Scorpius

Mythology

Scorpio resembles, quite noticeably, a scorpion's tail, and a vague body http://borghetto.astrofili.org/costellazioni/scorpius.JPG. According to Greek mythology, it corresponds to the scorpion which was sent by Gaia (or possibly the goddess Hera) to kill the hunter Orion, the 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 suggested that this was a divine precaution to forestall the heavenly continuation of the feud.

Related Topics:
Greek mythology - Gaia - Hera - Orion - Orion

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In many versions, however, Apollo sent the scorpion after Orion, having grown jealous of Artemis' attentions to the man. Later, to apologize for killing her friend, Apollo then helped Artemis hang Orion's image in the night sky. However, the scorpion was also placed up there, and every time it appears on the horizon, Orion starts to sink into the other side of the sky, still running from the attacker.

Related Topics:
Apollo - Artemis

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Scorpius also appears in one version of the fable of Phaethon (the roman version of a greek myth were orignally, Helio's, the sun's, mortal son asked to drive the chariot), 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 (this is said to have formed the constellation Eridanus). Finally, Jupiter struck him down with a thunderbolt to stop the rampage.

Related Topics:
Phaethon - Apollo - Eridanus - Jupiter

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

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Astrology

The Western astrological sign Scorpio of the tropical zodiac (October 23 - November 21) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (November 23 - November 29).

Related Topics:
Astrological sign - Tropical zodiac - October 23 - November 21 - Sidereal zodiac - November 23 - November 29

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In some cosmologies, Scorpio is associated with the classical element Water, and thus called a Water Sign (with Cancer and Pisces). It is also one of the four Fixed signs (along with Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius). Its polar opposite is Taurus. It is the domicile of Mars (since its discovery, Pluto has been considered Scorpio's ruling or co-ruling planet by many modern astrologers). Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Scorpio rules the genitals. The symbols for Scorpio are the scorpion, the eagle, serpent and the phoenix.

Related Topics:
Classical element - Water - Cancer - Pisces - Taurus - Leo - Aquarius - Domicile - Mars - Pluto - Scorpion - Eagle - Serpent - Phoenix

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