Behenian fixed star
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The Behenian fixed stars are a selection of fifteen stars considered especially useful for magical applications in the medieval astrology of Europe and the Arab world. Their name derives from Arabic bahman, "root," as each was considered a source of astrological power for one or more planets. Each is also connected with a gemstone and plant that would be used in rituals meant to draw the star's influence (e.g., into a talisman). When a planet was within six degrees of an associated star, this influence was thought to be particularly strong.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa discussed them in his De Occulta Philosophia as the Behenii (singular Behenius), describing their magical workings and kabbalistic symbols. He attributed these to Hermes Trismegistus, as was common with occult traditions in the Middle Ages. Their true origin remains unknown, though Sir Wallis Budge suspects a possible Sumerian source.
The following table uses symbols from a 1531 quarto edition of Agrippa, but other forms exist. Where the name used in old texts differs from the one in use today, the modern form is given first.
| Name | Astronomical Designation | Location | Planet | Gemstone | Plant | Symbol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algol | Caput Algol | Beta Persei | 26 Taurus 07 | Saturn & Jupiter | diamond | black hellebore | 
|
| Pleiades | M45 (Taurus) | 29 Taurus 55 | Moon & Mars | rock crystal | fennel | 
| |
| Aldebaran | Aldaboram | Alpha Tauri | 9 Gemini 11 | Mars & Venus | ruby / garnet | milk thistle | 
|
| Capella | Alhayhoch, Hircus | Alpha Aurigae | 21 Gemini 48 | Jupiter & Saturn | sapphire | thyme | 
|
| Sirius | Canis maior | Alpha Canis Majoris | 14 Cancer 03 | Venus | beryl | juniper | 
|
| Procyon | Canis minor | Alpha Canis Minoris | 25 Cancer 45 | Mercury & Mars | agate | water buttercup | 
|
| Regulus | Cor leonis | Alpha Leonis | 29 Leo 47 | Jupiter & Mars | granite | mugwort | 
|
| Polaris | Cauda Ursæ | Alpha Ursae Minoris | 28 Gemini 31 | Venus & Moon | magnet | succory | 
|
| Gienah | Ala Corvi | Gamma Corvi | 13 Libra 23 | Saturn & Mars | onyx | burdock | 
|
| Spica | Alpha Virginis | 23 Libra 47 | Venus & Mercury | emerald | sage | 
| |
| Arcturus | Alchameth | Alpha Boötis | 24 Libra 11 | Mars & Jupiter | jasper | plantain | 
|
| Alphecca | Elpheia | Alpha Coronae Borealis | 12 Scorpio 14 | Venus & Mars | topaz | rosemary | 
|
| Antares | Cor scorpii | Alpha Scorpii | 9 Sagittarius 43 | Venus & Jupiter | sardonyx | birthwort | 
|
| Vega | Vultur cadens | Alpha Lyrae | 15 Capricorn 16 | Mercury & Venus | chrysolite | winter savory | 
|
| Deneb Algedi | Cauda capricorni | Delta Capricorni | 5 Pisces 18 | Saturn & Mercury | chalcedony | marjoram | 
|
References
- Budge, E. A. Wallis (1930). Amulets and Superstitions. London, Oxford University Press.
External links
- [Essay] (Wyrdshop Online) gives different locations.
- [Hermes Trismegistus on the Fifteen Fixed Stars] features alternate symbols.
- [Magical scripts] (Nu Isis Working Group, Leeds) has the symbols in a freeware True Type font.
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