The Infinite Being (Zerana-Akerana) now determined, in order to destroy the evil which Ahriman had caused, to create the visible world by Ormazd; and he fixed its duration at twelve thousand years.  This was divided into four periods of three thousand years each.  In the first period Ormazd should rule alone; in the second Ahriman should begin to operate, but still be subordinate; in the third they should both rule together; and in the fourth Ahriman should have the ascendency.

Ormazd began the creation by bringing forth the Fereuers (Fravashi).  Everything which has been created, or which is to be created, has its Fravashi, which contains the reason and basis of its existence.  Even Ormazd has his Fravashi in relation to Zerana-Akerana (the Infinite).  A spiritual and invisible world preceded, therefore, this visible material world as its prototype.

In creating the material world, which was in reality only an incorporation of the spiritual world of Fravashis, Ormazd first created the firm vault of heaven, and the earth on which it rests.  On the earth he created the high mountain Albordj[142] which soared upward through all the spheres of the heaven, till it reached the primal light, and Ormazd made this summit his abode.  From this summit the bridge Chinevat stretches to the vault of heaven, and to Gorodman, which is the opening in the vault above Albordj.  Gorodman is the dwelling of the Fravashis and of the blessed, and the bridge leading to it is precisely above the abyss Duzahk,—­the monstrous gulf, the home of Ahriman beneath the earth.

Ormazd, who knew that after the first period his battle with Ahriman would begin, armed himself, and created for his aid the whole shining host of heaven,—­sun, moon, and stars,—­mighty beings of light, wholly submissive to him.  First he created “the heroic runner, who never dies, the sun,” and made him king and ruler of the material world.  From Albordj he sets out on his course, he circles the earth in the highest spheres of heaven, and at evening returns.  Then he created the moon, which “has its own light,” which, departing from Albordj, circles the earth in a lower sphere, and returns; then the five smaller planets, and the whole host of fixed stars, in the lowest circle of the heavens.  The space between the earth and the firm vault of heaven is therefore divided into three spheres, that of the sun, of the moon, and of the stars.

The host of stars—­common soldiers in the war with Ahriman—­was divided into four troops, with each its appointed leader.  Twelve companies were arranged in the twelve signs of the zodiac.  All these were grouped into four great divisions, in the east, west, north, and south.  The planet Tistrya (Jupiter) presides over and watches that in the east, and is named Prince of the Stars; Sitavisa (Saturn) presides over the western division; Vanant (or Mercury) over that of the south; and Hapto-iringa (Mars) over the stars of the north.  In the middle of the heavens is the great star Mesch, Meschgah (Venus).  He leads them against Ahriman.