Starry sky map: the mysteries of the zodiacal constellations

It is difficult not to agree with the fact that when the star of the sky comes into view, and we carefully peer at the dots and lines forming the framework of the constellations, the question arises involuntarily: what story is behind each of them? Of particular interest are the zodiacal constellations. However, it should be noted that the known signs of the zodiac have nothing to do with the zodiacal constellations and are used only when composing horoscopes and natal charts. In order to look more closely at such zodiacal constellations as Aries, Leo, Cancer and Gemini, you will need a map of the starry sky of the northern hemisphere, because they are located exactly there. The time that the Sun is in the constellation lags behind that to which we are accustomed, for almost a month. If the astrological year begins on March 21, the Sun enters the constellation of Aries only on April 19.

What are the zodiacal constellations?

Astronomers divide the zodiacal constellations into northern, equatorial and southern. Northern - this is the constellation of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Lion. The constellations of Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius are called the southern constellations. At the equator are the constellations of the Virgin and Pisces. In order to see their location, you need a map of the starry sky like the one you can see below.

Secrets of Aries, Taurus and Gemini

The history of many constellations is directly connected with the myths of Ancient Greece. Aries, according to ancient Greek legends, was the same zlatorornym ram, the search for the skin which once went Jason and the Argonauts. Taurus is the embodiment of the loving god-thunderer Zeus, who kidnapped the daughter of the king of Phenicia Europe and brought her to the island of Crete. In the constellation of Taurus is the brightest star Aldebaran. Also, the map of the starry sky of the Northern Hemisphere shows that there is also a zodiacal constellation of Gemini. His story is also related to the time of Jason and the Argonauts. Myths tell us that the twins of Dioscuri, Pollux and Castor are prototypes of this constellation.

What are they talking about, Leo, Virgo and Cancer?

The constellation of Cancer also has an interesting story that identifies him with the same cancer that came against Hercules when he fought the Lernaea Hydra. As the legend says, at a time when the other animals were helping the hero, he jumped out of the water and bit his leg, but was crushed. However, the goddess Hera, who hated Hercules, appreciated the act of cancer and turned it into a constellation. To all who will see the starry sky map, the majestic Lion, which is also among the zodiacal constellations, will strike the eye next to Cancer. As the ancient history says, here also there was an ancient Greek hero Hercules, who defeated the Nemean Lion, whom this collection of stars personifies in the sky. No less interesting is the constellation of the Virgin, if only because neither historians nor the ancient Greeks could determine who it should represent. Nevertheless, it is believed that in the form of the Virgin before us appears the ancient Greek goddess of fertility Demeter, the mother of Persephone, the wife of the god of the underworld of Hades.

The story of Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius

The constellation of Libra was formed as an independent entity from the heavenly bodies rather late, and for a long time it was called only the Scorpion's claws. Now he is considered a perpetuated attribute of Themis, the blind goddess of justice. And the Scorpio, from which Libra was separated, is, according to the plot of the myth, the murderer of the hunter Orion, whom the goddess Artemis sent after the quarrel. That's why both of these constellations - Orion and Scorpio - do not come together in the sky. When Scorpio appears, Orion disappears. A moving map of the starry sky demonstrates this very interesting phenomenon very well. Sagittarius, the neighbor of Scorpio, is depicted as a centaur, no exact data on the origin of which is known. According to some information, his name was Krotos. Other sources say that it was Chiron - the inventor of the globe for the travel of the Argonauts behind the golden fleece.

What is hidden by Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces?

The Constellation of Capricorn keeps many secrets, as well as the starry sky map itself. In ancient times, this creature was called a "goat-fish" because of its fish tail instead of rear hoofs. A version is widely spread that this is Amalfeus, a goat bred by Zeus. Aquarius, located next to her, got several roles at once: Ganymede, the youth-cupbearer from Troy, Deucalion and the ancient king Cecrop. The last of the constellations, Pisces, represents the transformed goddesses of love to Aphrodite and her son Eros, who fled to Egypt from the monster of Typhon.

Surprisingly, as you can see, behind each of the 12 zodiacal constellations there is a story and an interesting legend. And when the next time you see the map of the starry sky with the constellations, it will no longer be regarded as a collection of beautiful pictures. And all because now you know what is behind each of these star clusters.