of which is Esther’s stand against Haman’s Evil genocide plot against all of Israel in Persia. Considering the central role Marriage plays in redeeming Esther and Ruth, we may recall the sacred bond of Adam and Eve. What was this ideal unity of husband and wife initiated by God making them “one flesh?” A 1st exemplar union of man and woman was based on woman as ‘Help-meet“ or counterpart from Adam’s rib, showing as an inseparable unity. Gen. 2:25 says they were both “naked” [arum] and were not afraid. They had no secrets they kept from each other and thus had no fear. With no secrets between them, there were no limits to the intimacy they shared. This kind of intimacy-knew only good, as they shared all their hearts in an ultimate and pure loving trust, leaving no room for fear except reverence for God in their perfect union.

This was the marriage of the first Adam with his bride Eve, sharing all mysteries between them, foreshadowing the Great Mysteries of Christ with his Bride. But with Adam and Eve– “naked” and knowing only good, they were not ashamed before God, or each other. The word for “naked” in Gen. 2:25 is the same spelling as Hebrew word ‘subtil‘ in Gen. 3:1, a homonym in the next verse referring to the serpent’s wisdom. The serpent was more wise [arum] than any beast of the field, and knowing evil, was not ashamed to question the truth of God’s Word, exposing the serpent’s utter & shameless depravity. As our arms protect our human bodies, so the husband protects his wife and cares for her as a covering. The Mystery of Marriage between husband and wife also embodies the sacred Mystery of the Bride of Christ who is indebted for the Lamb’s sacrifice wounded in his side, on the Cross, [John 19:34-37]. Jer. 31:1-21, 31- Jeremiah tells us our God & Father of all families in Israel & His people, how He is building Israel’s Virgin and saving His People, a remnant of Israel to keep them as a Shepherd keeps His Flocks, in the the New Covenant.

As Christ is Head of his spiritual body consisting of both Jews and Gentiles, so we find a foreshadowing of this in the Comparison Chart of the Gentile Ruth and the Jewess Esther. Ruth became a Jew via Naomi, by marrying her kinsman-redeemer, the Jew-Boaz as Jewish Queen Esther married a Gentile King Ahasuerus/ Darius 1, under the tutelage of her Israelite guardian Mordecai.

Boaz/Jew    with Ruth/Gentile  with  Naomi as Israel

Darius I/Gentile   Esther/Jew             Mordecai/Israel

Ps. 47:7-9              Gal. 3:28                      Ez. 37 & 39
Dan. 7:14              Jn. 10:16
Zech. 14:9            Col. 3:11

With the story of Ruth’s redemption in mind, it is fascinating to consider an upcoming astronomical alignment. On June 8, this week in 2025-the Day of Pentecost, an asteroid named “Ruth” will pass between the feet of the Redeemer figure in the sign Gemini, just as Ruth found herself at Boaz’ Feet in her story of Redemption, [Ruth 3:4]. This is a good reason why the book of Ruth is read during the feast of Pentecost.

2 Feasts have their origin in Esther. [2:18, 9:17-18] Purim is Adar-12th Month w/Feast days of Adar 14-15, on the Hebrew Calendar Lunar cycle linked to Adar 14th-15th always falls on the Full Moon where Lunar eclipses can only occur. The Est. 2:18 “holiday“ as a 7-day Feast prior to revealing of Haman and his evil plot to exterminate the Jews, shared by the future Antichrist. Haman’s plot was not revealed till Esther 3. The rise of Haman serves as forerunner for End- times Antichrist still future, as we find in the Comparison Chart below.

In the Mar 13–14, 2025  Penumbral Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse on the Feast of Purim, occurring during a Hebrew Jubilee Year, with 3 Purim Eclipses in a row, gets our attention for these reasons. First, as seen earlier, in light of the Celestial Prelude we find how the Purim Eclipse Tetrad of 5-4 BC foreshadows both a 2014-2016 Lunar Quintet, that precedes a Lunar Quintet 10 years later of 2024-2026, and a Celestial Encore! This can embody the Celestial Signs of the Birth of Christ and his first Advent, preceding the Celestial Signs of the Glorious Return of Christ in his Second Advent, and victory over his enemies.

One can not help, but be struck by the unique and rare occurrence of the Tetrad of four Blood Moons during the Shemitah of Shemitah’s, and how the Jubilee comes with yet another Lunar eclipse on Purim, forming a Quintet of Blood Moons on Hebrew Holidays from 2014-2016. According to our Biblical Blood Moon Calendar, back on March 4th of 71 AD, soon after Rome destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem, prophesied by Jesus Christ, [Mt. 24] a Partial Lunar Eclipse occurred. This marked a removal of God from His Temple in stages, with the dispersion of the Jews among the Gentile Nations. With a current 5th Blood Moon on Purim, we may be witnessing an indicator of God’s gradual return in stages to a New Temple on the Mount, a natural result to reform the State of Israel, in the Restoration of Jerusalem to Israel’s control, both marked by Blood Moon Tetrads in 1949-50 and 1967-68.