Greek mythology, the beginning of everything we know, the oldest and most complex explanation we have about the functioning of the world, the cosmos and power, seems to have no end. The myth of Callisto is another example of the powerful feminine force that ruled the world of the Greek gods , but also of how the figure of Zeus covered the female virtues relegating them to the background before their irresponsible power In Mysterious we are passionate about Greek myths, as you know, and we want to share with you this interesting myth, which still observes us from the sky.
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The myth of Callisto, the great beauty that fell in love with Zeus
1.The Myth of Callisto

Callisto was a sanctified lady for the goddess Artemis, the deity of the hunt and virginity, so that should fulfill the vow of purity and live in the forest with the rest of the goddess of the goddess, hunting in the moonlight forever.The myth tells that Zeus fell in love pe Hardly from it, but from this moment the versions are branched.We will adopt the most popular to continue with the story and then we will specify details about the other versions.
Zeus used his power to adopt the appearance of the goddess Artemis so that she could approach Calisto and be intimate with her.Calisto became pregnant and, knowing the consequences that her state could carry, she tried to hide.One day, however, Artemis and the rest of the group They decided to take a bath in a forest fountain.Before Calisto's nude, the secret was revealed.
Calisto, confused, made Artemis guilty of her pregnancy and the goddess, furious, the punishment turning it into a bear .Under such a form, poor Callisto tried to approach people to tell her about her sad destiny and beg for help, but everyone saw her as a dangerous animal and walked away in fear, taking menacing roars for him that were in really painful sorrows.
Hera, the wife of Zeus, meanwhile, found out what had happened and sent to kill Calisto.Zeus, seeing what was going to happen, ran from Olympus to save her, it is said that she was really in love, and threw herself with her through the night sky turning her into the constellation osa major .Her son, Arkas, would remain for all eternity in the sky near her mother and being known as the lesser bear.
However, when jealous Hera discovered them, she sent Poseidon, God of the sea, to forbid them to descend to the ocean, as do the other stars in the North.For this reason, the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper are the only constellations that in the North are never below the horizon .
2.Other versions of the myth of Callisto

One of the most polemic versions of the myth is that of the rape of Zeus, since some claim that Zeus did not take the form of Artemis , but subjected Calisto to force, forcing her to keep her tragedy silent.While it is true, violations of women are naturalized in mythology: it is enough to remember the myth of Arachne, who tries to denounce submission of the woman and ends up being arana.
Other theories of the myth of Callisto say that it was Zeus who turned her into a bear, then forgiving her for the love she felt for her. She would be the one to decide stay in heaven to be the guide of humans .
3.The Constellation Ursa Major
The constellation of the big bear is the most famous of the Northern Hemisphere and the most remarkable in historical terms .It is a circumpolar constellation, visible throughout the year, so probably you have been able to observe it in numerous night skies when they are clear.For the Egyptians, for example, it represented the silhouette of a wild boar, although for other civilizations such as the Greek it is clearly a bear.
Also, the greater bear is the best guide to identify other constellations to your around .If we follow the curved line of the Osa's tail we will reach a bright star called Arcturus in the constellation of Bootes or Boyero orange, this is the fifth brightest star and is visible for many months of the year.It is 35 years old light.
Further along, following the line drawn by the bear, we find the Spica star of the constellation of Virgo or the Virgin.It is light blue, it is one of the most beautiful stars in the sky, well known to navigators because of its isolated position that still makes it easy to locate.It is located at a distance of 217 light years, that is, the light we are seeing now 217 years ago that started from the Polaris star. So, Callisto would become one of the most beautiful and popular constellations , as well as the best reference to find the polar star.
Mythology always it surprises us and the myth of Callisto is no exception, since this intimately related to astronomy.Fascinating, right? Leave us a comment and tell us.Are you passionate about Greek mythology or are you just beginning to enter it? Do you know the myth of Callisto? What do you think about femininity among the Greek gods? Write us! 128578;
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