Palm Sunday

This week before Easter is known as Holy Week. It begins on Palm Sunday, which is the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago. At that time Jerusalem had a normal population of about 50,000, and it at least tripled in size because of the influx of pilgrims celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Marcus Borg says this:

“On... Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem from the east in a procession riding on a donkey cheered by his followers. At the same time, a Roman imperial procession of troops and cavalry entered the city from the west, headed by Pilate. Their purpose was to reinforce the Roman garrison stationed near the temple for the season of Passover, when tens (hundreds?) of thousands of Jewish pilgrims filled the city... 

Jesus’ mode of entry was symbolic, signifying that the kingdom of which he spoke was a kingdom of peace. According to the prophet Zechariah, the king entering Jerusalem on a donkey was to banish the weapons of war from the land and speak peace to the nations. The kingdom of Rome on the other hand was based on violence and the threat of violence.”

Agenda Today:
1. Journal: 

Marcus Borg sees Palm Sunday as Jesus’ intentional confrontation of the Roman domination. I too am called to speak truth to power and put my faith into action. 

Where do I see domination systems today? 
What are my intentions for facing them with peaceful actions?

2. Make a palm cross:

As Jesus entered Jerusalem the gathered people threw down palm fronds before him, which were a symbol of triumph, and the national emblem of an independent Palestine. 

It's a custom on Palm Sunday for many Catholics to receive palms at mass (which have been blessed) and then weave them into various shapes. 

I decided to weave some crosses, but I didn't have any palm fronds, so I tried some other kinds of leaves- the green cross is made from fresh day lily leaf, and the other two are bamboo leaves. 

There are lots of good videos and tutorials, and my favorites are here and here.


3. Altar: 

The imagery of death and rebirth is strong in the spring; I add my palm crosses to my altar today to remind myself to die and be reborn every day, and also to remind myself to speak truth to power.

4. Palm Sunday Prayer: 

Spirit, give me the courage to challenge those systems that oppress your people and this earth, with peace and a compassion that creates openings for transformation and change.

5. Set up my egg tree: 

It is an old custom in parts of Europe to make an Easter tree, often on Palm Sunday. Folks find a bare branch from a tree, stick it into a pot or vase of dirt, and hang it with decorated eggs tied on with ribbons. In Switzerland, after the tree is decorated, the children walk around it and make secret wishes.

I potted up my egg tree several weeks ago, and planted grass- now it's ready for the eggs!

6. Make Figgy Pudding: 
This day is called Fig Sunday in parts of England; some people think it's because, shortly after the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus discovers a fig tree with no fruit on it and cursed the tree saying, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” (Matthew 21:18-22, and Mark 11:12-14). 

Scholars have lots of interesting explanations for this gospel, and no matter what the explanation, it seems an odd reason to eat figs today. Still, I get a kick out of the very thought of Figgy Pudding, so I gave it a try- and it turned out very tasty!

Ingredients:

You need a proper pudding mold if you want to steam this pudding.

• 3 Tbsp. butter 
• 3/4 c. brown sugar 
• 1/2 c. milk 
• 2 c. all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1/4 tsp. allspice 
• 1 c. chopped dried figs
• 1 tart apple
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans 

Yield: 1 pudding- 

1- Melt the butter and combine in a large bowl with the sugar and milk. Add flour, baking soda, salt and allspice and mix by hand until smooth. (You may need to add a bit more milk but it should be a pretty thick batter.)

2- Finely chop the figs and pecans. Peel, core, and finely chop the apple. Stir into the batter.

3- Butter a 2-quart pudding mold with a tight lid. Spoon the batter into the mold, press it down, and cover.

4- Heat water in a large pan and set the mold in, so that the water comes about halfway up the mold. Cover and steam on medium-low for 2 hours. (Check the water level halfway through.)

5- Remove the pudding and cool 10 minutes before removing from mold. Serve warm.

Navratri, Part 3

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, speech, music, and all the creative arts. Saraswati is dressed in white, holds a scroll and plays music on a veena. She is called the Flowing-One because she comes from the river, and offers the gift of fluidity in speech and thought. She is the embodiment of the knowledge of Truth and spiritual wisdom. Saraswati shines with the pure light and uplifting energy of sattwa.

On my path I pass through the stages that everyone has to pass through- one naturally leads to the next. As I eliminate an undesirable quality, I develop the virtue opposite to it. Each time I succeed in developing and strengthening my good qualities, I am ready to receive another bit of the Light, moving towards enlightenment- that is what the nine days of Navratri are all about.

Saraswati is on the right, behind the white candle.
(Notice how tall my sprouts have gotten!)

Agenda Today:
1- Add to my puja:
On the seventh day of Navratri I add a tall white candle, as a symbolic form of Saraswati, and the light of sattwa.

2- Journaling:
For the next three days write about my inner wisdom.

Write down the spiritual teachings or Truths I wish to understand better, and find a book to study.

3- Visualization and prayer:
For these last three nights, I light the candle, and honor the intuitive aspect of the Mother-

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to give me power to open my heart, and flow with the river of life. Bless me with an abundance of wisdom, happiness, peace, and creativity, and guide my voice to speak the Truth." 

Then I picture Saraswati sitting on the blossom of my heart, sprinkling me with cleansing waters, and shining the light of wisdom, peace, and Truth.

4- Saraswati Mantra:
I focus on my image of Saraswati and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound 
• Aim - from which knowledge and powers of speech emanate 
• Sa-ra-swath-yai - goddess of wisdom 
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

5- Make sundal:
Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night.

Served with homemade naan and green beans.

Ingredients: 

• 1 c. moong dal (yellow lentils) 
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder 
• salt to taste 
• 4 tsp. oil 
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds 
• 1 - 2 green chili peppers
• 1 tsp. fresh gingerroot
• 1/2 tsp. of lemon juice 
• 1/4 c. coconut

Yield: 4 servings-

1- Combine the moong dal, 3 c. water, turmeric, and salt in a heavy bottomed pan. Simmer on medium for 10 - 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not over cook- the moong dal should be soft, but still whole and not mushy. Drain and set aside.

2- Meanwhile, chop the green chili and mince the ginger.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan, add mustard seeds, chili, and ginger. Stir and fry for a couple of minutes, then add the drained moong dal and saute for a minute.

4- Add grated coconut and lemon juice. Mix well. Serve hot.

Navratri Continues

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth. She is a beautiful golden woman with four arms, sitting on a fully bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Cascades of gold coins flow from her hands, and she wears gold embroidered red clothes, indicating her offering of prosperity. Lakshmi brings the growth and unfolding of whatever is life enhancing. 

The word Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning aim or goal. After Durga has destroyed the old structure of my personality, a constructive process can begin. Lakshmi  heals and nourishes my spirit and brings me steadiness of mind. She bestows spiritual and material wealth, good food, health, and happiness.

Lakshmi is in the center, above the bowl of coins.

Agenda Today:
1- Add to my puja:
On the fourth day of Navratri I add a crystal bowl of coins from around the world , as a symbolic form of Lakshmi.

2- Journaling:

For the next three days write about my inner life-giving force of creativity. 

Write down the qualities and habits I wish to cultivate.

3- Visualization and prayer:

For these second three nights I honor the constructive aspect of the Mother. 

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me to develop and maintain patience, forgiveness, compassion, loving-kindness, and integrity. Give me the persistence to succeed at my goals, and bless me with abundant health and happiness.”

Then I picture Lakshmi sitting on the blossom of my heart, gently opening it to accept love and happiness into my life.

4- Lakshmi Mantra:
I focus on my image of Lakshmi and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound 
• Shreem -  from which beauty and feminine energy eminates
• Ma-ha - great
• Lak-shma-yai - goddess of wealth
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

5- Rangoli:
Today I made a rangoli of Lakshmi's  footprints on the threshold of our front door, with chalk and rice flour, to welcome the Goddess of success.

6- Make sundal: 

Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I made Sweet Corn Sundal.

Ingredients:

2 c. frozen sweet corn
1-2 green chilies
1 small carrot
2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1/4 c. grated coconut
salt to taste

1- Steam the corn in water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2- Finely chop chilies and carrot.

3- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan; add mustard seeds and stir until they start to pop, then add chilies and carrots and sauté for a minute.

4- Add the cooked corn, salt to taste, and coconut. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes until all is combined. Serve hot or warm.

Navratri

Navratri is a Hindu holiday during which we honor and thank Shakti, the Divine Mother, in all her forms. Shakti is the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. The word nava means nine and ratri means nights; the festival lasts for nine nights and ten days.

Navratri is celebrated twice each year, in the spring and fall, because these are times when nature and people undergo great changes. Spring Navratri begins the day after the new moon in late March or early April, and is celebrated as a request to Shakti for a good growing season.
The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon- the Goddesses Durga, then Lakshmi, and then Saraswati. For the first three nights the Mother is invoked as Durga, goddess of strength and courage.

Durga is on the left, with the seeds in front of her.

Agenda Today:
1- Set up a puja for Mother Nature:
Today I make an altar to honor Mother Earth, with flowers, incense, and diya lamps. My altar is in no way authentically Hindu- I make it for my own use, to remind me of the work I am doing. If you want to see an authentic puja, watch this video.

On the first day of Navratri I prepare a dish of soil, planted with seeds, as a symbolic form of Durga- the image is of the womb of the earth, and her creative energies.

2- Rangoli:
Rangolis are rice flour designs, made on the floor or sometimes on a metal plate. At Navratri a new design is made each day- with dots, squares, flowers, steps, birds, the names of Shakti, designs from Shakti's hands, patterns of her trident and, on the ninth day, the Lotus of the goddess's heart. Today we made a rangoli on the plate (pictured above) that holds my diya lamps.

3- Journaling:
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). Each Goddess signifies a stage of the spiritual journey we all go through: Durga’s strength and energy create's an opening, Lakshmi’s success and fortune nurtures growth, and Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.

For the first three days I write about my strengths- the ways that Durga shines in me- and the qualities or habits I wish to let Durga destroy.

4- Visualization and prayer:

For these three nights I honor the destructive aspect of the Mother. Durga is a warrior, rides a fierce tiger, and has 10 arms, which hold weapons and a lotus flower. She destroys evils that threaten the stability of the cosmos and helps the universe to proceed with the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction.

I pray “Thank you, Mother, for providing energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing spring to come again, and for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. You are the earth. You nourish support, protect, and mother all creatures, all beings. I ask you to help me recognize those aspects of myself that are not helpful. Give me the strength and courage to maintain my physical and mental balance, and to destroy my vices and defects so that what is good and pure has room to unfold.”

Then I picture Durga entering my heart riding on a tiger. I see Her wipe out my anger, greed, laziness, procrastination, indifference, pride, defensiveness, and jealousy.

5- Durga Mantra:
I focus on my image of Durga and chant-

• Om - the primodial sound, 
• Dum - the energy which protects from all negative influences, 
• Dur-ga-yei - goddess of strength, 
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

6- Make sundal: 
Many Hindus eat only vegetarian foods during Navratri; often a different sundal (dry legume dish) each night. 

Tonight I made Channa Sundal, with chickpeas- spicy and good!

Ingredients: 

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 Tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• salt
• 1/3 c. grated coconut
• pinch of cayenne

Yield: Serves 2-

1- Open the can of chickpeas and rinse and drain. Set aside.

2- Add oil to a wok or frying pan and heat. Add the mustard seeds to the hot oil, and stir for a few seconds, just until the seeds begin to pop.

3- Add the chickpeas and the red pepper, and mix well. Add a pinch of Asafoetida (helps with gas!), salt to taste, the grated coconut, and a pinch of cayenne. Mix and stir for few seconds then turn off the heat, cover, and let it sit for few seconds. Serve with yogurt and naan.

Vernal Equinox and New Budding Moon

The equinox occurs at 3:45 p.m. in the Pacific Northwest. From the darkness of Winter I am called to the light of Spring. The equinox is the time of the rekindling of life on the earth, and the renewal of hope and fertility also in our spiritual lives. Today I seek harmony and balance in the amazing energy of this season.

And tonight is the new moon; the Chinese call the second new moon the Budding Moon. This is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. I write down what I hope to focus on in the next 30 days or so, and then give my ideas a period of gestation, like seeds in the soil, before I take action. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal:
Spring has always been my favorite time of year, when I feel most creative and joyful. I can feel my energy growing and swelling like the buds on the trees!

What are my hopes for the future? 
What creative paths am I starting down?
How can I better honor all sides of myself? 

List my intentions for the next 4 weeks in these areas-
Self, Friends and Family, Teaching, Artwork, Writing, Home and Garden, Work/Business, and Volunteer work.

2. New Moon Meditation:
Light a small white candle. Center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life. Do this each day until the candle is gone.

3. Equinox Prayer:
I will light candles at the exact time of the equinox, and say this prayer as I point to the 7 directions: 

In this moment of perfect balance between day and night,

I seek to be grounded in the center of my being.

I am:

(East) inspired by the crystal clarity of Air.

(South) enlightened by the transforming power of Fire.

(West) renewed by the healing powers of Water.

(North) nurtured by the powers of Earth.

(Downward) supported by the stabilizing energy of below.

(Upward) guided by the Spirit above.

(Within) balanced in the axis of my being.

4. Plan:
As the moon waxes, I expand-- plant seeds, make connections, and begin new projects. This week I will make some plans for creative action.

5. Spring Cleaning:
For the past three months I have been keeping the house basically clean, and doing a few extra cleaning projects when I have the time. In January I cleaned mold and mildew. In February I did some clearing of clutter, and this month I've done a few other tasks. 

Now it's nearly Spring Break for me, my traditional week to clean deeply, and sort out the accumulation of stuff I have collected.

As I begin this process, I consider the symbolism of the cluttered and dirty areas of my home: 

If my desk is messy, is my thinking very orderly? 

Do ancient jars of food on the kitchen shelves connect to undernourishment of my soul? 

Do dirty windows impede my view of the celebration of life? 

Explore my closets: What things have I not used in months or years? Some things are hard to sort through because of overwhelming memories; gifts, something broken I have never fixed, sentimental items. 

What closed up parts of me need reorganizing, resurrection, recycling, and regeneration?

Today I will make a plan, and schedule one room to clean each day. I will put on some fun, lively music, open the windows an doors, and let the sweet green aroma of spring enter our home. Starting in our living room, I will dance my way through the room and-

• Clear out the cabinets and closets. 
• Clear surfaces.
• Clean the floor and under furniture.
• Clean the windows and the curtains. 
• Touch up the paint on the woodwork. 

After a thorough cleaning, we will feel the fragrance of springtime throughout the house, and I will also get the cobwebs out of my head! What a perfect way to celebrate the season- my house, my family and I myself deserve this kind of loving attention. 

6. Decorate for spring: 

Once the house is clean I can put out green and yellow cloths and candles, and a big vase of spring flowers; set out my nests, birds, and bunnies; and plant grass around my egg tree.

7. Burn the Marzanna Doll:
Marzanna is the Slavic goddess of death, winter and nightmares. I've been working week by week on my Marzanna doll. Last week we added yarn and beads, and this week we added feathers. 

The custom of burning and drowning an effigy of Marzanna survives in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. For many years, this transpired on the fourth Sunday of Lent, but now it takes place on March 21. 

Children in kindergartens and primary schools often take a special field trip to a river to set Marzanna on fire and then drown her! (See this web site for many good pictures and more information.) 

Today we put my Marzanna into the fire: The symbolism is of death and rebirth- burning away the winter so that spring can return. 

Red Wednesday Eve (and Nowruz)

Tonight is the eve of Chahar Shanbeh Soori (pronounced Čār šamba-sūrī), which means Red Wednesday, the last Wednesday of the year in Iran. On this night neighbors in Iran gather to build bonfires, and everyone leaps over the fire, to burn away the bad luck of the old year, and create good luck for the new year.

Red Wednesday is prelude to Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which begins on March 20 or 21, the Spring Equinox, and is celebrated in Iran 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.

Agenda this week:
1. Spring cleaning: 
To prepare for Nowruz, Iranians clean their houses, mend anything that is broken, take baths, and buy new clothes. This week I plan to clean the woodwork in the living room, re-glue a broken chair, and scrub the decking on the back porch.

2. Prepare the sabzeh: 
Two weeks ago we planted some seeds in shallow bowls, called the sabzeh in Iran, a symbol of new life. Lentils or wheat are traditional; we planted a mixture of wheat and ryegrain that I had in the cupboard for a cover crop.

This week the sprouts are tall enough to make a good show. To prepare them for the table, we wrap them up with a red ribbon. 

3. Dye a few eggs: 

Yep, colored eggs are a traditional part of Nowruz. The favorite colors are red, green and yellow, but all colors are used. 

4. Make Shir Berenj (Persian Milk & Rice Pudding):

In Farsi, shir means milk and berenj means rice. This pudding is one of the 7 symbolic foods on the Nowruz table, symbolic of taste and health.

Ingredients: 
1/2-c. rice
1-1/2 cups whole milk
1/8-c. sugar
1/8-c. rose water
Cinnamon

Yield: Serves 2- 

1- Rinse rice with cool water and soak, preferably overnight, or at least two hours before cooking.

2- Drain the rice and place in a pot with 1/2-c. water on medium-low heat. Bring to a gentle boil, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Then gradually add milk, stirring frequently to avoid getting a crusty bottom.

3- Once milk is absorbed by all the rice grains, about 40 minutes, add sugar and rose water. Stir well and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Make sure you are cooking on the lowest heat until it thickens.

4- When the pudding is well-cooked transfer it into bowls. Garnish with cinnamon or jam.

5. Make nan-e badami: 

These delicate almond cookies are often served for Nowruz. My 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 - cloth of seven dishes. 

Our suzani.

Traditionally the cloth is white, but we use this appliqued cloth that my art class students have been making. We were inspired by Persian embroidered suzani, and we work on it a little each year. This is what it looks like now.

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: 

• 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 

7. Build a fire and JUMP!

Holi

My students enjoying Holi!

Holi is a Hindu holiday that falls on the day after the full moon in March each year. It marks the end of winter in India. Holi is sometimes called the Festival of Color, because on Holi everyone in India throws paint at each other! 

To prepare, folks buy gulal, which are powdered paints in rich colors of pink, magenta, red, yellow and green. Three days before Holi families get together to sprinkle a little of the gulal powders on each other, to share love and blessings. 

On the day of Holi the whole country goes wild with people laughing and running in the streets. People smear each other with powder, drench each other with buckets of paint, and spray paint with long pistons (like super-soakers). They also fill water balloons with paint! People often show respect for elders by sprinkling dry powder on their feet. By the end of the day everyone is covered with color- old people, children, men, women, rich and poor. Holi creates a feeling of equality in a country with strong disparity.

Agenda Today:

1. Make Malpua:

Malpua is a very addictive treat from North India especially prepared during the Holi festival. It's a like a fried donut with a slightly spicy flavor. 

We like to start these before the celebration so they are ready to fry and eat (with hot tea) while we are warming up. 

Ingredients: 

• 1-1/2 c. coarsely ground whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 10 crushed peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder.
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 3/4-c. water
• 1/4-c. yogurt
• oil for frying

Yield: 12 pancakes- 

1- Combine the flour, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and baking powder. 

2- Dissolve sugar in water. Add yogurt and mix into the flour mixture to form a thick batter. Set aside for 45 minutes.

3- Heat 1" of oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Pour a spoonful of the batter into oil, spread into a thin round shape, and fry until golden brown.

4- Drain on paper. Serve hot.

2. Have a paint throwing celebration:
March in my area can be rainy and cold, but we almost always manage to celebrate Holi with paint throwing! It's just so much fun! Here's how I organize things: 

• Everyone wears clothes they don’t care about, and brings a change. I stack large old towels by the backdoor. Most of us choose to go barefoot.
• I pour out small cups of powdered tempera paints, and each person chooses one color.
• I gather empty spray bottles, and a large bucket of warm water and we each find a bottle that sprays to our satisfaction.
• We gather in a circle outside in my backyard, around the bucket of water. I put a good quantity of red food coloring into it, and we fill our spray bottles. 
• We set the ground rules: No spraying in the face. Let us know if you don’t want others to put paint in your hair. The back porch is a safety zone. Have fun and make sure everyone else is having fun! 

We begin with a ritual sprinkling of dry powder- one at a time we dip a finger in our powder and smear it on each person, too honor our friendship. Then we begin to spray and throw the colored water and dry powder at each other! It’s a blast!