Maidyozarem, the first Gahambar of the Zoroastrian year, means "mid-spring", and it celebrates the creation of the sky, heaven, the stars, and the hot nebulous cloud of the fire of the Universe. It takes place each year from April 30 through May 4th.
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| Beautiful peonies growing in my neighborhood. |
The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new.
Agenda this week:
1. Retreat Day
2. Choose a month theme
3. Set intentions
4. New moon altar and meditation
2. Choose a month theme
3. Set intentions
4. New moon altar and meditation
5. Recite prayers
6. Make Kachumber Salad
1. Retreat Day:
If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action.
But because this is the season of blossoming into abundance, I have a great many projects started, and errands to run today! I'm going to give each project my attention in a focused and deliberate manner, open myself to the receipt of gifts, and try to be fully awake to all that each moment holds.
2. Pick a theme:
At the new moon I choose a theme, and begin to give attention to it. My theme this month is joy -- that's contentment, serenity, harmony, and living with a wide-open, unbiased attitude of appreciation for life. A childlike quality of joy supports my spontaneous, innovative, creative spirit. Also, my joyous mood is infectious and brings success with my relationships.
Joy goals might be to experience more harmony and happiness in my life, to exercise my creativity muscle, to be more flexible with friendships, or to explore and develop my playful, intuitive qualities.
Like compassion, joy is a limitless quality. I train in it by noticing the moment it arrives and the moment when I shift away, into disapproval or sorrow. When that happens, I just notice the shift without acting on it or repressing it; I hold my feelings of "not joy" softly so that the barriers to joy might come down.
Besides attention, two other supports for a joyful mind are curiosity and humor. When I am in a joyful mood, I feel relaxed, expansive, and spontaneous, and I can turn a problem into a creative challenge.
Besides attention, two other supports for a joyful mind are curiosity and humor. When I am in a joyful mood, I feel relaxed, expansive, and spontaneous, and I can turn a problem into a creative challenge.
My joy practices this month:
- Adventures and play with my grandson, and his new tricycle.
- Find contentment in the garden, and with completing a big project, little by little.
- Don't over-schedule; allow time for spontaneity and serenity.
- Study joy, hope, and optimism.
- Make fun and happy things with my hands: a toddler tool belt, bike craftivism, garden art, wedding gift...
3. Set intentions:
Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for May, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.
After I list my top 10-20 goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. This is a time-consuming but important process. I'm going to choose a few to write today - those I might act on today - then work on a few more each day this week.
I intend to embrace joy and contentment, and live with harmony and appreciation, because a joyful attitude supports my creative spirit and nourishes my relationships.I intend to relax into Grandmothering, with attention on teachable moments and easy, loving, time together, because growing a creative soul is my calling.I intend to find unity with the Earth, by inviting the Earth to communicate with me, and by considering how my behaviors and actions impact all of Creation - because building a strong and intimate connection to, and understanding of, Creation is how I will fuel climate justice work that I can sustain.
4. New moon altar and meditation:
It's time to clear my altar, and discern what to put on it for May. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke?
I left from last month:
- an origami crane - for peace
- a soapstone cat for independence, mystery, and agility
- a dragonfly for change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization.
- a nesting doll for motherhood and family
- an orange candle for joy and creativity
Today I will light a small white candle on my altar. I'll center and give attention to each of my intentions, and picture each one accomplished. Then I'll let go of expectations, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.
5. Recite Prayers:
The first four days of Maidyozarem are devoted to services, and reciting prayers. Zoroastrians turn towards a flame while praying, which symbolizes the fire of creation and the spiritual flame within each of us -- and so I stand before a candle flame to recite the Ashem Vohu (invocation of Asha) from the Avesta (Zoroastrian Book of Common Prayer).
The Ashem Vohu is a prayer with universal appeal. The word Ashem has many meanings: Law, Order, Beauty, Truth, Righteousness, Purity, Freedom. This one word expresses Divine truth, purity of body and mind, and all the beauty of nature. It's a central idea in Zoroastrianism.
This prayer is like a mantra, to be chanted slowly. To hear it recited, go to this link.
The first four days of Maidyozarem are devoted to services, and reciting prayers. Zoroastrians turn towards a flame while praying, which symbolizes the fire of creation and the spiritual flame within each of us -- and so I stand before a candle flame to recite the Ashem Vohu (invocation of Asha) from the Avesta (Zoroastrian Book of Common Prayer).
The Ashem Vohu is a prayer with universal appeal. The word Ashem has many meanings: Law, Order, Beauty, Truth, Righteousness, Purity, Freedom. This one word expresses Divine truth, purity of body and mind, and all the beauty of nature. It's a central idea in Zoroastrianism.
This prayer is like a mantra, to be chanted slowly. To hear it recited, go to this link.
ashem vohû vahishtem astîTruth is the best good.
ushtâ astîIt is happiness.
ushtâ ahmâi hyat ashâi vahishtâi ashem.
Happiness is to one whose truth (represents) best truth.
6. Make Kachumber Salad:
Ingredients:
1. Chop the onion. Peel the cucumber and slice in ¼" pieces. Soak in vinegar in the refrigerator for one hour.
Ingredients:
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| Served here with rice and roasted garbanzos |
- 1/2 white or red onion
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 medium tomato
- ½ c. white or red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. cumin powder
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- cayenne pepper (to taste)
1. Chop the onion. Peel the cucumber and slice in ¼" pieces. Soak in vinegar in the refrigerator for one hour.2. Cube the tomato.
3. Combine lemon juice, cumin powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl. Add to the marinated onion and cucumber, along with the tomato. Toss the ingredients to mix well. 
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