NEW MOON REPORT

Nehemia Gordon from Jerusalem, Israel compiled the following New Moon Reports for August and September 2006 and for the beginnings of the Sixth and Seventh months on the Biblical calendar.

August – “On Friday August 25, 2006 the New Moon was sighted from Israel. The New Moon was first sighted from Jerusalem by Nehemia Gordon at 19:30 and by Devorah Gordon at 19:31. The New Moon was also sighted by Bruce Brill at 19:32 from Kefar Eldad.”

September – “New Moon of the Seventh Biblical Month Sighted from Israel! The New Moon of the Seventh Biblical Month was sighted from Jerusalem on Sunday September 24, 2006. The new moon was first sighted by Avi Ben Mordechai at 18:40 from Jerusalem. The moon was also sighted at 18:40 by seven other observers from the same location including myself, Devorah Gordon, Ferenc Illesy, Dina Marcus, and Pamela Power. The moon was also sighted by Bruce Brill, Hen-el Brill, and Galed Zamir at 18:42 from Tekoa. Melekh Ben Ya’akov and another observer sighted the moon at 18:43 from Jerusalem.”

Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpets or Shouting) started when the new moon was sighted near sunset on September 24 and ended at sunset on September 25. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) will begin at sunset on October 3, and end at sunset on October 4. The first day of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) will begin at sunset on October 8, and will end at sunset on October 9. Shemini Atzeret (Last Great Day) will begin at sunset October 15, and will end at sunset on October 16.

Chart 420 shows the new crescent moon on September 24, 2006 in conjunction with the star Tsemech (THE BRANCH) in the sheaf of wheat in the constellation Bethulah (Virgo) when the moon was spotted around 6:40 pm Jerusalem time. This is a very unique position for the new moon to be at to kick off the fall feasts. See the September/October 2004 issue of Biblical Astronomy on Bethulah in its connection to the spring and fall feasts.

Chart 420 – New Moon in conjunction with Spica (Tsemech) on September 24, 2006

Below is a photo of the new moon taken from Jerusalem on September 24, 2006.

The next new moon is expected to be visible from Jerusalem or the land of Israel near sunset on either October 23 or 24. On October 23 the moon will be 2 percent illuminated but will be only about 4 degrees above the horizon five minutes after sunset. It may, however, be visible before the sun sets below the horizon. It will definitely be easily visible on October 24. I am looking forward to next month’s new moon report.

As you are aware, this issue is very late for September. I fell ill after returning from Mississippi and Alabama on August 27, and was down about three weeks with a nasty bronchial infection. When I was well enough to think and write again, my computer hard-drive crashed. The laptop was the only working computer that I had and it appears that I may have lost all of my files. I had most of the newsletter and PowerPoint files backed up but I did not have the addresses for the newsletter subscribers or the e-mail addresses in the address book backed up. I shipped my laptop to my brother-in-law in California to have it restored or repaired. I will soon find out if some or most of the files can be retrieved.

In the meantime, I purchased a new desktop computer and spent a bunch of time getting it up and running and loading software programs that I use for Biblical Astronomy. I had the hardcopy orders from subscribers to the newsletter and I typed them into a new mailing list.

In the midst of all of this, I had to have my cat of 16 years (Pedro) put down. He fell very ill with a high thyroid condition. He was a very lovable muscular twenty pound cat (in his prime) and most of the time he would be lying on my feet as I typed the newsletters over the past 10 years and when doing research and typing my books over the past 13 years. This is the first time that he is not there for a newsletter and he is very much missed.

I will not weary you with all of the other calamities that occurred to me in September; and then there is July and August. It has been a long summer of Murphy’s Law. I must be doing something right. I continue to praise the Almighty and have His joy in my heart. I still have much to be thankful for.

NOGAH AND REGULUS IN CONJUNCTION

The planet Nogah (Venus) and the star Regulus in the constellation Arieh (Leo) came into conjunction on September 6, 2006. Nogah is the Bright and Morning Star and Regulus is the King star in the constellation Arieh which represents the Lion of Judah and is also known as the King star of all the stars in the heavens from ancient times, though it is not the brightest star.

The above conjunction brings to mind two scriptures in Revelation.

Revelation 5:5b – Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.

Revelation 22:16 – “I Jesus (Yeshua), have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (NKJV)

Chart 421 shows the conjunction of Venus and Regulus as seen from Jerusalem at 6:40 am on September 6, 2006. They come to within 0.8 degrees from each other at their closest approach.

Chart 421 – Venus and Regulus in conjunction on September 6, 2006

PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE

There was a partial eclipse of the moon on September 7, 2006 that was visible for most of Asia with the end of the eclipse being visible in Europe.

Below is a photo of the partial eclipse taken at its peak by Roy Hoffman of the New Moon Society from Jerusalem, Israel. Just the top portion of the moon was darkened as seen from Israel.

Chart 422 shows the position of the moon in the constellation Aquarius (Deli) at the time of the peak of the eclipse as seen from Jerusalem. The moon is in the center of the water flow. The sign and constellation Deli (the water-urn or bucket) represents Yahweh’s blessings bestowed or poured forth onto and into his people.

MOON OCCULTS THE PLEIADES

There will be an occultation of the Pleiades by the moon on the evening of October 9 and the early morning of October 10, 2006. This occultation will be visible in North America. Below is a simulation of the occultation as it would be seen from Fort Dodge, Iowa at midnight on October 10 (or the late evening of October 9) through binoculars or a telescope.

This is not a particularly rare event. When the moon is in a certain node, it will occult the Pleiades several times in a particular year. It is, however, a unique event to see. The Pleiades represent the seven stars of Revelation 1, which represent the seven angels of the seven assemblies. The moon is Yahweh’s faithful witness that is appointed to mark the seasons (moed) or Feasts of Yahweh (Psalm 89:37, 104:19).

The full moon this month will be the harvest moon and will appear larger than normal and should be deep orange or reddish in color just after it rises above the horizon. The harvest moon will occur on October 6. The moon will rise around 6:00 pm for most locations in the continental US (give or take 20 minutes). The harvest moon will be in the constellation Pisces, which represents the bondage or release from bondage for Yahweh’s people. This constellation also represents the Two Houses of Israel (Judah and Ephraim). Hopefully, it will be a time of great harvest.

DVD SPECIAL

The Twelve Signs and the Twelve Tribes and The Signs of the Two Houses video production is now available on DVD. The video quality of this DVD is a little better than the VHS version. It is not “Star Wars” quality but is still a great teaching tool and is full of information on the subjects in its title. This is a two-hour and 10 minutes long teaching video. The price of this DVD is now at a special price of $15.00 plus $2.00 for shipping. It is marked down from $20.00.

The Biblical Astronomy DVD set Biblical Astronomy: A Voice Crying in the Heavens is now on sale for $40.00 plus $2.00 for shipping. It is marked down from $45.00. This is a three DVD set on a comprehensive teaching of Biblical Astronomy.

The first DVD covers all 48 constellations and major stars in these constellations, going over their names and Biblical meanings of the names.

The second DVD covers major celestial events that occurred at pivotal times in Biblical history from the creation of Adam to the first appearing of Messiah.

The third DVD covers major celestial events that point to the soon return of Messiah.

This set does not cover the Twelve Signs and the Twelve Tribes. But if you order both the Twelve Signs and The Twelve Tribes and The Biblical Astronomy DVD set together, there will be no shipping charge. This is a total of $14.00 less than the normal price for both with shipping.

Twelve Tribes DVD - $15.00 plus $2.00 shipping

Biblical Astronomy DVD Set - $40.00 plus $2.00 shipping

Get both for $55.00 with free shipping.

There are extra shipping charges for overseas and Canada. For overseas shipping is $7.00 for each video or $10.00 for both with no free shipping. For Canada, it is $5.00 shipping for each video or $8.00 for both with no free shipping.

To order these items send a check or money order for the appropriate amount with a note of the product you want to:

Biblical Astronomy

P.O. Box 2272

Oregon City, OR 97045

CASTING DOWN OF THE DRAGON TO THE EARTH

As it is written in the Book of Revelation, the archangel Michael along with his fellow angels will make war against the dragon and the dragon’s angels and the result will be that the dragon and his angels will be cast down to the earth.

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12:7-9 (NKJV)

Every year this event is portrayed in the evening and early morning sky every night from late September to mid November.

The top or first chart below shows the constellation Draco as seen from Jerusalem looking toward the north in the early evening sky about 30 minutes after sunset. Here the dragon is seen high in the sky.

Draco in the early evening sky 30 minutes after sunset

Draco in the early morning sky 30 min. before sunrise

Throughout the evening, the head of Draco turns toward the horizon of the earth and heads downward until it reaches to dips below the horizon about 30 minutes before sunrise. This is seen in the second chart.

This is an awesome portrayal of the dragon being cast down to the earth. This occurs during the Fall Feasts when they start in late September or early October as they did this year. Perhaps this is the time of the year or season that this event will actually happen. During the Spring Feasts, the dragon is seen rising into the heavens in the night sky, instead of being cast down.

As it is written:

“In that day the LORD, with his sore, and great, and strong sword, Shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, Even leviathan that crooked serpent; And he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” Isaiah 26:1; 27:1

The following is from E.W. Bullinger’s The Witness of the Stars, p. 73.

"From far I see the glorious day,
When He who bore our sins away,
Will all His majesty display.

A Man of Sorrows one He was,
No friend was found to plead His cause,
As all preferred the world's applause.

He groaned beneath sin's awful load,
For in the sinner's place He stood,
And died to bring him back to God.

But now He waits, with glory crowned,
While angel hosts His throne surround,
And still His lofty praises sound.

To few on earth His name is dear,
And they who in His cause appear,
The world's reproach and scorn must bear.

Jesus, Thy name is all my boast,
And though by waves of trouble tossed,
Thou wilt not let my soul be lost.

Come then, come quickly from above,
My soul impatient longs to prove,
The depths of everlasting love."

Yahweh bless you and watch over you.

Draco

The old serpent, or the Devil, cast down from heaven

Decan constellation of the Sign Sagittarius (Kesith).

Ancient Names for this constellation

Ethanin (Heb.) – the long serpent or dragon.

Al Dib (Arab.) – the reptile.

Draco (Lat.) – trodden on.

Her-fent (Dendurah) – the serpent accursed.

Complementing scriptures to this constellation picture

Revelation 12:3, 4 (NKJV) – And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth… (The constellation Hydra also represents the dragon and in ancient times had seven heads)

Revelation 12:7-10 (NKJV) – And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.

Stars in Draco and the meanings of their names

Thuban –the subtle.

Rastaban – the head of the subtle.

Ethanin – the long serpent, or dragon.

Giansar – the punished enemy.

The fiery red dragon is pictured here upside down hurling toward the earth, having been cast out of the heavens. He is called “the great dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan.” The serpent represents him as the deceiver; the dragon as the destroyer. He has but a short time on earth to deceive and destroy, but will finally be destroyed himself. He was overcome by the blood of the Lamb nearly 2,000 years ago and is doomed for final destruction. At the end of the Great Tribulation he will be bound for 1,000 years and be let loose again for a short season. Then he will be destroyed forever after being thrown into the lake of fire. Amen!!!

Biblical Astronomy