The Sede — holiday, one of the most important Zoroastrian calendar holidays —, falls on September 23, when the Sun is located at 1 degree Libra. It is included in the triad of the greatest holidays of the year along with Nowruz and Mihrgan.
Autumn equinox for Zoroastrians — is a sad time of parting with the Sun and warmth. They perceived the cold winter as a temporary death of nature, which meant a short-term triumph of the forces of evil, and the autumn equinox, after which the sunny day declines — as a point of transition, a symbolic line beyond which new time comes.
Summer has passed, everything that should have borne fruit and is now dying, losing its former form. But vitality is transmitted to fruits and seeds. Sede embodies the law by which some forms are destroyed, replaced by others in a natural, harmonious way. This law is very important for people too.
Zoroastrians believe that he should also work harmoniously in the inner and outer world of man. In order to fight evil, it is necessary to make a choice towards good and light, and the autumn equinox was perceived by Zoroastrians as an opportunity to make such a choice for those who had not yet decided.
As a symbol of the separation of grains from chaff, grains of valuable experience from waste material —, seeds are eaten on this holiday, and pomegranate juice and milk are drunk instead of wine. And the holiday itself is preceded by a special fast.
Light 8 safety lights — in the cardinal directions.
The festivities continue from noon to sunset. They read Ahura — Mazda and Mitre — prayers to the patron saint of law and order.