Celestial Direction

Polar Constellations

The ecliptic plane itself finds its northernmost stars in the constellation of Draco, and its south in the constellation of Dorado. Although the planets all align along the ecliptic plane, the planets and moons themselves may lean in different directions. The planets and moons that do not have much of an axial tilt, such as Mercury, Venus, Luna and Jupiter all share a draconian north. A slight angle points the south of Mercury towards Pictor rather than Dorado.   Like a north star serves as a dependable guiding star, Astrologers believe the northern constellation reveals the aims of a celestial body, and the southern constellation serves as a counterweight. The Draconian north is associated with era-defining challenges, the sort that give rise to great heroes and terrible foes. The Dorado, the strong dolphinfish, is seen as a symbol of good luck, although the wise do not forget that its namesake is a predator.   Mars and Neptune share a cygnian north, associated with grace and transcendance, but Mars looks down towards the southern sails while Neptune is grounded in the stern of the greater constellation of Argo.   Saturn's north is the king Cepheus, and the south is the navigational instrument Octans. Uranus straddles between the northern serpentbearer Ophiuchus and the southern hunter Orion.   The pole stars of a planet or moon are not constant, the planets shift, the orbits are imperfect. The north and south of the current day are not those of the distant past. Even the ecliptic shifts over time, leading the system into new celestial eras.