Greek Myths

Artemis, Orion and the Seven Sisters

        This story explains how the constellations, Pleiades and Orion, came to be. It explains their stories and why they became constellations. I think there might be a hidden meaning in this story, and I will ask at the end of the story.

        Deedee

        Artemis, Apollo's twin sister, usually left the council on Olympus and came to the forest named Arcady. Artemis was goddess of the chase (hunt) and had all wild nature in her care. She often like long days of hunting or wandering around the woods watching the creatures. Like any other huntress, she wore a white tunic and carried her bow and arrows. Her beautiful hair was pulled back and tied with a ribbon. If it weren't foe her godly features and beautiful glow, no one would know she was a goddess. But since many men knew that the virgin goddess hunted in these woods, no mortal man came even close into these woods. When moon shone down to the forest, Artemis was there, all the animals came before her and danced, so did the plants and even the high leaves of the trees.

        The wood's high hills held a roomy cave, in which Artemis slept and rested. Her nymph companions along with Artemis came here to change into something comfy. Their food was wild berries and drank from the mountain's spring. On hot summer days, Artemis and her nymphs bathe in a nearby lake. They were happy and carefree, for no one dared disturb them. 

        One day, Artemis was hunt a swift stag (male deer), when the great Orion was also hunting. He was well known all over Greece for his hunting skill. Orion was a great aim, very strong, and very fast on his feet. No mortal could be compared to his hunting skill. He absolutely loved the goddess Artemis, she was his what we would call a idol. Wherever Artemis went, Orion followed. As Orion ran in the woods, he spotted a white glimmer in the trees. He wanted to know what type of animal it was, so he rushed forward silently. 

        The nymphs had left Artemis's side in the chase, and sat in the shade for a rest. They were seven sisters, all where what their mistress was wearing. When they noticed a figure rushing towards them, they ran in fright. Orion saw their figures run, and figured he scared off a flock of rare birds. Orion pursued in a chase after them. 

        They had ran into a clearing, and Orion noticed that it was not a flock of birds, but rather of girls. He threw his weapons and ran after them in curiosity, and he soon overtook them. The scared nymphs called to their mistress for help. Artemis heard their cry from her chase, and turned them into doves just as Orion stretched his hand out to catch them. The seven doves flew over Orion's head and into the sky, where Lord Zeus made them a cluster of stars called Seven Sisters, of Pleiades. 

        Artemis soon forgave Orion for chasing her nymphs, and he became her hunting companion. They left the forest in Arcadia and pursued all the other forest around the world. Apollo did not like the fact that his sister was spending so much time with Orion. He argued with her, and was rude to her companion, who he thought was a mortal with no thoughts beside Artemis and hunting. Since Artemis did not listen to Apollo, he took matters into his own hands. He watched Artemis and waited for an opening. One day, Apollo found her sitting alone on the shore watching little fish swim by. 

        Apollo knew Orion was out swim in the depths of the sea, though his sister did not. Pointing out Orion's head far in the waves, he bet Artemis his arrow would hit it first. Taking the bet Artemis rose and pulled out her arrow. Her shot hit its target as Apollo knew it would, she killed Orion. When Artemis found out what she had done, she made him a constellation too. He was placed right by the Pleiades, making his name immortal. He was one of the most beautiful constellation in the sky.

        Pleiades can be seen sparkling in the constellation of Taurus. When the city of Troy was destroyed, Electra, the youngest of the sisters, could not watch. She left her place in heaven in grief. Men watched as she disappeared in a blaze of light. Her six sisters stayed behind in the sisterly group they made. They looked like a flock of wild birds as they moved across the sky in the same direction at the same speed. 

        And so that's how the constellations Pleiades and Orion were made, why, and their stories before it happened. So question time: What did this story teach you?

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        Deedee