Gemini

Gemini :: The Twins Castor and Polydeuces — Myth & Meaning

Gemini is the sign of the twins, and the third sign of the Zodiac representing those born between May 20 and June 20. In Greek mythology the Twins are the brothers Castor and Polydeuces, known in Latin as Pollux, the Dioscuri, who were placed among the stars as a sign of their devotion to each other.

Gemini in Mythology

Gemini, also known as the Dioscuri (“sons of Zeus”), are a pair of twin brothers in Greek mythology. These brothers were Castor and Polydeuces, or Pollux, and they appear together in epic, lyric and later mythography. They were the sons of Leda and either Zeus or King Tyndareus of Sparta. According to Apollodorus, Zeus came to Leda as a swan and Tyndareus lay with her the same night; she bore Pollux and Helen to Zeus, and Castor and Clytemnestra to Tyndareus (Apollodorus, Library 3.10.7). Pindar likewise makes Pollux the son of Zeus and Castor the son of the mortal Tyndareus (Pindar, Nemean 10.80–82). Homer calls both sons of Tyndareus and names Helen as their sister: Castor was the tamer of horses and Pollux the good boxer (Iliad 3.236–238; Odyssey 11.298–300).

In the Iliad, Helen looks for her brothers on the Greek side of the battlefield and cannot see them, not knowing that the life-giving earth already held them in Lacedaemon, their own country (Iliad 3.236–244).

The Death of Castor

Apollodorus tells how the Dioscuri carried off the daughters of Leucippus, Hilaira and Phoebe, and married them (Library 3.10.3, 3.11.2). Later they drove off cattle from Arcadia with Idas and Lynceus, the sons of Aphareus, and let Idas divide the spoil; Idas cheated them and drove the whole herd to Messene, and the Dioscuri went after it. Lynceus saw Castor lying in ambush and told Idas, who killed him. Pollux killed Lynceus with his spear, but was himself struck on the head with a stone and fell in a swoon; Zeus then struck Idas with a thunderbolt (Apollodorus, Library 3.11.2). In Pindar the quarrel is also over oxen: Idas wounds Castor with a spear; Pollux kills Lynceus and Zeus strikes Idas with a thunderbolt (Pindar, Nemean 10.60–72). Hyginus gives another version, in which Idas and Lynceus were the betrothed of the Leucippides and fought to win them back (Hyginus, Fabulae 80). Hyginus records two other places for his death: Aphidnae, during the Spartan war against the Athenians, or at Sparta, when Lynceus and Idas attacked it (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.22).

Sharing Immortality

Because Pollux was the son of Zeus, he was immortal and Castor was not. Pindar says Pollux begged Zeus to let him die with his brother, and Zeus offered him a choice: live forever on Olympus, or share his brother’s fate and spend half the time under the earth and half in the golden house of heaven. Pollux chose his brother, and Zeus brought Castor back to life (Pindar, Nemean 10.73–90). Homer already describes the brothers as living in alternate days and holding honor from Zeus equal to the gods (Odyssey 11.301–304), and Apollodorus says Pollux refused immortality while Castor was dead, so Zeus let them spend every other day among the gods and among mortals (Library 3.11.2).

The Constellation of Gemini

Castor was a famous horsetamer and Pollux, a superb boxer. Hyginus writes that many astronomers identified the Twins as Castor and Pollux, and that they were the most loving of brothers: they never contended for supremacy and never acted without common counsel. For this, he says, Zeus is thought to have placed them among the best-known stars; Poseidon repaid their devotion by giving them horses and the power to save shipwrecked sailors. Others, he adds, said the Twins were Heracles and Apollo, or Triptolemus and Iasion (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.22). Aratus places the Twins beneath the head of Helice, the Great Bear (Aratus, Phaenomena 147). Hyginus describes the constellation as two figures holding each other in an embrace, each with a bright star on its head (Hyginus, Astronomica 3.21); these two bright stars are known today as Castor and Pollux.

Gemini in Astrology

Geminis can be very social creatures who love meeting new people and forming friendships easily. However, since they tend to jump from one activity or idea to another quickly, they need to focus on their passions if they want to achieve anything. They are energetic, clever, imaginative and adaptable. They are likely to be curious and quick-witted and may also enjoy learning new things and being around people.

Gemini Sign and Ruling Planet

Gemini is considered to be a "masculine", positive (extrovert) sign, associated with air and ruled by the planet Mercury.

Gemini Personality and Character traits

Thanks to their ability to adapt and their great mental capacity, Geminis are often successful in a wide variety of professions. Some common career choices for those born under this sign include writing, acting, and teaching. However, any job that requires lots of communication and interaction with others would be a good fit for Gemini!