On the birth of a Parsee child a magian and a fire-priest, who
is always an astrologer, are called in to predict the future
life of the babe. The magian, drest in a strange robe of many
colors, a pointed cap with jingling bells, and armed with a
long broom made of beresma twigs (which is thought to have the
power of putting evil spirits to flight), enters the chamber
of the Parsee mother and babe and setting the end of his broom
on fire dances around, exorcising the evil spirits; finally
he flourishes his firebrand over the mother and child and in
all the corners of the room. This done, the fire-priest draws
a number of squares on a blackboard; in one corner of each
square he draws a curious figure of bird, beast, fish or insect,
each of which stands for some mental, physical, or spiritual
characteristic, together with its appropriate star or planet.
The magian then proceeds by means of spells and incantations
to exercise any evil spirit that may be lurking unseen in the
blackboard. Next the fire-priest begins to count and recount
the stars under whose influence the child is supposed to be
born, and then with closed eyes and solemn voice he predicts
the future life of the babe. Next he prepares a horoscope or
birth-paper and hands it to the father. Then, placing the babe
on his knees, he waves over it the sacred flame, sprinkles it
with holy water, fills its ears and nostrils with seasalt to
keep out the evil spirits, and finally returns the screaming
infant to its mother’s arms.--MRS. LEONOWENS, _Wide
Awake_.
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