There are a lot of astronomical kings hidden in the night sky, and this week they're getting active.
Right now the Sun is in the region of the constellation Aquarius, while on the opposite side of the sky, the planet Jupiter is in the region of the constellation Leo. When constellations are 'opposite' one another, it means they appear on opposite sides of the Earth from one another, so when one constellation is rising, the other is setting.
In Aquarius, the brightest star has a name that means "the lucky one of the king", and other stars that are associated with luck, like "the lucky star of hidden things and hiding places." But because the Sun is in this region of the sky right now, we're not able to see these stars~we just have to know that they're there, hidden in the light of the Sun.
On the opposite side of the sky, there stands Leo, with its brightest star, also a "king star", Regulus. Regulus means the "little" or "hidden king". And Jupiter is right nearby.
This configuration in the sky, with Sun in Aquarius and Jupiter in Leo, is a perfect set up for the tale from the Celtic Creation Myths about the King of the Plain of Wonder. Every year, the King is bound to put on a disguise and go out among his people seeking good or ill at every turn. This is a classic "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" myth, for the King is hidden, but he always has a witness. The witness ensures that every deed is repaid in kind. That 'witness' right now can be imagined as the planet Jupiter, standing close by the 'hidden king' Regulus, and opposite the lucky kings in Aquarius, now hidden by the Sun.
Star Kings and the Plain of Wonder
