The Zoroastrian Mid-Summer festivities start on June 29 and last till July 3rd. During the Mid-Summer festivities on July 1st, the brightest star in the sky or Sirius, called Tištar or the Three-stars in the Zoroastrian lore is honored.
In chapter 49 of DĀDESTÁN Í MĒNÖG Í ḴRAD(Judgments or Decisions of the Spirit of Wisdom,) the intuitive spirit of wisdom, the “Geisteskraft” of the sacred god-songs/gathas is asked about “the stars which are apparent in the sky, and their number is so great, what is their duty and influence? And how is the path or track laid down for the sun, moon, and stars?”
The question corresponds to the following poem in the gathas/god songs: kasná xvə̄ṇg//starə̄m čá dát̰ advánəm
MĒNÖG Í ḴRAD, the spirit of intuitiveness, wisdom and mental abilities responds to the inquiring Wise thus: Of the stars which are in the sky the first star is Tištar, which is said to be great and good, more precious, and more glorious. And prosperity of every kind and the fertility of the world are in the path of Tištar/ the Three Stars or Sirius.
The celebration of Tištar or the Three Stars is called Tirgán in Zoroastrian vernacular. Water plays an important role during Tirgán celebrations and festivities are held by the rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, or in the vicinity of natural springs. The Persian proverb that waters are light traces back to the Avestan hymn to Tištar where the brilliance of Sirius is said to be the cause of rains and source of waters. I shall add that the charm for better vision and eyesight in Zoroastrian prayers is also associated with the brilliance of Tištar or Sirius.
One of the Rituals of Tirgán is for celebrants to sprinkle each other with water, known as Áb-rizán. This ritual is still practiced among Armenians who were Zoroastrians before Christianity. The other rituals involve jug divination and wearing a colorful wristband.
On Tirgán after the water sprinkling ceremony, people throw one of their belongings such as ring, earrings, or something symbolic and personal into a jug or dôleh. It is believed that this personal object carries the energy of the person. The jug is left under an ever-green tree. Later, a young teenage girl puts her hand inside the jug and takes out the items one by one as an elder recites poem and sacred poetry. It is believed that the poem recited at the time each object is taken out relates to the energy and coming true of the desires of the owner of the object.
The other ritual of Tirgán is wearing a colorful wristband. The colorful wristband is woven from seven different joyous colors. After 9 days or about July 10th, Zoroastrians go on top of their rooftops, a bridge, or climb a hill or mountain top to untie the colorful wristband and entrust it to the wind.
It is believed that the wind carries the wishes and desires of the celebrants. When entrusting the wristband to the wind, the following poem is recited: Tîr u Baad “Arrow fly and the good Wind/tidings come, sorrow disappear, and much happiness come! Poverty go far away, and much good fortune descend here! A cluster of pearls come to us hither!
ardeshir