Aries: Jörmungandr- The jörmungandr, which can be found in Norse mythology, is also known as World Serpent. As a baby, the monster was thrown into the ocean by Odin. By the time it had grown, it was large enough to wrap itself around the earth and grasp its own tail. Legend says that it is still holding onto its own tail and the day it releases it, various natural disasters and battles will ensue known as Ragnarök. Ragnarök will end up destroying the world.
Taurus: Cuchivilu- The cuchivilu is an aquatic creature from Chilota mythology. It is approximately the size of a sea lion and is half pig, half snake. This creature inhabits the bottom of the sea and occasionally will rest on the muddy, shallow shores. They can also be found in lagoons and swamps. You should always be careful when wading or bathing near a cuchivilu because if you do, soon you will be covered in grains and scabies. The grunt of a cuchivilu is also said to curse you with a short life. The creature will destroy fishing pens and eat all of the fish- the water in which this is done is then cursed and no fisherman will ever be able to catch another fish.
Gemini: Aspidochelone- Described as a large whale or sea turtle, it is a sea monster that is so enormous it is often mistaken for an island. This is understandable because the back of the aspidochelone is covered with rocks, valleys, sand dunes, trees and other greenery. It comes to the surface from the depths of the ocean and entices sailors to land upon it. It then dives deep, pulling its victims deep under the water where they are then devoured.
Cancer: Umibōzu- The umibōzu is a Japanese sea spirit said to live in the ocean and destroy or capsize the ship of anyone who dares speak to it. Believed to be the angry spirits of drowned monks or priests, they take on the shape of a giant human with pitch black skin and large eyes. Sometimes instead of capsizing the ship right away, the umibōzu will ask the crew members for a barrel and then use it to fill the ship with water, eventually sinking it. The only way to avoid this fate is to trick the umibōzu by giving it a bottomless barrel. Only then will you have a chance to escape.
Leo: Kraken- This legendary sea monster is one feared by many. It is said to dwell off the coasts of Norway and Greenland. Stories of the monster may have originated from giant squid sightings. The Kraken is depicted as a large octopus-like creature with spikes on it’s suckers. It will attack ships or eat them whole. It also is known to create very sudden and very dangerous currents.
Virgo: Siren- Sirens are dangerous creatures that can be found in Greek mythology. Using their enchanting music and voices, they lure nearby sailors, causing their ship to crash on the coast of the siren’s island. Now trapped, the sirens kill and eat them. Sometimes, instead of being lured, the sailors are lulled to sleep with the creature’s beautiful voice. Once asleep, the sirens come aboard the ship and kill them. In early Greek art, sirens are depicted as woman-bird hybrids. Later, they were depicted to resemble beautiful and seductive women. In addition to their beautiful appearance and voice, they can also be heard playing a harp.
Libra: Abaia- The abaia is a large and magical eel-like creature which can be found in Melanesian mythology. It is said to dwell in freshwater lakes. The abaia considers all of the creatures in the lake to be its children. Therefore, it will kill anyone who tries to harm or disturb them. Legend says that once a man fished in the lake of an abaia and caught an abundance of fish. The next day, he brought all of the townspeople to fish some more. This angered the abaia. The next day, the abaia caused a huge rainstorm which significantly raised the water level, flooding the town and drowning everyone in it with exception of one woman who did not eat any of the fish.
Scorpio: Leviathan- The leviathan is an extremely powerful and terrifying biblical creature. During the Middle Ages, it was used as an image of Satan. The leviathan would endanger God’s creatures by attempting to eat them. It is known to be one of the Seven Princes of Hell, classified as the demon of envy. It can also breathe fire, sometimes boiling the surrounding water which completely melts the skin off of unsuspecting victims. When the leviathan consumes its prey, the victim’s life, knowledge and complexity are absorbed into the monster.
Sagittarius: Each-uisge- This creature is a mythological Scottish water spirit and can be found near a water’s edge. It is a shapeshifter, usually disguising itself as a beautiful horse. It lures victims through it’s sheer beauty and majesty. If ever mounted, the skin of the each-uisge becomes adhesive and it dives to the deepest part of the nearest body of water with the rider helplessly stuck on its back. After the victim has drowned, it rips apart and devours the entire body except for the liver, which then floats to the surface.
Capricorn: Charybdis- This horrifying beast is sometimes portrayed simply as a massive whirlpool. Other times, it is depicted as an actual creature that lies at the bottom of the ocean and create whirlpools by sucking in thousands of gallon of water and spewing it out. If a ship was caught in the middle of it, there would be no chance of survival as the ship and crew would be dragged down to the deepest depths of the ocean never to be seen again.
Aquarius: Hydra- The hydra, which originated in Greek mythology, is a giant snake-like creature with nine heads, one of which is immortal. If one head was cut off, two more would emerge from the fresh wound. It’s poisonous breath and blood are so toxic that even its scent is deadly. The hydra is native to the marshes of Lerna, Greece, where it would periodically appear and eat the people and livestock.
Pisces: Qalupalik- The qalupalik is a monster from Inuit mythology. They can be described as human-like creatures with green skin, long hair and long blackened fingernails. They are also known to wear an amautiit (a type of pouch worn by Inuit parents to carry their children) so they can take away babies and children who disobey their parents. What they do with the children is unknown. Some say they eat them and others say they keep them as their own. Qalupaliks are also said to make a distinct humming noise when they are around. One can hear it before they can see it.
