Mythology in the Zodiac Signs: Taurus: Mythology in the Zodiac Signs, #2

By Abrahan David Zaracho

This book portrays the origin and the mythical evolution of the figure in which the identification of the astrological constellation of Taurus is based. It is the mythical creature that lived between the times of King Agenor and the old days of King Theseus of Athens. Created originally to kidnapp the Princess Europa, it unleashed the movement of kings and princes. Due to it and in search for it, villages, towns, cities, and nations were established. It was the father of Minotaur, a nightmare for entire dynasties, a torturer of hunters, adventurers, kings, heroes, and demigods.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Nov 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201275464

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

There are different ways to interpret ancient myths. Therefore, it is necessary to treat them as structural and fundamental parts of religions of those times, history, institutions, and traditions. Besides, like any phenomenon that reaches the XXI Century it is impossible to avoid reinterpretations, cultural readings, and even transliterations in line with contemporary or closer and affordable values over time.

The story of Taurus is an example of interpretation and variants on a set of Greco-Roman myths. The end of the XX Century witnessed the abundance of extremely rational interpretations which considered the Greek myths as symbols which portrayed different phenomena.

Allegories referring to the influence that Greece received from the eastern people are seen in the stories of Taurus. They are the contributions, the arts, the sciences, and the letters moving from the towns of the orient to the west, over Europe precisely.

These movements are also understood as chronological reference, where before enlist the foundations of nations using years or eras, it became a chronicle in which the first ones appeared and had a role in the development of other young nations as sedentary life moved from the east to Greece as a way of life. 

The heroes in this case are symbolic representations of political, religious, and military leaders who strengthened the establishment or the development of villages until they became cities. The kidnapping of Europa is seen as a clash between the Canaanite and the European tribes. From this clash, settlements of military remnants emerged.

Another approach considers the myths as ways of acknowledging a set of information learnt and transmitted over generations for an oral literary lore which impacts the use of characters and events they witnessed. This means that the acquired knowledge in astronomy, seasons, and the location of the stars were transmitted from one generation to another not through written records, but through the narration of fantastic stories which allowed youngsters to acquire knowledge.

Finally, the myths explain exactly the stories to which they refer. They are transmissions of a stories adorned in a fantastic way which aim at the youth discovering the founding fathers of nations and societies.

In all these cases and perspectives, Taurus is portrayed as a primordial force, a beast that caused other events which would affect many families, nations, and even the history of human beings.

EDITORIAL   D

EUROPA’S PET

In the city of Tyre, in the region known today as the old Phoenicia and before it was named as such, there existed one of the biggest stables established by humans. The noise made by the animals gathered there rivalled the march of the greatest armies of the area. That stable provided abundance and security to a local sovereign who had, apart from material wealth, a daughter with a unique beauty who caught the attention of Zeus, the king of gods.

Taking advantage of the innocence and confidence with which the young princess spent her days with her father’s animals,