StoriesoftheZodiac
Thetwelvesignsofthezodiac,eachassociatedwithaconstellation,havebeenknownsinceantiquity.AncientcivilisationsdevelopedstoriestoexplainthepositionofthestarsinrelationtotheEarthandhumanity.Thesestories,whichhavebeenpasseddownthroughthegenerations,havebecomeapartofourcollectiveconsciousness.
Aries
AriesissymbolisedbytheramanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofthesamename.Aries,theram,wassentbytheGreekgodZeustosavethebeautifulprincessPhrixusfromaterriblefate.Ariescarriedtheprincessawayonhisback,andZeustransformedhimintoaconstellationinthenightskyinhonourofhisheroicdeed.
Taurus
TaurusissymbolisedbythebullanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofZeus.ZeushadtakentheformofabullinordertoseducethebeautifulprincessEuropaandtakeherawaytotheislandofCrete.Inhonourofhisamorousconquest,Zeusplacedtheconstellationofthebullinthenightsky.
Gemini
GeminiissymbolisedbytwotwinsanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfiguresofCastorandPollux.Thetwinbrothersweresoclosethatwhenoneofthemwaskilled,theotherrefusedtoleavehimbehindandthepairwereplacedinthenightskyasasymboloftheirunbreakablebond.
Cancer
CancerissymbolisedbyacrabanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofHercules.Herculeswasengagedinabattlewiththenine-headedHydra,amonstrousbeastthatcouldnotbekilled.AsHerculesstruggledtodefeattheHydra,thegodofthesea,Poseidon,sentagiantcrabtohelphim.ThecrabsucceededindistractingtheHydra,allowingHerculestodefeatit.Inhonourofthecrab’sbravery,Poseidonplaceditinthenightskyasaconstellation.
Leo
LeoissymbolisedbyalionanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofHercules.HerculeswassetthetaskofslayingtheNemeanlion,afearsomebeastwithskinthatwasimpervioustoweapons.Herculeseventuallymanagedtokillthelionand,inhonourofhisgreatfeat,Zeusplacedthelioninthenightskyasaconstellation.
Virgo
VirgoissymbolisedbyawomananditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofDemeter.Demeterwasthegoddessoftheharvestandwhenshewasgrievingforthelossofherdaughter,Persephone,Zeusconsoledherbyplacingherimageinthenightskyasaconstellation.
Libra
LibraissymbolisedbyscalesanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofThemis.Themiswasthegoddessofjusticeandshewassaidtohavebalancedthescalesofjusticeinherhands.Inhonourofher,Zeusplacedherimageinthenightskyasaconstellation.
Scorpio
ScorpioissymbolisedbyascorpionanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofOrion.Orionwasagreathunterwhoangeredthegodofthesea,Poseidon.Inretaliation,PoseidonsentagiantscorpiontoattackOrion.ThescorpionstungOrion,killinghim.InhonourofOrion’sbravery,Zeusplacedthescorpioninthenightskyasaconstellation.
Sagittarius
SagittariusissymbolisedbyanarcheranditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofChiron.ChironwasagreatarcherandateacheroftheheroAchilles.Inhonourofhisskillandwisdom,ZeusplacedChiron’simageinthenightskyasaconstellation.
Capricorn
CapricornissymbolisedbyagoatanditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofPan.Panwasagoat-footedgodwhowassaidtohavethepowertoturnanythingintostone.Inhonourofhispower,Zeusplacedhisimageinthenightskyasaconstellation.
Aquarius
AquariusissymbolisedbyamancarryingajugofwateranditsstoryisassociatedwiththeGreekmythologicalfigureofGanymede.GanymedewasayoungmanwhowasabductedbyZeusandtakentoMountOlympustobecomethegod’scup-bearer.InhonourofGanymede’sservice,Zeusplacedhisimageinthenightskyasaconstellation.
Pisces