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constellation of Taurus, “The Bull,” lies along the winter Milky
Way and sits
large and prominent in the winter sky, between Aries to the west
and Gemini to the east; to the north lie Perseus and Auriga, to
the southwest Orion, and to the southeast Eridanus and Cetus. |
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It contains many objects, primarily open clusters, the most famous
of which is The Pleiades. Another cluster, The Hyades, forms the
head of the bull. The Crab Nebula with its bright center and ragged
edges is a left-over from a supernova. |
History
Years ago in Memphis, Egypt, archaeologists unearthed the ancient tomb
of the Apis-bulls and could hardly believe what they found. Leading to
the tomb itself was a broad paved avenue lined by lions carved out of
stone. To enter the tomb, one walked through a long and high arched corridor
cut into solid rock. It extended for 2,000 feet and was 20 feet wide and
20 feet tall. Many recesses along each side of the corridor had been carved
into the rock and each held the ornately entombed remains of Apis-bulls
as each one died.
Spring was the
time when festivals honoring the Apis-bulls were held. It was also a time
when the River Nile gently overflowed its banks and brought life-giving
water to the land, a time for planting to begin. At this time in history,
roughly around 4000 B.C., the Sun's position along the Zodiac on the first
day of spring, or Vernal Equinox, was in that constellation we now recognize
as Taurus, the Bull. So for many centuries Taurus was to be the first
and most important constellation of the Zodiac. Some have suggested that
Taurus may have been the first Zodiac constellation invented.
Mythology
To the Egyptians taurus was symbolic of both Osiris and his sister Isis
who were represented as a bull-god and cow-goddess respectively.
In Greek legend, Taurus is identified with the disguise adopted by Zeus
in yet another of his amorous adventures. On this occasion, the god
had fallen in love with the beautiful Europa, daughter of King Agenor,
as she strolled with her companions on the seashore. He suddenly appeared
amongst them as a magnificent white bull, but one which was so gentle
that they felt no fear. Europa and her maidens gathered flowers and
made garlands which they hung around the animal’s neck and, such was
their trust in his docility, that Europa climbed upon his back. However,
at this moment, the bull plunged into the sea and swam away furiously
with the terrified girl. When they reached Crete, Zeus revealed his
true identity and ravished her. She was to bear him three sons, the
first of which, Minos, introduced the bull cult to Crete. .
Astrology
The Western astrological sign Taurus of the tropical zodiac (April 20 - May 20) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (May 14 - June 19).
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In some cosmologies, Taurus is associated with the classical element Earth, and thus called an Earth Sign (with Virgo and Capricorn). It is one of the four Fixed signs (along with Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius). Its polar opposite is Scorpio. It is the domicile of Venus and the exaltation of the Moon. Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Taurus rules the throat and neck. The Taurean symbol is the bull.
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