[[A plaque from Achaemenid times depicting Artaxerxes II (404-359 BC ) and goddess Anahita, riding a lion – in the background is the clear depiction of the sun.]]
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Anahita is a Persian Moon Goddess whose following originated in Babylonia and later spread to Egypt. She is adorned in a golden scarf, gold earrings, and a jeweled crown. Legend has it that Her cloak is made from 32 otter skins that She had embroidered in gold.“Mighty Anahita with splendor will shine. Incarnated as a youthful divine. Full of charm her beauty she will display. Her hip with charming belt she will array. Straight-figured, she is as noble bride, Freeborn, herself in puckered dress will hide. Her cloak is all decorated with gold, With precious dress, Anahita we shall behold.” (Original poem based on Kashani’s Persian folk songs)
Anahita is described by the Zorastorians as an exceptionally tall and strong Goddess with a commanding appearance. She was the Divine energy for good that was believed to flow through the kings of Iran, and She protected them from their Northern invaders. She also has a war aspect. She is the Virgin Warrior Goddess who rides Her chariot across the skies; it is pulled by four white horses—wind, rain, cloud, and hail.
It has been said that Anahita has celestial fountains in Her stars which pour water onto the earth and make it fertile. In that respect, She is known as the guardian of human conception, fertility, and childbirth. She purifies both the womb and the sperm and is linked with Sacred sexuality and Divine union.
It is Yule 777 B.C. and somewhere on a beach by the Caspian Sea, a young Magi has been keeping a vigil. His solitary fire is the only light that can be seen for miles around; he recites the Aban Yasht”, the hymn to the angel goddess, Anahita. The Magi’s name is Zoraster. Besides the waves gently crashing against the shore, this is all that can be heard:
“Angel Goddess of all the waters upon the earth and the source of the cosmic ocean; she who drives a chariot pulled by four horses; your symbol is the eight-rayed star. You are the source of life, purifying the seed of all males and the wombs of all females, also cleansing the milk in the breasts of all mothers. Your connection with life, means warriors in battle prayed to you for survival and victory. A maid, fair of body, most strong, tall formed, high-girded, pure,…wearing a mantle fully embroidered with gold; ever holding the baresma (sacred plant) in your hand…you wear square golden earrings on your ears …a golden necklass around your beautiful neck…Upon your head…a golden crown, with a hundred stars, with eight rays…will fillets streaming down.
(Verses 126-128 of the Aban Yasht 5)