Hi, Ron -

Thought you might find this pattern of interest:

I was doing a little research on eclipses.  The shortest possible period between eclipses is called a "fortnight" ... no mystery there.  It's always two weeks between a new moon and a full moon, and the former is necessary for a solar eclipse; the latter for lunar.

What I found interesting is that, as you are no doubt aware, "fortnight" sequences are extremely rare.  There are two possibilities:  lunar, then two weeks later a solar - or, solar, then two weeks later a lunar.  Again, very intuitive.  Here's the interesting part:  the last fortnight sequence was, I think, in about 600-something AD but the last one with an eclipse on March 20th was in 71 AD, which was right after the Romans destroyed Jerusalem.  In that sequence, the lunar eclipse came first.

So we have:

1 - destruction of Jerusalem on the 9th of Av (August 2nd)
2 - lunar eclipse March 4 AD 71
3 - solar eclipse March 20 AD 71
4 - 1,944 intervening years
5 - solar eclipse March 20, 2015
6 - lunar eclipse April 4, 2015
7 - November, 2015 ? ? ?

IF this is a pattern, what might complete it?

Just ruminating.  But I'm thinking the November 2015 completion of the pattern should have something to do with Jerusalem; either another attack and destruction or, (more likely in my view), the dedication of the Temple.

Thoughts?

Best,

Steve