The Zoroastrian calendar is rich in holidays. September 23 is the day of Sede, the day of the autumnal equinox. It is one of the three most important religious holidays along with Mihrgan and Nouruz. Zoroastrians especially revere the beginning of the year (Nouruz) and its middle (Sede).
It is sad to part with the warmth of the Sun and meet the cold winter. The Zoroastrians love and deify the Sun very much, therefore, their diminishing light is perceived as a temporary triumph of evil. The time comes to fight the forces of darkness and cold, six months of endurance tests.
The autumn equinox is perceived by the Zoroastrians as the era of the separation of Good and Evil (Vizarishn). At this time, a person must make a choice in favor of one of these concepts. The end of summer - the era of the mixing of Good and Evil in the Zoroastrian cosmogony - means the announcement of Frashegird (Last Judgment) by Khormazd. On the day of the autumnal equinox, all human deeds will be weighed on the scales by the judges of the underworld Rashnu and Mitra.
In the light of all these ideas of the Zoroastrians about the world, the Sede holiday seems ambiguous and frightening. At this time, a person needs to keep in himself as much of the Sun and heat as possible. Fire symbolizes a hot star, a particle of divine light. Its power is not subject to darkness and destruction, decay and decay. Fire on the day of Sede, and at other times also unites people, makes them stand or sit around it.
The day of the autumnal equinox is preceded by a very serious and strict fast for the Zoroastrians. Cede day of Sede is celebrated at sunset, when the Sun enters the first destructive degree of cosmic Libra. From this moment, the era of Separation (Visarishn) begins.
Before the onset of a difficult period in a person's life, a time when the forces of evil are victorious on Earth, it is necessary to cleanse and take stock of the past half-year of light and warmth. The Sede festival is also a work on the distribution of the harvest. The fruits are taken apart and sorted. People share information and experience, select the best seeds. The harvest is carefully folded for storage, because life in winter depends on it. The Sede festival separates the seeds from the chaff.
People spend the day of the autumn equinox together. They light eight guarding lights, recite prayers to Mithra and
Ahura Mazda. Instead of wine, they drink pomegranate juice and milk on this day.
