The Monsoon has arrived! The rains have started to bless the dry desert land, filling the washes and cleaning the dusty air. When the rains come to visit out here in Arizona, it seems that everyone takes a sigh of relief. Not to mention that the Fourth of July came and no great fire danger came post-fireworks. Thank goodness! This past week has produced some great storms already, and are rather appropriate for the July Full Moon, the Thunder Moon. The July Full Moon can also be known as the Buck Moon, symbolizing the month that bucks' antlers start to show through as velvety knob tips.
Now onto the Summer Triangle. In our Eastern horizon, with not much difficulty, you will be able to find the three brightest stars of the summer night sky. From left to right, they are: Deneb, Vega, and Altair. Take a look at the Milky Way galaxy on a moonless night through this triangle; you are looking out at one of the densest areas of the Milky Way galaxy. With binoculars, you can get lost in the Milky Way, and find many interesting little clusters, star fields and dark spots (spots so dense with stars that light cannot seem to pass through.)
Lyra is the Harp constellation. The story of this cosmic harp starts with Hermes, the messenger god and god of herds. Hermes created the Lyre one day while walking the grounds around his cave in Arcadia and spying a turtle shell. He cleaned the shell and pierced the rim, and strung seven strings to honor the Pleiades. This lyre got Hermes out of trouble when he tried to steal Apollo's prized cattle. He traded his freedom from the crafty deed for the lyre. Apollo later gifted the musical instrument to Orpheus to accompany his songs.
Orpheus was the greatest musician of his age, and was thought to be able to even charm the rocks and trees. He was known to be of great help to Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the golden fleece. Orpheus played a counter harmony that drowned out the Siren's dangerous song.
He took the interest of the nymph Eruydice after the quest and later married her. Eruydice died by the bite of a poisonous snake while being pursued by a son of Apollo. In mourning, Orpheus requested the release of his loved one from the Underworld, traveling under to petition Hades, the Lord of the Dead. Hades was so moved by Orpheus' music that he conceded and allowed the release of Eruydice from the Underworld with one condition; that Orpheus could not look back and gaze upon Eruydice until they were out of the Underworld and safely above ground. Orpheus was never quite sure she was following, as it is hard to feel a spirit or ghost following, and held true until his nerve gave out and he looked back to view her about a step or two from the surface. She swiftly slipped back into the depths to be lost to him forever.
Orpheus was never consoled, and traveled the countryside a loner, playing the lyre in mourning. Many women wanted his hand, but he refused. It is said that he was eventually succumbed to the wrath of the women that were wanting his attention and was stoned to death by them for his constant refusal.
Orpheus is also said to have perhaps perished by Dionysus' rage; Dionysus was known to be jealous and usually under the influence of alcohol, as fitting of the god of wine, and was upset that Orpheus did not play or offer songs or praise to him, but rather Apollo. Dionysus caused his followers to fall into a blind rage and rip Orpheus limb from limb. In tribute and retribution, his lyre was placed in the night sky.
Cygnus is the Swan constellation. The swan was another of Zeus' disguises to chase after another love interest. Within the graceful form of the swan, he did either of the two:
One: He chased the nymph Nemesis across land, sea, and air through many different animal forms and eventually outdid her when she morphed into a goose, and Zeus chose the swan. It is also told that he set up the meeting by bribing Aphrodite to pose as an eagle and chase Zeus as the swan into Nemesis' sanctuary and graceful arms. Either way, Nemesis was taken and laid an egg which later was given to Leda, Queen of Sparta, and hatched Helen of Troy, the beauty that started the Trojan War.
Two: He pursued Leda herself at the banks of a river in the form of a swan, which Leda enjoyed due to its extreme beauty and grace. Leda gave birth to the egg which birthed Helen of Troy. The eggshells were then hung with ribbon in the town temple in appreciation to the gods.
Aquila is the Eagle constellation. This eagle is Zeus' royal eagle, and was his loyal servant and message deliverer. Aquila is known for abducting the water boy Aquarius Ganymede from his field while he was tending sheep. Zeus found that Ganymede was the most beautiful and flawless human male that he had to have him to bear the cup of the gods. Aquila also was in charge of transporting Zeus' thunderbolts to and fro the heavens of Mount Olympus to the Earth. Aquila was known to be the guardian also of the souls that were destined to become immortalized by the gods decree.
Check in around the August Full Moon's appearance with stories of Scorpio and Sagittarius. In the meanwhile, I will be concentrating on starting my recovery story. Be well!
