Constellation

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Constellation
The Cosmic Caravan.
(Cosmos)

Type
Constellation
Adjective
Constellatory
Source: Distant Worlds, pg(s). 50

A constellation is a perceived pattern formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another when viewed from a specific point in space and time.1

There are many constellations in Golarion's night sky, including the thirteen signs of the Cosmic Caravan used by those studying astrology.2 Different cultures have their own constellations.

Over Golarion

This is a list of some of the more famous constellations in the night sky using the names prevalent in the Inner Sea region of Golarion:234

Northern hemisphere

Constellations of Golarion's northern hemisphere, which includes the Inner Sea region, draw their names from Varisian traditions. The Varisians used them to guide their wanderings for generations.4

Southern hemisphere

Few in the Inner Sea region can see the stars known across much of the southern hemisphere of Golarion, which are better known across southern Garund and Casmaron.5

Minor constellations

In religion

Abadar
The constellation called the Key is said to be made to unlock the First Vault or to point the way there.3
Besmara
Her ship, the Seawraith, is seen as a constellation in the night sky.[citation needed]
Desna
The constellation called the Stair of Stars astronomically points the way to the pole star, Cynosure, and theologically points the way to Desna's palace.27

In astrology

Constellations of a zodiac—an area of the sky centered on the sun's apparent path across the celestial sphere8—form the basis of astrological studies across Golarion.910

Cosmic Caravan

Astrologers in the Inner Sea region use the thirteen signs of the Varisian Cosmic Caravan as the basis for their studies and predictions.2 It is suspected of having an Azlanti origin, potentially making it a cousin of similar Lergeni astrology systems.9

Certain psychics, called esoteric starseekers, use the constellations of the Cosmic Caravan as the source of their power; they read the constellations as other psychics read minds, and can gain access to certain spells that are associated with specific constellations.11

Dragon Empires zodiac

The Dragon Empires zodiac of Tian Xia comprises twelve figures heavily associated with imperial dragons and Tian legends. This zodiac is also more concerned with specific points in time, including the daylight hours, and with phases of the moon.1210

Blink dog zodiac

Blink dogs are fascinated by the myths associated with their own zodiac, which they use for assessing births and seeing omens.13

Jahaxi constellations

The Lirgeni and iruxi peoples of Jaha have their own combined constellations and astrological traditions. Jahaxi constellations include:14

The Bird Mother
A protector of new stars.
The Bird of Paradise
A flower that grows from a drop of the sun.
Eyes of the Dead
Home to ancestors who observe the world.
The Fang
A protector of travelers.
The Horn
Supports the night sky.
The Lions
Creatures who became stars after observing a goddess.
The Sailfish
Swoops down to catch food.
The Spider
Weaver of the night.
The Spine
Supports the connection between the world and heavens.
The Twin Turtles
The two are stacked atop each other.

Kellid constellations

Dating to prehistorical times, Kellids have named constellations after similarly shaped animals. Kellids have used pictograms to show the relationships between the star patterns and the animal shapes, such as those on the entrance to the Chasm of Screams in the Mindspin Mountains. These constellations are used in astrology.15

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. Constellation, Wikipedia.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 James L. Sutter. “Into the Black” in Children of the Void, 52. Paizo Inc., 2008
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 James L. Sutter. “Chapter 1: The Solar System” in Distant Worlds, 50. Paizo Inc., 2012
  4. 4.0 4.1 Andrew Penn Romine, et al. People of the Stars, inside front cover. Paizo Inc., 2014
  5. Andrew Penn Romine, et al. People of the Stars, inside back cover. Paizo Inc., 2014
  6. Scott Fernandez, et al. Golden Ossuary” in Tombs of Golarion, 38. Paizo Inc., 2015
  7. Elaine Cunningham & Dave Gross. Winter Witch, 258. Paizo Inc., 2010
  8. Zodiac and ecliptic, Wikipedia
  9. 9.0 9.1 Jason Bulmahn. “Esoteric Traditions” in Occult Mysteries, 36. Paizo Inc., 2014
  10. 10.0 10.1 James Jacobs, et al. “Life in the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 51. Paizo Inc., 2011
  11. Kim Frandsen, et al. “Skies and Seas” in Wilderness Origins, 30. Paizo Inc., 2019
  12. Richard Pett. “Forest of Spirits” in Forest of Spirits, 53. Paizo Inc., 2011
  13. Jason Bulmahn, et al. “Monsters A to Z” in Bestiary 2, 47. Paizo Inc., 2010
  14. Laura-Shay Adams, et al. Jaha” in The Mwangi Expanse, 206. Paizo Inc., 2021
  15. Tim Hitchcock. The Chasm of Screams, 6, 10, 18. Paizo Inc., 2011