LUPUS • the wolf

constellation : LUPUS

symbol : wolf 

View this constellation as featured in my illustration for “Moonlight Somata: a song of bodies in moonlight” beautifully written by Jay Odjick. Published in A Howl: An Indigenous Anthology of Wolves, Werewolves, and Rougarou via Native Realities Press, available through Red Planet Books & Comics.

Astro-knot canvases can be used as a portable guide in your astronomical gazing, framed as a canvas, or token in personal ritual space. Each panel features a beadwork weaving of a constellation; all graph designs are my own as referenced from astronomical maps  

Every painting features in-house made botanical inks that were brewed from locally harvested sumac berries + riverbank grapes so their vibrant tones reflect the landscapes in our community. This exclusive collection also includes a miniature beaded paper piano appliqué in homage to the debut of Moonlight Somata.

Astro-insights: 

•Featured in A Howl: • 🐺 The wolf • 

While it is an independent constellation now, in its history, Lupus was long known as an asterism within the borders of Centaurus. Bordered by Scorpius, Norma, Circinus, Libra and Centaurus; it is home to deep sky objects such as the Retina nebula and the Wolf–Rayet planetary nebula IC 4406 which contains some of the hottest stars in existence!

Mythos: According to Babylonian astronomy it was known as Mad Dog (UR.IDIM) which was a hybrid creature that combined the head and torso of a man with the legs and tail of a lion. It is often found in association with the sun god and another mythical being called the Bison-man. As an asterism it was considered to be an animal to be killed or alternatively as a wineskin held by Centaurus.Islamic Medieval  astro titled it a wild beast & Arab folk astronomers recognized it as the dense branches of the date palm fruit. Ptolemy’s work later identified it with the translation of wolf.

Product Specifications:

4 x 4in

1 Birch board panel

{• MEDIUM: Botanical inks, acrylic paint, metallic marker. seed beads, beaded paper piano •}