Rituals of renewal

I have this image of her holding up the hem of her dress, laughing at one of her signature naughty jokes as she gets ready to lead the parade. Step by step, my grandmother walks over the single file of candles laid out on her tiled floor, each step keeping rhythm with the ritual chant. The rest of us await our turn and try to ignore the intoxicating smell of rice floating out from her tiny kitchen for a just a few more minutes.

زردی من ازتو, سرخی تو ازمن

Zardi-ye man az to, sorkhi-ye to az man

Give me your red (strength), take my yellow (sickness)

Last night was Chaharshanbe Suri, the first celebration of Noruz or Persian New Year. Tradition calls for jumping over a bonfire—a purification ritual that symbolizes the rebirth ushered in with Spring. My grandmother could never make that leap, so we always used candles, and I can’t bring myself to ever change this tradition.

The only thing I’ve added over the years is pairing Chaharshanbe Suri with another one of my favorite seasonal rituals: Spring cleaning. Whether by fire or by bleach, I will be renewed!

One of the reasons why I adore my culture and its rituals is because it takes its cues from nature. All living things enter into a season of rebirth and renewal in the Spring, thus so should we.

Flowers slowly push their way through the cool earth heavy with rain and dew, and then burst into a bloom, opening themselves up to greet a kinder sun.

What heaviness of this last season do we need to clear in order to blossom? How can we find ways to unfold and expand into a new warmth?

It's time to throw open those windows, let the fresh air in, and welcome a new season of growth.