(Episode 13) Persian New Year & The Magic of Springtime

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how do you like to celebrate the onset of this new season?

Sofreh Haftseen is a traditional altar created to symbolize the bounty of the new year. At least seven items starting with “s” are included on the Sofreh, including sabzeh (sprouts), samanoo (wheat germ pudding), sombol (hyacinth), sekeh (coins to symbolize wealth), seer (garlic), and senjed (Persian olives).

The Persian New Year, or Norouz, translates to ‘new day’ and is marked by the Spring equinox. It’s a beautiful celebration of new beginnings and opportunities that’s rooted in Zoroastrian and Iranian heritages but celebrated across a diverse range of cultures and communities in Asia. 

On the eve of the last Wednesday before the new year, families gather for a celebration known as Chaharshanbeh Souri. This purification ritual occurs with a mantra family members and friends state as they jump over fire in the backyard: zardiyeh man az to, sorkhiyeh to az man, which essentially means that I give you my ill health in return for your light, warmth and healing.

Preparation for Norouz starts at home. Families organize and deep clean their homes, removing clutter and getting ready for upcoming celebrations with family and friends. A special altar called Sofreh Haftseen is created to display seven symbolic items starting with the Farsi letter “S” to represent everything that you want to bring into the new year and beyond. Some of these items can include seer, or garlic, to symbolize good health and ridding of evil, seeb, or apple, for beauty, and sabzeh, or sprouted grains or beans, symbolizing growth and rebirth. 

Norouz is a 13-day celebration that ends with Sizdeh Bedar, an outing on the 13th day to parks in order to air out and get rid of bad energy from homes. Another tradition on the last day of celebration is to take the sabzeh, or sprouted grains, to a stream of running water and make a wish as you release the grains into the water. This symbolizes the release of the past and the welcoming of the new season. 

In Chinese philosophy, this transition to Spring—from the Yin season of Winter to the very Yang season of Spring—is also witnessed in a shift in our energy level. We go from the dormant and quiet season of Yin to the active spring/summer seasons of Yang.

The concept of the Five Elements is also relevant as the Wood Element, representing growth and new beginnings, is marked by the Spring season. Providing momentum and drive, Wood supports the necessary energy to push through obstacles and pursue new goals during springtime so it becomes an ideal time to initiate new projects and hobbies. 

Practices like decluttering and clearing your home or “Spring cleaning” can spark inspiration and restore the flow of Liver Qi to support your body and life.

It’s also an especially important time to eat leafy green vegetables and avoid or reduce foods that overheat the liver—such as alcohol and coffee. 

We hope this episode inspires you to welcome new beginnings.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how do you like to celebrate the onset of this new season?

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(Episode 11) 3 tips to Have a Healthy Transition Into Spring

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what’s the biggest insight you took away from this episode?

The transition between each season is known in Japanese as the Doyo period. According to one of the foremost classical texts of Chinese Medicine, Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, this 18-day period leading up to each Solstice or Equinox is one of the most important times to make dietary and lifestyle adjustments to support your health.

In Five Element theory this period is governed by the Earth element, which is why the Earth element organs — the Spleen, Stomach and Pancreas — are most vulnerable to imbalance and disease, and therefore especially need protection and support during this time.

People who already have Earth element-related problem need to take extra care as cases such as diabetes, ulcers and gastrointestinal issues in general can all worsen during this time if their lifestyle is not supported.

During the Doyo period in particular it's important to eat meals at regular times and without distractions. Staying away from too much sweet food and other damp-producing foods like dairy and fried foods is also important to keep the Spleen and Stomach energies in healthy balance.

The Spleen, as the largest lymphatic organ in the body, indicates this is a good time for acupuncture and massage to support lymphatic circulation. If you only get these treatments a few times a year, it's best to do them during the Doyo periods.

The Spleen is especially important as it supports your immune system.

It’s also an organ that assists in the transformation of food into energy and thoughts into purpose, so a healthy Spleen will support you to stay focused on your goals and be able to transform your dreams into reality.

Weakness in the Spleen can result in problems with digestion and elimination and cause the body to accumulate dampness. Dampness is a fungal terrain, often resulting from a diet heavy in carbohydrates, fried foods, dairy and sugar (even in the form of fruits).  A fungal terrain can also develop from using various drugs such as antibiotics, sulfa drugs, chemotherapy, birth control pills, corticosteroids, antacids and acid blocking medications.

Dampness is reflected in our lives through the feeling of being stuck or lacking clarity.  Dampness is also associated with psychological imbalances such as Obsessive Compulsiveness Disorder and hoarding.

The Earth element organs thrive on a simple diet based on warm unprocessed foods, a calm mind, and a regular daily rhythm with meals, exercise and rest.  

3 Tips to Support Your Earth for a Healthy Spring Transition

With the transition into Spring, it’s important to reduce the burden on the Spleen and Stomach organs systems, strengthen your digestion and cool the heat in the Liver in order to prevent irritability and allergies. Here are three tips that can support a healthy transition during this Doyo period:

1. Reduce or avoid sugar and other damp-producing foods. Foods like cheese, nuts (especially peanuts and cashews) and especially sugar can produce a fungal terrain in the body which impairs your digestion and immunity and therefore should be avoided as much as possible during this time.

2. Avoid eating cold foods. Too much cold food compromises the strength of your Spleen Qi, which is essential for transforming the food you eat into nutrients. Click here to learn why this tip is especially important in episode 10.

3. Get Acupuncture treatment. This is the ideal time to support your core Earth energy and immunity with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. (If you're in our area, you can schedule yourself online here).

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what’s the biggest insight you took away from this episode?

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Loved this episode?

Please subscribe and consider rating & reviewing our podcast on Apple Podcasts. Five star reviews help us reach & support more listeners like you. You can also follow us on Spotify to be the first to hear about new & bonus episodes!

Thank you!