From: Carolyn Kunin To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum Sent: Friday, October 11, 2002 9:14 PM  Subject: more Pale Fire Constellations

If in referrring to Kinbote as the Great Beaver, Nabokov was indeed indicating a reference to the constellation Gemini, then the pail, "situla," turns out to indicate the constellation Aquarius. Situla is a star in the constellation Aquarius, but the name also is an alternate name, along with Ganymede,  for the constellation and refers to the source from which Aquarius/Ganymede pours out the water/wine. It seems that in most cultures this constellation is associated with rains, floods, fountains.

One interesting astrological interpretation reads "The beauty of Ganymedes and his flight through the air link [Situla] to the ideas of personal charm and aviation with which [the constellation] is certainly connected." The beauty of Ganymede has other Pale Fire implications, and reflects on "Hebe's Cup."

Ursa Major has some Pale Fire links:  

1) as indicating northernmost; 

2) the mythical Atalanta was suckled by a she-bear; 

2) the seven stars of the constellation are associated in some cultures with death, and may have something to do with the seven regalia-bearing courtiers that appear at the time of Queen Blenda's death

4) The Bear is associated with the chase (another Atalanta link).

Other constellations spotted in Pale Fire: Lyra,Krater,Cygnus,Virgo,Felis,Canis,Cancer,Monoceros.