Castor and Pollux

Castor and Pollux

In Roman mythology, the twin sons of Jupiter and Leda. Jupiter is said to have visited Leda in the form of a swan. She produced two eggs, from one of which sprang Castor and Clytemnestra, and from the other Pollux and Helen. Castor and Pollux, also known as the Dioscuri, had many adventures, were worshiped as gods, and were finally placed among the constellations.

Their name used to be given by sailors to the St. Elmo's Fire or Corposant. If only one flame showed itself, the Romans called it Helen, and said that it portended that the worst of the storm was yet to come; but two or more luminous flames they called Castor and Pollux, and said that they boded the termination of the storm.

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