Andromeda Fanfare

Andromeda is a constellation in the night sky as well as the closest galaxy to our own, the Milky Way.

I wrote this piece in January 2025 after the melody popped into my head while thinking of the myth of Andromeda, during a particularly nasty migraine episode. Andromeda is the daughter of Queen Cassiopeia (another constellation) who bragged of her beauty being greater than that of the Nereids (sea nymphs that resembled mermaids). Poseidon, the Greek God of the sea and all of its creatures, did not like this and sent a sea monster to punish Cassiopeia and her people. After much destruction, it was advised to sacrifice poor Andromeda to appease Poseidon.

Perseus (also a constellation visible in the night sky alongside Andromeda and Cassiopeia) was on his way back from killing Medusa, and, because he had nothing better to do apparently decided to also kill the sea monster and save Andromeda from the buffet-shaped rock throne she was chained to.

I’m not sure what the moral of the story is other than maybe don’t make an all-powerful Greek God angry, or perhaps be careful what you brag about, or maybe... just don’t?

Like the princess of myth, this theme is both regal and beautiful.