Betelgeuse (Quartly)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 4 1st man sets to 3rd lady and they both cast to their right into 2nd place whilst 2nd couple step to their left
5- 8 1st lady sets to 3rd man and they both cast to their left into 2nd place whilst 1st man and 3rd lady set and do a petronella turn so that 1st man is facing up in the middle and 3rd lady is facing down to him
9-12 1st and 3rd couples dance right hands across, flowing into...
13-16 1st couple with 2nd lady dance half left hands across and dance up the ladies' side, whilst 3rd couple with 2nd man dance half left hands across and dance down the men's side
17-20 All set and rotate (pulling back right shoulder), dancing on 2 places in the circle to opposite their partner
21-24 All turn partner right hand once to end in promenade hold facing down
25-28 1st couple cross left hand and cast up 2 places, as others in turn lead down crossing left hand and casting up to original order
29-32 1st couple use 4 bars to cast 1 place (with 2nd couple stepping up on bars 31-32).

(On second time through 1st couple cast 2 places, so that 4th lady has moved up into 3th place ready to start.)

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Graham Quartly, 2026)

Dance Information

Amongst astronomers there is debate about the correct pronunciation of "Betelgeuse" (Orionis), but the name of this dance is definitely pronounced Beetle-Juice!

(Dance information by the deviser, Graham Quartly, 2026)

There is no single established English pronunciation of Betelgeuse. Dictionaries record several forms, including "BET-el-jooz", "BEE-tel-jooz" and "BEE-tel-jooss". The variation partly accompanies a history of different European spellings of the name, including Betelgeux and Betelgeuze, before Betelgeuse became the standard spelling during the early twentieth century.

The name derives from the Arabic Yad al-Jawzā', meaning "the hand of al-Jawzā'", referring to Orion. Its present form arose after the initial Arabic letter of the name was misread during its transmission into medieval European texts, changing the beginning of the word from a "y" to a "b".

The spelling of the star's name also provided the inspiration for the title of the 1988 film "Beetlejuice". The film's screenwriter, Michael McDowell, chose the name from Betelgeuse, although the film title was given the phonetic spelling "Beetlejuice".

Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion, where it forms the hunter's right shoulder. It is one of the brightest stars visible from Earth and is a variable star, changing noticeably in brightness. Its reddish colour can be seen with the unaided eye.

Size Comparison Of Numerous Stars, Going From The Sun, Through Betelgeuse, To Antares

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