Gemini (astrology)

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Gemini
Zodiac symbolTwins
Duration (tropical, western)May 20 – June 20 (2024, UT1)[1]
ConstellationGemini
Zodiac elementAir
Zodiac qualityMutable
Sign rulerMercury
DetrimentJupiter
ExaltationNorth Node
FallSouth Node
AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces

Gemini (♊︎) (/ˈɛmɪn/ JEM-in-eye [2] Greek: Δίδυμοι, romanizedDídymoi, Latin for "twins") is the third astrological sign in the zodiac. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this sign between about May 21 to June 21.[3] Gemini is represented by the twins, Castor and Pollux,[4] known as the Dioscuri in Greek mythology. It is known as a positive, mutable sign.

Mythology[edit]

In Babylonian astronomy, the stars Pollux and Castor were known as the Great Twins. Their names were Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea, meaning "The Mighty King" and "The One who has arisen from the Underworld". Both names are titles of Nergal. Also could be referencing Zeus and Hades.[5]

In Greek mythology, Gemini is associated with the myth of Castor and Pollux, a pair of twins conceived by different fathers. Zeus, who seduced Leda, conceived Pollux while Tyndareus, the king of Sparta and Leda's husband, conceived Castor. When Castor died, because he was a mortal, Pollux begged his father Zeus to give Castor immortality, which was done through uniting them together in the heavens.

In popular culture[edit]

NASA named its two-person space capsule Project Gemini after the zodiac sign because the spacecraft could carry two astronauts.[6]

Google's next-generation AI model announced on December 6, 2023, is named Gemini.[7]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Astronomical Applications Department 2011.
  2. ^ Unicode Consortium 2015.
  3. ^ Britannica n.d.
  4. ^ Oxford 2018, entries for Gemini and Cancer.
  5. ^ White 2008, p. 125.
  6. ^ Humans n.d.
  7. ^ "Introducing Gemini: our largest and most capable AI model". Google. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.

References[edit]

  • Astronomical Applications Department (2011). Multiyear Computer Interactive Almanac. 2.2.2. Washington DC: US Naval Observatory. Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°....
  • "English Oxford Living Dictionary". Oxford University Press. 2018. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016.
  • "Gemini". Encyclopedia Britannica. n.d. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  • "Humans in Space". National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian. n.d. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  • Unicode Consortium (2015). "Unicode 8.0 Character Code Charts" (PDF). Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  • White, Gavin (2008). Babylonian Star-lore. Solaria Pubs.

External links[edit]