Arturo & Katarina
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Astrology has been around almost since the beginning of time. More than 2,000 years ago, Babylonians believed very strongly that the Sun, the Moon, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus (which were the only five known planets at this time) held incredible, and very distinct powers. For example, the color red is strongly associated with aggression and war. So, it makes sense that Mars, the red planet, would also be connected to these things as well. The earliest astrologers learned that there were 12 lunar cycles that took place in the time that it took the sun to return to its original position. Although believed to be started by the Ancient Egyptians, the zodiac (Greek word meaning “circle of animals”) was adopted by the Babylonians, who then realized that there were certain constellations that were prevalent during each of these 12 lunar cycles. After this realization was made, the Babylonians then assigned certain animals and persons to these constellations according to the seasons associated in which the constellations were found. For instance, Aquarius (meaning water bearer) was found to be most noticeable during the rainy seasons. The 12 signs of the zodiac are correlated with character traits and areas of life. After the Babylonians and encompassed the zodiac and the characteristic traits generally associated with each of the 12 signs, the created what is believed to be the first set of horoscopes. The horoscope is a map of the zodiac cycles, with Earth being in the center. The top of the circle represents when the sun is at its highest point during the day, with the left and right sides of the map representing the eastern and western horizons, respectively. An individual horoscope charts the position of the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, and the planets at specific times. The most common form of horoscopes uses the date, time and location of your birth. Once this chart is constructed, one must be able to properly interpret the chart, and this is considered to be both an art and science. If it is properly done, this chart can then be used to reveal individual personality traits, current trends.
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In the early years of the 4th Century, the Babylonians introduced these concepts to the Greeks. Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle studied these things, and in doing so, astrology came to be known as a highly regarded science. Soon after the Greeks adopted these philosophical findings, the Romans, too, adopted it, followed by those in Arabic countries, and so on until they encompassed the world over. As these things continued to be studied and observed, astrology was used to bring a sense of order to what seemed otherwise chaotic events. It was not long before astrology was being used to predict future events such as weather patterns, natural disasters, wars, and even human affairs. The natural progression of astrology led it to be used as a way to counsel kings, emperors and other rulers. It was not long before astrology was used to predict the future for certain humans. This apparent control that the sun, moon and stars seemed to have over humans came to be known as fate. And, fate, as believed by many, is what determines our destiny. These philosophies, along with the Greek mythological stories of when Gods walked the earth, all helped form the phrase “written in the stars.”
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“If you believe that something is written in the stars, you believe that it will be made to happen by a force that controls the future – ‘It was written in the stars that they would meet and fall in love.’” (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/written-in-the-stars)
The mythological creatures and folklore that have attributed to examples of things “written in the stars” has always held a sense of awe and wonderment to me. As a wedding planner, and someone who helps others with their “happily-ever-after’s,” I am especially drawn to the love stories, both the happy and tragic ones. I would like to share these love stories throughout my blogs. The following story is taken from the movie Overboard. In the movie, which takes place along the coast of Oregon, an heiress (played by Goldie Hawn) is tossed overboard her yacht during a stormy night, and consequently ends up with amnesia. A local handyman (Kurt Russell) pretends to be the heiress’ husband. Closer to the end of the movie, as the two characters are falling in love with each other, Kurt Russell’s character, Dean takes Goldie Hawn’s character, Joanna, to a club. While at the club, there is a boat out on the water that blows its horn three times. Joanna asks Dean why they do that. The following conversation ensues:
Joanna: Why do they honk three times when they come into port?
Dean: They are signaling that they are coming home. There's an old legend of Arturo, a Portuguese fisherman who met a beautiful girl when he came into port. Her name was Katarina and they fell in love. Problem was, her father was the territorial governor and he didn't want his only little princess winding up with a poor fisherman, so he told Arturo to ship off, which he did. But not before telling his true love that he'd be back for her and when he arrived, he would signal his return with three, long blasts. Then she could dive off the rocks and swim out to his fishing boat and the two of them would be on their way, live happily ever after, sailing off into the sunset together.
Joanna: "Oh, I love this story!"
Dean: A year later, everything goes as planned, but when she was swimming out to the boat, a thick fog rolled in and she couldn't find his boat. Arturo panicked and called out, "Katarina! Katarina! and she responded, "Arturo!" Upon hearing that, he dove into the icy water and they ...
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Joanna: Kissed?
Dean: No, they drowned.
Joanna: That's a terrible story!
Dean: Yes, but the legend says that they both reunited at the bottom of the sea and every time you see the ocean spray, it's them.
Joanna: Making love?
Dean: Yes, forever and ever.
And so, you could say that Arturo and Katarina’s love was destined to be, controlled by the fates and the cosmos.
**(Story found on https://www.everythingnautical.com/blog/ring-the-ships-bells-three-times-a-stolen-legend-from-overboard/)**
I hope you enjoyed this love story. Stay tuned for more “Written in the Stars” Love Stories. If there is a particular love story that you would like me to write about on my blog, please comment below. I look forward to your suggestions.