Why Pegasus?
Did you know that Pegasus is actually more or less the only constellation named for a horse? That is, except for Equuleus, the 'little horse'. When I chose the name Pegasus Astrology, I had been searching for a name that would twin nicely with WaterHorse Artistry, as I had originally selected the Celtic kelpie spirit as a nod to my love of horses, folklore and magic. Pegasus, it seemed, was pretty much my only celestial candidate - but that didn't appear to pose much of a problem once I started researching more deeply. It soon became clear that I was hardly likely to find a more appropriate symbol than the winged white stallion of Greek mythology, who can coax the flowing waters of inspiration forth from the earth itself.
The Winged Horse Of Greek Myth
According to Greek mythology Pegasus was sired by Poseidon, the tempestuous God of the Sea. Rather brutally, it is said that when Perseus beheaded the Gorgon Medusa, the winged horse sprung forth from his dead mother's neck. A not dissimilar version of the tale suggests likewise that he was born from the mixing of Medusa's blood with Poseidon's sea foam.
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The origins of Pegasus's name are debated, but it seems most likely that it is derived from the Greek root pēgē, meaning 'spring' or 'fountain'. It is suggested that this may be a reference to the way in which Pegasus came into being, but its meaning is perhaps twofold, as he was also supposedly born near the springs of Ocean, and of course his father is the Greek Sea God. He is also associated with water due to a remarkable ability it would seem he inherited from Poseidon - that is, the ability to draw water from the earth with the pawing of a hoof. There are at least two springs in Greece that are believed to have been called forth by Pegasus. In striking synchronicity with my purpose here with Pegasus Astrology, the more famous of the two was located upon Mount Helicon, the sacred abode of the Muses, and when imbibed, its waters infused one with extraordinary poetic inspiration.​
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Most famous are the stories of Pegasus's quests with the celebrated slayer of monsters, Bellerophon. Bellerophon is often referred to as the son of Poseidon, making Pegasus and he half-brothers. Some accounts say Poseidon actually gave Pegasus to Bellerophon; others suggest that Bellerophon sought out Pegasus and was aided by Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, to tame him. Regardless though, Pegasus would go on to accompany Bellerophon on many adventures. The most renowned of these was perhaps Bellerophon's defeat of the chimaera - a fire-breathing beast with the body of a lion, the tail of a serpent, and a goat's head sprouting from its back. However, unfortunately it seems that this success and the many victories that followed would not bring out the best in Bellerophon.
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​Bellerophon's ego grew. He boasted that upon Pegasus he could even fly high enough to reach the home of the gods, Mount Olympus, and announced that he intended to take his place there. But it is said that Zeus, enraged by Bellerophon's arrogance, sent a gadfly to bite Pegasus. This caused the flying horse to spook, unseating Bellerophon and hurling him unceremoniously back down to Earth in disgrace. Pegasus, however, regained his momentum and flew onwards to Olympus, where he was welcomed by Zeus.
​Hesiod in his Theogony says Pegasus was given the task of bringing Zeus his thunder and lightening whenever he had need of it. Some later tellings of the myth also say he was gifted to the goddess Eos, who drew the dawn across the sky each morning. But whichever you believe, we can be sure that he served Zeus and Olympus faithfully, for in thanks for his years of humble service Pegasus would eventually earn his constellation in the heavens, and his place amongst the immortal gods.
Pegasus Astrology
As I've said elsewhere, it is my belief that one of the defining traits of the human condition is our ability to create.
Some of us are fortunate enough to discover our creative capabilities early and receive ample encouragement on our journey. But others are taught to believe that we are not creative - that the realms of inspiration and creativity belong solely to those with a better predisposition for the arts, and that we are not good enough, not learned enough, not accomplished enough to be deserving of access to them. So we wrestle with the infamous Imposter Syndrome, fearing rejection and failure, and wondering what the point of it all is. When a narrative like this gets the better of us, it can be hard to harness the confidence and motivation just to try, even when the desire to create still smoulders quietly deep within. ​​​​
​​Through his association with the waters of the Muses, Pegasus can be seen as symbolic of the inner wellspring of inspiration that dwells within all of us, and I believe that the art of astrology can help us to tap into that resource - to release blockages, confront fear and discover new perspectives on our selves, our circumstances and our purpose. This idea of an inner wellspring is not dissimilar to the concept of Awen in Druid tradition, which can be best described as the creative spirit that flows through and connects all living things: from human to animal, from tree to stone. If we consider inspiration and creativity in this way, it becomes immediately accessible to each one of us, because it lives, flows and moves within us; it is a part of nature. The key then becomes how you as an individual are able to embrace and harness this flow in your own life.
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And I assure you that you can, because just living life itself as a human being is an unavoidably creative act.​​
“Everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.”
~ Helena Bonham Carter
How life unfolds for us is influenced as much by the way we perceive ourselves and the world, as it is by our physical environment and the 'lot' we have been given. Astrology invites us to examine the narratives that we tell ourselves about ourselves, to question them and, when necessary, it can help us to write new ones that are more aligned with our soul purpose.​ In Roman art, the figure of Pegasus came to symbolise the immortal soul, and our potential to connect with our higher selves. Each of us has our own story, and each story its own trials. But this ancient art has the ability to bring us into a deep and compassionate understanding of ourselves and our life stories at an archetypal soul level.
So really, this is all a very long way of saying:
With Pegasus Astrology it is quite simply my hope to reconnect you with your own creative soul (whether that be a literal or metaphorical concept for you), and - cliché alert - to help you create a life that you love. ​
Bellerophon's tale may make it hard to forget the risks of taking a ride on the metaphorical horse of the Muses, and of course, the results of throwing oneself fully into living a truly creative life are not always what we expect. But Bellerophon's tale is not your tale, nor mine, nor anyone else's. And as the saying goes... ​
“There is freedom waiting for you, on the breezes of the sky, and you ask, "What if I fall?" Oh, but my darling, What if you fly?"
~ Erin Hanson
