Gemini twins
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The two (including Pep) now grace the heavens, living in the constellations Aries and Gemini.Why do twins remain uncanny to those born alone-in other words, most of us? Even with the rise of IVF and an increase in multiple births, why do we still do “a double take” when we encounter twins? Why has this been a near-universal response throughout human history, and how has it played out in religion and myth? Through the work of leading scholars in religion, folklore and mythology, history, anthropology, and archaeology, Gemini and the Sacred explores how twinship has long been imagined, especially in the complex relationship of sacred twin traditions to “twins on the ground” in biology and lived experience. Zeus not only immortalized Pollux and Castor in the sky as the constellation Gemini, but he also rewarded them with the gift of the Golden Fleece, immortalized as the great Ram Aries in the night sky, as well. Zeus’ sympathy for Pollux and Castor was great, and he saw in the twins a bond that should not be broken. Pollux cried out, “I cannot bear to live this immortal life without my dear brother. The moment he laid eyes on his true son Pollux, the demigod, he knew his fate. Pep walked him knowingly towards the tallest mountain to grace the Greek lands, Olympus. Too weak and grief-stricken to move, Pollux lay slumped on Pep’s back for days and days. Once the battle had finished, many lives perished, and Pollux felt no desire to retrieve the Golden Fleece without his beloved brother. Pep and Pollux mourned the death of their dear friend and brother. These battles became known as the Trojan war.įatefully, Pollux survived the war and Castor did not. The King of Sparta was outraged and sought help from his many, many armies.Īlong with Jason and the Argonauts, Pollux and Castor now joined the vast Spartan empire in an attempt to take Helen back from Troy. Other interpretations suggest that after falling deeply in love with the prince of Troy, Helen left Sparta with him. Well, that was one such reading of the story. On their long journey to find the Golden Fleece, however, their sister Helen was abducted by a prince of Troy. The twins were steadfast together in their desire to acquire this magnificent piece of material-to ordain themselves in the prominence that the Ram’s Golden Fleece represents. It was gifted to a great king, as the story goes. Skinned from the back of the high and mighty golden and winged Ram, the Fleece gave immediate confidence and fierceness to all who wore it cloaked over them. Always interested in a new adventure, the two immediately agreed to join Jason on his sacred quest to find the Golden Fleece. And yet, the synergy of the brothers allowed for great things to happen to those that they encountered.Įventually, Pollux and Castor (and Pep) were greeted by the famous Jason and the Argonauts! Jason, upon seeing the greatness of the two brothers, quickly asked them to join his group of Argonauts. Neither seemed afraid each seemed to adore the other brother and they had differing personalities, to be sure. Many would marvel at the sight of the incredibly quick Pollux, smashing and thrashing about, followed closely by Castor on his valiant steed. Thus, when someone would seek out Pollux’s strength and vitality, they would also desire to see Castor and Pep for their guidance, curiosity, and aid. As Pollux’s strength grew, Castor and Pep grew to know each other so well that Castor became known as one of the greatest horsemen ever to gallop the Grecian lands. Not only could Pollux live forever, but he was also unbelievably strong! However, Castor did not let the attention Pollux received get him down instead, he spent most of his days with his favorite horse, Pep. Although these two were twins because Zeus meddled with their mother’s life, Castor was mortal and Pollux was immortal.
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Once upon a time, in the ancient lands of Greece, long before fleece sweaters or flannel sheets, there lived two twins of Sparta, Castor and Pollux.