The Old Ways

The Zoroastrian Path

Tishtrya

Lord of the Star Sirius and the Rains

Domains
rain · fertility · stars · cosmic battle · agriculture

Who is Tishtrya?

Tishtrya is the Zoroastrian yazata associated with the star Sirius — the brightest star in the sky. Each year, Tishtrya battles Apaosha the demon of drought in three cosmic combats (as a white horse, a gold-horned bull, and a beautiful youth), ultimately defeating him and releasing the life-giving rains that irrigate the earth. Tishtrya's rising in the summer sky signals the rains.

Correspondences

Domains

rain · fertility · stars · cosmic battle · agriculture

Symbols

Sirius (Dog Star) · white horse · gold-horned bull · rain clouds · racing waters

Also Known As

Tishtar · Tishtryahe · Sirius

How Tishtrya is worshipped

Best time: The Tir festival (in summer, when Sirius rises)

Festival days

  • Tiregan (Tir festival) — July 1 in the Zoroastrian calendar, a summer water festival

Also on this path