These constellations are found in Urania's Mirror; a collection of star charts from the 1800's. Lets look at how these constellations link to the story arc JWJ is building for us.
Cygnus "The Swan": Cygnus is Latin for "Swan." In Greek mythology, Cygnus has been identified with several different legendary swans. Zeus disguised himself as a swan to seduce Leda, Spartan king Tyndareus's wife, who gave birth to the Gemini, Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra; Orpheus was transformed into a swan after his murder, and was said to have been placed in the sky next to his lyre (Lyra); and the King Cygnus was transformed into a swan.
The Greeks also associated this constellation with the tragic story of Phaethon, the son of Helios the sun god, who demanded to ride his father's sun chariot for a day. Phaethon, however, was unable to control the reins, forcing Zeus to destroy the chariot (and Phaethon) with a thunderbolt, causing it to plummet to the earth into the river Eridanus. According to the myth, Phaethon's brother, Cycnus, grieved bitterly and spent many days diving into the river to collect Phaethon's bones to give him a proper burial. The gods were so touched by Cycnus's devotion to his brother that they turned him into a swan and placed him among the stars.
In Ovid's Metamorphoses, there are three people named Cygnus, all of whom are transformed into swans. Alongside Cycnus, noted above, he mentions a boy from Tempe who commits suicide when Phyllius refuses to give him a tamed bull that he demands, but is transformed into a swan and flies away. He also mentions a son of Neptune who is an invulnerable warrior in the Trojan War who is eventually defeated by Achilles, but Neptune saves him by transforming him into a swan.
Together with other avian constellations near the summer solstice, Vultur cadens and Aquila, Cygnus may be a significant part of the origin of the myth of the Stymphalian Birds, one of The Twelve Labours of Hercules. Credit: Wikipedia
Draco "Dragon": Dragons in Greek mythology that may have inspired the constellation's name include Ladon, the dragon who guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides.[6] Hercules killed Ladon during his 12 labors; he was tasked with stealing the golden apples. The constellation of Hercules is depicted near Draco.[1]
In Greco- Roman legend, Draco was a dragon killed by the goddess Minerva and tossed into the sky upon his defeat. The dragon was one of the Gigantes, who battled the Olympic gods for ten years. As Minerva threw the dragon, it became twisted on itself and froze at the cold North Celestial Pole before it could right itself.[6]
Traditional Arabic astronomy does not depict a dragon in modern-day Draco, which is called the Mother Camels. Instead, two hyenas, represented by Eta Draconis and Zeta Draconis are seen attacking a baby camel (a dim star near Beta Draconis), which is protected by four female camels, represented by Beta Draconis, Gamma Draconis, Nu Draconis, and Xi Draconis. The nomads who own the camels are camped nearby, represented by a cooking tripod composed of Upsilon, Tau, and Sigma Draconis.[7] In some mythology, Draco had one hundred magnificent heads, guarded the golden apple tree, and was put in the sky as a constellation for protecting the apples with valor. The constellation has been subject to many more myths, but ones that are obscure. Credit: Wikipedia
***I will add more constellations and discussions about them when season one officially ends***
Cygnus and Draco, or the Swan and the Dragon play a major role in JWJ's mind. And then we have mentions of Janus and Cadmus in the JWJ letter in box 2. I want to wait until alot of the newer Hunters have at least gotten through to box 3 before I spoil the first two boxes. But in your investigations, you can be looking up Draco, Cygnus, Janus, and Cadmus to get a better understanding of what JWJ is trying to get us to see. These characters/constellations will play a vital role in the story arc he has built. Is he Cadmus who slays the dragon in the mythology? If so, who does he consider to be a dragon?
I know its a lot of seemingly useless mythology, but JWJ values it so I feel its important for clues that may come down the road to understand all we can about the constellations and mythology.
***I will continue to update this blog post as the months go by to give a better picture of the constellation card's role in the overall story***
Last Updated: 6/15/17
I know its a lot of seemingly useless mythology, but JWJ values it so I feel its important for clues that may come down the road to understand all we can about the constellations and mythology.
***I will continue to update this blog post as the months go by to give a better picture of the constellation card's role in the overall story***
Last Updated: 6/15/17
