Part Three: The Myth of Ganymede

"But it takes making the tension fully conscious, exploring and experiencing it deeply, even painfully, before whatever is to come will come — in the fullness of time, and in a way none of us could predict."

                                                                                                          -Richard Tarnas

The myth often associated with Aquarius is Ganymede. Ganymede was a prince of Troy who was considered the most beautiful mortal. He was considered the “ideal” which is one of Aquarius’s key words. He was said to be tending to his herd when Zeus swooped down in the form of an eagle and took him away to Mt. Olympus, supposedly as his lover. 

This was considered outrageous to have a mortal amongst the gods, so Zeus made him the cupbearer. The cupbearer was in charge of pouring the ambrosia, the brew, which kept the gods immortal. In doing so, he replaced his daughter Hebe, who until then, had that responsibility. Hera, Zeus’s wife and Hebe’s mother, was furious.

Meanwhile, Ganymede’s father, Tros, was distraught with grief over the loss of his son. Eventually, Zeus heard about his anguish and decided to place the image of Ganymede amongst the stars, creating the Aquarian constellation, and a reminder of his son for Tros. Zeus also gave him a pair of horses that had the magical ability to walk over water. Tros was said to be appeased by these offerings and Zeus was able to keep Ganymede with him. 

How can this myth deepen our understanding of Pluto’s transit through Aquarius? 

It may help to consider which character or archetype in the myth speaks to you the most. Why? Then ask yourself who you may feel an aversion to and why. What would you be doing differently? How would you do it differently? If you had a chance to rewrite the myth what would you change? What would the ideal situation be? 

When you read the myth do you feel something stir in your mind or in your heart? Do you feel the Aquarius-Leo polarity? Is there someone in the myth who is being too dramatic or all about them? What else are you noticing? Any themes?

When a lobster is growing it outgrows its shell. This process is called molting. The lobster absorbs extra water and that expels the shell from the inside. But, unlike a hermit crab when it outgrows its shell, there isn’t another shell to find and move into. For the lobster, it has to wait for another shell to grow and form around its vulnerable body. So, it finds a structure, like a rock, to hide under until the new shell has grown. 

This process the lobster goes through with its shell reminds me that there is a time and a place for fixity, but there is also a need to keep growing. Where are you stuck in your ways? Your thoughts? Your approach to life? Where would an aerial view help you get a different perspective? We may want things to stay the same, but innovation is what’s being asked for. Like the lobster, that may bring up feelings of vulnerability. 

That awareness may be all that’s needed right now–an awareness–and sitting with that, let what comes up, arise. Decide how you’d like to respond in the present moment, don’t go too far into the future. Perhaps it’s about small, incremental changes.

“Myth offers a third place to stand or a third way to see when we find ourselves caught between opposing ideas and hardening ideologies.”

-Michael Meade