Avesta

Avesta (Avestan avesta — possibly "foundation", "establishment"; Persian اوستا) is the collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, created by the prophet Zarathustra (Avestan Zaraθuštra, Persian زرتشت) presumably between the 17th and 6th centuries BCE.

Structure of the Avesta

• Yasna (72 chapters) — liturgical texts, including the Gathas (Gāthā) — the most ancient hymns, attributed to Zarathustra himself
• Yashts (Yašt, 21 hymns) — dedicated to individual Yazatas (T106)
• Vendidad (Vendīdād, 22 chapters) — laws of purification and struggle against evil
• Visperad — additional liturgical texts
• Khorde Avesta — the Lesser Avesta, daily prayers

The Central Idea — Dualism

Light and Darkness. The central idea is dualism: the struggle of Ahura Mazda ("Wise Lord", Light) against Angra Mainyu ("Evil Spirit", Darkness). Every being in the universe chooses a side.

Use in Avestan Astrology

Light and dark planets. In Avestan astrology (#43), planets are divided into:

• "Light" — warriors of Ahura Mazda
• "Dark" — agents of Angra Mainyu

The natal chart is read as a map of a person's participation in the cosmic battle.

Use in the Zoroastrian Horoscope

32 totems. In the Zoroastrian horoscope (#50), each day of the month is dedicated to a specific Yazata — a heavenly patron.