Constellation/Planet
- The Pleiades
- The Seven Sisters
- Taurus constellation
- Athor-Aye (Hebrews and Chaldeans)
- Athor (Egyptian)
- Atauria (Arab)
The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is a prominent star cluster in the Taurus constellation, containing hot B-type stars. Situated about 444 light years away, it’s among the closest star clusters to Earth, easily visible to the naked eye.
The cluster is recognized for its blue luminous stars, formed within the last 100 million years. Reflection nebulae, once thought remnants of star formation, are now seen as unrelated dust clouds through which stars pass.
Computer simulations suggest the Pleiades formed from a configuration resembling the Orion Nebula. It’s estimated to last another 250 million years before gravitational interactions disperse it. The Pleiades and the Hyades together form the Golden Gate of the Ecliptic, a significant astronomical configuration.
The name “Pleiades” comes from Ancient Greek, possibly indicating its importance in Mediterranean sailing seasons. In mythology, it refers to seven divine sisters, named after their mother Pleione. In ancient times, the Pleiades played a crucial role in calendars, marking the vernal point and indicating the beginning of the ancient calendars in various cultures such as India, Mesopotamia, Greece, and among the Ancient Arabs.
For instance, in ancient India, the Pleiades represented the first lunar station, “Kṛittika,” signifying the break of the year. In Mesopotamia, a list of gods associated with stars began with the Pleiades. Similarly, in Greece, the name “Pleiades” likely had a functional origin, reflecting the idea of multiplicity and assembly. Among the Ancient Arabs, the Pleiades were the starting point for an old calendar.
Even after leaving the vernal point, the Pleiades retained significance symbolically and functionally in various ancient calendars, demonstrating its enduring importance throughout history.
Makali’i (the Pleiades)
The 1st of November
Halloween/The day of the dead/ saints day
In the most ancient calendar in India, the year commenced in the month of November, which bears the name Cartiguey, i.e., the Pleiades; a constellation which … must by its rising at the time, once have regulated the primitive year. We find also that, in the month of October the Hindoos, like ourselves, have three days which are connected with the festival of the dead.
In the ancient Egyptian calendar, the same resemblance can be traced between the name of the Pleiades, which among the Hebrews and Chaldeans is Athor-Aye, with that of the Egyptian month of November, which is Athor. The Arab name for the Pleiades, Atauria, also suggests a resemblance
Ħaġar Qim
Ħaġar Qim is a megalithic temple complex found on the Mediterranean island of Malta, dating from the Ġgantija phase (3600–3200 BC). The Megalithic Temples of Malta are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth.
From the documentary Chasing the Equinox:
By chance, the Pleiades rise at due east, to represent the stars in the Pleiades constellation.
Nebra sky disc
The Nebra sky disc is a bronze disc of around 30 cm in diameter, having a blue-green patina and inlaid with gold symbols. These symbols are interpreted generally as the Sun or full moon, a lunar crescent, and stars (including a cluster of seven stars, axiomatically interpreted as the Pleiades.
The disc was found buried on the Mittelberg hill near Nebra in Germany. It is dated by archaeologists to c. 1800–1600 BCE.
Nymphs Associated with the Star Cluster Pleiades
| Nymph | Description |
|---|---|
| Maia | Eldest of the Pleiades, mother of Hermes |
| Electra | Mother of Dardanus and Iasion |
| Taygete | Mother of Lacedaemon |
| Alcyone | Wife of Ceyx, turned into a kingfisher |
| Celaeno | Mother of Lycus and Nycteus |
| Sterope (Asterope) | Wife of Oenomaus |
| Merope | Wife of Sisyphus |
| Pleione | Mother of the Pleiades and Hyas |
These nymphs, known as the Pleiades, are often associated with the constellation of the same name and have various roles and stories in Greek mythology.
