Spring Equinox and Nowruz

Spring equinox occurred this morning at 2:01 a.m. PDT. The word equinox comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night). This is a moment of balance - the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west, and we experience twelve hours each of light and dark. From this moment on, we gain more light each day, until the summer solstice.

And 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.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries

 2. Spring cleaning and decorating

3. Dye a few eggs

5. Make Koloocheh Cookies

6. Set up a haft sin

7. Nowruz Ceremony

1. Journal queries:
Consider the balance in my life.
How well do I balance my physical, mental, and spiritual needs?
How can I balance my personal needs with my commitments to the outside world? 
How do I balance my Being (mindful, compassionate, grateful) with my Doing (engaged, kind, and giving)?

Think also of the balance in the world; meditate upon what this half of the year will bring, dark and light, and how best I can take right action in the world.

From my journal: This fall and winter I have been insular - I've drawn into home and family life, while staying very active virtually. Now I want to tip the balance outward: Find a group that I can attend regularly meetings with and plan actions that challenge me.

2. 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.

3. Spring cleaning and decorating:

In January I cleaned mold and mildew. In February I cleared clutter. In March I take the first steps of spring cleaning and maintenance, those big jobs that get put off through the winter months. This week my focus is in the bathroom - cleaning the bathtub and mirrors.

Today I also plan to finish clearing surfaces and decorate for spring: Put away all the winter decorations and knick-knacks; put out green and yellow cloths and candles, a big vase of spring flowers, nests, birds, and bunnies.

4. Make Koloocheh Cookies;

Koloocheh is a Persian cookie with a rich date and walnut filling, baked for special occasions.

The recipe is here.

5. 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. When I taught art classes, we did a proper haft sin, with an appliquéd table cloth that my art class students made, inspired by Persian embroidered suzani.

After we spread the suzani out on the table, we had 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

Today I've stout a very abbreviated haft sin with our sabzeh and eggs, and a vase of flowers.

6. Nowruz Ceremony:

Haft sin from 2016

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.