William Tyler Olcott points out that this referenced a verse by Virgil, in which the poet noted that it was time to “yoke your oxen” at the time “when Astraea’s balance hung on high” (1936: 252). At one point, it was known in Latin as “Jugum”, which means “yoke”. That’s not to say it’s not an interesting sign though. There aren’t many myths associated with Libra, thanks to its link with Virgo. Ridpath points out that Virgo hardly holds the scales aloft since the constellation lies at her feet. This makes sense, given Virgo’s identification with Astraia, goddess of justice. Eventually, it was associated instead with Virgo. He was often depicted holding the scales (Olcott 1936: 249). During Julius Caesar’s reign, the idea of Libra as scales became established. It was once linked with the claws of neighbouring Scorpius. However, the equinox had moved into Virgo in 730 BC, so they weren’t talking about the constellations rather, the astrological signs. Ian Ridpath points out that the association with balance came because the sun lay in Libra at the autumn equinox. The Romans even believed the moon was in Libra at Rome’s foundation. The Romans revived the idea that Libra refers to balance in the 1st century BC (Ridpath). The Babylonians called this constellation “the balance of heaven” in 1000 BC (Ridpath). Libra is the only sign to refer to an inanimate object. Interestingly, you can only see their constellation for six months a year, which might explain this division of time (Atsma).Īlso, their death happened before Paris took their sister Helen to Troy, which is why they don’t appear in the Trojan War (Atsma). When one was immortal on earth, the other was in the underworld, and then they swapped places the following day (Olcott 1936: 205). Zeus got around their decree by saying the twins needed to spend alternate days in the underworld and the heavens. It wasn’t quite what the Fates had in mind. But fair to the last, Pollux said he would only accept if he could share it with Castor. At first, Pollux was the only one offered this rare honour since he was the son of Zeus. Eratosthenes gave no specific legend about their actions in life, but said Zeus put them in the sky as an exemplar of brotherly love (Hard 2015: 99). In another version of the story, the twins were so kind and generous in life that Zeus decided to put them in the heavens when they died. Pollux asked his father Zeus if they could share his immortality. Some stories say it was over women, others say it was over cattle. Another pair of twins were among the Argonauts, and for various reasons, the two pairs fell to blows. Unfortunately, their escapades were not to last. Poseidon also gave them the white horses that the twins sometimes ride in Greek art (Olcott 1936: 203). The sea god Poseidon gave them the power to save shipwrecked sailors-which seems unusual given the fact Pollux had splintered his son’s skull. Gemini on a globe at Skokloster Castle / Erik Lernestål / CC BY-SA Įither way, Castor and Pollux became the patron saints of sailors. Elmo’s fire at sea as a good omen – two fires meant fair weather, while one meant storms. Ever since then, sailors came to regard St. At this point, the storm subsided and the ship could safely proceed (Olcott 1936: 204). Elmo’s fire played around the heads of the twins. There was a vicious storm, and two flames of St. Later, the twins also ensured the safety of the Argonauts during the voyage. This allowed the Argonauts to leave Amycus’ territory. On the way, Pollux ended up using his boxing prowess to fell Amycus, one of Poseidon’s sons. The twins joined Jason and the Argonauts in their quest to find the Golden Fleece (which we now know came from Aries, the ram!). They grew up to be close siblings, with Pollox becoming an excellent boxer, and Castor a famous equestrian (Olcott 1936: 203). Somehow, Castor and Pollux were even said to look alike, despite their different fathers. Clearly, this is biologically unlikely, but that’s Greek mythology for you. She gave birth to four children, and in the most common version of the legend, Pollux and Helen were Zeus’s children, while Castor and Clytemnestra were those of Tyndareus. He seduced Leda, but then she went back to her palace and slept with King Tyndareus, her husband. Zeus took a fancy to her and visited her as a swan. Gemini as depicted in Urania’s Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825.
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