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 three 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–Xerxes 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.
4/4/6 BC
3/23/5BCa
|
Lunar EclipseLunar occultation SeriesTotal Lunar Eclipse: [Unleavened Bread Feast] |
Virgo Total Lunar EclipseCancer |
3/23/5BCb
|
Comet in Capricorn |
Capricorn |
9/1/5BC |
Partial Solar Eclipse: [Feast of Trumpets] |
Partial Solar Eclipse |
9/15/5BC |
Total Lunar Eclipse: [Tabernacles Feast Week] |
Pisces Total Eclipse |
3/13/4BC | Purim Partial Lunar Eclipse: | Comet in Aquila/Cap |
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 astronomic 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 visit to Bethlehem around 25 December 2 BC, when “the star stood over where the young child was.” Matthew 2:9. #8
Historical Accounts of the Birth of Christ-Table 1#9 |
||
# | Reference Source | Birth Year |
1 | Alogi | 4 BC |
2 | Cassiodorus Senator | 3 BC |
3 | Irenaeus | 3/2 BC |
4 | Clement of Alexandria | 3/2 BC |
5 | Tertullian | 3/2 BC |
6 | Africanus | 3/2 BC |
7 | Hippolytus of Rome | 3/2 BC |
8 | Hippolytus of Thebes | 3/2 BC |
9 | Origen | 3/2 BC |
10 | Eusebius | 3/2 BC |
11 | Epiphanius | 3/2 BC |
12 | Orosius | 2 BC |
13 | Dionysius Exiguus | 1 BC |
Only four lunar eclipses occurred in this time frame: September 15, 5BC. March 12–13, 4 BC., January 10, 1 BC, and December 29, 1 BC. The first eclipse is Total but likely too early to fit Yom Kippur that’s evident several hours after sundown. A favored 4 BC eclipse seems too far from Yom Kippur and far too close to Passover to allow all the events of Herod’s funeral, mourning and procession.
Thus it hardly seems a candidate to be remembered or noted by Josephus. A logical way to order these events to begin with the day of the Lunar Eclipse, documenting the timeline of Herod’s Death, adding all logistics and events included in his funeral and burial, until the Passover.
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
The path of the 5 BC Comet left the Sun at roughly a 4.5-degree angle to the ecliptic with a destination star Algedi (Alpha Capricorni). The Hebrew name of this sign is Gedi-the kid, or “cut off” the same in Arabic–Al Gedi, the Alpha star. The Latin is Capricornus, as the Goat. #16 Deneb Al Gedi-is the Beta star, meaning “the sacrifice comes.” Bullinger tells us this matches the witness of Scripture of two goats. One of the sin offering-making atonement for us before the Lord, [Levi. 10:16-17] while the other was not slain, but released in the wilderness, [Levi. 16:22]. These two goats embody the Lord’s death and resurrection, with the Sun in Capricorn, among these very goat-stars; Al Gedi and Deneb Al Gedi. #16a This hypothesis proposes the Comet’s first position was lost, leaving it’s only recorded location as the Comet’s last spot before losing visibility. The 1st position is based on Scriptural typology & the Comet’s heliacal rise with the Sun. This change reconciles Scriptural Data w/2nd-hand secular reports.8/17
it as a target for the Comet. We can only determine the last location of the Comet in a 10-degree circle.13/18 The center of the circle is –19 degrees declination, and Algedi is near -16.5 degrees. Chinese logs, note two comets appearing in the period when Jesus was born, one in 5 BC and a 2nd in 4 BC. The 5 BC Comet was first noted in Capricornus in March or April, and was visible for 70+ days. To scholars it was a “sweeping star” or “broom star,” presumably with a long tail. The Comet of 4 BC, was seen April 24th in the sign of Aquila. It was called a “po,” comet meaning “tailless.” But for the Magi (& other Mediterranean, Near East cultures), Comets were universally believed to be “dis-aster” omens. It is hard verging on impossible to see how the Magi may have interpreted a Comet as a good omen. In Fig. 2 below the Magi are falsely depicted in a di Bondone image at the Birth of Christ, when in truth they did not appear until some 15 months later, to see a toddler, in a house not a newborn child in a manger.
Figure 2. Adoration of the Magi by Giotto di Bondone. (1267–1337)#19
Giotto based his Star of Bethlehem on Halley’s Comet (Image credit: Adoration of the Magi by Giotto di Bondone (1267–1337))
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 Xerxes 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, that resulted in the very unusual cancellation of all Passover services, a requirement mentioned 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 perpetrated 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 2033. We are supplying the two bracket Charts of 2024 & 2033 Eclipses for reference and illustration here, to cover the details of the remaining 8 years in Future blogs.
Comparison Chart for Repeating Eclipse Tetrads 2024 AD with 480 BC | ||||
Eclipse Date | AD | Sun/Moon | Eclipse Date | BC |
3/25/2024 | AD | Lunar | 3/25/480 | BC |
4/08/2024 | AD | Solar | 4/09/480 | BC |
9/18/2024 | AD | Lunar | 9/18/480 | BC |
10/2/2024 | AD | Solar | 10/2/480 | BC |
Comparison Chart for Repeating Eclipse Tetrads | ||||
Eclipse Date | AD | Sun/Moon | Eclipse Date | BC |
3/30/2033 | AD | Lunar | 3/31/471 | BC |
4/14/2033 | AD | Solar | 4/14/471 | BC |
9/23/2033 | AD | Lunar | 9/23/471 | BC |
10/8/2033 | AD | Solar | 10/8/471 | BC |
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
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 Xerxes 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 24th, 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/ Xerxes 1, under the tutelage of her Israelite guardian Mordecai.
Boaz/Jew with Ruth/Gentile with Naomi as Israel
King X/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.
Comparison Chart for Esther with Revelation |
||
Tribulation Opens | Esther | Revelation |
Authority | Esth. 3:1, 10 | Rev. 13:5 |
Worship | Esth. 3:2-5 | Rev. 13:6 |
Jews | Esth. 3:6-8 | Rev. 11:7 |
Astrology/witchcraft | Esth. 3:7, 9:24 | Rev. 17:1-6 |
Genocide | Esth. 3:9,13 [Bribe] | Rev. 13:7 |
King’s Vizier | Esth. 3:10-12 | |
10 Sons/Kings | Esth. 9:13, 25 | Rev. 17:12-13 |
End Tribulation | ||
Lion King’s Victory | Esth. 9:14, 25 | Rev. 17:14 |
Judgment | ||
Reverse Genocide | Esth. 9:1 | Rev. 13:6-8 |
Mordecai | Esth. 9:3, 10:3 | Rev. 14:9-11 |
Jews | Esth. 9:2 | |
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.
Purim began Wednesday evening on Hebrew’s Calendar, March 23, 2016 continuing through Thursday night, March 24th. It was too the 1st full Moon after the Spring Equinox. We have noted in past blogs how an Eclipse Tetrad with 2016 Purim Eclipse matched exactly with the tetrad of Luni-solar eclipses marking Rome’s destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.
This is the second of 3 consecutive Purim Lunar Eclipses that started last year 3/24-25/2024 with two more Purim Total Lunar Eclipses going into 2025-26. These 3 Purim Eclipses in a row from 2024-2026 mirror a Tetrad of Lunar Eclipses in 5-4 BC, capped off by a Purim Lunar Eclipse in 4 BC, leading to the Birth of Christ on 9/11/3 BC.
This 2024 Total Lunar Eclipse coincided with the first day of Purim, lasting 65 min. The 2025 Purim lunar eclipse was visible over North and South America, as a follow-up to the March 2024 Purim Eclipse, before the 4/8/2024 Pan American Eclipse crossing over the USA. This Jubilee Eclipse, on March 13th a blood moon occurred in a 70th counted Jubilee–year of “liberty” foreshadowing Christ’s return FOR his Saints to Gather Together his Church. This is key in light of Est. 2:16 above when Esther was taken to the King’s royal house in the 10th month of Tebeth, in the 7th Year of the King’s reign.
ne reason 2025 is thought a Jubilee is it marks 70 Jubilee periods since the Jews entered the Promised Land to begin counting the cycle: 1406 BC + 70 Jubilees (3,430 years-minus 70 years captivity) = 2025.#30
God’s Abundant Blessings to you All!
Rene’
Footnotes
1. Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the OT, on #635.
2. Strong’s Concordance [#H635], James Strong.
3. IBID
4. Companion Bible marginal note on Esther 2:7, p. 656, E.W. Bullinger.
5. The Star that Astonished the World, ppg. 74-75, Ernest L. Martin.
6. Josephus’s work in Antiquities 17.6.4
7. The Star that Astonished the World, ppg. 74-75, Ernest L. Martin.
8. Astronomical & Historical Evidence for the Birth of Christ in 2 BC. Timothy L. Norris
9. IBID
10. IBID
11. The Star that Astonished the World, ppg. 76-77, Ernest L. Martin.
12. IBID, ppg. 80-82, Ernest L. Martin.
13. IBID, ppg. 86-87, Ernest L. Martin.
14. Data from the Javascript Lunar Eclipse Explorer by Fred Espenak and Chris O’Byrne.
14a. NOAA’s online solar calculator computed the Jerusalem sunset.
15. [Journal.interpreterfoundation.org/a-comet-christs-birth-and-Josephuss-lunar-eclipse]
16. Witness of the Stars, ppg. 75-76, 78. E.W. Bullinger
16a. IBID, 78. E.W. Bullinger
17. [Journal.interpreterfoundation.org/a-comet-christs-birth-and-Josephuss-lunar-eclipse]
18. IBID
19. https://armaghplanet.com/6-theories-about-the-star-of-bethlehem.html
20. (Jewish Antiquities XVII:166-167, 191, 213)
21. https://www.askelm.com/star/star011.htm. The Star of Bethlehem, Chapt. 9, The Lunar Eclipse of Josephus.
22. The Star that Astonished the World, p. 102, Ernest L. Martin.
23. IBID
24. IBID, p. 104, Ernest L. Martin.
25. IBID, p. 105, Ernest L. Martin.
26. IBID
27. IBID
28. IBID
29. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2025-march-14
30. https://nicetiming.com/2024/06/03/the-jubilee-count-to-the-end-and-october-2024/