Working with Constellation Entities
Humans have been mapping the stars for thousands of years. We have always made shapes in the stars and observed their movements and much of that birthed astrology as we know it today. But these constellations can technically be considered their own PANTHEON. The cosmic pantheon… space pantheon? Maybe just "constellation pantheon"… the name is still a work in progress lol
Every one of the constellations has a mythology and reason for being placed in the night sky.
Like Cancer the crab was originally a large crab sent by Hera to distract Heracles while he was fighting the Hydra, Heracles crushed it underfoot, Hera went "…*shrug* eh, oh well" and popped it up into the night sky to be a constellation.
Cassiopeia pissed off Poseidon because hubris (TLDR version) and then placed her in the sky on a throne but upside-down as a mockery.
The story of Gemini is a bit more macabre but it is still kinda sweet: Despite having different fathers, Castor and Polydeuces (like the stars in Gemini - Castor and Pollux) grew up together and were very close. One day, the brothers clashed with another set of twins, Idas and Lynceus, when they fought over two women, Phoebe and Hilaira. Lynceus killed Castor by stabbing him with a sword. Devastated Polydeuces asked Zeus to share his immortality with his murdered brother and the god placed them both in the sky, where they remain inseparable as the constellation Gemini.
My point with all of this is that because they have mythology and lore, because they are divine in a sense, you can WORK WITH THEM like any other deity! Isn't that the coolest fucking thing you've ever heard? Working with constellations. I will never get over that.
Anywho…
The constellation myths aren't just from Greek mythology, though the Greeks did have a major influence over it because they were far more concerned with the stars and wrote more down than a lot of other ancient civilizations did, except Babylon, Babylon did a TON of astrology back in the day... So did Egypt... But that's not the point. They all had stories of the stars too but theirs are very different than the ones we most commonly hear.
You can work with constellation entities just like you would any deity. They are wise beyond what we may expect, vocal, comforting (depending on who you petition, I'm sure), and will guide your way and teach you lessons if you let them.
Their personalities will vary greatly because there are 88 constellations in the night sky ranging from Ursa Major and Ursa Minor to Auriga, Pegasus, Capricorn, Draco and more. There are a great many constellations to choose from and each with their own unique stories/mythos and personalities.
If you want to get into working with the Constellations, do your due diligence and research the constellation stories and myths. The stories will vary, there are DOZENS of stories about Orion, so please do take into consideration other factors about overlapping mythology. Like in that story, Artemis was a virgin goddess who never gave it up even for Orion. So don't let anyone fool you into thinking that Orion took that from Artemis.
Cross reference with Hellenic and Roman mythology or Babylonian stories/myths to find commonalities and what makes the most sense historically and from a mythological perspective.
When you have read up on your constellations and know who you want to call on, reach out and petition them. Ask for their assistance and help.
“just look up at the stars in their constellation, breathe the night air and ask”
They will come. They have watched humanity for as long or longer than we have watched them. They will see you and hear you, all you have to do is make yourself and your intentions known.
Offerings are going to be a thing with constellations just like any deity, entity, or spirit you work with, so knowing what to give them is a good start.
Ursa Major is a bear, give her berries, honey, meat, fish, and things bears would eat. I imagine she would also like flowers or fresh water (water is ALWAYS accepted and will always be an acceptable offering for any spirit or entity).
Ophiuchus (grumbles in astrology) is based off the Medic of the gods, Asklepios. Offer him snake shed, bronze (or bronze looking things), empty medication bottles to put offerings in, alcohol, etc.
Hercules is a constellation as well as a Greek Hero in myth. Offer him olive oil, fruits, nuts, wine, water, breads, red meat, or anything else you may offer to the Greek hero or just general Hellenic deity offerings.
General Offerings and Devotionals:
- Star imagery
- Stargazing and spending time just looking at the stars and watching them
- Studying Astronomy or Astrology
- Making art of them
- Nighttime meditations
- Those "Night Sky" Yankee Candles may be a good offering
- "Starry Night" prints by Van Gogh
- If they are an animal constellation, get figurines of the animal they represent for their altar space
- Crystals that look like they are made of stars (there are a few types out there but i can't for the life of me remember what they are).
- Put those Glow Stars on your ceiling as a devotional offering. Bonus points if you map out a certain month's night sky constellations with the glow stars.
- Take up Cosmic Witchcraft and plan your spells to different moon phases and cosmic events
There are a ton of different ideas for offerings and devotional acts for Constellation entities. You get the gist though, get creative with it! They will appreciate anything you give with honest and pure intention, i promise.
As for reaching out to them, just reach out like you would any other deity. Call on them, leave an offering, and make your intentions known. You can verify their answers with divination and can vet them using their mythology.
