the deepening ground

I started work on “Cassiopeia” back in late February, reading up on the mythology behind the constellation. Once again, we encounter a vain and boastful character whose ultimate demise reminds us of the danger of vanity and unchecked pride. But what stood out to me as even more important was the cost of her vanity. Cassiopeia isn’t the sole victim of her arrogance; in fact, she hardly suffers at all, initially. It’s everyone else around her, including her own daughter, who must pay the price of her blind vanity.

We find her combing her long locks of hair and boasting that she was more beautiful than the fifty Nereids (or sea nymphs). Of course, that doesn’t go over so well. As a result, it’s Cassiopeia’s husband’s kingdom that suffers due to Cetus (a whale or sea monster) that ravages the coasts of Ethiopia. To end this suffering, they must sacrifice their daughter Andromeda to the sea monster. Thankfully, Perseus comes along in the nick of time to save Andromeda’s life, but then a former suitor comes to claim the right to Andromeda’s hand and it all ends up with Cassiopeia and Cepheus getting turned into stone (via Medusa’s head).

To this day, we can find the permanent lesson circling the celestial pole, with Cassiopeia sitting on her throne, still combing her hair, but upside down half of the year, along with her unfortunate husband. The song runs with the myth, but puts flesh to the alluring temptations that would lead us to our own demise, like following that harlot, Folly. Thankfully, it’s not too late to sever those ties and rise on Pegasus wings!

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Cassiopeia

Vincent H. Anastasi - 2024

I met her once upon an autumn night,
mistook her face for the queen.
With dazzled eyes in the failing light,
I played the fool libertine.
Ooo now how it’s black and white,
but then the truth was obscene.
I’m wiser now for having lost my sight,
freed from baubles and dreams.

Oh oh (oh oh) spinning round with the queen
Oh oh (oh oh) bound to penitent dreams

She took my hand and I realized
the limits of all that I’d seen.
I was overcome, I was hypnotized;
I sold my life on the cheap.
Ooo now how I’ve paid the price,
the cost of blind vanity.
Now all my best has been sacrificed
to purchase poor remedy.

Oh oh (oh oh) spinning round with the queen
Oh oh (oh oh) bound to penitent dreams

Now who will free me from the skies,
fettered by lies I believed.
I followed her down to my demise;
now I’ve been bound to conceit.
Ooo now teach me to be wise
and turn from gorgeous deceit.
But it’s too late now to take a ride
and rise on Pegasus wings.

Oh oh (oh oh) spinning round with the queen
Oh oh (oh oh) bound to penitent dreams

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