Mythology and the Zodiac
Myths Behind the the Star Constellations Libra and Scorpio
Libra – Mythology associated with the constellation of Libra
The ancients recognised Libra, the seventh sign of the zodiac, as being important in that it was the sign of the autumnal equinox. On that day, the days and nights are of equal length. The constellation of Libra is in the heavens, next to Virgo.
Libra, the Scales, is the sign of balance and justice and is one of the oldest constellations. Associated with Astraea, the Greek goddess of justice, her scales held all the deeds of humans on earth in balance. During the Golden Age she lived on earth with mankind but was driven away by the lawlessness of the later Bronze Age. Astraea was placed, by Zeus, amongst the stars as the constellation Virgo. Her scales were placed beside her in the heavens as the constellation Libra.
Goddess of Fortune
Libra has also been associated, in mythology, with Tyche, the goddess of fortune (identified as Virgo) and also called The Lady Justice. Her Scales were set amongst the stars as the constellation of Libra. In Italy, Fortuna began as a bringer of luck, of good crops and plentiful harvest. Hers was one of the very few festivals that slaves could attend as well as free persons.
Persephone
Greek and Roman mythology associated Libra, too, as the chariot which transported Persephone to Hades. In this respect the constellation Libra stands between Virgo or Persephone and Scorpio representing Hades, Lord of the underworld. Persephone is the goddess who Hades fell in love with when he saw her collecting flowers; the earth opened and Hades rose up and abducted her. Broken hearted, her mother Demeter wandered the earth searching for her daughter. At last a pact was made between Demeter and Hades that Persephone would stay in the Underworld one-third of the year, the other months she stayed with her mother. While in the Underworld, Demeter pined for her daughter and the earth was barren.
The glyph for the sign Libra is two parallel horizontal lines, the top line having a half circle coming off the top. This represents a sunset on the horizon and some
Scorpio – Mythology associated with the constellation Scorpio
In Greek mythology the Scorpion was the slayer of Orion. Orion fled the scorpion by swimming across the sea to the island of Delos to see his lover, Athena. To punish Athena, Apollo dared her to shoot the black dot that approached in the water; Athena won the challenge and unknowingly killer her lover. Another tale tells of Orion the handsome Greek giant, a hunter whose ego matched his girth. He threatened to kill all the wild fauna of Crete so the gods sent the Scorpion to kill him with its stinger. Some variations state that Eos, goddess of the dawn invited Orion to spend the night with her after which he bragged of the conquest and boasted of being such a great hunter he would kill all the wild beasts of the earth. Apollo had Gaiaa, goddess of the earth, send a giant scorpion to kill Orion.
Orion
Both Orion and Scorpio were placed in the heavens opposite each other so when Scorpio rises in the south the Hunter sinks below the northern horizon in trepidation!
The tail of the Scorpion lies next to Sagittarius, its pincers are towards Libra. The myths of Scorpio signify the ability to move on relentlessly to achieve almost the impossible, like slaying the hunter giant.
Scorpio is also associated with the Greek and Roman gods Ares and Mars.
Associated Articles
Mythology and the Zodiac: Aries and Taurus
Mythology and the Zodiac: Gemini and Cancer
Mythology and the Zodiac: Leo and Virgo
