The Constellations

The Constellations serve an important purpose to the Crystalline. The Stars are their guides, not only when travelling across the open plains, but also imparting lifelong wisdom to those born beneath them. Every configuration that has been mapped have been named after gemstones and are listed below by the Season they are observed in:

## Summer

* **Amethyst the Drunkard**: a warning to creatures like deer and boar to avoid eating in the sweet, fermented fruits that fall from low hanging branches as it can lead to a swift death from waiting predators; those born under Amethyst are assumed to be overindulgers in all aspects of their life. Constellation is a drunken boar.
* **Chrysoprase the Cheetah**: teaches creatures that teeth and claws are not always the answer to everything, a lesson the lithe cheetah have learned living under their larger cousins. Chrysoprase asks to consider words from the heart and compassion. Individuals born under Chrysoprase are assumed to follow this mentality as well. Constellation is a cheetah counseling feuding coalition members.
* **Garnet the Traveler**: dedicated to the uncertainty and nervousness families feel when loved ones leave home for the first time. Garnets are given to children for good luck when they are expected to leave their home territory to strike it out on their own. One of the few constellations that have no superstitions affiliated to those born under it. Constellation is a wild dog leaving her home pack with her sisters.
* **Jade the Bountiful**: represents the good times, when the weather favors the inhabitants of Illirah and grasses are plentiful and prey abundant. Those born under Jade are expected to be great hunters or know where the best grazing grounds to be. Constellation is a ground sloth surrounded by piles of fruit.
* **Lapis Lazuli the Aristocrat:** embodies the lust for finer things and a better life, a rags to riches constellation. Being born under Lapis Lazuli used to be the predetermining factor for the ascension of many monarchs in history. In the present day it is interpreted as someone who will live a rich, fulfilling life. Constellation is a crow on top of a pile of gems.
* **Pyrite the Hyena**: promotes physical prowess and might, a core value of the hyena. A holy symbol to the hyena. Those born under Pyrite are destined to be warriors of exceptional skill or dutiful boundary patrol/sentires. Constellation is two hyenas engaged in a quarrel.
* **Tanzanite the Youthful**

## Autumn

* **Chrysocolla the Grandmother**: embodies and honors the matriarchy found in many cultures on Illirah. Reminds them of the vital ancestral knowledge mothers and grandmothers carry. Girls born under Chrysocolla are heavily respected as future matriarchs; some cultures will even choose a girl born under this constellation over their own offspring not born under it. Constellation is an older hyena telling stories to a group of pups.
* **Diamond the Boar**: represents the immovable power and unrelenting fury found deep within truly strong individuals; the holy symbol of the boar; Those born under Diamond are presumed to have the thick skin and fierce temper of the boar itself; Constellation is a boar midcharge.
* **Emerald the Lover**: stars for the romantics and charmers in the world. the openness to love, and recovering from heartbreak. Those born under Emerald are assumed to be passionate, in touch lovers and deeply devoted to those in their lives. Constellation is a leopard among his harem.
* **Jasper the Lion**: personifies the driving need to defend one's own land and family, a valued trait among lion culture. Jasper represents not only strength but grounding and stability as well as comfort and security; holy symbol of the lion. Those born under Jasper are assumed to take on leadership positions within their own factions. Constellation is a lioness protecting her pride from hyena.
* **Kunzite the Giraffe:** promotes a lifestyle above quarrelsome drama and instability.  To live in harmony one must be able to make compromises and know when to walk away and to not hold grudges. It is this belief that has led to the success of the giraffe. Holy symbol to the giraffe. Those born under Kunzite are expected to have an “above it all” attitude in life. Constellation is a group of giraffe feeding.
* **Malachite the Deer/Antelope**: a constant stalwart reminder to stay alert and avoid danger; a holy symbol for the deer/antelope. Herds led by a stag with malachite antlers are in good hands while those without a malachite stag will wear malachite amulets in the hopes of increasing their luck. Those born under Malachite supposedly have great intuition and are experts at avoiding being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Constellation is a proud stag with a fawn and a doe.
* **Sapphire the Zebra:** embodies wisdom, mental focus, and order, all of which are central qualities of the zebra. The zebra’s philosophy is “one hoof ahead”-to survive one needs to be one hoof ahead of the other. The fastest, wisest, and most alert zebras are the ones who survive and many wear charms of sapphire to increase their luck. Holy symbol to the zebra. Those born under Sapphire are presumed to lead life with great clarity. Constellation is a zebra stallion leaping out of the clutches of a homotherium pride.

## Winter

* **Aquamarine the Chalicothere**: represents a relaxed but alert state of mind as well as being able to reach within to speak your wisdom calmly. While prey animals, their size has led chalicothere to be less anxious which has led to a more slow going lifestyle for the large animals. Being born under Aquamarine foretells the life of someone who will keep a level head and provide great mediation skills. The constellation is a slow moving chalicothere reaching for a branch.
* **Citrine the Merchant**: favors the bold entrepreneurs that strike out with their craft into the world. Being born under Citrine implies a creature who knows how to utilize their talents and abilities to their most profitable benefit, whatever that may look like. Constellation of two lions trading.
* **Opal the Jackal**: the Opal stands for loyalty and faithfulness; holy symbol to the jackal. It promotes the foundational traits of the jackal who mate for life and will defend their homes with their very lives. Those born under Opal are expected to uphold that legacy, becoming dutiful mates and parents.
* **Quartz the Sabertooth**
* **Sardonyx the Leopard**: the holy stars to the leopard, Sardonyx at its core is a symbol of stamina, energy, and courage. The leopard is one of the few beasts in Illirah that prefer a life of isolation from its own kind which ultimately means it is up to the individual to survive. The traits of Sardonyx are valued as they are what is deemed necessary to not just survive but thrive as an adult leopard. It is said those born under Sardonyx will excel in any craft or trade they set their mind to. Constellation is a leopard leaping from the tree branches.
* **Sugilite the Balanced**
* **Zircon the Rogue:** represents and warns of the rogues that always pose a threat to the stability of a family group.

## Spring

* **Agate the Elephant**: represents a slow and steady, but sure path in life, a holy symbol among the elephants, those born under Agate are presumed to hold the power and wisdom of the elephant within them. Constellation is an old matriarch with her trunk up
* **Azurite the Student**: is the embodiment of curious beasts that are eager to seek more and more knowledge from their peers and elders. Creatures born under Azurite are assumed to walk the path of the scholars before them. Constellation is a jackal listening to a cheetah (Flourite the Scholar) intently.
* **Carnelian the Migrant:** watches over the constantly migrating souls of Illirah. Whether predator or prey, Carnelian is what drives animals to move. Those born under Carnelian are destined to be vagabonds. Constellation is a herd of gnu running and leaping
* **Fluorite the Scholar**: every student needs a mentor to learn from. While Azurite is the student, Fluorite is their dutiful teacher. Fluorite represents the need and want to pass on knowledge to future generations. Being born under Flourite produces individuals predicted to be great educators to their community. Constellation is an older cheetah teaching an enthusiastic jackal(Azurite the Student).
* **Onyx the Rhino:** represents staying the course even in the face of obstacles. The rhino, while a formidable beast, is one who understands staying focused on your goals and never straying from the path laid before it by its ancestors; holy symbol to the rhino. Being born under Onyx predicts an incredibly persistent and disciplined character. Constellation is a rhino mother with its calf following behind.
* **Ruby the Wild Dog**: represents vitality and vigor-the foundational traits to wild dog society. The ability to participate in the hunt is one of the most important tasks a pack member can carry out; a hunter’s tenacity is highly regarded. Holy symbol to the wild dogs. Being born under Ruby is rumored to produce great, successful hunters. Constellation is a pack of wild dogs taking down a kudu.
* **Topaz the Familial:** expresses the familial and platonic love many species hold living in their social groups. Those born under Topaz will raise loving, bountiful families. Constellation is a warthog with her offspring.