* 3/3: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you are connected to each and every sentient being that has ever existed.
* 3/3 eve to 3/6 eve: Anthesteria--Old Greek festival honoring Dionysos as Plouton, God of the Dead, and welcoming the visiting dead from Elysium.
* 3/4 to 3/9: Holi--Hindu festival celebrating the courting of God Shiva by Goddess Parvati, and the efforts on Her behalf by Kama (God of Love) and Rati (Goddess of Passion). Shaivas are devoted to God Shiva in all His aspects.
* 3/5: Navigium Isidis--Old Romano-Egyptian festival honoring Goddess Isis as Lady of the Moon and Ruler of the Sea; celebrated with the launching of a boat of offerings. * 3/5: Day commemorating the birth of Taoist Lao-Tzu (570? BCE). Taoists live simply and tranquilly, respect life, and recognize the equality of all.
* 3/8 (4:40 a.m. EST): Full Moon (Leaf/Seedling Moon). * 3/8 to 3/16: Navajo Sing--Festival in which fields are blessed in preparation for planting. Navajos believe Estsanatlehi/Changing Woman wields the power to constantly create and change the world.
* 3/11 (2:00 a.m.): Daylight Savings Time begins - set clocks ahead 1 hour. * 3/11: Chinese Buddhist festival of Bodhisattva Kuan Yin/Kannon/Tara; celebrates Her “birth.” She declared women the spiritual equals of men.
* 3/12 eve to 3/19 eve: Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries Old Greek festival celebrating the marriage of Goddess Kore and God Dionysos, following their return from Elysium.
* 3/15 to 3/21: Old Anglo-Teutonic festival of Goddess Ostara, celebrating the annual rebirth. Her Hare gave gifts of eggs - signifying rebirth.
* 3/17: St. Patrick’s Day--Old European festival marking rebirth of Viridios/the Green Man/Green George (God as deciduous vegetation); merged with the Christian feast of St. Patrick.
* 3/18: Christian feast of Blessed Mary, partner of St. Joseph and mother of Blessed Jesus - honors her as nurturer, teacher, protector, and guide of all mothers.
* 3/19: Christian feast of St. Joseph, partner of Blessed Mary and foster-father of Blessed Jesus - honors him as nurturer, teacher, protector, and guide of all fathers. * 3/19 to 3/23: Quinquatrus of Minerva--Old Roman festival of Goddess Minerva - as font of artistic inspiration.
* 3/20 (1:14 a.m. EDT): Spring Equinox--Marks the beginning of Spring and point of equal daylight and darkness; celebrates first, annual, and perpetual Creation with egg hunts and exchanges. * 3/20: Old Slavic Jare--God Jarilo/Lado returns from Virey (the realm of the dead across the sea), to reunite with Goddess Morana/Lada. Their love and happiness bring the world light, warmth, and fertility. * 3/20 to 3/21: Old Sumerian festival celebrating the return of Dumuzi (God of Life and Death) from the Underworld to be with Inanna (Goddess of Life) for the verdant part of the year. * 3/20 eve to 3/21 eve: Celebration day for Muhyi ad-Din Ibn El-Arabi (d. 1240), Sufi saint who honored Deity as a unity manifested in all Nature, both genders, and countless forms.
* 3/21: Taoist festival honoring the Shen (Deities) of Water, East, and Spring; prayers are made for growth. Taoists seek enlightenment and live in harmony with Nature. * 3/21: Haru-no-Higan--Day Japanese Buddhists mark the time of change by meditating on the impermanence of death. * 3/21: Beginning of Aries (the Ram/Ewe/Lamb).
* 3/22 (10:37 a.m. EDT): New Moon. * 3/22 to 3/25: Iroquois Thunder Ceremony--in thanksgiving for the rains. Iroquois believe Awenhai/Sky Woman bore the twin brothers Thahonhiawakon/Order and Tawiskaron/Chaos.
* 3/23 to 4/1: Navaratri/Gangaur--Hindu festival honoring Great Goddess Maha Devi as Gauri - life, growth, and fruition. Shaktas are devoted to Great Goddess Maha Devi in all Her aspects.
* 3/25 (OC 4/7): Annunciation Day--Christian feast commemorating Blessed Mary’s fiat - choosing to conceive Child Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and to become catalyst of liberation and redemption.
* 3/26: Birthday of Joseph Campbell (1904), who found Deity within all religions and myths.
* 3/28 eve to 3/29 eve: Feast of Old Greek Goddess Artemis - as protector of wild animals, vegetation, and places.
* 3/31: Vigil to mourn China’s annexation of Tibet (1959) and the killings, torture, and religious persecution of Tibetan Buddhists. * 3/31 to 4/1: Ramanavami--Birthday of Hindu God Rama (avatar of Vishnu), protector of beloved wife, Goddess Sita (avatar of Lakshmi). Vaishnavas are devoted to God Vishnu and His avatars.
March Action OfferingsHeal and nurture your relationship with your mother and mother-in-law. Avoid patronizing TV programs, music, films, books, magazines, products, and companies that are sexist. Get involved with a group promoting gender equality and egalitarianism. Write to legislators and the media in support of affirmative action programs, which combat sexism's effects and serve as reparation for past and present sexism.
Excerpted fromTHE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2012A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality© 2011 Marija Miovskiwww.WheeloftheYear.com
