When we think of spring cleaning we think of going through our closets and ridding ourselves from winter attire or clutter we've accumulated staying inside from the cold. And when we think of a new year, we think of ringing in a countdown in January at a bar; but one of the most ancient ways of entering into a new vibration, spanning beyond persian tribes and into various spiritually conscious cultures is what entails "Norouz". "No" meaning new, and "rouz" meaning day, the spring equinox has been considered the earth's true new year since the first flower bud spilled pink amongst dry twigs of trees. As our bodies are undoubtedly a part of the natural world, we've lost our relationship with the earth during it's most pivotal and poetic cycle of coming back to life, after the dead of hibernation. The alchemy of creating after the destroyed is a profound law of nature in the universe running deep in our energetic bodies and lives without us being aware. This used to be something our ancestors were in tune with and benefited from greatly. The more aligned we become with these elements that make us, the more these elements work with and for us to sprout our lives. This romantic and faith-filled view of life on earth and the principal of renewal has been infused in Norouz rituals for thousands of years, and possibly many intuitively craving their own regenerating celebrations. Without getting into too much ancient garb, the following will be an outline of ways to embrace the equinox and manifest amazing energy into the Spring of your life -- per instruction by the concept of the symbolic "Haftsin" table and the preceding spring-cleaning actions that have proven to clear the old and invite a new harvest, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually for us all.
"Haft-Sin has a rather complex history, having evolved from Haft-Shin of the Kayanids dynasty era to Haft-Chin of the Achaemenids dynasty circa and to its current Haft-Sin since the writing of Shahnameh,the Epic Poem Book of the Persian Kings by Ferdwosi of nearly 1,000 years ago. Haft-Chin, literally meaning seven natural items picked or derived form plants, denoting the germination and blossoming, albeit recycling of life in spring. In fact, the word Haft, meaning seven, denoting the seven days of "creations" has remained the same throughout. Today the haft-Sin table includes seven items specifically starting with the letter S in the persian alphabet. The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. The Haft-Sin has evolved over time, but has retained its symbolism of nature. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual values, but also appreciated by the visitors during Norouz visiting exchanges as a reflection of their good taste. The most common Haft Sin items are:
sabzeh(سبزه) wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence
senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love
s�r (سیر)- garlic - symbolizing medicine
s�b (سیب)- apples - symbolizing beauty and health
somaq (سماق)- sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar - symbolizing age and patience
Although traditionally improper, a missing Sin is on occasion substituted with another item starting with an S. For example:
sonbol (سنبل)- the fragrant hyacinth flower (the coming of spring)
sekkeh (سکه)- coins (prosperity and wealth)
Other non-S items of historical, cultural or national patriotic significance on the table display may include:
traditional Iranian pastries such as baghlava (باقلوا), toot (mulberry) (توت), naan-nokhodchi (chik-peas)(نان نخودچی)
dried nuts and fruits, berries and raisins, called "Aajeel" (آجیل)
lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)
a mirror (self reflection and introspection)
decorated eggs, one for each member of the family (fertility)
a bowl with goldfish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)
a crystal bowl of water with an orange in it (the earth floating in space)" --------------- taken from Davood Rahni on payvand.com
One of the most important additional elements on these tables - that can be advocated by anyone, at anytime, is a plate of wheatgrass -- either grown at home or bought at various local markets. Wheatgrass (or a plant of your choice) in this case represents the intentional growth of new life and energy and is used not only as the new but of ridding the unwanted, negative, old energies of the previous year. It's placed in the home with the intention set to absorb all maladaptive energies or 'bad juju' as they say, to then be thrown into the river where the earth's water will dissolve it, thirteen days after the equinox hits. Once thrown into the river, nearby strands of grass are tied in knots as 'wishes' for this new year, or simply put, the intentions you have set for the earth to help grow. This may all sound superstitious but it emphasizes both the power of intent and the healing, clearing energy of the earth.
On the actual equinox day, houses are to be thoroughly cleaned, new clothes worn and all the lights left on in the home to 'invite' gatherings and family where you are. This could all be done at any time with a powerful enough intention to start anew.
One more ritual done on the first Saturday after the equinox (called "Charshambe souri") is to leap over fire as many times as you'd like, chanting the mantra "zardiyeh man az toh, sorkhiyeh toh az man" which, translated, means "take my yellow and give me your orange". This is basically once again communing with the power and energy of the earth by garnering the healing capacity and vitality of fire, warmth, heat and all that represents. You leap once over when stating what you want to be rid of, and leap the other direction when stating what you would like to receive.
To deny the poetic and prophetic nature of nature itself would be foolish for us in this modern world that so readily steals us from our peace of mind and faith in the ground. Traditions like this can be adopted, and revamped to further bring our energies back in alignment with the cycles of time, and the elements within, that we are a part of everyday. Amazing things happen when we do things with intention and trust - when we release the negative on purpose, and act on our belief that the positive will come. I invite all of you reading to incorporate or recreate your way through the meaning of Spring, and hope to see you at a river in April throwing last year away - where it belongs, and tying some fierce wishes in the earth's hair with the motivation to spring towards your goals and desires on the feeling of a New Day. Happy Norouz!
Thank you to my cosmic advisor Yas, for explaining this to me so beautifully. I wanted to share her words so that I can encourage collective group of people to go through this manifestation ritual together...join me?