#1 The Hunter and His Dogs

The beginning of this year already brings a large shift to the universe.  It brings a transition to a larger awareness, and an opening of the mind to new ideas and spiritual growth. In this way I have been urged strongly to share of the star stories that have come to me over the last few years, to embrace the healing and powerful collective energy of the lights in the sky, and encourage others to ponder and wonder on the grandness of the universe.  Universe literally is "one story."  Here is the start of the universe I have come to learn.  I wish for you to see and to grow from the connections and quiet solitude that can be forever gained from becoming comfortable with our night sky.

Yet I am afraid to start; why?  I am searching during a time of great transition over humankind, and the insight came to me over the last week while night strolling at the nearby lake.  I noticed the sky of course, especially Orion the Hunter, and he prompted the challenge:  "What am I hunting?  What am I searching for?"  Perhaps it is for a deeper knowledge, a deeper understanding of the truth, amidst all this chaos and distraction; a sense of peace and serenity from above, amidst all this turmoil.  It brings such a beautiful notice to the cosmos, the idea of one energy that permeates everything living; a web of life that connects every human, animal, plant, and object.  To meditate on the universe is to honor this energy.

Orion signifies such a powerful archetype in life: the warrior/hunter.  It is the primal man getting back to nature and relying on his instinct.  It is believing in the strength and skill we have innately.  And lastly, it is the taking of bold action and direction.

The Hunter starts his journey into our night sky in late fall, standing fully above the horizon in the early winter.  He is one of the most commonly sighted constellations.  Most easily recognized by his prominent belt of three bright stars, he is one of the many asterisms, or sky patterns, of the late fall and winter night.  His three belt stars were most significant to ancient agricultural patterns.  As soon as Orion would awake from the Eastern horizon, the past peoples would prepare for harvest, thus reaping the Earth's bounty and celebrating the gift of nature to humankind.

I must pause for a moment to mention that Orion's story is a prominent introduction to the Greek and Roman understanding of the spirit of the human character, or psyche.  Any story of a hero or warrior in either of these civilizations would not only have been truly known for their skill, deeds, and character, but also remembered for a hamarita, or tragic human flaw and how it may have caused their demise or handicap.  I have enjoyed learning about these stories and would like to share the excitement of these stories behind these constellations, and also the warnings hidden within these myths, and let you take from them the lessons that I have found helpful to remember while soul-searching and living and honoring a renewable and spiritual life.

It truly fascinates me that past civilizations would ponder the shapes of the night sky, looking for patterns and omens of benefit or maleficence.  To have such time and passion to create these myths is quite profound, and admirable, and must have been a great past-time around the campfire for those wandering the wilderness.  We take a moment to nod to nature, and realize that it is a powerful force, and something that has become in recent times taken for granted by humankind.

There are a few connections to be aware of as we learn of Orion: Orion is a demi-god, or the son of Poseidon, god of the sea.  Just a quick note: I prefer to use Greek names of the gods and goddesses; they have always held more of a classic and nostalgic air for me, probably because of the memories that arise when I remember reading Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin in school.  I found this text recently via an online search, and hope that an old copy finds its way into my life soon.  My inner nerd is rejoicing!

Orion's boastful nature warns and reminds us that humankind is not more powerful than nature; that nature comes around to "sting" us and remind of of the importance of treating the resources around us with quiet respect, and not outright destruction for our own selfish wishes.  How appropriate then that another constellation, Scorpio the scorpion, makes an appearance.

See, Orion had been boasting about how his hunting skills could allow him to trap and kill any and all of life's creatures regardless of size and shape.  This boasting did not find the favor of Hera, queen of the Greek gods, and keeper and guardian of wildlife, so she started to send Orion challenges that would hopefully cause his demise.  Orion used many forms of the hunt,such as a bow and club, and succeeded as Hera continued to send warnings to Orion to stop and to respect and know his place within the context of the natural world.

Of note here to mention is a tiny crab by the name of Cancer.  This constellation, also a zodiac symbol, is one of the faintest star patterns to spot, but holds quite a gem within its heart center in the form of a star cluster by the name of the Beehive Cluster, making it a target of those becoming more familiar with binoculars or naked eye spotting during the late fall and winter seasons.  A challenge for you this week would be to find Cancer the Crab in the night sky above you and gander at the cluster.  You will find a link to Starmaps.com below; this is a great spot to obtain free star maps to start expanding your knowledge of the night sky.  Soon you will find you are a stargazer such as I, and enjoy sharing your newest find with your friends and family.

Cancer is noticed here because although small and easily crushed by Orion, Cancer still courageously attempted to fight Orion.  The crab found its end under the heel of Orion's hunters boot.  It was promptly put into the night sky by Hera as a reminder of the rewards of loyalty and courage.  It is also a great reminder that physical size does not measure the inner workings of a creature; do not judge a book, or a crab in this matter, by its cover, or shell!

So, Scorpio the scorpion finally found the weakness of Orion in stinging him with a deadly poison in the heel, but not at the price of Scorpio's life as well.  I like to think that Cancer gave him a wonderful opening in his brave stand.  You will notice to this day that Orion and Scorpio are not in the sky at the same time; they were placed at the opposite ends as a reminder of this battle to humankind.  Scorpio finds its way into the night sky in the summer months.  Of note is that both the constellation Orion and Scorpio hold within them beautiful pinkish/red stars, or super giants, which are easy to spot in the night sky and enjoyable through binoculars to see the unique coloration.  These stars are on their way to death, thus start to over burn and exhaust their helium and hydrogen stores and grow in size and temperature.  Eventually our Sun will exhibit the same fate.

Living in the Southwest keeps me very observant of where and how I walk due to the nature of the scorpion's sting.  It reminds me to be observant of nature around me, and to respect the potent power that even an insect can have over humankind.

There is another variation on Orion's story.  This tale is a love story, which, of course in Greek fashion, ends in tragedy.  A few connections to be aware of prior to the myth: Artemis is the goddess of the moon and matron goddess of the hunter, which sways the tides and sea and symbolizes deeper inner wisdom and intuition.  She is also a twin sister to the sun god Apollo.  Remember two things about Orion which the two then have in common?  Both are hunters, and Orion is a son of Poseidon, god of the sea, and thus is swayed by the moon's energy.  

Artemis fell in a great love with Orion due to his skill in hunting.  It was not very favored by the gods to have relationships with mortals or demi-gods, and Apollo, her brother, was not fond of her open interest of Orion.  Knowing this, he schemed the demise of Orion by Artemis' hand.  Apollo knew that Orion liked to swim and bathe in the sea as he was welcome to do so by Poseidon, so he took his sister on a walk of the beach.  They soon came upon Orion swimming far out in the sea, so he was not recognizable.  Apollo made a bet with her that she could not hit the far target with archery.  See, both Apollo and Artemis are known for their incredible marksmanship.  She drew her bow and arrow, and hit the target true.  Later that evening, under a full moon, she walked the same beach and came upon Orion, dead on the beach.  She lamented and placed him into the night sky to honor him.  Some say this heartbreak contributed to her vow of chastity.  The lesson here: be careful of the opinions and close-mindedness of others in affairs of your own heart and intuition.

These are the two stories of the Hunter.  When you glance above at the night sky next, find him and remember these tales, and perhaps pull out your newly obtained sky map and learn his stars and hidden treasures.  While you are gazing, perhaps you will acquaint yourself with his two hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor.  Canis Major boasts the brightest winter night sky star, named Sirius.  It is a good example of a young star, bright white and blue in its coloration.

Lastly, see if you can spot the rabbit the hunting dogs are tracking.  This is Lepus, the hare, and is our last guest in our discussion.  There are no current stories that bring more understanding as to why Lepus is there; perhaps you will create your own!