Subpage of Issue200803

Spring Equinox

Within the modern science only NLP can remotely resemble the power of ancient techniques.

The Spring Equinox is celebrated on or about March 20 and is marked by rebirth, purification, new life, freedom, and the implementation of plans one makes during the winter. Nature and mankind wake up from winter's quieter and more thoughtful times and begin to implement their plans.

Contemporary generations are not aware of most of the traditions of celebrating Spring Equinox. This is unfortunate, because such traditions help to pass on the knowledge of self-improvement techniques from one generation to the next. Recalling such traditions and forgotten knowledge would help to resolve many social problems, help people live in harmony and understand each other and nature better. Therefore, I cannot overemphasize the importance of collecting information about ancient celebration customs of different nations. Although we have not yet even come close to understanding much of the ancient cultures, we can still learn from traditions that: the best way to tie life to nature is through the conscious understanding of nature.

For example, there is a planting tradition for the Spring Equinox, which is at the same time very simple, yet possesses a humongous logic in itself. The description this tradition is simple: Choose some seeds and visualize the future plants in full bloom. Then think of a quality or skill you wish to master - such as wisdom, calmness, understanding, determination, and so on. Visualize these qualities come into full bloom while planting your seeds. That is it! That is one of the ways how we can make nature to be our teacher

Within the modern science only the cutting-edge technologies from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) provide something that does not explain but at least remotely resembles the power of this technique. Within traditional knowledge similar techniques exist for the whole year.

The best way to tie life to nature is through the conscious understanding of nature.

Spring Equinox is one of the four most important days of the year in the nature. The scientific correct overview of the Equinox, which is provided by Wikipedia.org can be found in the Did You Know? box below.

Of course, what kind of a celebration can be without special food? Spring Equinox is the time when people are in the most need of vitamins and minerals. However, spring sprouts might not have come out yet. I have found one interesting tradition that takes its origins in ancient Persian Empire. In Persian ( Persia ) the name of the celebration "NawRuz" means "New Day", and under that name this celebration is known in the most of the Silk Road countries.

On this day a traditional dish, sumalyak is made from flour and sprouted wheat grains. Sumalyak is cooked slowly on wood fire. To me it was not at all surprising that the sprouted wheat grains are amongst the healthiest foods. My friend from Uzbekistan assured me that so far he has not come by a tastier dish having lived in Canada for five years.

Preparation of Sumalyak,

traditional Spring Equinox dish, originated in Persian Empire

My personal opinion is that the only way we can learn to make our lives more enjoyable is through applying the knowledge, which already exists within our reach.

The last few centuries are marked by difficulties in passing the knowledge from one generation to the next. You can be surprised at what deep knowledge you can find right next to you. I am working on the Celebrations Calendar project and will greatly appreciate your contributions in the form of articles or stories about traditions. I will ask you to send me any information that can be applied to personal or social improvement, purification, or Love. If you wish, include your own story about how a particular tradition or technique changed your life.

In the next issues I will talk more about the celebrations and particular rites that have been used for self-development, social development and the ecological balance. It is our responsibility and natural condition to live the life we want, and I feel that it is in our power.

By taking part in the Celebrations Calendar I want to show that we have the means: whether it be from nature, history or from our own relatives. All we need is to have a consciousness and a willingness to do so.

Feodor Zarubov
feodorzarubov@gmail.com

Did you know?

"Equinox is the event when the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator, occurring around March 20 and September 23 each year. More technically, the equinox happens when the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator and ecliptic intersect. In a wider sense, the equinoxes are the two days each year when the center of the Sun spends an equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on Earth.

The word equinox derives from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night). The Spring Equinox is associated with, or known as: Alban Eilir, Eostar, Eostre, Feast of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Festival of Trees, Lady Day, NawRuz, No Ruz, Ostara, Ostra, Rites of Spring, and the Vernal Equinox. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese (Xuân phân) also have their own names for this event."

http://wikipedia.org

Friendly Advice:

'How to Spend the First Day of Spring?'

• Spend it with your family and/or friends
• Spend it outdoors or at least go jogging
• Think of the changes that are taking place in the nature and the changes in your life, which will be brought about by the spring
• Play active and joyful games, which will let you strive beyond your abilities, while doing something enjoyable with the people you love (you can recall games you played as a child or just play some sports, dance etc.)
• Cook a meal or do something creative together with your family or friends. Learn a new skill or teach somebody what you know.
• Do something challenging and different, something that your daily routine does not include.
• Have a great time!

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