Orion was a great hunter with unusual strength and power. He fell in love with Merope, a granddaughter of the god Dionysis, princess of Chios. Her father, Oenopion, refused to give his consent to their marriage, even after Orion rid their country of beasts. In a druken rage Orion tried to force himself on the maiden. As punishment her father blinded him.

Orion found an oracle who told him that if he travel to the East to seek the Sun's morning rays he could recover his sight. After many adventures and a long journey the hunter made it to the shore and regained his vision. Having his sight back his thoughts turned to revenge.

He went in seach of Oenopion and ended up on Crete. While there he met Artemis, the goddess of hunting and the moon. She fell in love with him but he twin brother Apollo disapproved. In one version Apollo dared Artemis to hit a little black speck in the ocean, not know it was Orion swimming. She killed him with one arrow and upon finding out her mistake placed Orion in the heavens. It is said that her sorrow is why the moon looks so sad. In another version a huge scorpion was sent to kill Orion and succeeded. In this version Artemis also put Orion in the stars, and the scorpion was placed in the heavens too. In opposite seasons Orion and Scropio switch places.

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