The Feast of Shmo

Spring was celebrated in Ancient Egypt since 2700 BC in the third dynasty of the old kingdom.

One of the most distinct astronomical phenomena was the position of the sun setting on the right shoulder of the Sphinx 0n Spring Equinox. Egyptologists think it was deliberately selected, based on astronomical calculations and cardinal directions.

Photo credit to ministry of antiquities

Spring was and still all about creation and renewal in Ancient Egypt, the celebration was called The Feast of Shmo (The revival of life), it is still celebrated until today, however the celebration is now linked to Easter holidays in Egypt and is celebrated by all Egyptians and is a national holiday.

All Egyptian feasts were celebrated by rituals, offerings to God and food Fish was and still abundant in Egypt it was a symbol of fertility to the ancient Egyptians fertility, you can see a lot of fish drawings on the temples walls in Luxor and Aswan.

Eggs were decorated and hung in temples or they write their wishes on these eggs, place them in baskets made of palm strips or hang them on trees or the roofs of their houses, hoping that the God will answer their wishes.

One of the pharaoh’s daughters was extremely ill until a priest gave her onion, her condition and the day was declared the day an official celebration in honor of onions.

From that day forward, people would roam the city of Menf each year, offering onions to their dead.

Spring in Egypt is one of the most magical seasons of the year, the breath is pleasant, and the weather is amazing, imagine the blue skies, the Nile and the crops coming back to life.

Spring is the season of distilling all the amazing botanicals in Egypt especially in the Delta Region.

· The amazing oils distilled from the Citrus aurantium tree Neroli, Bitter Orange and Petitgrain.

· The beautiful Blue Chamomile Matricaria Chamomilla

· The Aromatic green Parsley Petroselinum Crispum

· The mighty Cumin Cuminum Cyminum

· The Sunny Tagete tagetes minuta l.

References:

· Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians, W.W. Lane wrote in 1834: "

· Egyptian ministry of antiquities

· Silverburg R (1966). The Dawn of Medicine. Putnam Publishing, New York