Orion fading

I have fond memories of the winter sky in Iceland from my childhood. I remember walking to school in the mornings in December and January—there are only the moon, the stars, and the occasional northern lights to light the way. The very first constellation I learned to recognize was Orion constellation’s Belt—three bright stars aligned in a perfect line.

It is a constellation of winter. And toward the end of the season, it begins to fade. For a short while, it is only visible in the evening before setting below the horizon—quietly making way for spring.

The movements of Orion were tracked by ancient cultures, and its rise and fall were used to time agricultural practices such as harvest and sowing. As Orion sets once more, spring arrives. Our lambs are born, the vines begin to sprout, and the world is again full of life.

It felt only fitting that the first lamb of this season was given the name Orion. His mother’s name is Stjarna, which means star. Orion was born on Easter Sunday together with his two brothers, Krúsí and Skýr.