ASTROLOGY

Beyond the validation of astrology as a science or its effectiveness in "predicting" the future or
determining the personality of each person, behind each zodiac sign arose various myths that are
now part of the famous Greek mythology and also of the Egyptian.

Aries (the ram)

In Egyptian culture, this sign was identified with Amun and in Greek mythology with the Golden
Fleece. In Greek mythology, the constellation reaches the heavens after Hermes saves Phryxus and
Hele, sons of Atamanthus and Nephele, giving them a winged ram, the Golden Fleece. During his
journey, Hele falls into the sea, while Phryxus is taken in by King Eetes. In gratitude, Phryxus
sacrifices the ram and offers it to the king; Eeste consecrated him to Ares and protected him with a
dragon and several bulls, so Zeus placed Aries in the sky.

Taurus (the bull)

This sign refers to Zeus and his representation in the form of a bull, which he used to kidnap
Europa – the daughter of the king of Phoenicia – and take her to Crete, crossing the sea. Similarly,
it is believed that only the first portion of the bull in the constellation is shown, as it was
submerged in the sea.

Gemini (the twins)

In Egyptian mythology instead of being depicted with twins they use two goats and even in Arabic
astrology as peacocks. In Greek mythology the two twins are Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuros,
sons of Leda, mother of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. According to the story, Pollux is the son
of Zeus, who seduced Leda in a swan, while Castor is the son of Tindareo, king of Sparta.

Cancer (crab)
In Greek mythology, the crab representing cancer refers to Carcinos, a giant crab that Heracles
(Hercules to the Romans) killed by crushing him with his foot after Hera sent him during the hero's
fight against Hydra. After his death, Hera turns him into a constellation, a sign of gratitude for his
work.
Leo (the lion)
This constellation represents the Nemean lion, which also fought Heracles as part of his 12
exploits. The Nemean lion was an impossible creature for humans to defeat as weapons could not
penetrate its golden skin and its claws were so sharp that they pierced the armor. Heracles
manages to defeat him by hanging him with his bare hands. Like other creatures that Heracles
defeated, this lion was also made part of the constellations of the sky by Zeus.

Virgo (the virgin)

In Greek mythology she is usually represented by a young maiden with a bouquet of wheat, so she
is associated with the goddess of fertility, however, her identity is disputed, some believe that it is
Persephone -who is kidnapped by Hades and forced to marry him-, others that she is Astrea -
daughter of Zeus and Themis-, or Erígone, daughter of Icarius of Athens, was to hang herself in her
father's tomb.

Libra (the scale)

This sign has been represented with balance and justice so it is associated with laws. In mythology
it has also been associated with Astrea, who at first was also considered as the virgin of the
constellation of Virgo, eventually associated with Libra.

Scorpio (the scorpion)

In Greek mythology, the scorpion refers to the animal that stung Orion and caused his death with
the poison. Legend has it that Zeus witnessed the epic fight, so he also raised the scorpion to the
heavens. However, there is another version that explains that when Phaethon took the reins of
the carriage carrying the sun and lost control he climbed too high and found the celestial scorpion,
to try to evade his sting, he took the carriage very low, causing fires.

Sagittarius (the centaur)

This zodiac sign is identified as a centaur, that is, half man half horse, carrying a bow. Unlike other
zodiac signs, this one does not have a specific myth although experts relate the sign to the
recovery of the Sumerian myth that identified Sagittarius as an archer. Similarly, the Sagittarius
arrow is believed to be pointing towards the heart of Scorpio, so some believe it is because
Scorpio could attack Heracles.
Capricorn (the goat)
In Greek mythology, this constellation corresponds to Amalthea, the nymph depicted as a goat
who nursed Zeus and whose mother saved the god from being devoured by his father Cronus.
Other versions suggest that it is Pan, a god who had the head of a goat who saved his life by
turning his hind legs into a fish tail. On the other hand, it was also believed that Capricorn referred
to Pricus, a half-fish goat related to Cronus, who made him immortal, not wanting to spend a life in
solitude on Earth, is raised to the heavens.

Aquarius (the water carrier)

The myth of this constellation relates to Ganymede, son of Laomedon, king of Troy, he was
kidnapped by Zeus upon becoming an eagle. On Olympus, Ganymede would be in charge of
serving the cups of the gods. An alternate version identifies this constellation as Deucalion, son of
Prometheus whose account is related to that of Noah, since he built an ark to save himself from
the flood that Zeus provoked.

Pisces (the fish)

Greek myth relates to Aphrodite and Eros, who transformed into fish to flee Typhon, a monster
and divinity that was related to hurricanes in Greek mythology. Both fish are represented tied with
a rope, which comes from the same myth, since both gods tied up so as not to get lost in the
current.