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.

[edit] Table of Behenian Stars

Name Astronomical Designation Location1 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 Image:Agrippa1531 Hircus.png
Sirius Canis major Alpha Canis Majoris 14 Cancer 03 Venus beryl juniper Image:Agrippa1531 Canismaior.png
Procyon Canis minor Alpha Canis Minoris 25 Cancer 45 Mercury & Mars agate water buttercup Image:Agrippa1531 Canisminor.png
Regulus Cor leonis Alpha Leonis 29 Leo 47 Jupiter & Mars granite mugwort Image:Agrippa1531 corLeonis.png
Polaris Cauda Ursæ Alpha Ursae Minoris 28 Gemini 31 Venus & Moon magnet succory Image:Agrippa1531 caudaUrsae.svg
Gienah Ala Corvi Gamma Corvi 13 Libra 23 Saturn & Mars onyx burdock Image:Agrippa1531 alaCorui.png
Spica Alpha Virginis 23 Libra 47 Venus & Mercury emerald sage Image:Agrippa1531 Spica.png
Arcturus Alchameth Alpha Boötis 24 Libra 11 Mars & Jupiter jasper plantain Image:Agrippa1531 Alchameth.png
Alphecca Elpheia Alpha Coronae Borealis 12 Scorpio 14 Venus & Mars topaz rosemary Image:Agrippa1531 Elpheia.png
Antares Cor scorpii Alpha Scorpii 9 Sagittarius 43 Venus & Jupiter sardonyx birthwort Image:Agrippa1531 corScorpii.png
Vega Vultur cadens Alpha Lyrae 15 Capricorn 16 Mercury & Venus chrysolite winter savory Image:Agrippa1531 Vulturcadens.png
Deneb Algedi Cauda capricorni Delta Capricorni 5 Pisces 18 Saturn & Mercury chalcedony marjoram Image:Agrippa1531 caudaCapricorni.png

1 See Precession of the equinoxes for further information

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[edit] References

  • Budge, E. A. Wallis (1930). Amulets and Superstitions. London, Oxford University Press.

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