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Farvardingan: The Iranian Holiday of Honoring the Dead and Connecting with Ancestors

Farvardingan: The Iranian Holiday of Honoring the Dead and Connecting with Ancestors

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In this episode of Halva for the Heart, I explore Farvardingan, the ancient Iranian holiday when the fravashis (spirits of the departed) return to visit the living. This year, Farvardingan takes on profound significance as we grapple with unprecedented levels of loss: from war on Iran and regime violence to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and personal grief. I discuss how Farvardingan becomes an act of resistance in a world that gives us almost no space to grieve, and expand our understanding of ancestry beyond blood to include the many lineages that shape and sustain us.

In this episode, I reflect on:
- Memory as active care, not something to "move on" from
- Continuity between the living and the dead
- Farvardingan as a support for us during this time of war
- Ways to stay connected ancestors
- Different types of ancestry beyond blood lineage (as taught to me by my teacher Holly Truhlar)

Resources Mentioned
🔗 Holly Truhlar's Idea of Soul Lineage - Explore ancestral connections and soul lineage work
🎵 Dard-e Del Playlist - Curated music for grief and ancestral connection
📖 Farvardingan Guidebook - Deep dive into practices, rituals, and reflections for honoring the dead


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Learn more about my work at my website www.hafezdeathcare.com
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🎵 Theme song: 'Lullaby' by Iranian oud player Negâr Boubân
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