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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 forseasonal grazing.
Salmon migrate from the oceansto 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 seasonsH4150, and for days, and years: (Gen 1:14)
Printed screen from e-sword
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, eventhese 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:
The list includes:
The seventh day sabbath of rest
Appointed times of the first month:
יהוה’s passover on the 14th day of the first month
1st month 2nd month 3rd month1
Pas
sove
r
14
The list includes:
The seventh day sabbath of rest
Appointed times of the first month:
יהוה’s passover on the 14th day of the first month
The seven day feast of matza beginning on the 15th
day of the first month
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked off branch
1
Matza7 days
Pas
sove
r
15 21
The list includes:
The seventh day sabbath of rest
Appointed times of the first month:
יהוה’s passover on the 14th day of the first month
The seven day feast of matza beginning on the 15th
day of the first month
A 50 day omer count to Firstfruit offering
1st month 2nd month 3rd month
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked off branch
1
Matza7 days
Omer CountSeven Weeks/50 days
ShavuotFeast of
Firstfruits
Pas
sove
r
15 21
and:
Appointed times of the seventh month:
and:
Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1st day of
the seventh month
7th month 8th month 9th month1
YomTeruahblow thetrumpets
and:
Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1st day of
the seventh month
A day of atonement on the 10th day of the seventh month
7th month 8th month 9th month1
Yom
Kip
pu
r
10
YomTeruahblow thetrumpets
and:
Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1st day of
the seventh month
A day of atonement on the 10th day of the seventh month
The seven day feast of tabernacles beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month
7th month 8th month 9th month
15th day/Sukkot
rejoice with branches of
goodly trees
1
Sukkot7 days
Yom
Kip
pu
r
15 2110
YomTeruahblow thetrumpets
and:
Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1st day of
the seventh month
A day of atonement on the 10th day of the seventh month
The seven day feast of tabernacles beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month
The eighth day sabbath following the seven day feast of tabernacles
7th month 8th month 9th month
15th day/Sukkot
rejoice with branches of
goodly trees
1
Sukkot7 days
Yom
Kip
pu
r
15 2110
8th
Day
YomTeruahblow thetrumpets
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.
Day
Night
horizon
Summer
Winter
equinox
Considering that the word abib
is also associated with
blossoming,
the following slides demonstrate
how the almond tree cycle seems to
parallel the seasons of יהוה.
Summer
Winter
equinox
Seasons of יהוה
In the 14th day of the first month (abib) at
even is the Passover of
slaughter the ;יהוהunblemished lamb at
even.*
*Lev 23:5; Exo 12:1-6
late Jan/early Feb
Summer
Winter
equinox
Seasons of יהוה
In the 14th day of the first month (abib) at
even is the Passover of
slaughter the ;יהוהunblemished lamb at
even.*
Almond Tree Cycle
Upon awakening, the almond tree clothes itself with light pink
flowers that turn white as snow and fall to the
ground within5-14 days.
*Lev 23:5; Exo 12:1-6
late Jan/early Feb
Summer
Winter
equinox
Seasons of יהוה
From the morrow Sabbath count seven sabbaths (50 days).
Present two wave loaves made of fine flour baked with leaven, they are the
firstfruits of יהוה*
*Lev 23:9-22
late Jan/early Feb
latter Apr/early May
Summer
Winter
equinox
Seasons of יהוה
From the morrow Sabbath count seven sabbaths (50 days).
Present two wave loaves made of fine flour baked with leaven, they are the
firstfruits of יהוה*
Almond Tree Cycle
Following pollination, the firstfruits of the almond tree hastily
grow over a period of 8 weeks when they may
be handpickedduring the
1st harvest
*Lev 23:9-22
late Jan/early Feb
latter Apr/early May
*Lev 23:34-44
Summer
Winter
equinox
late Jan/early Feb
7th monthafter blossom
latter Apr/early May
Seasons of יהוה
Celebrate a feast during the 7th month; rejoice
before יהוה with the branches of goodly
trees*
*Lev 23:34-44
Summer
Winter
equinox
late Jan/early Feb
7th monthafter blossom
latter Apr/early May
Almond Tree Cycle
The almond tree is ready for the final harvest
around the 7th month after blossom.
Seasons of יהוה
Celebrate a feast during the 7th month; rejoice
before יהוה with the branches of goodly
trees*
The feasts of the first month
seem to mirror
the feasts of the seventh month.
Blossom Hasty RipeningMonth 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
Winter
Summer
HeadChodeshblow the
trumpet*
1
*see Num 10:10
Blossom Hasty RipeningMonth 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
Winter
Summer
HeadChodeshblow the
trumpet*
1
1
Yom Teruahblow the
trumpet
*see Num 10:10
Blossom Hasty RipeningMonth 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
Winter
Summer
HeadChodeshblow the
trumpet*
1Se
lect
Lam
b
1
Yom Teruahblow the
trumpet
10
*see Num 10:10
Blossom Hasty RipeningMonth 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
Winter
Summer
HeadChodeshblow the
trumpet*
1Se
lect
Lam
b
1
Yom Teruahblow the
trumpet
Yom
Kip
pu
r
10
10
*see Num 10:10
Blossom Hasty RipeningMonth 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
Winter
Summer
HeadChodeshblow the
trumpet*
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
1
Matza7 days
Omer CountSeven Weeks/50 days
ShavuotFeast of
Firstfruits
15 21Se
lect
Lam
b
1
Yom Teruahblow the
trumpet
Yom
Kip
pu
r
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
10
10
*see Num 10:10
Blossom Hasty RipeningMonth 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
Winter
Summer
HeadChodeshblow the
trumpet*
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
1
Matza7 days
Omer CountSeven Weeks/50 days
ShavuotFeast of
Firstfruits
15 21Se
lect
Lam
b
1 15
Yom Teruahblow the
trumpet
Yom
Kip
pu
r
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
15th day/Sukkot
rejoice with
branches of goodly trees
Sukkot7 days
10
10
8th
Day
*see Num 10:10
And in the Northern Hemispherewhen the almond tree blossoms
and the people areblowing the trumpet,
selecting a lamb,and waving a docked of branch
during the first month…
Northern
Hemisphere Blossom Hasty Ripening
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3
Head Chodeshblow the
trumpet
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
1
Matza7 days
Omer CountSeven Weeks/50 days
ShavuotFeast of
Firstfruits
Pas
sove
r15 21
Sele
ct L
amb
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
10
in the Southern Hemispherethe almond tree is ready for harvest
and the people areblowing the trumpet,
observing Yom Kippur,and
rejoicing with the branches of goodly trees.
Northern
Hemisphere Blossom Hasty Ripening
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3
Southern
HemisphereHarvest
HeadChodeshblow the
trumpet
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
1
Matza7 days
Omer CountSeven Weeks/50 days
ShavuotFeast of
Firstfruits
Pas
sove
r15 21
Sele
ct L
amb
1 15
Yom Teruahblow the
trumpet
Yom
Kip
pu
r
15th day/Firstfruits
wave a docked
off branch
15th day/Sukkot
rejoice with
branches of goodly trees
Sukkot7 days
10
10
8th
Day
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…
Northern
Hemisphere
Month 7 Month 8 Month 9
Harvest
YomTeruahblow the
trumpet
1
Sukkot7 days
8th
Day
15 21
Yo
m
Kip
pu
r
10
15th day/Sukkot
rejoice with
branches of goodly trees
in the Southern Hemispherethe almond tree is blossoming
and the people areblowing the trumpet,
selecting a lamb,and
waving a docked off branch.
Northern
Hemisphere
Month 7 Month 8 Month 9
Southern
Hemisphere Blossom
Harvest
Hasty Ripening
YomTeruahblow the
trumpet
1
Sukkot7 days
8th
Day
15 21
Yom
Kip
pu
r
1 15
Sele
ct
Lam
b
15th day/Matza
wave a docked
off branch
Matza7 days
10
10
15th day/Sukkot
rejoice with
branches of goodly trees
21
Could the blossoming almond tree -
the pattern for the LIGHT
in the holy place -
exist as a “photoreceptor”
to alert us
to the seasons of יהוה…
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 lightsburning; And ye yourselves like unto men thatwait for their lord, when he will return from thewedding; that when he cometh and knocketh,they may open unto him immediately. Blessedare those servants, whom the lord when hecometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you,that he shall gird himself, and make them to sitdown to meat, and will come forth and servethem. 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 יהוה‘s 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
Winter
equinox
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.