Zarathustra

The Founder of Zoroastrianism

Thousands of years ago, the transition from polytheism to monotheism happened by way of henotheism. In line with this, as religiosity and spirituality evolved for generations on end, in certain parts of the world the gods and goddesses of polytheism became the angels and demons of monotheism, and the Supreme Being took on the form of God counterbalanced by the Devil. This highly significant paradigm shift in spiritual consciousness took place with the first prophet, Zarathustra, also known as Zoroaster. Two millennia later, this was then mirrored in many ways during the life of the last prophet, Muhammad. To put that in context, modern Eastern religion began in India with Krishna in the 31st century BCE, but modern Western religion didn’t begin until much later with Zarathustra in the 16th century BCE.

As far as I can tell, modern Middle Eastern monotheism began around three thousand six hundred years ago when the original prophet lived in the northern mountains of what is now Iran. He was said to have been born in a place called Airyanem Vaejah. Presumably, the chronology of his life worked out this way. At the age of only 7, Zarathustra began his training for the priesthood as a polytheist. As part of this, he became a highly proficient astrologer. Years later, he became a priest at the age of 15. Following this, Zarathustra gained knowledge from other teachers and personal experience from traveling when he left his parents at the age of 20. A decade later, at the age of 30, Zarathustra finally experienced his first theophany during a spring festival. After that, he went on to become the most important Magi in the history of the world.

While standing on a sacred riverbank, under the influence of a mysterious psychedelic sacrament known as Haoma, the prophet Zarathustra saw a shining being, who revealed himself as Vohu Manah, meaning “Good Purpose”. According to legend, Vohu Manah told Zarathustra about the Creator God Ahura Mazda, meaning “Wise Lord” and five other radiant ones. Over time, the original monotheistic prophet also warned people about the Devil, Angra Mainyu , meaning “Destructive Spirit”. The great and powerful Magi Zarathustra then received further revelations and he saw a vision of the seven Amesha Spenta. At that point, Zarathustra decided to spend his life preaching Asha, meaning…