When a fixed star conjuncts a planet or a house cusp, it bestows a particular property to an external object which the house or planet represents.
For example, the star Algol describes the loss of the head. If it conjuncts the 10th house cusp in the company's growth question, we can judge that the company will be decapitated (deprived of a leader).
Suppose Algol conjuncts the ruler of the 1st house in a relationship-related question. In that case, we expect the querent will lose his head (the ability to reason because of overwhelming feelings).
Note. An orb of 1° is used in horary astrology. In natal astrology, the orb of a star depends on its brightness. For example, a 1st magnitude star has a sphere of 6°. A star of the second magnitude has a 5° sphere, and so on, in decreasing order.
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How to Understand the Meaning of the Fixed Stars
A simple algorithm for understanding the meaning of a fixed star in astrology consists of four simple steps.
Step 1. Determine the Constellation
Find out which constellation the fixed star is in.
Usually, the astronomical name of a star speaks for itself. For example, Antares is astronomically called Alpha Scorpii. "Alpha" means it's the brightest star in the constellation, Scorpio being the constellation it's in.
Step 2. Read the Legend of the Constellation
You can google the legend that is associated with this constellation. Usually, the tale has a main hero.
Step 3. Find the Location of the Star in the Constellation
Now your task is to find in which part of the constellation the star resides. It can be on the main hero's arm, leg, head, etc.
It is an important indicator. It points out that in the legend of the constellation, we need to pay attention to this part of the hero - to what he does with this part within the framework of the tale.
For example:
- The star is in the mouth - it is essentially what the main character said or how he acted with his voice;
- The star is in the area of the hand - it is important what he did;
- The fixed star is in the center (in the heart) of the constellation - it is crucial to understand the hero's primary task (what was his essence, his purpose in a tale);
- The star is in the leg area - it is essential to where the hero was heading, or what he did with his feet (stepped on someone's throat, pushed someone away with his foot);
- And so on.
Step 4. Make Sense of the Legend
Now you need to answer one question: "what is the main thing the main character did within the framework of the legend (or a particular episode of this legend)," namely:
- What did he do?
- What did he say? *Where did he go?
- What task did he perform?
- And so on - depending on the star's location in the constellation.
It will be the desired meaning of the fixed star, which it will "project" onto a house or planet.
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Antares example
The star Antares is Alpha Scorpio. So, we need to consider the legend of Scorpio. Antares is in the heart of the constellation, which means we must focus on the final task that Scorpio completed in this tale.
The scorpion is mentioned in two legends.
Legend of Phaeton
The first legend says that the mortal Phaethon tried to assert his immortality and greatness but was stung by a scorpion sent to stop him. As a result, Phaeton fell and lost his throne - the "chariot of Helios."
Legend of Orion
The second legend is connected with Orion. The great hunter challenged the gods that he was better than all mortals and gods in hunting. To give him a lesson, the goddess of the sublunar world sent a scorpion, which stung Orion, and the great mortal fell.
Remember that in these legends, the main hero is Scorpio, as the constellation's name suggests.
Since Antares is in the heart of Scorpio, we need to find the primary purpose of the scorpion.
Making Sense
We ask ourselves: "What is the common task in both legends which scorpion performed?" Both with Orion and Phaeton, he overthrew the great mortal. It is important to note here that the gods sent the scorpion as a punishing factor in both legends - it comes from above.
Summarizing the primary meaning of both legends (the main task of Scorpio) is to be a kind of tool of the gods, which they send to great but still mortal people to cease their glory. Scorpio is what brings their remarkable reign to an end.
Or even simpler - Alpha Scorpio completes the cycle of everything that has lived and flourished for a long time. Algol is often a symbol of time, which can destroy even the greatest empires.
For this reason, Antares is associated with the autumn equinox and the period of withering. So, the meaning of Antares is the end of the reign.
Projecting the General Meaning into the Particular Context
Therefore, if Antares conjuncts the ruler of the 10th house in the matter of the bankruptcy of the company, then it draws a line that completes the cycle of the existence of the whole organization.
And if Antares conjuncts the significator of the disease in medical matters, it brings to an end the long period of the reign of the disease. That is, it serves as a sign of recovery.
According to exactly the same scheme, one can extract the meaning (or property) of any fixed star in horary astrology. Stars bestow their properties on any external object when conjunct the significator.
Below is a list of the most commonly used fixed stars and their main properties.
List of Some Stars in Horary Astrology
- Regulus (α Leo, in the heart of the constellation) - gives greatness and glory;
- Spica (α Virgo, in ears of wheat in the hands of Dimeter) - protection and patronage;
- Algol (β Perseus, in the left eye of the severed head held by Perseus) - blows the head off in a literal or figurative sense;
- Alcyone (η Taurus, is in the Pleiades cluster) - crying and sorrow about the loss of a loved one (often a man in the family);
- Vindemiatrix (ε Virgo, in the hand of Dimetra, with which she mowed wheat) - break, separation. Often used in questions of relationships;
- Antares (α Scorpio, in the heart of Scorpio) - completion of the period of existence (reign);
- Aldebaran (α Taurus, located in the eye of Taurus) - the beginning of a new cycle (reign period).
Fixed stars in Natal Astrology
In natal astrology, the brightest stars, called "royal" ones, are mainly used. However, astrologers also operate with less bright stars that are in the center of star clusters. These stars are perceived as ones of the 1st magnitude due to the shine of clusters.
Here is a complete list of the brightest stars:
Beneficial Royal Stars:
- Mintaka, Almilam, Almitak (δ, ε and ξ of Orion's Belts)
- Sirius (α of Canis Major)
- Castor and Pollux (α, β Gemini)
- Alhena (Left foot, γ Gemini)
- Regulus (α Lion, Lion's Heart)
- Spiça (α Virgo)
- Arcturus (α Boötes)
- Alpheсa (α Corona Borealis)
- Vega (α Lyrae)
- Altair (α Aquila)
- Deneb (α, Swan Tail)
- Formalhaut (α Piscis Austrinus)
Malicious Royal Stars:
- Algol (β Perseus, Head of Medusa)
- Alcyone (η Taurus, center of the Pleiades)
- Alphard (α Hydra, Heart of the Hydra)
- Antares (α Scorpion, Heart of the Scorpion)
Others (not royal, but bright stars):
- Aldebaran (Taurus Eye)
- Cluster of dim stars in Hercules
- Cluster of dim stars in Dolphin
- A cluster of dim stars in the Pleiades
Conjunctions With the Stars
There are technical differences in how conjunctions with fixed stars are considered in natal and horary astrology.
In horary astrology, a planet conjuncts a star on the zodiac circle. In natal astrology, the planet can effectively connect with a star both in mundi (on the circle of positions in the Regiomontana system or on the dividing S-curve in the Placidus system), as well as in the equatorial plane.
In horary astrology, planetary aspects/antiscia cannot conjunct fixed stars. In natal astrology, it is possible. The point is not only planets and cusps but also aspects/antiscia of planets are active participants in creating events in the primary directions.
