This week there are many holy days and festivals happening around the world! Why? Partly spring equinox and the timing of Ramadan this year!
Here are a few connect with Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere: Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem (March 16-20) is a Zoroastrian festival that celebrates the creation of human beings and those who have gone before. Nowruz (March 20) is a time when people with connections to Persian heritage worldwide, including many聽Ismaili Muslims,聽mark the beginning of the Persian New Year and the first day of spring (pictured: a special altar created at home for Nowruz called a Haft-sin that gathers various symbolic tokens for a good new year).
Buddhists celebrate spring and honour ancestors during the Festival of Higan-e (March 17-23); they also have Spring Ohigan (March 20), when they listen to the teachings of the Buddha and meditate on enlightenment. On March 19, many Hindus will celebrate Navvarsha, or the New Year, also tied to the arrival of spring. On Ostara (March 20), Wiccans celebrate the reawakening of seeds within the earth that starts to happen during this time. It is interesting to notice how spiritual and faith traditions are tied to natural cycles of the earth!
March 20-22 this year is Eid al-Fitr, a joyful, fast-breaking, major holiday for Muslims at the end of Ramadan. This is a time to decorate, enjoy new clothing, cook special meals, gather with family and friends, exchange gifts, and giving to those in need. Holy Days in Islam are determined by a lunar calendar that shifts over time, so this holiday can occur in all seasons of the year. Bah谩'铆s will also be ending a period of fasting on March 20.
In addition to these holidays, there are also two days for environmental action and education this week: Global Recycling Day on the 18th, and World Water Day on the 22nd.
Best wishes to all those celebrating!
