Everyone, from the head of the house and the shopkeeper to the maid and her lover, knows why on New Year’s day a pomegranate must be the first to cross every threshold… The pomegranate is smashed against the ground and the blessed crimson seeds spread their gratitude onto the earth that nourished them; Thus the mysterious circle of life begins again with the best of fortune, after having slumbered for a while in the sweet dreams of ancient Persephone, she who was punished to spend every winter in the Underworld…Voices of cheerful children are heard inside the festive house like sparrows trilling their Best Wishes over a half-open pomegranate– they are indeed little Anna and Nina and Rigas of our alphabet books: «Come and see! Anna called to them joyfully; Two large pomegranates; I have just picked them from the pomegranate-tree».
A New year is here and Solomon’s beloved bride goes to discover if the winter garden has fulfilled our expectations : «Come, my beloved, let us go forth in the field, let us see if the buds have opened, if the pomegranates are in flower: then will I give thee my love». May our good wishes accompany her.
Aris Maragopoulos
