Antarian Zodiac

The twelve lairs of the zodiac coincide closely with the twelve months of the year. The ancient Antarians chose the twelve constellations that lay most prominently on the ecliptic, that belt of sky where most of the moons, planets, and sun move.
Each sign of the zodiac represents one month, while single stars represent the festival weeks (see below). As the sun moves around the sky, she passes through each series of constellations, entering the area around a different one each month.
If the stars could be seen during the daytime, the sun would appear to be in or around the constellation at that time. Thus, the constellations don’t appear in the night’s sky during the month which represents them.
The individual signs of the zodiac are detailed below.

Rapa (The Frog)

Dates: Planting 1-28
Origins: In mythology, the frog represents the rebirth and renewal of the world. Rapa held Spring in its large mouth, greedily refusing to let it out until he was tricked by Veterator (the fox) into laughing. Both grippli and bullywugs seem influenced by the group of stars. When Rapa is at its highest and lowest in the night’s sky, activities of both of these races (and sometimes even Lizardfolk) are more violent than usual. The constellation is formed by 9 stars, the three most notable being Diamad, Rana, and Onis. These three luminaries are sometimes called the Pyramid Cluster.

Testuda (The Turtle)

Dates: Flocktime 1-28
Origins: Testuda (the turtle), the second sign of the zodiac, represents the turtle who tricked the fox in the ancient story. Though Veterator is often seen as the cleverest of the animals in most of the fables, Testuda actually manages to win a race with him by trickery. As can be seen in the night’s sky, the turtle still runs before the fox. The constellation is formed by 6 stars in close formation, offset by the bright Candi (sometimes erroneously called the Sugar Star).

Veterator (The Fox)

Dates: Wealsun 1-28
Origins: Veterator (the fox) was seen as the cleverest of animals by the Antarians. His sign is most notable in the night sky in the first few months of the common year. As a trickster, Veterator does his best to confuse navigators today. When Veterator is visible, let the navigator beware.

Anguis (The Snake)

Dates: Reaping 1-28
Origins: Anguis (the snake) begins its month just after the Summer Solstice. It chases Veterator around the ecliptic, as always searching to avenge himself on the fox that constantly makes a fool of him. An old superstition holds that when this sign is high in the sky, snakes are more prevalent and dangerous. This has yet to be proven. Of most interest in this cluster of 10 stars are the pairs of twins. The largest stars in the cluster, Discind Alpha and Beta are almost parallel to the two, slightly smaller red stars Lingu I and II. The four stars form the snake’s head.

Seiurus (The Squirrel)

Dates: Goodmonth 1-28
Origins: Seiurus (the squirrel) is unique in that it is the only sign of the zodiac that is actually part of another constellation (in this case Arbororis). The squirrel, always seen as the level-headed provider in the fables, is the sign that winter is coming and food must be put away. The small cluster of only 7 stars is supported by largest two in the cluster: Ramus and Bracki.

Verress (The Boar)

Dates: Harvester 1-28
Origins: Verress (the boar) is the fifth sign of the zodiac. The constellation shows the face and tusk of an angry boar that actually plays a very small part in the fables. Usually Verress simply watches as the tales unfold. In the few tales where his anger is roused, calamity follows for those who raised it. The cluster is formed by 9 stars, the three brightest representing the eye and tusks of the angry boar. Wereboars are known to celebrate when this constellation is visible in the night’s sky.

Lepusoris (The Hare)

Dates: Patchwall 1-28
Origins: Lepusoris (the hare) begins his month just after the Autumnal Equinox. The star group represents the hare, fastest of animals. The constellation is made of 7 stars, only one of them of exceptional brightness. The star Candens is bright red.

Vendito (The Hawk)

Dates: Ready'reat 1-28
Origins: Vendito (the hawk) represents the only bird of the zodiac. This constellation is one of the widest in the ecliptic with only Anguis and Idis being as large. The story says that the hawk sacrificed a single feather of his beautiful plume to save the daughter of a great hunter of birds, forever gaining the man’s gratitude. The constellation is headed with the star Verus, which represents the hawk’s eye. Other stars in the group include Pennae, Alayus, and Brachiu.

Quirull (The Wolf)

Dates: Sunsebb 1-28
Origins: Quirull (the wolf) is the most vicious of the zodiac animals. No wrong goes unpunished by this animal, and no crime is too small to feel the wolf’s wrath. The constellation is the last sign of the zodiac before winter. The small formation of only 5 stars is also one of the brightest. Justus, the red Wolf’s Eye-Star, as it is sometimes called, is almost as bright as the Compass Star, though its colour keeps it distinct. Close to this star lies Naris, almost as bright as the Wolf’s Eye Star, but more orange in color. Finally, the small white star Stillo, which represents the drop of spittle from Quirull’s mouth, is only infrequently seen at the edge of the horizon at times when this constellation is thought to be at its most powerful.

Idis (The Tiger)

Dates: Fireseek 1-28
Origins: Idis (the Tiger) is the largest full-faced sign of the zodiac. Some astrologers support the theory that of all the signs of the zodiac, this is the most powerful and influential. Many born under this sign seem to become great statesmen and leaders of men. The most striking stars of the 12 in this cluster are the Omen stars, sometimes called the Cat’s Eyes. These bright yellow luminaries have the unnatural tendency to occasionally disappear at inconsistent intervals, making the constellation appear to wink or even blink over the space of several hours. While many claim that this indicates ill-omen (or good omen, according to a few), most astronomers and many priests of Celestian claim than this is simply caused by the large asteroids moving between the stars. The fact that terrible things do seem to happen when Idis has both eyes shut has not lessened the astrologer’s arguments.

Ursus (The Bear)

Dates: Readying 1-28
Origins: Ursus (the bear) is another influential star cluster, and revered in the far western lands, where it is seen as a symbol of strength. Clerics and followers of the god Kord especially acknowledge the sign, often seeing its appearance in the night sky as a signal for them to prove their strength. The constellation represents Ursus (sometimes called Booh) in his fabled quest for food. Another large constellation, Ursus’s 13 stars are all closely packed around the Bear Star, Fero.

Leonis (The Lion)

Dates: Coldeven 1-28
Origins: Leonis (the Lion) is the last symbol of the zodiac and sees out the old year “with a roar” as the old saying goes. The king of the beasts is given the last bow, stressing his importance among the other animals. Leonis is represented as wise and brave, sometimes testing those who wish something from him. Leonis is also the group that most great kings are thought to be born under. The constellation is composed of 9 stars, the most striking being Aureas, a beautiful golden star sometimes called Brachen Dor or “The Lost Mine” by the dwarven folk.

The Festival Stars

(Debeus, Augao, Itis, & Concitor)
Each festival week has one star that is most prominent in the southern sky. These four “Festival Stars,” all of them almost on the ecliptic, are thought to be as important to zodiac as constellations that represent the 12 lairs. Each star is fairly bright and easy to pick out of the night sky due to the corona or haze that seems to always fill the immediate sky around them. This is still unexplained as astronomers report neither nebula nor tiny star clusters around the four.

The Antarian Zodiac by Andy Miller