Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and one of the world’s oldest organized faiths, based on the teachings of the Persian-speaking prophet Zoroaster.
It has a dualistic cosmology of good and evil within the framework of a monotheistic ontology and an eschatology which predicts the ultimate conquest of evil by good.
Zoroaster created the doctrine of Zoroastrianism, whereby Ahura MazdÄ is the one universal, transcendent, all-good, and uncreated supreme creator deity, or the “Wise Lord” (Ahura meaning “Lord” and Mazda meaning “Wisdom” in Avestan).
This deity created the universe and the cosmic order that he maintains. He created the twin spirits Spenta Mainyu, abiding in Heaven, and choosing the truth, light, and life, and Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), dwelling in the depths of Hell, representing deceit, darkness, destruction, and the originator of death and all evil. Jahi is characterized as the consort of Ahriman and the cause of the menstrual cycle.
Whatever comes into manifestation in the microcosm of the human being, derives from the macrocosm. The movement and positions of the stars are connected to this.
The pupils of Zarathustra saw in the zodiac the external expression and image of the Prime Creator, living and weaving through eternity.
They saw 12 powers (macro-cosmic beings) proceeding from the 12 directions of the zodiac or universe. Six of them directed to the light side of the zodiac and traversed by the sun during the day, and 6 directed towards the dark side, toward Ahriman.
These powers are then expressed into the microcosm in the form of the 12 archangels who project the 12 cosmic rays or radiations into the 12 main cerebral nerves, thus forming the human intelligence.
Steiner associated Ahriman, the lower spirit, with materialism, science, heredity, objectivity, and soul-hardening. He believes that contemporary Christianity was subject to Ahrimanic influence, since it tended towards materialistic interpretations.
