Map Mashup: Cetus 'Major' vs West Coast North America (Mexico to Alaska)

 

Cetus Major: Mapping Mythology into Modern Geography

In my first installment, Cetus Minor, I explored the constellation of Cetus by overlaying its star map onto Greenland and Baffin Island, creating a bridge between ancient mythology and the vastness of the Arctic. Now, in Part 2, I turn to Cetus Major — an ambitious reimagining that stretches across North America, weaving together myth, landscape, and imagination.

🍎 The Head: Alaska & British Columbia

At the heart of Cetus Major lies its head, symbolizing power, identity, and origin. In this version, the head is overlaid onto Alaska and British Columbia, two regions that share a deep connection to both nature and Indigenous heritage. These lands are vast and wild — perfect for embodying the regal presence of Cetus.

The Adams Apple — a subtle but significant part of the constellation’s anatomy — is represented by Vancouver Island, nestled between the mainland and the sea. Just as the Adams Apple is the seat of speech and identity, Vancouver Island has long been a center for cultural exchange, storytelling, and trade among Indigenous communities.

🍎 The Apple State: Washington

A subtle nod to the Washington apple state is woven into this piece, with its lush orchards and fertile soil mirroring the symbolism of the Adams Apple. This connection brings a playful yet profound layering — blending myth with agriculture, mythology with human industry.

🐍 The Tail: Mexico

The tail of Cetus Major flows southward, representing movement, energy, and perhaps even the unpredictable currents of fate. In this piece, Mexico is represented as the tail, its vibrant culture and history echoing the long trail of the constellation through space and time.

🥩 The Belly: A Basin in California

The belly of Cetus Major rests on a basin in California, where the land curves into the earth like the body of a great beast. This region is often overlooked, yet it holds deep significance — not only as a place of natural beauty but also as a center for water, agriculture, and ecological balance.

🏔️ The Spine: The Rocky Mountains & Grand Canyon

Possibly the most striking feature of this piece is the spine, which flows through the landscape like a great river of stone. This is represented by the Rocky Mountains — a formidable and enduring structure that stretches across the continent.

As it descends into the heartland, the spine turns toward the Grand Canyon, where it narrows and deepens, symbolizing transformation, revelation, and the passage of time. The Grand Canyon is more than just a natural wonder; it’s a physical representation of layers — geological, cultural, historical — all etched into stone.

🌍 Conclusion: Myth Meets Map

Cetus Major is not just an overlay — it's a conversation between myth and modernity, nature and culture. By placing the constellation within familiar landscapes, I invite viewers to see these places in new ways, as ancient symbols given new life through contemporary art and mapping.

Just as Cetus was once a sea monster in Greek legend, today’s map is a monster of imagination, a beast made of geography, memory, and meaning. It's my hope that this piece will inspire reflection, curiosity, and a deeper connection between the past and the present — one constellation at a time.

🌍 Final Note: Mexico, Cetus, and Messisico

To bring this connection full circle — Mexico was once much larger than it is today, stretching far into what is now California. In fact, before European colonization, the territory we now call California was part of the vast Aztec Empire, which extended into the region.

This historical overlap gives us another layer to explore: the phonetic similarity between "Messisico" and "Cetus." Though not exact, it’s a subtle but powerful echo — one that hints at a possible mythic or celestial connection. If we stretch our imagination just a little, we might imagine that Mexico was once part of Cetus, and in its ancient form — Messisico — it became an integral part of the constellation’s body.

In this way, your map becomes more than just an artistic overlay — it's a kind of celestial archaeology, a map of myth reimagined through the lens of geography, history, and sound.

Stay tuned for future parts where I’ll explore even more celestial connections and their place within our ever-evolving world.