December 2, 2007

• Winter Constellations (non-Classical)

  I have always had a fascination for the non-classical stories of the constellations and stars. Look through any book of astronomy (or astrology) and you’re likely to get the scoop on the Greco-Roman and Persian origins of the constellations and stars, but Norse, Egyptian, Native American? Not so much. It’s difficult to find even one book that takes the alternative route, not surprisingly since many of the names and stories have been forgotten through the oppression of cultural history. While the Christians did have a favorable relationship with Greek and Roman mythology up into the 18th century, in so far as the “Classics” were still taught in schools, we’re lucky to know as much as we do about the mythology and traditions of other Pagan cultures.

  

  In ancient times, the winter constellation Orion was called “Freya’s Gown” by the Norse and Teutons, and the sword belt in Orion was called “Freya’s Girdle” or Friggjarrokkr, Frejerock, or Fröjas rock, Frigga’s Distaff. In her role as the heavenly Spinner, Frigg is linked to fate and the Norns. The spindle is a powerful symbol representing female wisdom, virtue, and industry. Venus was also known as Friggjarstjarna, “Frigg’s star.” Another name for the star Sirius was Lokabrenna, “Loki’s brand” or “Loki’s torch.”

  

  The Big Dipper, also known as the Great Bear or Ursa Major, was the Great Wagon or Wain in Norse mythology. The seven stars were thought of as a four-wheeled wagon, its pole formed of the three stars that hang downwards. This wagon was also called Óðins vagn, “Óðinn’s Wagon.” In Old Swedish chronicles, the Great Wagon karlwagen is connected with the god Thor, “who stepping into his chariot holds the seven stars in his hand.” It is true that Thor was sometimes refered to as Karl or Karla-Þórr, “Old Man Thor.” The smaller ursa minor or little bear is called the Small Chariot, Freyja’s Wain, or the Throne of Thor. The constellation is roughly chair shaped. Though chairs were unusual in the early middle ages, they were symbolic of authority. Common folk sat on benches or stools, but the “chairman” was the only person important enough to be seated in comfort. The only obvious god figure of Thor that survives is seated on an elaborate decorated chair or throne, and larger god figures may have had similar thrones.

  

  It is not known today which star the Vikings identified as Aurvandill’s Toe. The Old English name is Éarendel, and it was used to refer to the morning star (Venus). Others believe Rigel (Beta Orionis) is Aurvandill’s toe. This is a bright blue star which makes up the right foot of the constellation Orion. According to one story, Thórr went home to Thrúdvangar with a hone (whetstone) stuck in his head. The wise woman Gróa, wife of Aurvandill the Valiant, sang spells over Thor until the hone was loosened. Believing he might soon be free of the hone, Thor thought to reward Gróa and make her happy. He told her that he had waded from the north over the river Élivága (Icy Stream), carrying her husband, Aurvandill, in a basket on his back out of Jôtunheim. During the journey, one of Aurvandill’s toes had stuck out of the basket and became frozen. Thor broke it off and cast it up into the heavens, where it became the star called Aurvandill’s Toe. Thor then reassured Gróa that Aurvandill would soon be home. She was so glad however that she forgot her incantations, and the hone remains in Thor’s head to this day.

  

  Polaris, the pole star in the Little Dipper, was called the Ship Star among the Anglo-Saxons. The Scandinavians knew this star as the “God’s Nail.” This recalls again the story of the hone stuck in Thor’s head and also represents his control of fire. Nails were often hammered into housepillars located at the center of the house. This was dedicated to Thor, so the link between the god’s nail and the axis of the heavens is very tempting. Furthermore in northern Scandinavia, Polaris is nearly directly overhead, adding to the link between the nail and the world pillar.

  

  It is not certain which stars were identified as the Eyes of Thjazi, but most scholars assume the two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux (Alpha Gemini and Beta Gemini), in the constellation Gemini are the eyes of Thjazi. the constellation appears above and to the left of Orion. The tale of how the eyes of the giant Thiazi became a constellation is recounted in the story of Skaði and Njôrð. By the machinations of Loki, the goddess Iðunn had been captured by the giant Thjazi. Without the youth-giving golden apples of Iðunn, the gods began to wither and grow old. Deducing that Loki had been involved, he was sent to get the goddess back under a threat of death. Loki succeeded in rescuing Iðunn, but in the escape Thjazi was killed, and the gods were forced to pay ablood debt to the giant’s surviving daughter, Skaði. They offered her the right to choose a husband from among their number, but under the condition that she could only choose by viewing their feet. Skaði selected the most beautiful feet, believing that she had chosen the summer god Baldr. Instead, she discovered she would marry Njôrð of Nóatún, a god of the sea-coasts. She was also compensated by Óðin who took Thjazi’s eyes and threw them up into the sky where they became two stars.

  Myths about the Sky

  Aboriginal Star Knowledge

  Native American Folklore and Mythology

  History of Constellations and Star Names (Egypt)

  Astronomy in Ancient Egypt

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