Introduction
This is a retelling of the story of Orion and the Pleiades, one of the many Greek stories about the constellations. It involves the area surrounding the constellation of Orion, known as the Great Hunting Scene of Orion.
To the northwest of Orion is the constellation of Taurus, the bull, and in the centre of Taurus, in line with the belt stars of Orion, is a beautiful star cluster known as the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas and Pleione.
To the southeast of Orion, also in line with the belt stars, is the star Sirius, part of Canis Major. To the north east of Orion is the constellation of Canis Minor, of which the brightest star is called Procyon. These are Orion's two faithful hunting dogs, which follow him through the sky.
Traditionally, Orion is portrayed with his club raised above his head, and his shield held out (the faint curve of stars between Orion and Taurus), fighting the bull. Supposedly, he is trying to win through to the Pleiades, who he saw out in the forest one day while he was hunting, and instantly fell in love with. He pursued the fair maidens, who fled in terror and eventually called on the gods to save them. The gods sent Taurus to protect them. Hence Orion and Taurus are eternally fighting up in the night sky, while the Pleiades huddle, frightened, behind Taurus.
Or at least, that's how the story is supposed to go…
