Seasonal Rhythms & The Almond Tree Vanderhorst, Char J. "Almond Tree Menorah" (Clay on Tile). Alberta, Canada.
Seasonal Rhythms & The Almond Tree
The study of biological temporal rhythms, such as daily, tidal, weekly, seasonal, and annual rhythms in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar- related rhythms is known as chronobiology. Plants and animals contain photoreceptors that cause them to be sensitive to and respond to changes in the length of daylight which is the cue for the timing of seasonal behaviors such as mating, hibernating and migration in animals and flowering, germination, fragrance emission and growth in plants.
Seasonal biological rhythms affect the long-distance movement of living creatures of the air, land and sea: Birds migrate south for the winter. Wildebeest migrate annually for seasonal grazing. Salmon migrate from the oceans to the upper rivers to spawn.
Likewise in humans and vertebrates, the pineal gland serves as a type of photoreceptor and secretes hormones such as melatonin which helps maintain circadian rhythms and regulate reproductive hormones. For example, in several vertebrate species, pineal hormones influence sexual development, hibernation, and seasonal breeding.
According to the Word of,יהוה He created lights in the firmaments to be for signs and seasons: And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons H4150, and for days, and years: (Gen 1:14)
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Leviticus 23 provides a detailed account of these appointed times, explains that these times belong to HIM and the importance of proclaiming them in their seasons: And יהוה spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts H4150 of,יהוה which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts H4150. (Lev 23:1-2) These are the feasts H4150 of,יהוה even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons H4150. (Lev 23:4)
The list includes: The seventh day sabbath of rest
The list includes: The seventh day sabbath of rest Appointed times of the first month:
Passover The list includes: The seventh day sabbath of rest Appointed times of the first month: s יהוה passover on the 14 th day of the first month 1 14 1st month 2nd month 3rd month
Passover The list includes: The seventh day sabbath of rest Appointed times of the first month: s יהוה passover on the 14 th day of the first month The seven day feast of matza beginning on the 15 th day of the first month 15th day/ Firstfruits wave a docked off branch 1 Matza 7 days 15 21
Passover The list includes: The seventh day sabbath of rest Appointed times of the first month: s יהוה passover on the 14 th day of the first month The seven day feast of matza beginning on the 15 th day of the first month A 50 day omer count to Firstfruit offering 15th day/ Firstfruits wave a docked off branch Shavuot Feast of Firstfruits 1 Matza 7 days Omer Count Seven Weeks/50 days 15 21 1st month 2nd month 3rd month
and: Appointed times of the seventh month:
and: Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1 st day of the seventh month Yom Teruah blow the trumpets 1 7th month 8th month 9th month
Yom Kippur and: Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1 st day of the seventh month A day of atonement on the 10 th day of the seventh month Yom Teruah blow the trumpets 1 10 7th month 8th month 9th month
Yom Kippur and: Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1 st day of the seventh month A day of atonement on the 10 th day of the seventh month The seven day feast of tabernacles beginning on the 15 th day of the seventh month Yom Teruah blow the trumpets 15th day/ Sukkot rejoice with branches of goodly trees 1 Sukkot 7 days 10 15 21 7th month 8th month 9th month
Yom Kippur 8th Day and: Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1 st day of the seventh month A day of atonement on the 10 th day of the seventh month The seven day feast of tabernacles beginning on the 15 th day of the seventh month The eighth day sabbath following the seven day Yom Teruah blow the trumpets feast of tabernacles 15th day/ Sukkot rejoice with branches of goodly trees 1 Sukkot 7 days 10 15 21 7th month 8th month 9th month
Of these feasts, there are three times per year when all the males are to appear before Him - a type of migration of His people: the feast of matza the feast of harvest the feast of ingathering
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread [matza]: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread [matza] seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before יהוה GOD. (Exo 23:14-17)
Yet, unlike other living creatures that seem to know the seasons, the people of יהוה do not.
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of.יהוה How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of יהוה is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of ;יהוה and what wisdom is in them? (Jer 8:7-9)
The first appointed time or migration occurs in the month Abib which is the season when the children of Israel were brought forth out of the land of Egypt.
Abib heralds the beginning of months* known as the first month. The subsequent appointed times or migrations are calculated from this point. *Exodus 12:2
The seasonal biological rhythm of the almond tree causes it to blossom or awaken at a time of the yearly cycle that corresponds to the time of dawn in the daily cycle. Summer equinox Day horizon Winter Night
Considering that the word abib is also associated with blossoming, the following slides demonstrate how the almond tree cycle seems to.יהוה parallel the seasons of
יהוה Seasons of In the 14 th day of the first month (abib) at even is the Passover of slaughter the ;יהוה unblemished lamb at even.* Summer equinox Winter late Jan/ early Feb *Lev 23:5; Exo 12:1-6
יהוה Seasons of In the 14 th day of the first month (abib) at even is the Passover of slaughter the ;יהוה unblemished lamb at even.* Summer Almond Tree Cycle Upon awakening, the almond tree clothes itself with light pink flowers that turn white as snow and fall to the ground within 5-14 days. equinox Winter late Jan/ early Feb *Lev 23:5; Exo 12:1-6
*Lev 23:9-22 יהוה Seasons of From the morrow Sabbath count seven sabbaths (50 days). Present two wave loaves made of fine flour baked with leaven, they are the *יהוה firstfruits of Summer latter Apr/ early May equinox Winter late Jan/ early Feb
*Lev 23:9-22 יהוה Seasons of From the morrow Sabbath count seven sabbaths (50 days). Present two wave loaves made of fine flour baked with leaven, they are the *יהוה firstfruits of Summer latter Apr/ early May Almond Tree Cycle Following pollination, the firstfruits of the almond tree hastily grow over a period of 8 weeks when they may be handpicked during the 1 st harvest equinox Winter late Jan/ early Feb
יהוה Seasons of Celebrate a feast during the 7 th month; rejoice before יהוה with the branches of goodly trees* 7th month after blossom latter Apr/ early May Summer equinox Winter late Jan/ early Feb *Lev 23:34-44
יהוה Seasons of Celebrate a feast during the 7 th month; rejoice before יהוה with the branches of goodly trees* 7th month after blossom Almond Tree Cycle The almond tree is ready for the final harvest around the 7 th month after blossom. latter Apr/ early May Summer equinox Winter late Jan/ early Feb *Lev 23:34-44
The feasts of the first month seem to mirror the feasts of the seventh month.
Head Chodesh blow the trumpet* Winter Summer 1 Blossom Hasty Ripening Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 (late JAN/early FEB) (late FEB/early MAR) (late MAR/early APR) Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 (late JUL/early AUG) (late AUG/early SEP) (late SEP/early OCT) Harvest *see Num 10:10
Head Chodesh blow the trumpet* Winter Summer 1 1 Blossom Hasty Ripening Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 (late JAN/early FEB) (late FEB/early MAR) (late MAR/early APR) Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 (late JUL/early AUG) (late AUG/early SEP) (late SEP/early OCT) Harvest Yom Teruah blow the trumpet *see Num 10:10
Select Lamb Head Chodesh blow the trumpet* Winter Summer 1 1 10 Blossom Hasty Ripening Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 (late JAN/early FEB) (late FEB/early MAR) (late MAR/early APR) Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 (late JUL/early AUG) (late AUG/early SEP) (late SEP/early OCT) Harvest Yom Teruah blow the trumpet *see Num 10:10
Yom Kippur Select Lamb Head Chodesh blow the trumpet* Winter Summer 1 1 10 Blossom Hasty Ripening Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 (late JAN/early FEB) (late FEB/early MAR) (late MAR/early APR) Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 (late JUL/early AUG) (late AUG/early SEP) (late SEP/early OCT) 10 Harvest Yom Teruah blow the trumpet *see Num 10:10
Yom Kippur Select Lamb Head Chodesh blow the trumpet* 15th day/ Firstfruits wave a docked off branch Shavuot Feast of Firstfruits Winter Summer 1 1 10 Matza 7 days 15 21 Blossom Omer Count Seven Weeks/50 days Hasty Ripening Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 (late JAN/early FEB) (late FEB/early MAR) (late MAR/early APR) Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 (late JUL/early AUG) (late AUG/early SEP) (late SEP/early OCT) 10 Harvest Yom Teruah blow the trumpet *see Num 10:10
Yom Kippur 8th Day Select Lamb Head Chodesh blow the trumpet* 15th day/ Firstfruits wave a docked off branch Shavuot Feast of Firstfruits Winter Summer 1 10 Matza 7 days 15 21 Blossom Omer Count Seven Weeks/50 days Hasty Ripening Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 (late JAN/early FEB) (late FEB/early MAR) (late MAR/early APR) Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 (late JUL/early AUG) (late AUG/early SEP) (late SEP/early OCT) 1 10 15 Sukkot 7 days Harvest *see Num 10:10 Yom Teruah blow the trumpet 15th day/ Sukkot rejoice with branches of goodly trees
And in the Northern Hemisphere when the almond tree blossoms and the people are blowing the trumpet, selecting a lamb, and waving a docked of branch during the first month
Select Lamb Passover Head Chodesh blow the trumpet 15th day/ Firstfruits wave a docked off branch Shavuot Feast of Firstfruits 1 10 Matza 7 days 15 21 Omer Count Seven Weeks/50 days Northern Hemisphere Blossom Hasty Ripening Month 1 Month 2 Month 3
in the Southern Hemisphere the almond tree is ready for harvest and the people are blowing the trumpet, observing Yom Kippur, and rejoicing with the branches of goodly trees.
Yom Kippur 8th Day Select Lamb Passover Head Chodesh blow the trumpet 15th day/ Firstfruits wave a docked off branch Shavuot Feast of Firstfruits Northern Hemisphere Blossom Hasty Ripening Southern Hemisphere 1 10 Matza 7 days 15 21 Omer Count Seven Weeks/50 days Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 1 10 15 Sukkot 7 days Harvest Yom Teruah blow the trumpet 15th day/ Sukkot rejoice with branches of goodly trees
Similarly in the Northern Hemisphere when the almond tree is ready for harvest, the people are blowing the trumpet, observing Yom Kippur, and rejoicing with the branches of goodly trees during the seventh month
Yom Kippur 8th Day Yom Teruah blow the trumpet 15th day/ Sukkot rejoice with branches of goodly trees Northern Hemisphere 1 10 Sukkot 7 days 15 21 Harvest Month 7 Month 8 Month 9
in the Southern Hemisphere the almond tree is blossoming and the people are blowing the trumpet, selecting a lamb, and waving a docked off branch.
Select Lamb Yom Kippur 8th Day Yom Teruah blow the trumpet 15th day/ Sukkot rejoice with branches of goodly trees Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere 1 10 Sukkot 7 days 15 21 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Blossom 1 10 15 21 Matza 7 days Harvest Hasty Ripening 15th day/ Matza wave a docked off branch
Could the blossoming almond tree - the pattern for the LIGHT in the holy place - exist as a photoreceptor to alert us יהוה to the seasons of
as a watchman, a watchful tree?
Remain Watchful
Song of Solomon 5:2 describes: a lady who was sleeping or not being watchful/alert her Lover came to her door and knocked trying to awaken her (his hair drenched with the dampness of the night) by the time she finally awakened and opened the door, her Lover was gone
I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.
I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. (Song of Sol 5:2-6)
Perhaps the lady was expecting her lover to come at a later time or season and was neither alert nor remaining watchful at the time of his coming.
Blessed are the servants who the Master finds awake when He comes.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. (Luk 12:35-38)
Let your loins be girded about is Passover language And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is s יהוה Passover. (Exo 12:11)
According to Webster s 1828 Dictionary: the definition of wise involves having the power of discerning and judging correctly. the definition of discerning involves distinguishing by the eye, to see.
Parable of the Ten Virgins Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Mat 25:1-13)
The thief comes in the night.
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. (Luk 12:39-40)
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1Th 5:1-2)
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Rev 16:15)
The almond tree awakens around the third or fourth watch of the night season. Summer equinox Winter late Jan/ early Feb
The naked almond tree awakens and covers its nakedness in garments of white as if preparing for the arrival of a king.
Awake, awake; put on [clothe] thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. (Isa 52:1)
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. (Luk 12:37)
Awake, Awake!
Anything out of the ordinary process of nature, as so extraordinary as to excite wonder or astonishment.
Part 2: Almond Blossom & Abib Vanderhorst, Char J. "Almond Tree Menorah" (Clay on Tile). Alberta, Canada.