Taurus 10

Is Taurus attacking Orion, the Hunter, or are the Horns of the Bull the real story?
The horn was a symbol of fertility and bountiful riches in many cultures for thousands of years, and it is probably the case here, for the constellation would have announced the Vernal Equinox at around 4000 BC.

The constellation Taurus may also allude to the Greek story of Europa and the Bull. Europa was daughter of King Agenor. One fine spring day, accompanied by her hand maidens, Princess Europa went to the seashore to gather flowers. Zeus, who had fallen in love with Europa, seized the opportunity.

Zeus transformed himself into a magnificent white bull, and as such he joined King Agenor's grazing herd. Europa noticed the wonderful white beast, who gazed at them all with such a mild manner that they were not frightened.

Europa wove wreathes of flowers for the beast, and wrapped them around his horns. She led him around the meadow, and he was as docile as a lamb. Then, as he trotted down to the seashore, she jumped onto his shoulders. Suddenly, to her surprise and fright, he plunged into the sea and carried the princess to Crete.

As they reached the Cretan shore, Zeus then turned into an eagle and ravaged Europa. She bore three sons, the first of which was Minos.

Minos is said to have introduced the bull cult to the Cretans. He had Daedalus build a labyrinth in the depths of his palace at Knossus, which became the home of the Minotaur (offspring of Mino's wife Pasiphae, and a bull). Seven young men and seven maidens were ritually sacrificed to the Minotaur until Theseus killed it.

Minos, in fact, was the title of the ancient rulers of Crete, and the story probably tells of their mythic origin.