Cassiopeia the Queen is overhead on autumn evenings

Cassiopeia overhead on autumn evenings The constellation Cassiopeia the Queen can be found high in the sky on October and November evenings, not far from Polaris, the North Star. At any time of year, you can use the Big Dipper to find Cassiopeia. These two star formations are like riders on opposite sides of a

The Greek Origin of Zodiac Signs in Astrology

We all know our own astrological sign. But you might not have known that the origins of astrology link back to ancient Greek mythology, with every sign of the zodiac representing a Greek god, goddess or other important figure from mythology. The history of astrology dates back more than four thousand years to the first

Centauridae, the Mystical Creatures from Ancient Greek Mythology

The Centauridae, or Centauresses, were fantastic creatures from ancient Greek mythology blending women and horses, much like the Centaurs, who had mens’ torsos and the bodies of horses. Called in ancient Greek Κενταυρίδες, Kentaurides) or centauresses, they made their first appearance in Greek mythology as members of the tribe of the Centauroi. Oddly, the Centaurides

Where should I go to see sites from Greek mythology?

What does the word “Greece” conjure in your mind? Deep-azure seas, crisp-white beaches, long lunches of delectable seafood and fresh-made feta? Don’t forget the ancient temples dedicated to those towering figures of Greek mythology – the gods of Mount Olympus. And what better way to structure a trip to this storied land than by following

Forget Hades and Loki, who was the Celtic god of death?

The names of the ancient Celtic gods are much less known than those of their Greek and Norse counterparts. Thanks to modern retellings of ancient myths in books and movies, names such as Hades, the Greek god of the Underworld, and Loki, the Norse trickster god, are well known. But the gods and goddesses of

Why Black Cats Are Associated With Halloween and Bad Luck

Among superstitions, one of the oldest and most enduring is that crossing paths with a black cat will bring on bad luck. The dark-colored felines have also been folded into modern Halloween symbols, giving them the (unearned) reputation of being spooky. But how and where did the association between black cats and bad luck begin?

Lamia, the Man-devouring Goddess of Greek Mythology

Lamia, one of the lesser-known demons in Greek mythology, is a bit of a shapeshifter — and according to some researchers, her portrayal says a great deal about male fears regarding the power wielded by females. Known as a female demon who devoured children, Lamia was portrayed in Greek playwright Aristophanes’ fifth-century B.C. comedy “Peace.”

Ten animals named after mythological creatures

Some animals have inspired mythical creatures, such as the stories of manatees mistaken for mermaids by early sailors. Other animals have looks or behaviours that wouldn’t appear out of place in myths and legends. From the goblin shark to a tiny wasp named after a creature in Harry Potter, discover the creatures who take their

Scylla and Charybdis Embodied Male Fears in Greek Mythology

Through the great power and influence of Greek literary works, the monsters of Greek mythology have come to form the very concepts of terror in the imagination of Western European peoples. The creatures Scylla and Charybdis are no exceptions to this rule. It is worthwhile, then to wonder — why are so many of these

Māui, The Fun-Loving Trickster Of Polynesian Mythology

An archetypal character who appears in the myths of many different cultures, the Trickster gleefully crosses and breaks physical and societal laws of both humans and gods, destroying norms, while openly challenging and ridiculing authority. As the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, Hermes plays this role as the patron of thieves and inventor