Now for the promised post that many of you have been waiting for...
If you look overhead (from the northern hemisphere) during the summer, into the heart of the Milky Way, you might be able to make out an X or a cross in the sky. X is today's letter in our A-Z Challenge. This "X" is Cygnus, the swan, although it is also called “The Northern Cross.” Although larger than its companion constellation, the Southern Cross, it’s not as famous possibly because Crosby Stills and Nash never sang a song about it.
We’ve heard a bit about one of the stories that deal with
Cygnus when we looked at Gemini (so you might want to look back and
review). If you remember, Gemini were
the children of the affair between Jupiter (or Zeus) and Leda. Leda, at the time, was the wife of the King
of Sparta and Jupiter, from his all-seeing perch above earth, spots her having
a bath. Wanting a closer look, Jupiter
changed himself into a swan and swam over to Leda. The beautiful queen found the swan so lovely,
she stoked his neck which drove Jupiter mad with lust. He turned back into himself and they had
sexual relationships that evening. That
same night, Leda, also had sex with her husband and somehow sperm from both
found their way into Leda’s eggs. Nine
months later, she give birth to the Gemini twins, one who was immortal, thanks
to his father being a god. The other
child was mortal, thanks to his dad being just a king. So today, during the summer months, the swan
is overhead waiting to seduce another beauty…
Or maybe this nonsense should just be called a “Midsummer Nights Dream.’
There are other legends about Cygnus, but this one involved
our old friend, Jupiter.
As for Crosby, Stills and Nash, I love the song, "Southern Cross," Anytime you can mix together sailing, the stars, and lost lovers together, I tend internalize the message...
. When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day
-Crosby, Stills and Nash, 1982
Very interesting and well-researched. http://sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com/2017/04/x-is-for-x-in-summer-sky
ReplyDeleteMy Virtual Vineyard Sorry, I put your link in instead of mine. We're almost there!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Happy A-to-Z-ing.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting, and an original choice for the X-post.
ReplyDelete-----
Eva - Mail Adventures
Loved this post. Hearing this legend for the first time. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the song, "Southern Cross." It was interesting to learn more about the Northern Cross and more about Jupiter's exploits too.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Glad I found you again. Find me here. LINK
ReplyDeleteHad to check out X... nice job! I love the way this challenge increases our creativity. :-)
ReplyDeleteAffirmations for a Good Life
An X in the sky. I'll have to check it out. I also have a friend named Leda. I'll have to tell her another story about someone who shares her name.
ReplyDeletehttp://theglobaldig.blogspot.com/2017/04/x-is-for-x-ordinary-words-on-books.html
Love Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and Young)! Oh, those crazy gods and goddesses. Always getting into trouble.
ReplyDeleteX is for the X-37B Space Plane
I knew the story of Leda and the Swan well (and all those many, many sexy Lady/Swan statues), but I didn't realize that one of the Gemini twins were mortal. That makes perfect sense..
ReplyDeleteAlso, I know of Southern Cross from the the mid-80s anime series. The Robotech Masters' homeworld is located around one of the stars in the Southern Cross constellation... and I'll just stop now.
X - Brother XII, Canada's Own Crazy Cultist!
I've never seen the Northern Cross for the first time. Really, somebody ought to make that song. I wonder if CSN is available?
ReplyDeleteSome of these legends related to the gods are just outrageous! It's hard to believe people actually believed them. Still, they make for good stories.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Jupiter really needs to learn how to chill. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the “Southern Cross” song. I’ll go look it up on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Nice. I love so much Crosby, Stills and Nash !And love this song!
ReplyDeleteX didn't disappoint:)
ReplyDeleteI think Jupiter/Zeus supplies enough nonsense to keep non-star-gazers like me interested in stars. So, that's a good thing, right?
X is for X shaped stitches on a Xmas stocking
I love Crosby, Stills and Nash - the best concert I've ever been to.
ReplyDeleteYou did great on X! Informative and an interesting story. :)
Hi Sage - I'd heard of Cygnus in the sky - but now I know what is meant by it ... and have learnt some more ... then I've the Crosby, Stills and Nash to take my memory bank back to the times I spent out in the night sky - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/x-is-for-x-war-facts.html
I've always loved that Crosby, Stills and Nash song.
ReplyDeleteGreat story! I have enough trouble keeping my own family history straight, much less trying to keep track of all these decadent god, goddesses, and demigods.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I know that song, but I can't place the tune off hand. I'm off to remedy that now.
I remember "Southern Cross." Funny that the second time I've visited you, there was a song connected to the constellation you were discussing!
ReplyDeletehttp://laurelgarver.blogspot.com
Nicely clever use of X.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I can see the Northern Cross from the equator. I'll have to look for it!
ReplyDeleteEmily | My Life In Ecuador | Xanthophobia, Xenoepist, Xyzlacatosis
You should, it wouldn't be straight overhead but to your north
DeleteI didn't know we had a Northern Cross, though I'd heard of Cygnus. That Jupiter, such a cad. ;)
ReplyDeleteA to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs
Many thanks - once again very informative.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
“Midsummer’s Night Dream” sounds appropriate. Another great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by X for X words
Shari
The northern cross isn't as noticeable as the Southern Cross, which also plays a role in it being less well known
ReplyDelete