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.