9. Constellation – Orion, the hunter
Mythology
Orion, the hunter, was the major constellation for the Egyptians around 6000 BCE because it was rising just before the Sun, at the spring equinox, the beginning of the agricultural year. For Egyptians Orion was the god Osiris, and the Pharaohs came from him.
In Greek mythology Orion was a gigantic hunter, brave and handsome, who became the lover of Artemis, goddess of hunting. After he offended her, telling that he can kill any creature on the world, she conspired with a scorpion who killed Orion with his sting. Jupiter placed him in the heaven opposed to Scorpio constellation, so he can escape from his murderer.
The constellation is centered on the equator, being visible from all parts of the world.
Symbolism
– art, music;
– turbulent weather.
Stars of Orion
The most important stars from Orion, in the order of magnitude are: Betelgeuse, Rigel, Bellatrix, Mintaka, Alnilam, Saiph and Thabit.
9.1 Betelgeuse – 280 Gemini 55′
Betelgeuse is the alpha star from Orion, located in the right arm of the hunter.
Magnitude: 1,0 var.
Projected Ecliptical Degrees: 280 Gemini 55′
Declination: 07N24’22”
Range of degrees with which can be in parans: from Gemini to Cancer
Planetary nature: Mars/Mercury
Official name: Alpha Orion
Symbolism:
– rashness, danger, violence;
– great fortune, fame, success in military activities;
– leadership, self – confidence, strategic skills.
Rigel is the brightest star from Orion, even is the beta star, located in the left foot of the hunter.
Magnitude: 0,3
Projected Ecliptical Degrees: 170 Gemini 01′
Declination: 08S12’21”
Range of degrees with which can be in parans: from Taurus to Leo
Planetary nature: Jupiter/Saturn
Official name: Beta Orion
Symbolism:
– fame, wealth;
– inventive and mechanical ability;
– ambition, military skills;
– education, school, wisdom, knowledge.
9.3 Bellatrix – 210 Gemini 38′
Bellatrix, the Female Warior, is the gamma star from Orion, located in the left arm of the hunter.
Magnitude: 1,7
Projected Ecliptical Degrees: 210 Gemini 38′
Declination: 06S20’44”
Range of degrees with which can be in parans: from Taurus to Leo
Planetary nature: Mars/Mercury
Official name: Gamma Orion
Symbolism:
– courage, boldness, ability to fight and to organize, military skills;
– honor, fame;
– accidents;
– particularly beneficial influence for women.
Alnilam is the epsilon star from Orion, located in the belt of the hunter.
Magnitude: 1,8
Projected Ecliptical Degrees: 230 Gemini 38′
Declination: 01S14’00”
Range of degrees with which can be in parans: from Taurus to Leo
Planetary nature: Jupiter/Saturn
Official name: Epsilon Orion
Symbolism:
– good intellect;
– honor, fame.
10. Constellation – Auriga, the Charioteer
Mythology
Auriga, the charioteer, is a constellation which is represented in different ways from a man holding a whip and reins to a man riding a chariot with a goat on his left shoulder. It is part of the northern group of constellations involved with horses along with Pegasus, the Winged Horse, Equuleus the Little Horse.
It has an asterism (a constellation within a constellation) of a she-goat nursing two kids, where is placed Capella, the brightest star of Auriga.
In mythology it often represents the Greek hero Erichthonius of Athens, the son of Hephaestus, the God who made his chariot. In Celtic mythology it was associated with Macha, the great Celtic horse goddess.
Symbolism
– nurture, support, protection;
– horses, agriculture;
– feminine values, twins, birth.
Stars of Auriga
The most important stars from Auriga, in the order of magnitude are: Capella, Menkalinan, El Nath, Maaz and Duo Haedi.
Capella is the brightest star in Auriga, located in the body of the goat, represents the goat that the charioteer is carrying. In Roman mythology it represented the goat Amalthea that suckled Jupiter and whose horn, accidentally broken by Jupiter, was transformed into Cornucopia, the “horn of plenty”.
Magnitude: 0,08
Projected Ecliptical Degrees: 220 Gemini 00′
Declination: 45N59’22”
Range of degrees with which can be in parans: from Taurus to Cancer
Planetary nature: Mars/Mercury
Official name: Alpha Auriga
Symbolism:
– honors, wealth, public position, ambition;
– independence, freedom;
– love of learning, curiosity, interest in research;
– feminism, love, to nurture.
