Solar System Myths and Lore

Stories About Mars, Jupiter and Saturn

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Name

Myth and Lore

Mars

To the Norsemen Mars was a one-handed god of war called, Tiu (TEE oo). Tuesday honors the god of war called Mars by the Romans and Ares (ER eez) by the Greeks. "All's fair in love and war" may be a reference to his affair with Venus. The Romans made iron sacred to Mars and often had amulets made from the metal to protect them in battle.
Sometimes Mars was related to agriculture and has his own spring month named after him, March. Spring was also the time the Roman legions began their conquests and you guessed it, got their march-ing orders. See also Moon Myths or more about the planet Mars.

Jupiter

Jupiter (JOO pih tur) or Zeus (ZOOS) lived with the other gods on Mount Olympus drinking sweet drinks and listening to beautiful music. He became ruler of the universe after defeating his father, Saturn. Jupiter is also known as the Norse god of thunder, Thor, and is honored by our Thursday. This is probably because Zeus is known to have had the power to throw lightning bolts.
Ancient astrologers noticed that Jupiter returns to each constellation of the zodiac every 12 years which happens to be the time it takes for one orbit of the sun by Jupiter. See also Moon Myths or more about the planet Jupiter.

Saturn

Saturn or in Greek, Cronus (KRO nuhs), became ruler of the universe when he led a successful rebellion against his father, Uranus (YOOR uh nuhs). Worried that his children with his wife Rhea (REE uh) would turn against him, he began to swallow them as soon as they were born. Rhea and Gaia hid Zeus from Cronus until he was fully-grown. After Cronus was given a poison he threw up the children who emerged alive. The children waged war with Cronus and the other Titans until a victorious Zeus became the new ruler. Saturn is honored by Saturday. See also Moon Myths or more about the planet Saturn.

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