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Myths & Magic

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Leo is the fifth sign of the Zodiac. Covers our calendar year from July 23rd to August 22nd. The symbol represents the Greek symbol for the first letter in Leo.

The lion is from the story of Hercules and the Nemean Lion, another of the Twelve labors of Hercules.

This was the first labor, to go to the valley of Nemea and kill the Nemean lion, an animal with special powers in his pelt, which could not be cut or pierced by any weapon.

Hercules tried with weapons also, and realized it was useless, so he grabbed the lion, wrestled it to the ground and strangled it.

He then skinned the great beast, making his now famous lion skin clothing and from the lions head he made his headpiece. These items protected him from harm in future labors.

The lion was placed in the heavens as the constellation Leo, to recall the great battle.


 Virgo is the sixth sign of the Zodiac. Covers our calendar year from August 23rd to September 22nd. The symbol is a pictograph for the human reproductive organs, closed, never opened, hence the Virgin.

Virgo is the representation of Astraea, the Goddess of innocence and purity. After Pandora opened the forbidden box, there was a terrible time and one by one the Gods and Goddesses left earth. Astraea was the last to leave. She became the constellation of Virgo. Legends speak of the day the Gods and Goddesses will return, and She will be one of those who will return.

Virgo seems to echo the seasonal cycle also given us by Persephone, that there will come a season of renewal, or hope after the season of darkness and despair.


Libra is the seventh sign of the Zodiac. Covers our calendar year from September 23rd to October 22nd. The symbol is a pictograph for the Scale, which is in perfect balance.

Justice was represented by Themis, who was the mother to Astraea. Their constellations are next to each other, Virgo and Lira.


Scorpio is the eighth sign of the Zodiac. Covers our calendar year from October 23rd to November 21st. The symbol is a pictograph of the human reproductive organs with the scorpion's stinger.

There are at least two stories of Scorpions in ancient myth. Both involve Orion, a handsome giant, son of Neptune, who was as amorous as Jupiter, but not as lucky.

One story is that Eos, the Goddess of the Dawn fell in love with Orion, and took him captive. Diana became jealous that she took a lover who was a mortal, and sent a scorpion to kill Orion.

Another story is that Orion tried to rape Diana, and she had a giant scorpion do battle with Orion, and stung him to death.

Scorpio is in the heavens, during the summer, while Orion is a winter constellation. Separated by the seasons, they will not battle anymore.