The Scorpian / Surviving in the desert / Spiritual view

Painting by Jessa Huebing-Reitinger

In some Native American societies, the stars we call Scorpius played a significant role in determining annual milestones. The Navajo called the upper body of Scorpius "First Big One." When they saw this group rising, they knew spring would soon be over. They referred to the three stars forming the stinger of the scorpion as "Rabbit Tracks," because they looked like the meandering tracks a rabbit leaves in the snow. The position of the Rabbit Tracks in the sky helped tell the Navajo when it was appropriate to hunt game. When the open end of Rabbit Tracks tips toward Earth, as the tail does when the constellation dips toward the western horizon, it is fall, and hunting season begins. When the open end points upward, as it does upon rising in the spring, hunting season ends.

The Skidi Pawnee referred to the two stars comprising the scorpion's stinger as the "Swimming Ducks." When the ducks first appeared just before dawn in late February, they knew that spring and the "time of thunder" were close at hand. They thought Swimming Ducks represented loons that rose late at night in the spring to tell the water birds to fly north again.

Today, most sky watchers associate the appearance of the scorpion with the onset of warm, fragrant nights and hot days: summertime. Still, there was a time long ago when the first people to inhabit this country depended on these star patterns to help them live. See if you can find First Big One, Rabbit Tracks, and Swimming Ducks tonight!

On a practical level / make friends and live in tune with them.

Crossing the threshold into the Sonoran Desert can be an extreme experience. Tucson and Arizona and its environs have more wildlife habitat than most metropolitan areas: Animals—from tiny bugs to large mammals—thrive there, and coexisting with them can run from awe-inspiring to downright scary. Use common sense, and watch where you step and reach.

BARK SCORPIONS

These straw-colored friends grow to about two inches long and have crablike claws, a flat belly, and a segmented tail with a stinger. Outdoors they live in woodpiles, plant debris, or cracks in masonry. Indoors they like sinks, cabinets, or floor drains. New homes can attract scorpions—fresh concrete and plaster create a tempting, moist environment for them.

Scorpions sting humans in defense, they are not out to get you. All scorpions will hide in clothing, shoes, gloves, or bedding, so it's a good idea to shake out these items before use. Although reactions to the venom vary, a bark scorpion sting is never pleasant. If you get stung, call your doctor or Arizona Poison Control (626-6016) for advice.