Fixed stars, Latin stell fix, which in astrology implies the stars and other galactic or intergalactic bodies as recognized by astronomy; and “wandering stars” (Greek:, plants astr), which we know as the planets of the Solar System, were the two types of stars in classical astrological terminology. The Sun, a star, and the Earth’s Moon are also treated as if they were planets in astrology. These stars were dubbed “fixed” because they were supposed to be affixed to the firmament, the cosmic sphere farthest from Earth.
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Is it true that fixed stars play a role in astrology?
Ptolemy’s interpretations of star energy are as follows:
- Mars and Mercury are represented by Betelgeuse.
- Rigel possesses Jupiter and Saturn traits.
It’s worth noting that the planets’ order matters. The main energy is represented by the first planet, which is followed by subsequent planets influencing additional attributes. The preceding example can be expanded into:
- Betelgeuse has a strong Mars quality with Mercury undertones.
- Rigel has a Jupiter-like feel with some Saturn undertones.
In the case of Betelgeuse, the planet Mars, which may be extremely direct and stubborn, is tempered by Mercury, who brings a sense of relativity, the ability to accept both sides of a disagreement, and young curiosity.
Rigel’s dominating Jupiter may overextend, overspend, and generally be too much of everything, but this is perfectly offset by Saturn’s cooling and structuring influence, making Rigel a real astral pillar connecting to the worlds of great concepts and profound intellect.
Later scholars questioned several of Ptolemy’s categories and proposed alternate planetary influences, further complicating the situation. These different descriptions are included in the table below.
Each astrologer must train their own perception and achieve an intuitive awareness of each of the major fixed stars in the end. This is only conceivable if you are genuinely looking up at the night sky with your own eyes, something the ancients were perfectly capable of. Modern astrological knowledge is prone to cliches and oversimplifications since it lacks firsthand experience. As a result, our advice to budding astrologers is to not be afraid to spend time examining celestial bodies and stars.
How the fixed stars modify planetary energies
The fixed stars mostly interact with the planets through their aspects. A planet that is conjunct with a star might be magnified and changed dramatically. And here’s something that might absolutely throw an astrologer off: the client’s psychological profile doesn’t exactly match their natal chart. Examining the influence of fixed stars could be a good idea!
The fundamental principle is that the stars emphasize the planets’ attributes rather than dictating their own energies. Keep in mind that each star has its own language, which may or may not make sense in the context of the Solar System.
Let’s take an example of the star Spica that is only 2o south from the ecliptic plane and thus a very powerful source of distant astral energies.
What’s the difference between planets and stars that are fixed in place?
Previously, astronomers and natural philosophers classified the sky’s lights into two groups. Fixed stars, for example, appear to rise and set yet maintain the same relative arrangement over time. The other group consisted of planets visible to the naked eye, which they dubbed “wandering stars.” (The Sun and Moon were also referred to as stars and planets.) Over brief periods of time, the planets appear to move and change their positions (weeks or months). They always appear to move within the band of stars known to Westerners as the zodiac. Planets can also be recognized from fixed stars by the fact that fixed stars twinkle, but planets appear to glow with a constant light. Fixed stars, on the other hand, have parallax, which is a shift in apparent location induced by the Earth’s orbital motion. It can be used to calculate the distance between two stars. This movement is merely apparent; the Earth is the one who moves. This impact was too faint to be adequately quantified until the 19th century, although astronomers like Pickard, Hooke, Flamsteed, and others began detecting motion from the stars around 1670 and trying observations. These changes amounted to considerable, albeit nearly imperceptible, fractions.
The fixed stars, on the other hand, move in real time. Part of the motion of the galaxy to which the star belongs, part of the rotation of that galaxy, and part of motion particular to the star itself within its galaxy can all be seen in this motion. Individual components of star systems or star clusters move in a non-linear manner with regard to one another. Newton’s theories created more doubts among theorists about the processes of the heavens: the universal force of gravity suggested that stars could not simply be fixed or at rest, as their gravitational pulls cause “mutual attraction,” causing them to move in relation to one another.
The radial and proper motions of a star are separated, with “proper motion” being the component across the line of sight. Edmund Halley presented his discovery of proper motion in the fixed stars in 1718. Because exact measurements over lengthy periods of time are required to notice proper motion, ancient cultures did not notice it. In reality, the night sky today resembles that of thousands of years ago, so much so that the Babylonians were the first to name several modern constellations.
A common method for determining proper motion is to measure the position of a star in relation to a small group of very distant objects that do not move together and are considered to have very small proper motion due to their distance. Another method is to compare images of a star taken at various times against a huge background of faraway objects. Barnard’s Star is the star with the largest known proper motion.
Although the term “fixed star” is mathematically erroneous, it is nonetheless used historically and in classical mechanics.
Is it accurate to use fixed stars?
When working with natal charts, the fixed stars’ point-like nature allows for some very exact observations.
The fixed stars, unlike the planets, manifest themselves through strong and forceful astral energies that are always specific to the chart’s time and geographic area.
By examining the fixed stars, the astrologer may be able to unearth previously unknown and unforeseen influences that would be impossible to explain using only the planets.
A fixed star can readily alter a planet’s energy profile, thereby confusing both the astrologer and their client:
“How come my Moon feels so fiery, despite everything I’ve been told about the Moon’s watery nature?”
To answer such inquiries, the astrologer should examine the Moon’s position in relation to the fixed stars and determine whether any stellar effects were present. The Moon’s energy can be easily altered by its alignment with stars such as Regulus, Antares, or Aldebaran, all of which have a fiery Mars-like quality… but each with its own twist.
In astrology, which star is the most powerful?
Taurus is immensely powerful due to their traits of patience, practicality, reliability, dedication, and responsibility.
Taurus is the most powerful zodiac sign because they have the personality type that allows them to be strong and in charge in all aspects of life. This zodiac sign is powerful in every room they enter, whether it’s professional, social, or physical. This benefits people in their work, relationships, and family lives.
What are the meanings of the eight fixed stars?
Planet derives its name from the fact that the planets appear to float about the sky in relation to the stars.
The fixed stars do not move in respect to one another (although due to the Earth’s rotation on its axis, they appear to move together).
Although certain stars are visible year-round, which eight stars you teach your Pathfinders to recognize will depend on the season (spring, summer, winter, or autumn).
Canopus (Argo), Sirius (Canus Major), Aldebaran (Taurus), Castor, Pollux (Gemini), Rigel, Betelguse (Orion), Antares (Orion) (Scorpio).
What is the only star that remains stationary?
The night sky above Hawaii was captured by leaving the camera shutter open for an extended period of time. The image depicts the apparent movement of the stars due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis. Polaris is the star in the middle of the star field, and it appears to be motionless. Polaris is the star that shows the least movement since the Earth’s axis points almost directly to it. Because of Earth’s rotation on its axis, the other stars appear to trace arcs of movement.
What is the name of a fixed star?
Fixed stars are celestial objects that appear to be stationary in comparison to the other stars in the night sky. As a result, a fixed star is any star other than the Sun. A fixed star can be a nebula or another star-like entity. Many civilizations believe that the stars form constellations, which are pictures in the sky. The stars were thought to exist on a large celestial sphere, or firmament, that rotated around the Earth every day in ancient Greek astronomy.
What do wandering stars entail?
Planets are commonly referred to as “wandering stars.” The stars that comprised the initial constellations were dubbed “fixed” by ancient stargazers because they looked to be rooted in their relative positions to one another when they were created thousands of years ago. The planets, on the other hand, seemed to have the freedom to move among the stars at pleasure.
The stars, in reality, are not fixed; if we wait long enough, we will observe them alter positions as well. The dazzling yellow-orange jewel known as Arcturus, which is the brightest star in the kite-shaped constellation of Botes, the Herdsman, can be viewed high in the southern sky during the mid-to-late evening hours. It’s around 37 light-years away and 180 times brighter than the sun on Earth.