The 13^th day of spring is a most lucky day in the Zoroastrian calendar. It is associated with the brightest star in the sky, the star of good fortune, Tishtar.

Tishtar is called Tir in Persian. The Yasht or adoration/hymn dedicated to Tishtar is associated with heroic glory, the greatest Aryan hero archer and hitting the mark/target. A comparison with the Norse rune Tÿr or the rune of victory appears to be suitable.

It is the tradition to go picnicking outdoors on the 13^th day of spring, the sprouted grass and colored eggs are left by a stream, and by tying blades of grass together, a wish to untie personal difficulties is made.

The rites of spring emphasize the sacredness of nature among the ancient Aryan Zoroastrians. We read in the 15^th chapter of “sháyæst na sháyæst that:

It is revealed by a passage of the Avesta (unknown, hidden wisdom/knowledge) that Zartósht, always wanted vać voice/word of knowledge from ahúrá mazdá; Zartósht inquired of ahúrá mazdá how do I grasp your mighty hand?

ahúrá mazdá replied thus: ‘I am an intangible, invisible spirit/mind; it is not possible to grasp my hand, ruler-ship or mastery.

Zartósht spoke thus: You are invisible and so are your sacred, auspicious powers, but how do I adore/worship you when I depart from thy presence, and do not see you nor your sacred, auspicious powers?

ahúrá mazdá said thus: Each of my sacred powers has created their own unique creation, by means of which they may become incarnate in the world.

In the world that which is mine, who am ahúrá mazdá is the luminous will power, the virtuous thinking being,

of Vohü-manö are intuitive wisdom of the animals,

of arthá vahish is the brilliance of fire,

of khshathr-var is the precious metals,

of speñtá-ár-maiti (auspicious flow of thoughts/meditation) are the sacred earth/space and good woman,

of Haúr-va-tát (healing) is the pure waters,

and of Ameretát (immortality) is the verdure, growth and trees.

Whoever has learned the care of all these seven sacred powers, his soul never comes into the possession of Ahriman (the afflicted spirit/mind) and the demons; when he/she has exercised his/her care of them, he has exercised his care of the seven sacred powers of mine, and ought to teach all mankind in the world.

Whoever wishes to propitiate the virtuous thinking being in the physical world, wishes to promote the things of ahúrá mazdá; it is necessary that he/she should propitiate the luminous will power, the virtuous thinking being (virtuous man) and should act for his/her happiness, and afford him/her protection from the vile.

Since the luminous will power, the virtuous thinking being (virtuous man) is a counterpart of ahúrá mazdá, the lord, and whoever propitiates the virtuous thinking being, his/her fame and welfare exist a long time in the world, and the splendor of ahúrá mazdá and pleasure and joy become his own in Vahisht (realm of wonders, heaven).

Whoever wishes to propitiate Vohü-manö in the world, he/she should propitiate, at every place and time, the beneficial animals, act for their happiness; and in the terrible days and the hurried times which befall them, he should afford them protection from the oppressive and idle.

He/she should not give them as a sacrificial offering to a wicked tyrant, but should keep them in a pleasant place during winter and summer. He/She should not drive them apart from their young, and should not put the young apart from their milk.

Since the intuitive wisdom and beneficence of the animals is the counterpart of Vohü-manö in the world.

Whoever wishes to propitiate Arthá vahisht in the world, he/she should propitiate the brilliant fire and should act for its happiness; he/she should not put upon it wood, incense, and holy-water which are stolen and extorted, and he/she should not cook with it a blessing or food which is violently extorted. For fire and luminosity is the counterpart of arthá vahisht in the world.

Whoever wishes to propitiate Khshathr-var in the world, he/she should propitiate melted metal at every place and time. And the propitiation of melted metal is this, that he/she shall practice habits (aiyinö) of the heart so unsullied and pure that, when they shall drop melted metal upon it, it does not burn. And one should not commit sin with metal, and should not give gold and silver to the vile. 19. For it is a counterpart of Khshathr-var in the world.

Whoever wishes to propitiate speñtá-ár-maiti (auspicious flow of thoughts/meditation) he/she should propitiate, at every place and time, the good earth and virtuous woman, in whatever has happened and in whatever occurs, and should act for their happiness. And speñtá-ár-maiti (auspicious flow of thoughts/meditation) happiness arises from that place when they shall perform tillage and cultivation on it, and good offspring are born upon it, and they rear cattle upon it.

Whoever wishes to propitiate Healing Haúr-va-tát and Immortality Ameretát in the world, he/she should propitiate, at every place and time, the pure waters and trees. And he/she should not bring bodily refuse (hikhar), dead matter (nasú, greek necro), or any other pollution to water; he should not destroy vegetation/trees unlawfully, and should not give fruit to the idle and vile. Since they are counterparts of Healing and Immortality themselves, the waters and trees.

Ahúrá Mazdá said this to Zartósht, namely: ‘My will and pleasure is that the observance and propitiation of these seven sacred powers as I have told you; so that men may commit no sin against them and the splendor of Ahúrá Mazdá thus become their own in Vahisht (the relam of wonders/heaven)

Completed in peace, pleasure, and joy

ardeshir