The Blaze Star and two different myths

 

According to news reports, we're due to witness the nova of a star at the constellation Corona Borealis. The star brightens up when it reaches nova phase roughly every 80 years. It's nicknamed "Blaze Star", and it's proper name is T CrB. The last nova flare up happened in 1946. The Blaze Star is a binary system with a red giant and a white dwarf. While the star gazers are waiting excitedly for this to happen, we would see it as a bright star with our naked eyes. It could happen any moment as it's due to occur soon. 

This region of the sky is connected to the Celtic goddess Arianrhod, as the corona borealis constellation is one of her important symbols. Arianrhod is a virgin goddess of the stars and silver wheel, the "crown of the north", associated with weaving, full moon, silver coins, wheat, fish and candles. The constellation of corona borealis was named "Caer Arianrhod" the revolving Castle of the Silver Circle. It's other names include Arianrhod's Crown, which is her tower abode. The belief is that the corona borealis is an entrance to Annwn. One of the most well known stories about Arianrhod is her giving birth to twins. They were mysteriously conceived and it's believed this was magical and a test for her.

The corona borealis is also associated with Ariadne of Greek mythology. It's even called the Crown of Ariadne. She was the mistress of the Labyrinth that held the dangerous man-eating Minotaur as prisoner. Many human sacrifices were made to the Minotaur. Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos and niece of enchantress Circe. She was worshipped in Athens, Delos, Naxos, Cyprus and even Roman Britain. It's believed she fell in love with Theseus, the hero set out to slay the Minotaur, so she gave him a ball of wool to help him navigate the complex dark labyrinth. Theseus killed the Minotaur and later married Ariadne, although it depends on what version you come across. In some, she's simply the girlfriend of Theseus but wife of the god Dionysus as she then became Queen of the Maenads, the wild women who worshipped Dionysus. Ariadne's gift from Dionysus was a crown, of which became the star constellation after she died. The corona borealis resembles her glittering crown jewels. 

Storm Valkyrie