Beautiful Spring Night Sky with Moon, Venus, Mars, and Mythological Twins
Greetings, Astro friends! Today, I want to talk about the breathtaking beauty of the night sky and the endless possibilities of astrology. Think about it, every night, we are gifted with a celestial canvas of sparkling stars that have captivated humanity for thousands of years. As we gaze upon this cosmic masterpiece, we are transported to a realm beyond our earthly worries, and we are reminded of the infinite potential that lies within each of us.
In ancient times, astrologers observed the sky and believed that the cosmos was alive and infused with soul and intelligence. The celestial bodies were arranged in a hierarchy, with fixed stars considered more divine due to their proximity to the source and regular motion, while the planets were considered less divine due to their greater distance from the source and erratic movements. The 12 zodiacal signs were actually derived from a specific band of fixed stars that provided a background against which the Sun, Moon, and wandering planets appeared to move. Amazing, isn't it?
Early peoples have looked to the heavens as a source of spiritual guidance for earthly affairs since at least the third millennium BCE.
This paragraph is taken from Demetra George's book, "Ancient Astrology." The author's words have stuck with me, and I often recall them when I gaze upon the night sky. They make me feel connected to ancient astrologers, and by studying ancient astrology, I feel connected the way they viewed and practiced this art.
The beauty of the night sky never ceases to inspire awe and wonder. I live in the city, so the view of the night sky is not as clear due to the illumination from the lights. Nonetheless, it is still a beautiful sight to behold. Recently, I was gazing up at the crescent moon and bright star nearby with my husband, and I quickly remembered current transit chart in my mind and identified it as Venus. Using the Sky Guide app, we were able to confirm our observation and even spot other planets, like Mars, and Gemini's Pollux and Castor.
Pollux and Castor are two stars that form the Gemini constellation, with Pollux being the brighter of the two. According to Greek mythology, Pollux and Castor were twin brothers born to the great god Zeus (Jupiter) and the queen of Sparta, Leda. Though tragedy struck when Castor was born as a mortal and Pollux was born as a god, they remained courageous twin brothers. This story serves as the basis for the legend of the Gemini constellation.
This story below is from https://seiza.imagestyle.biz/sinwa/hutago.shtml?ssp=1&darkschemeovr=0&setlang=en-US&safesearch=moderate that translated in English.
The Twin Brothers Castor and Pollux
Gemini is a symmetrical and handsome constellation, well-known as one of the twelve zodiac constellations. It rises from the east as if standing up in the winter night sky and sets in the west.
The legend of the Gemini constellation is based on the story of Castor and Pollux, twin brothers who excelled in bravery in Greek mythology. According to the tale, they were born between the god Zeus and the queen of Sparta Leda.
Leda was a beautiful woman whom Zeus was captivated by. He descended to her in the form of a swan, and Leda gave birth to two eggs. One egg hatched into twin sisters, Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, who later became the wife of Agamemnon, the Greek general in the Trojan War. The other egg hatched into twin brothers, Castor and Pollux, who became part of the Gemini constellation in the night sky.
It is also said that Leda bore Pollux from Zeus and Castor from the King of Sparta. This is why Pollux was said to have an immortal body, while Castor was mortal.
Castor was a skilled swordsman, while Pollux was an equestrian expert. They fought together in many battles, including the expedition of the ship Argo, and defeated the king of Bithynia, Amycus. Despite their numerous military accomplishments, their bond as brothers was unbreakable.
Later, they also fought against the Idas brothers of Messina, and achieved a great victory in this battle as well. However, during this time, Castor was hit by a stray arrow and lost his life, leaving Pollux deeply saddened and unable to accept his brother's death.
Pollux prayed to his father, Zeus, pleading with him to release him from his immortality so that he could die together with his brother. "My twin brother and I were always together and fought together on the battlefield. Although my brother has passed away, I cannot bear to live without him. We were born together, so I want to die together with him. Please grant me my wish," he begged.
Moved by Pollux's love for his brother and his own child Castor's death, Zeus granted his wish. The two brothers ascended to the night sky together, becoming the Gemini constellation. The α star of Gemini was named Castor, and the β star was named Pollux. They can be seen side by side in the night sky, a testament to the bond of brotherhood and bravery that they embodied.
By the way, Gemini is one of the oldest known constellations, and it is said that in the time of ancient Babylon, it was called the "Giant Twins". In that myth, it is also said to represent the appearance of the supreme god Marduk and the god of wisdom Nabu.
During the Roman era, the constellation Gemini was also seen as the protector of ships. When caught in a storm at sea, the phenomenon known as "St. Elmo's Fire," which appears as if fire is burning at the tip of the mast (said to be caused by static electricity), was believed to be caused by the constellation Gemini, and it was believed that the storm would subside if this was visible.
As someone who has a Gemini rising, I find it fascinating to delve into the rich history and mythology associated with the constellation. The twin stars of Castor and Pollux represent the heads of the mythological twins, with Castor being a master swordsman, fitting since Swords represents Air in Tarot, and Pollux being a skilled horseman, fitting since Gemini is associated with vehicles. I love that they did everything together and that their bond as brothers was unbreakable, as if they said "together or die". It's also intriguing to note that Jupiter, which rules Sagittarius on the opposite side of Gemini, is associated with Zeus in Greek mythology. These connections between the planets add a layer of depth to the astrological interpretation of Gemini.
According to the chart, fixed star Pollux is situated at 23°13 Cancer, and fixed star Castor is at 20°14 Cancer. In astrology, Pollux, also known as Caput Hercules, is believed to represent contemplative speculation, audacity, astrology, ruin, disgrace, death, and calamity. As the "Immortal Twin" and "Heartless Judge," Pollux's placement is considered unfortunate and is associated with Mars, Moon, and Uranus. On the other hand, Castor is the "Mortal Twin" and is believed to represent sudden fame or loss, distinction, a keen mind, violence, and mischief. Unfortunately, Castor's placement is also considered unfortunate and is associated with Saturn, Mars, and Venus.
As I gazed up at the beautiful crescent moon and nearby planetary configuration, I was reminded of the fundamental differences between astronomy and astrology. Currently, Mars is in Cancer on the transit chart, highlighting the distinction between the natural science of astronomy and the mystical and divinatory art of astrology.
Astronomy is the study of celestial objects and their physical properties. Astrology, on the other hand, divides the zodiac signs into 12 equal parts on a chart. As a result, the planetary placements in astrology do not correspond to actual planetary placements in the sky. Furthermore, due to Earth's wobbling, the planets' positions change over time and move further apart from their zodiac signs.
Therefore, in my mind, astrology is a more of a divinatory system that seeks to interpret the supposed influence of celestial bodies on human affairs and the natural world. It's fascinating to think about how ancient astrologers meticulously recorded every planetary movement and observed their correlation with events on Earth. This led to the development of the exquisite art and system of astrology that we know and love today. Their spirit lives on through astrological charts and planetary symbols, even today.
Isn’t it simply amazing that we share a connection with our ancestors who too gazed up at the same stars, thousands of years ago? Next time you find yourself lost in the wonder of the universe, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and reflect on the insights it may hold. After all, by looking into the movements of the celestial bodies, we are granted the privilege of tapping into the secrets of the cosmos. Happy stargazing!
Comments