The millions of stars in the Milky Way majestically illuminate the nights in places without artificial light. According to mythology, the origin of the stars in the solar system are some drops of milk that the goddess Juno drops when feeding her son Hercules. The luminous band is known also as The Road to Santiago.
Urania, the Muse of Astrology
Urania is one of the nine muses of the Sun god Apollo. She presides over astrology and astronomy, according the Greek and Roman mythology. Sometimes she is associated with Aphrodite Urania, one of the symbols of Libra, a sign that belongs to the element of air, that connotes ideas. This sign means the balance of everything in nature, with which each one of us collaborates.
The Creation of the World
According to many ancient cosmologies, god creates the cosmos which includes the planets with their orbits, the circle of the zodiac signs, the four elements and the Earth. The painting by Giovanni de Paolo, from 1445, shows the concept that is described in Paradise, in the Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri. The scene shows an angel that expels Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden after their fall from grace. Four snakes look at them from the inferior corner of the scene.
Our planets in the Solar System
"Art is like the heavens; it is the infinite field", wrote the novelist Victor Hugo in a letter to the poet Charles Baudelaire, that dates from August 30, 1857.
Mercury
Mercury is the god that presides over the signs of Gemini and Virgo. He rules the mind and it´s connection to the different parts of the body, especially the hands, the legs and the organs of perception, like the ears. He also rules the mouth, that allows us to speak. This archetype is associated to the development of practical thought.
The Journey of the Magi
The three magi are journeying to Bethlehem guided by a Christmas star that announced the birth of the King of the Jews. The wise men carry gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. In the world of classical antiquity, the word magi is a synonym for astrologer. They formed a privileged cast that made brilliant contributions in the field of mathematics, astronomy, psychology, dream interpretation and culture in general.
Astrolabe
The small astrolabe, as it would have been called by the astronomer Theon of Alexandria, is an instrument used to observe the position of the stars and determine their altitude above the horizon. Selecting the day and time reveals what stars are visible on the meridian. Alternatively, knowing the altitude of the Sun can reveal the latitude of the observer. Astrology required the development of geometrical concepts, as it is demonstrated by this representation of the celestial sphere. This piece dated from 1291 belonged to prince Umar ibn Yusuf, competent maker of such devices, some years before he ascended to the throne.
The Nativity
"Imagination...decomposes all creation; and with the raw materials accumulated and disposed in accordance with rules whose origins one cannot find except in the furthest depths of the soul, it creates a new world - it produces the sensation of newness", wrote the poet Charles Baudelaire, in his book Ouvres.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the natural symbol of the discovery of a philosophy of life that is developed through experiences that widen our horizons, like travelling or going to university. He offers the gifts of abundance and is usually represented with a beard as his wisdom arrives in maturity.
Capricorn coin
Capricorn is the symbol of the organic laws that organize society. The ruler, Saturn, presides over currency.
Venus in Transit as seen by Cassini
The transit of Venus presides over what we value, that includes our our talents, our resources and our relationships.
The Toilette of Venus
The goddess of love, Venus, presides over the signs of Taurus and Libra. In this painting, in Rococo style, by Francois Boucher, from 1751, she adorns her beautiful and harmonious body with the help of three of Cupido's putti. The elegant surroundings are created by fabrics, flowers, pearls and pieces of furniture. The doves, symbols of peace, are one of her attributes.
