Origins of the Zodiac: Taurus

ORIGINS OF THE ZODIAC

THE MYTHOLOGY OF TAURUS

Latin Name: Taurus meaning 'bull'
Constellation: Taurus
Archetype: The Bull
Associations: Ptah and Serapis
Planetary Ruler: Venus

In our Origins of the Zodiac: Aries post, we discussed how the constellation Aries brought up the zodiacal rear during the early Bronze Age, when the Old Babylonian Empire was at its height. At this time, the sun’s rising through the constellation Taurus marked the vernal equinox.

Mesopotamians knew Taurus as 'The Bull of Heaven'. They immortalized this creature in their mythology, notably in the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the goddess Inanna sends the Bull to kill the epic’s titular character for rejecting her advances. The Bull is instead slaughtered by Gilgamesh and his warrior companion Enkidu. Its heart is offered to the sun god, Shamash.

Sacred cattle feature in mythology spanning the Fertile Crescent, India and Southeast Asia. The bull has been a prominent motif in artwork from ancient cultures in modern-day Greece, Iran, and Turkey, to name but a few. It has been associated with both solar and lunar forces, as well as with power, storms and sexual vitality.

CONNECTION TO TAURUS

TAURUS: THE BULL

In Egypt, the Apis Bull was identified as the son of Hathor, the goddess of love, music and fertility. In life, the Bull was considered an incarnation of Ptah, the god of creation. After death, the Bull became immortal and was known as Osiris-Apis. Bulls were mummified and received ceremonial burials at the Serapeum at Saqqara, located outside of present-day Giza. The Hellenistic Greeks later syncretized Apis and Osiris as Serapis and depicted this deity as a Greek man dressed in Egyptian garments.

The Greek mythology of the constellation Taurus concerns the abduction of Europa. Europa was a Phoenician princess whose beauty caught the eye of Zeus, head of the Greek pantheon. While Europa was out gathering flowers with her handmaidens, Zeus transformed himself into a white bull and mingled with her father’s herd of cattle. Enamored by the bull’s tame nature, Europa climbed on top of the god in disguise, who immediately carried her across the sea to Crete. Europa bore Zeus several children, including King Minos, whose famous labyrinth housed the Minotaur.

THE EMBODIMENT OF TAURUS

As the second sign of the zodiac, and the first of three 'earth signs', Taurus relates to embodiment. Natives of this sign tend to be grounded and reliable – if not stubborn. Taurus is also one of four 'fixed signs', which mark the middle of the seasons, a period when we risk becoming comfortable and set in our ways.

As evidenced by the mythology of Taurus, this is the season when we begin to evaluate our wants and needs. What do we have and how can we acquire what we’re lacking? To answer this question, we must interact with our environment, employing the five senses to gain clarity and context.

When the sun transits Taurus, we crave a bit of luxury. Much like Zeus, we are sensitive to beauty. Like the slow-moving and meditative bull, only our deepest desires will motivate us to abandon our leisure pursuits. But once we are incentivized by passion, we know how to pick up the pace! This season invites us to connect with our surroundings and feel into the atmosphere. Have patience. Seeds planted cannot be rushed to bear fruit and all delicious things take time to grow.

MYTHS AS MAPS

In the quiet pull of the stars, there lies a map - spiralling back to our origins where myths and mysteries once intertwined with breath and bone. Reconnecting with these ancient stories in the realm of astrology is like stepping into an old song, whose melody we somehow remember yet cannot fully place. Each constellation a whisper, each planet a pulse, guiding us through a universe that knows us deeper than we know ourselves.

Here, myths are not merely tales but ancestral truths, woven into the fabric of our being, inviting us to reclaim fragments of ourselves lost in the modern rush. In the language of the heavens, we find our names written across epochs, asking us to listen, to remember, to understand that the vastness above is mirrored within. To know the stars is, in a profound way, to know ourselves.

Working with Taurus mythology

Working with Taurus mythology grounds you in the beauty of the physical world, the strength of persistence, and the value of self-worth. Here are three paths to weave this enduring wisdom into your story:

1. Root yourself in the Bull’s strength

Taurus, symbolized by the enduring bull, carries the quiet power of patience and resilience. Let this image guide you to stand grounded, nurturing the soil of your life with care. Reflect on the foundations you build - do they hold the promise of lasting growth, or are they calling for renewal?

2. Harvest the gifts of Venus

Ruled by Venus, Taurus whispers of beauty, abundance, and the sacred pleasures of life. Let myths of love and creation inspire you to savor the sweetness around you. Trace where joy, comfort, and artistry weave into your days, balancing indulgence with the courage to grow and evolve.

3. Follow the keeper of sacred Earth

Taurus ties to myths of guardianship, like the Minotaur’s strength or Europa’s journey with the divine bull. These tales call you to honor the sacred bond between self and earth. Reflect on how you protect and nurture what you hold dear, celebrating the harmony between body, spirit, and the treasures of the material world.

TAURUS JOURNALING PROMPTS

In your journal, let myth guide you to explore the below prompts during Taurus Season.

1. What seeds are you planting for a future harvest?

Love, career, money, friendship – detail your desired crop. Now is the time to lovingly water your dream garden…and walk away! Trust that seeds take root and new life thrives even when you are not supervising the growth process.

2. Where are you stuck?

If you’re not experiencing forward momentum, it may be because you’ve dug in your heels. In what instances are you doing things the hard way? Are you willing to relax your protocol?

3. How can you create more space for beauty in your life?

Taurus season calls your attention to the simple pleasures: holding a loving pet in your lap, savoring the taste of tea, noticing how sunlight splinters through a windowpane. Recognizing beauty is a matter of practicing presence. Commit to carving out time for this practice.

We all embody each of the twelve signs within us, share this with others in your life.

Written by Nyssa Grazda & Magic of I.