Happy No-ruz

"...Come fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly - and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing..."

(From the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám)
(translated by Fitzgerald)

***

A couple of days ago, it was the Persian New Year, or “No-Rouz”. Literally, that means ‘new day’. I didn’t know this, but apparently it occurs at the exact time of the Spring Equinox (when the length of the night and day are exactly equal). It’s an Ancient Persian tradition, all to do with cleansing yourself, and making yourself pure again, to tie in with the ‘rebirth of nature’.
The whole thing goes on for thirteen days though. Not that we really celebrate it that much, but there are certain parts of it we usually do, like jumping over the fire on Char-shambeh-sourie to 'purify' yourself.

“Zardie man az tou Khoobie tou az man”

That’s what you sing as you jump over the fire: (All my badness onto you, and all your goodness onto me)
We didn’t jump over the fire this year, or have a haft-seen, but we still celebrated the New Year.

I consulted Hafez for advice on the new year. As mystical as ever, this is what he told me:

Ghazal 294

Faithful in your love, my fame has spread, candle-like

At the home of the homeless, I make my bed, candle-like.

Day and night, from sorrows, sleep escapes from my eyes

Sick of being apart, my eyes are teary, red, candle-like.

Scissors of sorrows have cut my patience' string

Flame of your love burns upon my weary head, candle-like.

If my bloody tears fail to bring color to my cheeks

How else can my secret tales ever be said, candle-like?

Amidst water & fire, my head is busy with your thoughts

While my heart flooded with tears it needs to shed, candle-like.

In the night of separation, send butterfly of union

Else from your pain the world I'll burn & shred, candle-like.

Without your beautiful vision, my day is night

With the love I have bred, my flaws I dread, candle-like.

My patience is eroding, like a mountain from sorrows' rains

In the ocean of your love, path of fire I tread, candle-like.

Like dawn, I blow one breath to see your face

Show yourself O Beloved, else I'll be dead, candle-like.

Honor me one night with your union, my friend

Let your light, light up my house & spread, candle-like.

Fire of your love caught on Hafiz's head

When will my heart's fire, my tears wed, candle-like?

I’m glad Hafez has faith in me to understand that, because I don’t really have faith in myself.

However, I will comment that candles are supposed to be on the haft-seen traditionally, and their symbolism is goodness and warmth of life.

Happy New Year to the world, and may we see peace this year.