Scorpius (myth)

Scorpius (myth)

In Greek mythology, the constellation Scorpius ('Scorpio) corresponds to the scorpion that was sent by Hera in Crete to kill the titanic hunter Orion, the chthonic scorpion rising out of the ground at the goddess' command to attack. Although the scorpion and Orion appear together in this myth, the constellation of Orion is almost opposite to Scorpius in the night sky. It has been poetically suggested that this was a divine precaution to forestall the heavenly continuation of the feud.

Scorpius also appears in one version of the fable of Phaethon, a foolish mortal who obtained permission to drive the Apollo's sun-chariot for a day. The horses, already out of control in their sky journey became scared when they encountered the great celestial scorpion with its sting raised to strike, and the inexperienced boy lost control of the chariot, as the sun wildly went about the sky. Finally, Jupiter struck him down with a thunderbolt to stop the rampage.

In later imagery of Mithras, in the cult as practised in the Roman Empire, the scorpion is present in the ground beneath the bull that Mithras is killing. Often the scorpion attacks the bull's testicles.

The Chinese included these stars in the Azure Dragon, a powerful but benevolent creature whose rising heralded spring.

Astrology

The astrological sign Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) is associated with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Scorpio is associated with the classical element Water, and thus called a Water Sign (with Cancer and Pisces). Its polar opposite is Taurus.

Constellations of the zodiac : Aries -- Taurus -- Gemini -- Cancer -- Leo -- Virgo -- Libra -- Scorpius -- (Ophiuchus) -- Sagittarius -- Capricornus -- Aquarius -- Pisces