The story of the twins of Gemini is a story of love, death, and immortality. Both were born of their mother Leda, but each was formed in her womb from a different father. As the son of Zeus Pollux was immortal; Castor was the son of Leda’s human husband and thus mortal. When Castor was struck down in battle Pollux begged Zeus to spare his life. Zeus agreed to share the gift of immortality between the brothers. So they alternate days between heaven and earth, spending one day in the heights of Olympus, the next day in the depths of Hades.

In the Astronomica Manilius linked Apollo with the astrological sign of Gemini. The sign of the twins is a good fit since Apollo is a twin. It’s also a good fit for the god of the sun since the sign falls during one of the sunniest months of the year in the northern hemisphere. Apollo’s sister Artemis is associated with the opposite sign Sagittarius. Where he runs with the sun, the day, and the cheerful arts, she rules the moon, the night, and the wild places.

Gemini invites us to meditate on moon and sun, mortal and immortal, and the love shared by brothers and sisters.