Fixed Stars in Aries

I mentioned in February, in THIS POST, that it might be worthwhile to do a monthly post about Fixed Stars in each zodiac sign. That was back in Aquarius-time, and I forgot Fixed Stars in Pisces. Now's as good a time as any to start though, at the beginning of the zodiac with Aries.

There are various and variable lists of Fixed Stars in Aries around the internet, I'll show one here, it might not be exhaustive. Exact positions of Fixed Stars move very slowly. Most lists give positions for the year 2000, some give comparisons with 1900, or 2010. A good overall list, with ancient interpretation, is an updated one from Rob Tillett See HERE. A word of caution: ancient astrologers were either a tad gloomy or way over excitable about a person's prospects. Take the interpretations with a large pinch of salt!

Anyway, here's a compact list of stars in tropical zodiac sign Aries, extracted from THIS website

 Hat-tip HERE for illustration

Two stars stood out, for me, as deserving a little more scribbling: Alpheratz , the brightest star in the constellation of Andromeda, located northeast of the constellation of Pegasus; and Erakis also called Mu Cephei, known as Herschel's Garnet Star, a red supergiant star in the constellation Cepheus, and one of the largest and most luminous stars known in the Milky Way.

I don't have a planet close to Erakis (I think 1 or 2 degrees would be the widest to consider a conjunction for Fixed Stars), but my natal Saturn at 12.55 Aries could qualify as conjunct Alpheratz. Alpheratz was at 13.28 of tropical Aries when I was born (it's now around 14.26).

From HERE

Alpheratz is a purplish-white double star of the2nd magnitude located at 14 degrees Aries 26minutes. It is benevolent, with the overall nature of Venus. A part of two constellations, both Andromeda and Pegasus, Alpheratz has the added distinction of being among the fifty stars catalogued by the Elizabethan astrologer William Lilly in his book Christian Astrology. Alpheratz is also noted by the 1st-century astrologer Manilus in his work Astronomica where it appeared on the title page in a drawing of the constellation Andromeda..........
......When a fixed star conjoins a luminary or planet it will dominate the outcome of events or the path of an individual’s destiny. Consider only the conjunction when placing a fixed star in a birth chart, and the orb is just three degrees.

Some keywords showing the significance of Alpheratz’ influence in the
natal horoscope are listed (See site linked above). What relevance might be attached to my natal Saturn conjunct Alpheratz? -

With Saturn
Frugal, seeks popularity, domestic harmony, to health problems involving the head.

Hmmm! Well, I seek domestic harmony anyway! I did have a scalp problem last summer, during the Uranus/Pluto square times, but I also had a foot problem soon after too, so.... If throat counts as head my recent fall to Earth might count too.

The article linked above goes on to say:

Alpheratz will exert a great deal of influence during 2014–15. Uranus will be in orb of a conjunction with this fixed star most of the year. The aspect will be strongest when Uranus is at 14 degrees of Aries during April 30 – May 19, 2014; September 26 – October 20, 2014; and again February 20 – March 11, 2015. The total lunar eclipse on October 8, 2014, will also be in very close proximity to Alpheratz. At these times those practicing ritual magic can invoke the myth archetypes of the rescue of Andromeda by Perseus as well as the power of flight through calling upon Pegasus.
Magical workings to save those in distress, especially for the sake of love, and travels for the sake of pure and virtuous motives would be favored.
– Dikki-Jo Mulle.

There's mention of Alpheratz in natal charts in an archived post of mine about Shel Silverstein. (Scroll down to the astrology paragraphs there.)

Erakis called the Garnet Star & aka Mu Chephei, currently at around 9.50 tropical Aries.
Click on image for larger, clearer version.

 Hat-tip HERE for illustration

From HERE

Conjoining Algenib and marking mid-sidereal Pisces [tropical Aries] is the Supergiant Garnet Star, Erakis. Most people naturally tend to notice the bright stars of Cepheus when looking into the heavens, but the blood-red Garnet Star of Cepheus is often missed — a beauty, especially through binoculars. Similarly, we miss seeing the opportunity for attainment or solution when only watching the obvious around us.

The Garnet Star lies at the head of King Cepheus forming a triangle with Alderamin and Zeta Cepheus. Erakis imparts a quality of royalty, prominence, largeness, passion, prosperity, abundance and wealth; and the appreciation of such. North of and conjoining Algenib, Erakis exemplifies the role or crown of the King — to govern without being lost in the drama of that which he may need to govern. As a supergiant star (about 1420 times our Sun's radius), Erakis imparts a significant astrological influence along with fortuitous Algenib, especially regarding financial affairs and opportunities.

Astrological reflections of the constellation Cepheus, of which Erakis is a part, as given by Manilius are listed at Constellations of Words.


Sidelight: Frank Herbert, in his famous novel Dune used a similar-sounding name for planet Arrakis (see Wikipedia). Perhaps the author took inspiration from Fixed Star Erakis.

Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose noble family accepts the stewardship of the desert planet Arrakis. As this planet is the only source of the "spice" melange, the most important and valuable substance in the universe, control of Arrakis is a coveted — and dangerous — undertaking. The story explores the multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the forces of the empire confront each other in a struggle for the control of Arrakis and its "spice"