The Serpent Bearer
Ophiuchus
December 6 - 16
Part of the constellation Ophiuchus, the God of Healing who holds the serpent of medicine and rebirth, lies between Scorpio and Sagittarius on the zodiac band. Like the God of healing, who was slain with a lightening bolt and then vanished to the underworld, before being resurrected and placed amongst the stars, this constellation disappears beneath the horizon every Autum and is resurrected - reappears - each Spring. It is best seen in Summer. To find it, locate the bright Harp Star, Vega, in the Lyra, a constellation high up near the zenith. Nearer the horizon, to the south, you will see Ras Alhague, the head of the Serpent Bearer, which is its most important star, lying between Altair in the Eagle to the east and Arcturus in Bootes to the west.
