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The fragrance of hyacinths with a touch of vinegar welcomes the visitor to the Haftseen, the seven S set up which is the harbinger of Noruz, literally New Day, the Persian New Year ushering the beginning of spring. Other symbols of spring and rebirth are everywhere, sabzeh (sprouts), samanoo (a wheat porridge), sepand (incense), senjed (jujube seed), seeb (apple), serkeh (vinegar), sekeh (coins), somagh (sumac), colored eggs, water, mirror, candles, a holy book and other local traditions ordain the Haftseen table as family members cleanse their thoughts and pray for good thoughts, good deeds and good words at the exact moment of the vernal equinox all around the world. Persians or honorary persians united in that single moment to will goodness over the world, even if there is oppression, death and destruction facing them–horrors that the inhabitants of this ancient land have faced over thousdands of years and continue to do to this day. The other parts of the 2-3 week celebration, chahar shanbeh souri on the last Wednesday eve of the year, which involves jumping over bonfires to get rid of evil and illness from the previous year and get its warmth and positive energy in return, the visits to family members and friends in new clothes, collecting crisp money and the picnic on the thirteenth day of the year which officially ends the celebration all add to this ritual, but for me, the unity in thought and will of the actual vernal equinox is profound. How did the ancients knew of the importance of renewal and our connection to our little blue planet and its rotation around its energy source! “Bring it on,” they would say, “we have been renewed by earth, nature and our loved ones to face whatever will come our way. Bring it on.”