Star Wars

Star Wars

David and his daughter Elizabeth have had their dinner and have repaired outdoors It is a cloudless night, and the full majesty of all the stars shine down on them. David starts a description of some of the stars so that some understanding of the constellations can mean something to his daughter.

He points out the Plough or Big Dipper and how the front end of the constellation points to the north star. The one that is always there in the same position while the other stars seem to move around.

“Why is it also called the big dipper Dad?

“That is because it looks like a bid dipper which could be used to ladle out water. You have to use your imagination quite a bit to see the different constellations and realize how their pattern looks like something real”

“Is every constellation named.?”

“Many are because they can look like something and it helps sailors to find them and navigate using them.”

“What about that one there?” Eizabeth points to a familiar arrangement of stars.

“That’s Orion, the hunter. Can you see his belt of three Stars and a curved pattern representing his shield?”

“Yes I can.”

“If you look above his belt, you can see three stars two where his arms and one for his head, andabove that there are four stars where his raised sword would be. He is a warrior ready for battle.”

“Who is he fighting”

“Orion stands guard every night. The light from his belt adds a glow. He is the hunter assigned to the gathering together of many stars. What he does with his catch we do not know. He seems to keep his prey in the same places every night. “

“A Scorpion designed to be against him is always at the other side of the night sky. No one knows what would happen if these two giants came together some night. “

“He is tall and armed, ready for battle. He must have chased the Scorpion across the dark skies into a permanent position facing each other across the universe. Orion looks like he would be a match for the Scorpion which is why they keep so far apart. “

“Does he have other closer enemies?”

“Yes Orion supposedly chases Taurus the Bull the enemy with a bloodshot eye. His blood shot eye is the brightest start in the sky, It is Aldebaran”

“Does he fight all the stars?”

“No, he has some useful friends. Above his head are the watchful Castor and Pollux. The twins of the night are collectively known as Gemini. Also gathered are the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades they are not fighting in fact they are peaceful and wise. They are known as the Seven Sisters because they all were visible to the naked eye. It is thought that one of them has faded and usually only six can be seen.”

“Orion is one of the most recognizable constellations, with his belt, sword and shield of six stars. Orion is armed and facing Tauras the Bull. The Bull is facing Orion and the two are in a battle with each other. The Seven Sisters are behind the Bull. The Seven Sisters are a mystery with special healing powers. They are united and wise and often seen as healing emotionally and spiritually. They are symbols of renewal. “

“Will Taurus and Orion ever get together or must there always be a standoff?”

“They have been doing it for so long I doubt they will ever get together peacefully. They are fated to stand still during the blackest night, During the day, when we cannot see them, Taurus is running faster that Orion.”

“Orion and the Bull often spar with each other, and Orion seems to be chasing the Bull. The two of them stand each night. Facing off in their struggle. It is because of the Seven Sisters that Orion and Taurus stop their daily battle and persuade them to remain stationary at night.”

“Without the Seven Sisters, Orion and Taurus would be seen each night, moving at each other. Orion protects himself with his shield and tries to kill Taurus with his sword. Taurus can run faster than Orion and dashes behind other constellations like a deer in a forest. If it were not for Aldebahan shining so brightly Tuarus would to be able to hide from Orion.

“Orion dashes in his chase along with Gemini like the lights on a car shining so that Orion can see at night but they also help him during the sun-lit day. Orion knows that Castor and Polloux need to rest and allows them to switch off in the sunlight. Taurus tries to hide but his blood-shot eye always gives him away. The Seven Sisters try to pacify Taurus and discourage Gemini. Leaving the bright day just to allow Orion and Taurus and discourage Gemini leaving during the bright day. Just Orion and Taurus chase across the skies. It is not until the darkness of night comes that the hunter and the hunted stand still. Gemini allows to see more clearly that mean because every star could see Orion, where he is and what he is doing. The Seven Sisters shine at night bring a halt to daily chase and try to bring friendship between the two great constellations. The night makes the sky so crowded with stars that Orion and Taurus don’t really see each other amongst the crowded sky of stars.”

“Doesn’t it ever change. It seems so sad that these neighbors can’t get together.

David sees the frustration that Elizabeth feels and he tries to make it different so they do not have to stand facing each other during the night and run a loosing sprint during the day.

“One night Orion and Taurus find themselves alone by a rare chance of fate. Orion has no Bull to chase and Taurus can graze peacefully. This causes them to stop chasing and avoiding each other. The other stars get together and rearrange themselves into constellations where they can see the other patterns of constellations. The Seven Sisters dance in their happiness hoping that the giants do not return to their chasing and fleeing. It is not until day that Orion and Taurus can change back to what they were before. The partying of the lesser stars is brought to a halt and fate turns the great warriors back to their known positions. “

“Dad, you are making this coming together up. I don’t believe that Orion and Taurus move at all. They are just there day and night and the only turning they do is part of the whole sky turning.”

“Maybe you are right, most of what I have told you is true but when you look up at night you can use your imagination to see these constellations, and know their names. If we keep watching who knows what will happen.”