Constellation Stories: Ursa Major/Ursa Minor

The first entry in the Constellation Stories series is about what is perhaps the most popular pair of constellations, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

My personal favorite version of the story of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor can be found in Ovid’s Metamorphoses Book 2. This is the version I base the video off of. Follow this link for this story in the original Latin, and this link for an English translation.

As is common in the Metamorphoses, this is an extremely tragic story. Callisto’s encounter with Jupiter is a prime example of Roman deities taking advantage of mortals with minimal concern for the consequences. Every account of the story of Callisto follows the same main plot. Jupiter deceives Callisto, Callisto bears a son, and Callisto is then transformed into a bear. Afterwards, she is then transformed into the constellation Ursa Major, and her son Arcas becomes Ursa Minor.

In addition to the main Constellation Story video, there is also the Constellation Stories for Kids version of Ursa Major. This version has been modified for a younger audience, but still follows the main plot.

I hope you enjoy this first entry. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you’ll never miss a constellation story.

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