Zoroastrian spirit of destruction and chaos—opponent of Ahura Mazda (good principle). Represents necessary darkness, destructive principle, the lie as opposed to truth. In dualistic Zoroastrianism, represents evil principle. In Left Hand Path interpretation, represents necessary opposition, darkness that enables light to be recognized, destruction that allows creation. Teaches that opposition serves evolution, that darkness has place, that destruction is part of cycle.
Modern Practice
Not a figure of worship in Zoroastrianism, which opposes him with good thoughts, words and deeds and whose liturgy is a weapon against him. In modern Left Hand Path and shadow-work readings (explicitly not the Zoroastrian account) he is treated as the necessary opposition, the darkness that lets light be seen, and destruction that permits creation.