The constellation Scorpius, the scorpion, is said to represent the scorpion that Artemis sent to kill Orion.
Orion was Poseidon's son and according to one version of the legend he refused to give Artemis her due. In another, he tried to force amourous attentions on her. Either way, he wound up angering her and she killed him. (Frazer) Asclepius, the god of healing, couldn't save him from the poison of the scorpion. (Peoria)
The constellation was known as the scorpion long before the Greeks. (Lesikar)
Sagittarius is known as the archer. There are several muddled accounts as to who he could be. 
One of the stories of the archer is that it was placed in the heavens by Chiron to help guide Jason and the Argonauts to Colchis. (Peoria) In another story, it is really Crotus, not Chiron, who should be associated with the constellation. Either Crotus begged Zeus to be placed in the heavens upon his death or the muses begged Zeus after Crotus had died. (Lesikar)
In the Northern Hemisphere Sagittarius can be seen during the summer months. (Peoria)
The constellation of Capricornus is generally depicted as a Sea Goat. It has the front end of a goat, with the back end of a fish. However, the name literally means horned goat. (Dibon-Smith)
The greeks believed that the picture showed Pan in mid-transformation from goat to fish when Typhon attacked Olympus. Pan is the one who gave the warning shout and advised the gods to change form to hide. He was in such a hurry, he didn't get his own transformation complete, only having the back end of a fish as he hid. (Lesikar)
Before the greeks, this constellation was known as the god Ea. Ea has come to the world four times to teach man about civilization and art. This is one of the oldest known constellations. (Peoria)
To learn more about the constellations of Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Capricorn and the stars they contain, contact The Peoria Astronomical Society.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |