THE MYTH

“Callisto was the daughter of Lycaon, king of Arcadia. She was still a little girl, when she swore eternal loyalty to goddess Artemis (Diana). She took a vow to remain virgin and promised to follow and serve only the goddess, therefore she moved to reside in the woods, hunting wild beasts. ”

“Not knowing she is his mother, Arcas attempted to kill her. Feeling sorry for them and in order to prevent matricide, Zeus turned both of them into stars, Minor and Major Ursa, and took them with him into the sky. Angry Juno then requested from Ocean, the river that surrounds the Earth, never to let them wash into his waters. That is why these two stars never set. Finally, Zeus placed a guardian star, ARCTUROS, by their side to protect them from Juno's jealousy. His name means guardian of Ursa (bear) [arctos+uros], and he is to accompany and protect through eternity.”