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What Are The Fixed Stars In Astrology

The Fixed Stars in Astrology are stars that are so far away from Earth that they do not appear to move over time (as opposed to what the ancients referred to as the “wandering stars” which are the Planets that move in orbit).

The importance of Fixed Stars varies from tradition, Eastern Vedic Astrology is based on the Fixed Stars, while Western Astrology adds them in as a supplement usually after the Planets. The Fixed Star Spica, for example, is twice as big as our own Sun, that’s a mammoth amount of weight!

As they are “fixed” in nature, each one is always roughly at the same degree of their Sign, for example Algol is at 26º Taurus (in the Tropical Zodiac) for many years. For this reason, they are only considered relevant in a Natal Chart reading if they are conjunct usually within a 1º orb of a personal Planet or sensitive point, such as the angles.

Read on for some significations of the Fixed Stars and how to work with them Astrologically:

How To Work With the Fixed Stars

The Signs of the Zodiac in Western Astrology are based on the seasons. The first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the Vernal Equinox, is the first day of Aries Season, and then the movement of the Sun is divided into 12 equal segments, or Zodiac Signs, of the Sun’s apparent path around the Earth (the ecliptic). This is called the Tropical Zodiac, as it is tied to the Seasons. This is where many of the significations of the Zodiac Signs come from- the themes of the Season in which they fall.

The second Zodiac is based on dividing the sky into twelve equal segments starting with the first star of the Aries constellation. This is called the Sidereal (star-based) Zodiac and is primarily used in Indian (Vedic) Astrology, and by Western Sidereal Astrologers.

At the inception of Western Astrology, the Tropical and Sidereal Zodiacs coincided. On the first day of Spring, the first star of Aries also rose with the Sun. Over time, because of the way the Earth wobbles due its tilted axis, the two Zodiacs have drifted apart so that they are now about 24 degrees apart. The so-called precession of the Equinoxes shifts about 1º every 72 years.

The rate of motion of Fixed Stars, on the other hand, is so miniscule, changing at about 1.3 minutes over 100 years, meaning the positions from 2000 BCE are still pretty much valid today. You can check here where they are in their Tropical or Sidereal Zodiac Sign according to the year. Below I will list solely their Tropical Zodiac Sign and constellation as of 2022.

There is also a third Zodiac, the Constellational Zodiac. This Zodiac is made up of the actual space taken up by the constellations in the sky, which are of varying sizes and sometimes overlap. Aries is a tiny constellation in comparison to the constellations of Virgo or Pisces, which are huge.

The Behenian fixed stars are a selection of fifteen stars considered particularly powerful, especially auspicious for use in Astromagic. For these purposes, each one is also assigned a gemstone, Kabbalistic symbol, and plant to use as a way to drawn down and harness its power in ritual (for the creation of talismans etc). Famed 16th Century occultist Agrippa delineated many of their modern-day significations, in turn assigned to Hermes Trismegistus.

Apart from their use in Natal Astrology, taken into consideration if they are conjunct within a 1º orb of a classical Planet or sensitive angle, and their magical uses, Fixed Stars Astrology can also be used in conjunction with the Mundane Astrology. For example, the November 2021 Lunar Eclipse occurred at 27º Taurus conjunct malefic Fixed Star Algol, adding extra weight to its significance, especially when the Eclipses come along.

Because they are said to “cast no rays,” their aspects are said to be ineffective and their influence is exerted only by conjunction (no other aspect). When there is a personal conjunction, however, it is said to bring a significant rise in stature, potentially overcoming everything else in the Natal Chart. Many of their significations are heavily based on mythology, and can also be incorporated into Horary or Electional Astrology (again, especially for Astrological magic).

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Here I will cover the fifteen Behenian stars in a bit more detail, but there are others of significance listed below:

Behenian 15 Fixed Stars:

ALGOL (26º26’ Taurus Zodiac Sign) - This is an unfortunate ”demon” star associated with the losing of one’s head, representing the myth of Medusa. It’s in the constellation of Perseus. Its assigned Planets are as of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter, which can also bring a dignity and piousness. Its gemstone is diamond and its plant is black hellebore/mugwort.
ALCYONE (00º18’ Gemini Zodiac Sign) - It’s in the constellation of Taurus, the brightest in the Pleiades star cluster of the Bull. The Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, are located in the Shoulder of the Bull. The traditional name Alcyone comes the mythological daughter of Atlas. She is the “central one” of the Pleiades sisters who was seduced by Poseidon. Its nature is of the Moon and Mars, and symbolises both love and turbulence. Its gemstone is rock crystal, and its plant is fennel.
ALDEBARAN (10º05’ Gemini Zodiac Sign) - This is considered a very potent star, it’s also in the constellation of Taurus, and said to gives honor, intelligence, eloquence, steadfastness, integrity, popularity, courage. Its Planetary nature is of Mars (and sometimes Venus), its gemstone is ruby/garnet/carbuncle, and its plant is milk thistle.
CAPELLA (22º10’ Gemini Zodiac Sign) - It is said to bestow honour, wealth, eminence, renown, a public position of trust, and makes its natives careful, inquisitive, very fond of knowledge and particularly of novelties. It’s in the constellation of Auriga, and its Planets are Mars and Mercury (sometimes Jupiter and Saturn), its gemstone is sapphire, and its plant is thyme/horehound.
SIRIUS (14º23’ Cancer Zodiac Sign) - The so-called Dog Star, the brightest in the Canis Major constellation, it is said that its heliacal rising coincided with the flooding of the Nile and the start of the Ancient Egyptian Astrological New Year. It gives honour, wealth, devotion, passion and resentment. Its Planets are Jupiter and Mars (sometimes Venus), its gemstone is beryl, and its plant is juniper/savine.
PROCYON (26º05’ Cancer Zodiac Sign) - This is in the constellation of Canis Minor and was considered a very fortunate star, portending fame and wealth for some while symbolising destruction and destitution for others. Its Planets are Mercury and Mars, its crystal is agate, and its plant is water buttercup/heliotrope.
REGULUS (00º06’ Virgo Zodiac Sign) - The heart of the lion, this is the regal star in the constellation of Leo, said to convey royal properties, noble mind, frankness, courage, and be a “kingmaker”, in this can be an element of pompousness. Its is of the nature of Jupiter and Mars, its mineral is granite and its plant is mugwort/celandine.

ALKAID (27º14’ Virgo Zodiac Sign) - It’s in the constellation of Ursa Major, and despite its Planetary associations, Venus and the Moon, it was known in ancient times as “the destroyer of nations” by Islamic Astrologers as it can mark instability. Its “gemstone” is magnet and its plant is succory/chicory.
ALGORAB (13º45’ Libra Zodiac Sign) - This is another infamous dark star, in the constellation of Corvus. Its Planets are the two malefics Saturn and Mars, its gemstone is onyx and its plant is burdock.
SPICA (24º08’ Libra Zodiac Sign) - One of the most auspicious stars, its in the constellation of Virgo and is said to bestow riches, sweetness, success, and a love of art and science. Its Planets are Venus and Mars/Mercury, its gemstone is emerald and its plant is sage.
ARCTURUS (24º32’ Libra Zodiac Sign) - Also in Libra, it is closely linked with Spica but tends towards more grandiosity as its Planets are Mars and Jupiter. Its gemstone is jasper and its plant is plantain. It’s in the constellation of Bootes.
ALPHECCA (12º35’ Scorpio Zodiac Sign) - It is said to bestow honour, dignity, poetical and artistic ability, and make natives idealistic, psychic, neat, lovable, refined, genteel, and intelligent. Its Planets are Venus and Mercury/Mars, its gemstone is topaz and its plant is rosemary. It’s in the constellation of Corona Borealis.
ANTARES (10º03’ Sagittarius Zodiac Sign) - Known as antithetical to Mars (anti-Ares, God of War), and is said to cause destructiveness, rashness, and be overly headstrong. Its Planets are Venus/Mars and Jupiter, its gemstone is sardonyx/amethyst and its plant is birthwort. It’s in the constellation of Scorpius.
VEGA (15º36’ Capricorn Zodiac Sign) - Its Planets are Mercury and Venus, and gives beneficence, ideality, hopefulness, refinement, and changeability, as well as pretentiousness. Its gemstone is chrysolite and its plant is winter savoury. It’s in the constellation of Lyra.
DENEB ALGEDI (23º50’ Aquarius Zodiac Sign) - As its Planets are Saturn and Jupiter, the greater malefic and benefic (sometimes Mercury instead), it is said to cause both beneficence and destructiveness, sorrow and happiness. In a talisman can be seen as a protective and purifying energy. its gemstone is chalcedony and its plant is marjoram. It’s in the constellation of Capricornus.

So if you have your Natal Sun at 24º Libra (using the Tropical Zodiac), it is conjunct Spica, or if your Midheaven is at 24º Aquarius, it is conjunct Deneb Algedi.

You can also calculate your heliacal rising and setting star, which was the Fixed Star that was rising before or setting after your Sun on the day you were born. These act as a point of wisdom and true north for heliacal rising, and like guiding ancestral wisdom for heliacal setting.

You may also want to check out where the Asteroids are you in your Natal Chart!

Brightest Fixed Stars

You can also work with Fixed Stars by selecting only the brightest, first magnitude stars. Magnitude is a measurement of brightness of a celestial object, lower numbers are brighter. The Sun’s magnitude is -26.76 while a full moon’s magnitude can be as bright as -12.76. First magnitude is any designation that is less than 2, so all of the negative numbers up to 1.99 counts.

There are 21 first magnitude stars;

Sirius 14° Cancer
Canopus 15° Cancer
Rigel Kentarus 29° Scorpio
Arcturus 24° Libra
Vega 15° Capricorn
Capella 22° Gemini
Rigel 17° Gemini
Procyon 26° Cancer
Achernar 15° Pisces
Betelgeuse 29° Gemini

Agena 24° Scorpio
Altair 2° Aquarius
Acrux 12° Scorpio
Aldebaran 10° Gemini
Spica 24° Libra
Antares 10° Sagittarius
Pollux 23° Gemini
Fomalhaut 4° Pisces
Mimosa 11° Scorpio
Deneb 20° Capricorn
Regulus 0° Virgo

As you can see, there are Behenian Fixed Stars that also make it to the magnitude of brightness list. Some of the Behenian and Bright Fixed Stars can also be grouped into Planetary groups, they are:

The Venus-Mercury star group: Spica, Vega, Formalhaut, Deneb Adige, Alphecca
The Jupiter-Mars group: Regulus, Acturus, Altair, Antares
The Jupiter-Saturn star group: Rigel, Alnilam, Menkalinam, Rukbat, Algol
The Mars (Saturn) star group: Sirius, Pollux
The Jupiter-Mercury star group: The north scale, Castor
The Mars-Mercury star group: Bellatrix, Procyon, Betelgeuse, Alpheratz
The Jupiter-Venus star group: Toliman, Acamer
The Saturn-Venus star group: Denebola, Zosma, Alphard
The Mars-Venus star group: Aldebaran, a very potent star

You can read more about the significations of what each of these means if they impact your chart here.

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So that’s what the Fixed Stars are in Astrology, I hope it’s useful for you! Let me know in the comments section below if you have anything else to add or any other questions. Do you have a Natal Behenian star or use them in your Astrological Chart interpretations?

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