THE ZODIAC
| Published: 10th January 2008 11:23 |
THE ZODIAC
The belt of the heaven limited by lines approximately 8 degrees from the ecliptic on each side which enclosed the path of the sun moon and major planets is known as the Zodiac. This was divided by the ancients, into twelve equal parts known as the Signs of the Zodiac. Now, owing to the precession of the equinoxes, the Signs coincide with the zodiacal constellation of the preceding sign i.e. the constellations. Gemini and Cancer are now in the signs Cancer and Leo. The signs all represent some mythical incident which varies from county to country although there is a surprising amount of similarity even with oriental legends.
SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC
Aries March 22nd to April 20th
The first sign is a ram According to Greek mythology Aries is the golden fleeced ram Chrysomallus sought by Jason
Taurus April 21st to May 21st
The bull is the second sign in Greek legend this is the bull into which Zeus transformed himself when he abducted Europa
Gemini May 22nd to June 21st
The third sign is the twins. These Twins appear with different names in the mythologies of most countries, in ancient Roman myth they are Castor and Polluxx or Romulus and Remus
Cancer June 22nd to July 23rd
The crab or lobster is the fourth sign .As Hercules fought the Lernean hydra he was nipped by a crab in gratitude for its assistance. Hera is supposed to have placed the crab in the heavens.
Leo July 24th to August 23rd
The lion is the firth sign and appears in the fables of almost every country. According to the ancient Greeks it is the Nermean lion slain by Hercules
Virgo August 24th to September 23rd
The sixth sign is associated with the Harvest maid or fertility goddess and is usually depicted carrying an ear of wheat and a palm leaf. In some countries she is connected with justice.
Libra September 24th to October 23rd
The scales or balance is the seventh sign. In Roman mythology. Astrae the goddess of justice is depicted. In others the scales represent justice and sometimes equal day and night as well..
Scorpio October 24th to November 22nd
The eighth sign is the scorpion which is said to have stung Orion to death. This fable was thought to be supported by the fact that Scorpio chases Orion across the heavens by rising as Orion sets
Sagittarius. November 23rd to December 22nd
The archer is the ninth sign. In most mythologies this sign is an archer of some kind, he is a centaur in Greek legend.
Capricorn December 23rd to January 20th
The tenth sign is the horned goat or ibex. Sometimes depicted with a fish's tail as the creature into which Pan transformed himself when he jumped into the sea to avoid Typhon
Aquarius January 21st to February 19th
The eleventh sign is the water carrier and is connected in almost all mythologies with the bringing of rain, floods and the fertilisation of the soil
Pisces February 20th to March 21st
The fishes are the twelfth and last sign of the Zodiac. They are the bringers of storms and are said to control the fate of sailors.
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