vernal equinox

[joanna bujes]

At 03:54 PM 03/21/2002 -0500, Diane wrote:
>No Ruz, new day or New Year as the Iranians call it, is a celebration of
>spring Equinox. It has been celebrated by all the major cultures of ancient
>Mesopotamia. Sumerians, 3000BC, Babylonians 2000 BC, the ancient kingdom of
>Elam in Southern Persia 2000BC, Akaddians all have been celebrating it in
>one form or another. What we have today as No Ruz with its' uniquely
>Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3000 years and is
>deeply rooted in the traditions of Zoroastrian belief system.
>This was the religion of Ancient Persia before the advent of Islam 1400
>years ago. It is known as the mother religion in the area. The familiar
>concepts of Hell, Heaven, Resurrection, coming of the Messiah, individual
>and last judgment were for the first time incorporated into this belief
>system. They still exist in Judo-Christian and Islamic traditions.
>http://www.persia.org/Culture/nowruz.html

I'm waiting for the day when we can be happy it's spring without having to 
drag in heaven, hell, the resurrection, and the last judgement.

On a different note, it's Bach's birthday this weekend; if you turn on a 
classical station, they'll probably be playing lots of his stuff.

Joanna