The Divine Rhythm of the Day: Understanding the Zoroastrian Gehs

In our modern world, we are ruled by the clock. Time is a resource to be managed, spent, or saved. But for a Zoroastrian, time is not just a measurement; it is a sacred, living rhythm. Our entire 24-hour day is seen as a cycle of divine energies, a spiritual journey that, if we attune ourselves to it, can elevate our consciousness and bring us closer to Ahura Mazda.

This spiritual "clock" is structured into five distinct periods known as

hs).

The word 'Geh' (from the Pahlavi 'Gas') means a "period" or "watch." Each Geh is not just a block of time but a specific spiritual window, presided over by a different Yazata (a divine angel or spiritual being) and designated for a specific purpose. Following the Gehs is a core discipline of our faith, designed to align our daily actions—from waking to working to sleeping—with the natural cycles of light and darkness, and the spiritual forces that govern them.

Let's explore the profound meaning behind each of these five sacred periods.

The Five Gehs: A Cycle of Light and Consciousness

1. Havan Geh (The Watch of Sunrise)

• Time: From Sunrise to 12:00 PM (Noon).

• Presiding Yazata: Meher (Mithra) Yazata

The Havan Geh begins the moment the sun rises, washing the world in light. It is presided over by Meher Yazata, the divine guardian of light, truth, contracts, and justice. This is the period of work, action, and worldly duty.

Its spiritual preparation actually begins 72 minutes before sunrise, a period known as Hoshbam, or "The Dawn of Consciousness." This is a time of profound stillness, ideal for prayer and meditation before the day's activities begin. The Havan Geh is when we set our intentions for the day, to conduct our affairs with the righteousness (Asha) and truth that Meher Yazata represents.

2. Rapithwin Geh (The Watch of Noon)

• Time: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

• Presiding Yazata: Ardibehesht Ameshaspand

As the sun reaches its zenith, we enter the Rapithwin Geh. This "noon-tide" period is governed by Ardibehesht Ameshaspand, the Amesha Spenta (Archangel) of Highest Truth, Righteousness, and Divine Order. Because Ardibehesht is also associated with healing, this is traditionally the time for the main meal of the day. It's a period to pause, express gratitude (shukr) for our food, and nourish the body, which is the temple of the soul. It is a time of perfect balance and light.

3. Uziran Geh (The Watch of Afternoon)

• Time: 3:00 PM to Sunset.

• Presiding Yazata: Berez Yazata (Behram Yazata)

The Uziran Geh takes us from the heat of the afternoon to the fading light of sunset. It is presided over by Berez Yazata, a "high and exalted" aspect of the spirit of Ahura Mazda, often associated with the victorious Behram Yazata. This is the time to complete our worldly tasks and duties, to finish our work with diligence, and to prepare ourselves for the transition from the world of action (Havan) to the world of introspection (Aiwisruthrem).

4. Aiwisruthrem Geh (The Watch of Evening)

• Time: Sunset to 12:00 AM (Midnight).

• Presiding Yazata: Sarosh Yazata

As darkness falls, we enter the watch of Sarosh Yazata, the powerful guardian of prayer, obedience, and divine consciousness. Sarosh Yazata is our protector, especially during the hours of darkness, guarding our souls from negative influences. This Geh is for family, for chanting our devotional prayers (like the Aiwisruthrem Geh ni Nyaish), and for spiritual reflection. It is a time to enhance our inner consciousness and strengthen our connection to the divine before resting.

5. Ushahin Geh (The Watch of Deep Night)

• Time: 12:00 AM (Midnight) to Sunrise.

• Presiding Yazata: Sarosh Yazata

This is the most spiritually potent time of the day. In the deep stillness and silence of the pre-dawn hours, the Ushahin Geh is also under the protection of Sarosh Yazata. This is the time when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is at its thinnest. Our ancestors believed this was the ideal time for advanced prayers, meditation, and "Farazyat" (obligatory) devotions. It is the time to praise Sarosh, to enhance our spiritual consciousness, and to prepare our souls to greet the new dawn.

The Mystery of the Rapithwin: A Tradition of Seasons

A fascinating aspect of our tradition is that the Rapithwin Geh is not observed for the entire year.

• For seven months, from the first day of the New Year (Roj Hormuzd, Mah Farvardin) until the last day of the seventh month (Roj Aneran, Mah Meher), the Rapithwin Geh is fully observed. This is the period of summer and light.

• For the remaining five "winter" months (from Roj Hormuzd, Mah Avan until the last of the Gatha days), the Rapithwin Geh is not observed. During this time, the Havan Geh is extended. We pray the "Second Havan" during the 12 PM to 3 PM period.

Why? This ancient custom dates back to our ancestors' lives in the northern, colder regions of ancient Iran. In winter, the days were much shorter and the sun's warmth (symbolized by Rapithwin) was weaker. It was poetically said that the "Rapithwin" spirit retreated underground to give warmth to the roots of the trees and the waters of the earth.

The return of the Rapithwin period is marked by a beautiful ceremony known as the "Jashan-e-Rapithwan" (or Eejavanu), which consecrates its return on Roj Ardibehesht of Mah Farvardin.

A Note on Time: Why We Still Use "Bombay Time"

You may have heard our priests or elders refer to "Bombay Time" for religious ceremonies. This is not just a matter of nostalgia; it is central to the very concept of the Gehs.

The Gehs are based on the natural solar rhythm—the actual sunrise, solar noon, and sunset in a specific location. When India adopted a single Indian Standard Time (IST), it created a uniform time for civil and railway purposes, but it broke the connection with the local solar time.

For our religious practices, which are bound to nature's clock, this "local time" is what matters. Bombay's local time is approximately 38 minutes and 50 seconds behind IST. This is why a ceremony like an Uthamna, which must be performed in the Uziran Geh (starting at 3:00 PM local time), is often held at 3:39 PM IST.

By observing this, we are not being archaic; we are preserving a centuries-old tradition that insists on true, natural alignment between our prayers and the cosmos.

Conclusion: Sanctifying Every Moment

The system of the five Gehs is a profound spiritual inheritance. It is a daily reminder that every part of our day, from work to rest, is sacred. It is a discipline that, if practiced, can turn our mundane lives into a constant, moving meditation.

By pausing to acknowledge the changing Gehs, we align ourselves with the divine Yazatas, we remain mindful of our duties, and we sanctify the very time we have been given.