I need to write the mythology of a constellation in my own words, but I am having trouble finding a good constellation that does not have a sentence long story, but one that isn't too lengthy. Any suggestions?
I suggest you take one of the myths in this site and add your own details. Remember, that myths were told and retold over many years. The details varied according to the whims and culture of the story teller.
http://www.comfychair.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.html
"Gemini is a zodiacal constellation representing the twin brothers Castor and Pollux. Both were mothered by Leda, and were therefore brothers of Helen, but they had different fathers: In one night, Leda was made pregnant both by Jupiter in the form of a swan and by her husband, the king Tyndarus of Sparta. Pollux, as the son of a god, was immortal and was renowned for his strength, while his mortal brother Castor was famous for his skill with horses. Both brothers voyaged in search of the Golden Fleece as Argonauts, and then fought in the Trojan War to bring their sister home to her husband Menelaus. They are traditionally depicted as armed with spears and riding a matched pair of snow-white horses.
"The most common explanation for their presence in the heavens is that Pollux was overcome with sorrow when his mortal brother died, and begged Jupiter to allow him to share his immortality. Jupiter, acknowledging the heroism of both brothers, consented and reunited the pair in the heavens.
"Castor and Pollux were unique among those placed in the sky in that they are not represented merely as a constellation but as actual stars which mark the twin's heads in the constellation. Castor is bright white binary star, while Pollux is orange. They may be found between Cancer and Taurus."
Thank you! I'll post another question if I have any more problems.
You're welcome. We're always glad to help you.
When it comes to finding a constellation with a mythology that strikes the right balance between conciseness and substance, there are a few options to consider. Here are a couple of suggestions:
1. Orion: Orion is a prominent constellation in the night sky, known for its distinctive belt of three bright stars. In Greek mythology, Orion was a skilled hunter who boasted about his ability to kill any creature on Earth. As a punishment, Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, sent a scorpion to sting and kill him. This resulted in both Orion and the scorpion being placed in the sky as constellations.
2. Cygnus: Cygnus, also known as the Northern Cross, is a constellation that represents a swan. According to Greek mythology, Cygnus is associated with several different stories. One of the most popular myths involving Cygnus recounts the tragic love story of Cycnus, a prince who was transformed into a swan after losing his lover. The constellation is often associated with themes of love, transformation, and eternal devotion.
Remember, these suggestions are just a starting point, and it's always good to explore and expand on the mythology in your own words. If these options don't resonate with you, feel free to research other constellations and their associated myths.