Nowruz is the Persian New Year, which begins each year at the time of the spring equinox in Iran, and is celebrated for two weeks. The word Nowruz means New Day in Persian. It’s an ancient Persian belief that creation of the world took place on the first day of spring.
This is also the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to show full effort for priorities.
- First quarter (half moon) - Full effort, obstacles, flexibility
Agenda Today:
1. Journal queries
2. Make a full effort plan
3. Prepare the sabzeh
4. Dye a few eggs
5. Make Koloocheh Cookies
6. Set up a haft sin
7. Nowruz Ceremony
4. Dye a few eggs:
Koloocheh is a Persian cookie with a rich date and walnut filling, baked for special occasions.
The recipe is here.
6. Set up a haft sin:
Traditionally the cloth is white, but we use an appliqued cloth that my art class students made. We were inspired by Persian embroidered suzani.
7. Nowruz Ceremony:
4. Dye a few eggs
5. Make Koloocheh Cookies
6. Set up a haft sin
7. Nowruz Ceremony
1. Journal queries:
Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities.
Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month?
What potential challenges and obstacles do I face this week and month (things I don’t enjoy, don’t know how to do, or feel blocked on)? How can I best meet these challenges?
How will I find the inspiration that will spark full effort for my priorities, every day, over and over?
I will certainly face obstacles but I will remain flexible and use my obstacles as fuel for growth. The challenge I feel most right now is one to persistence, which is lethargy and procrastination; I will practice taking one step at a time.
2. Make a full effort plan:
Full effort (sometimes called exertion) is one of the steps of mental discipline on Buddha’s eightfold path. Buddha was urging full effort for awakening the mind; a first step is to practice full effort for whatever is most important in your life right now - for your priorities.
Full effort requires attention (remembering what it is you want to do and your deepest reasons why), a spark of energy and determination (connecting to your excitement for life each day and each moment, and sustaining it long enough to accomplish your priorities), and balance (holding your intentions lightly in the complexity of life).
3. Prepare the sabzeh:
The sabzeh is a shallow bowl of sprouts, a symbol of new life. Lentils or wheat are traditional, but I sometimes use grass seed. I started seeds 2 weeks ago, and today I will wrap the sprouts up with a red ribbon.
Yep, colored eggs are a traditional part of Nowruz. The favorite colors are red, green and yellow, but all colors are used.
5. Make Koloocheh Cookies:
The recipe is here.
6. Set up a haft sin:
A few days before Noruz every household spreads a tablecloth on the carpet or table called the Sofreh-e Haft Sin, or Cloth of Seven Dishes.
After we spread the suzani out on the table, we have a hunt to find the symbolic items to put on the haft sin table- including seven bowls filled with seven symbolic foods, each beginning with the Persian letter sheen.
- Sharab- wine, for happiness
- Shakar- sugar, for sweetness
- Shir- milk, for nourishment
- Shireh- fruit syrup (usually grape), for vigor
- Shahd- honey, for productive teamwork
- Shirini- candy, more sweetness
- Shir berenj- rice pudding, for health
Other symbols of spring are also placed on the table; each family has its own traditions, but the common items are:
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| Haft sin from 2016 |
- Sabzeh sprouts, for new life
- A mirror to reflect the images of creation
- A candle for each child, to represent wisdom and happiness
- A Holy Book or book of poetry
- Spring flowers
- Colored eggs, for fruitfulness
- Coins, for prosperity
- Rose water for healing
- Cookies for a sweet life
Family and friends gather to wait for the Nowruz ceremony, which traditionally happens at the exact moment of the equinox. Everyone greets each other with "Nowruz Mubarak!" - Happy New Day!
Next the oldest person holds up a mirror and each person looks into the mirror and smiles. The mirror is for reflecting a person's past, and reminding a person to reflect on future goals and pledges. In Zoroastrian theology, the soul receives a reflection of a person's thoughts, words and deeds.
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