‘Abduction of Europa’ by Jean Cousin le fils (1522-1594

Constellation of Taurus

According to the Greek myth, Zeus (i.e. Jupiter; Latin: Zeus-Pater, ‘God the Father’), falls in love with the beautiful Europa. In order to appear to her he takes on the symbolic incarnatory form of a bull. He emerges from the dark ocean (Black Sea), successfully attracts and woos Europa, and carries her off on his shoulders to a secret place on earth. There the couple make love, resulting in Europa conceiving and giving birth to Hermes (Mercury).

Europa, in the earliest versions of the myth, is a Titanic goddess. In later versions of the myth however, Europa is portrayed as a human – a queen. The popular version of the later myth associates Europa with the daughter of Agenor, king of Phoenicia, and the place of love-making as being Crete. In this version of the myth, Europa gives birth to three sons (Minos, Rhadamanthys and Sarpedon), before marrying Asterius, the ruler of Crete.

On earth the myth is manifested in the landscape of Europe, from whence Europe derives its name. In the stars the myth is portrayed as the constellation of Taurus (the Bull) and the prominent group of stars on its neck known as the Pleiades (Europa).

In some ancient zodiacs, whilst Taurus (Jupiter) is shown as a bull, the Pleiades (Europa) is represented as a dove. Alternatively the symbols are such that Europa is represented as a cow when Zeus is a bull (e.g. such as in the Egyptian symbolism of Isis and Osiris), or that they are both known as phoenixes or doves.

Europa is equivalent to Venus, the astrological ruler of Taurus and mother of Cupid. Cupid signifies the Christ, who is Mercury, both names (Greek: Christos, and Latin: Mercurius) being derived from the Ancient Egyptian name for Horus, Maa Kheru, meaning ‘The True Word’. Another name for Europa, therefore, is Maia (Mary), meaning ‘Mother’. She is Isis, mother of Horus, whilst the Bull is Osiris. Maia is said to be the eldest of the seven Pleiadean stars or sisters and represents them collectively.

Astrologically, Taurus rules the throat chakra. Europa (Venus), signified by the Pleiades, is associated with the alta major chakra, known as the 8th chakra, Pan chakra or ‘Mouth of God’. The alta major chakra is linked with the heart, brow and crown chakras as well as the throat chakra, and is the gateway for inspiration.

Europa, whose symbol is a dove, is associated with the Holy Breath or Spirit. Taurus, the bull, is associated with the throat, via which the breath can speak and sound the Word. Together they manifest the Word and create Light, bringing the cosmos into being.

For this reason Taurus is traditionally the Alpha or first sign of the zodiac. The Greek alpha is said to be based on the shape of the head of the bull (or ox), with its two horns. All other letters and signs are derived from the Alpha or ‘A’ (which also represents the Holy Trinity) and hence from Taurus. The Alpha signifies the Creator: ‘In the beginning was the Word...’; ‘And God said, Let there be light...’. The All-Seeing Eye (i.e. the Bull's Eye, Eye of Horus or Eye of God) set within its radiant triangle (i.e. the Alpha) is symbolic of these things.

© Peter Dawkins