Persian New Year

[Jzmackenzie]

I LOVED the article! Thank you Nadia.

Spring Equinox or vernal equinox is March 20, 2013 in North America. This holiday will be celebrated in Guanajuato at my home in an outdoor stone circle with flowers, singing, dancing, and fresh foods from our garden.

Like Nadia, I researched my cultural roots decades years ago. Being Polish, the seasons of the year hold great significance, as spring warms the earth March through October in Poland. Seasons when the earth is warm is the only time in Poland when food will grow. Spring (March 20-22) is "New Years" on a harvest calendar, not January; likewise the end of the year, October 31-November1, is when the last harvest comes in.

March 20-22 (it varies) is a time that will be celebrated at my home only on that day, not for two weeks. My home is in Cajones, Guanajuato, at the top of a hill, and among a whole lot of pine trees.

My birth name is Zaleski, derived from the Leshy. Leshy or Lesovik is the Tree Spirit. My Slavic roots honored, respected, and protected nature as the sole supplier of our food; I do the same. Modern men often calls us "tree huggers," mostly because the concept of honoring nature more than the "almighty" US dollar bill seems strange in the 21st Century. From my standpoint, if we had spent more time respecting nature, we probably would not be dealing with climate change like we are now.

I confess, I am also a teacher. I hope you are not sorry you asked!

Jacquie