INSpiREzine Stars! | Page 42

LEO: The Lion

Once, there lived a ferocious lion named Leo who viciously feasted on the animals of the forest and the villagers of Nemaea. Many brave men lost their lives attempting to kill the dangerous lion, for his skin was so tough that no arrow or spear could pierce it. The first of the 12 tasks that Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus, assigned Hercules in an attempt to prove him unworthy before Zeus, was to defeat the terrible lion. Hercules entered the cave knowing that no arrow or spear could injure Leo. Shortly after he entered, Hercules emerged from the cave wearing the lion skin as a robe - he had succeeded in defeating the lion by strangulating the animal. He had saved the people of Nemaea and Zeus honoured his victory by placing an image of the defeated lion in the sky.

VIRGO: The Virgin

Once, there lived a beautiful girl

named Persephone. She was the

daughter of Zeus and Demeter (the

Goddess of Fertility). One day,

Persephone was walking outside when

Hades (God of the Underworld)

kidnapped her to become his wife.

Persephone refused to accept her

captivity and rejected any food, jewels,

fancy clothing, and entertainment that

Hades tempted her with. Demeter

soon discovered that her daughter had

been kidnapped by Hades and that her

husband would not intervene since he

had been bribed by Hades. She became

so angry that she refused to care for the

crops of the Earth. A great famine

followed, killing many animals and

people. Finally, Zeus changed his mind

and promised Demeter that he would

get Persephone back. However,

according to the Law of Abode, if

Persephone had accepted any food

from Hades, she would be considered

a guest, not a captive, and would be

forced to stay in the Underworld as

Hades’ bride. Hermes was

immediately sent to fetch Persephone.

But before Hermes could reach her, an

evil man who despised Demeter

offered Persephone some

pomegranate. Persephone had grown

very hungry by this time and so

acceptingly ate six pomegranate

seeds. Hades then claimed

Persephone as his bride.