February 26, 2016
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Intercalary
February 26, 2016, Prescott- Today is the first of four Intercalary Days, celebrated by members of the Baha’i Faith, as days of charity, gift-giving and fellowship. The proper name for this short period is Ayyam-i-Ha, or “Days of Giving”. It is followed by a Fast, of nineteen days, on which I’ve written before, and will again. Our Fast has some similarities to Lent, Ramadan and the Jewish High Holy Days, as well as its own unique character.
Intercalary means “in-between calendar months”. Our Baha’i calendar, properly called the Badi Calendar, has nineteen months of nineteen days each. In the past, we would have four days of intercalary in 365- day years and five days, in a Leap Year. The calendar has now been synchronized, world-wide, so that our Holy Days will be based on the occurrence of the new moon, and thus will fall on different dates each year. The Intercalary Period, therefore, will be four days a year, regardless of a year’s actual length.
Personally, this month and next, are rather lean, so my charity and gift-giving come more in the form of time and energy, this year. I’d rather have it that way, actually, as we humans sometimes value each other more on what things people bring and how much money they give. I’ve lost a few friends, over the years, because I didn’t contribute, financially, to their efforts or causes. Then again, were they really friends, in the first place?
Today, I will shortly set out and see what is happening downtown, and visit one of my favourite journaling haunts- either the Courthouse lawn, or one of the coffee houses that so wonderfully grace our central area. This evening features two gatherings, and tomorrow- three. I have, on such occasions, developed the art of selective grazing- each of these affairs is centered around food- and refined my conversational skills, which, for much of my life, have been halting, at best.
It’ll be a fine weekend, at any rate, and will have its share of acts of service.
Comments (3)
The Catholic church recognizes time, talent, and treasure. Although treasure is a noble gift, the gift of time and the sharing of talents are in many respects the better ones - more personal and more satisfying! Hope your weekend is truly a delight!
We really will have to meet on the courthouse lawn sometime!
Sounds like busy times. Your faith has intrigued me. I wish all religions were peaceful. 
Have a fun day in Prescott or wherever you go today.
Have a blessed wknd.
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