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Salmo 90 (91): A la Sombra del Omnipotente
The fixed stars are what we commonly call 'stars', in contrast to the 'wandering stars', or planets.Asa trip outdoors on a clear night will show at least, if you are not in a city - there are any number of these. A hundred or so among them have significant astrological use, bur of that hundred or so only a handful need to be noted in horary. The fixed stars become more significant the higher up the astro- logical scale we go: they are useful in natal astrology; they are invaluable in mundane astrology; horary queries are generally beneath their concern.
The stars that that can have a major bearing on horary judgement are: Algol Alcyone Aldebaran Regulus Vindemiatrix Spica Antares which is at 26 29 9
n
29 Jl 23 9These placements are as precise as we need, and are accurate for the time of writing, which is 2005. Despite being 'fixed', the stars do move, albeit very much more slowly than the planets: roughly one degree every72years. After 2010you can regard Regulus as being at0 Virgo. If a significator or relevant house-cusp is within a couple of degrees of one of these stars (limit this to I degree for Vindemiatrix), this may be important - if the star carries a meaning relevant to the context of the question.
We are concerned
only
with conjunction to fixed stars: no aspects. Planets are either on stars or they are not: do not (in horary) think of planets moving onto stars. Example: if the question were, 'Can I hold my marriage together?' Lord7on Vindemiatrix would be an indication that the querent's spouse wants a divorce. That Lord 7 will be on Vindemiatrix when it has moved forward 5
degrees does not mean that the spouse will be wanting a divorce in the near future. Such movement should be ignored. The exception to this general rule is when we are using horary to elect a time to act.27In that case a planet moving onto Regulus, for instance, might well show the optimum moment.
Ignore antiscia falling onto fixed stars.
Algol
Caput Algol. Medusa's Head. This is the most unfortunate of the stars. In horary, the general idea with it is oflosing one's head. This can be literal, but do keep any impulse to grand opera that you might have out of your horary judgements. Yes, such gory events do happen; but they tend not to, especially if the question is 'Will I get the job?' or 'Can I buy this flat?' The losing of heads can usually be taken metaphorically.
Example: the querent was concerned that a nanny she was thinking of hiring might not be able to cope. The nanny's significator was on Caput Algol, exactly confirming the querent's fears: the nanny could lose her head.
Algol being in Taurus, the Moon or Venus will have lots of essential dignity if placed on it. In this example, the nanny's significator was the Moon. Lots of dignity, so she was a decent person, but still unabletocope.
Alcyone
This is the main star in the cluster that is the Pleiades, or the Weeping Sisters. Weeping is the main idea here: there will be regret; things will not turn out well.
Like all star clusters, the Pleiades afflict the eyesight, so this may be an indica- tion that whoever's significator is on Alcyone cannot see clearly, or is deluded.
Aldebaran
The South Eye of the Bull. This is the brightest star in the constellation ofTaurus (even though by zodiacal measurement it is in that part of the zodiac that is called Gemini).28Itis associated with the spring equinox, the start of the year, so the idea here is of inception, of a positive start.
27 See chapter 27.
28 For a discussion of the distinction between the signs of the zodiac and the constellations that bear the same names, seeRealAstrology,chapter 5. For now, the important point is that the signs and the constella- tions are different and must not be confused.
THE FIXED STARS III
Example: if the question were 'Should I look for a new job?' finding Aldebaran on the Ascendant would be an indication that it is time to start a new cycle, so 'Yes, a new job could be appropriate'.
Regulus
Cor Leonis. The Heart of the Lion. This is the brightest star in Leo. Any star that is the 'heart' of its constellation is the epitome of the idea which that constella- tion expresses, so Regulus is the most Leo bit of Leo: super-Leo. It is highly auspicious for material achievement, and in horary its significance can usually be limited to that. Itis not necessarily happy, but it does bring success.
If the question were, 'Will I get the promotion?' finding the querent's signifi- cator on Regulus would be a strong positive testimony. If the question were, 'Does she love me?' or 'Will Puss come home?' that a significator is on Regulus is unlikely to add anything to our judgement.
Vindemiatrix
The Gatherer of Grapes. The Widow-Maker. This has a strong association with divorce and separation. So if the question were, 'Is there a future in our relation- ship?' finding Vindemiatrix on the Ascendant would be an immediate testimony of'No'.
It is also associated with the story of the Sorcerer's Apprentice - you have probably seen this in Fantasia. Overstretching. Assuming powers you are unable
to control. Stupid for stupid's sake: doing something daft even though you're aware that it's daft. 'Should I open a spiritual school?' with the querent's signifi- cator on Vindemiatrix: 'Only if you wish to damage yourself and others'.
Spica
The Virgin's Spike. This is the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo.Itis associated with Our Lady, so is strongly protective. Spica rising is not necessarily an indication that all will go as is hoped, but even if things don't work out, you will be 0 K at the end; you will be looked after.
Spica can be most fortunate, bringing bounty, but it doesn't carry quite the sense of material achievement of Regulus.Itis, however, much the happier of the two stars.
Antares
Cor Scorpionis. The Heart of the Scorpion. As Regulus is the Leo-most bit of Leo, this is the Scorpio-most bit of Scorpio (even though it is currently placed in Sagittarius). This is the star that is Blake's
tyger burning bright In the forests ofthe night.
Itis very powerful, but - as we might expect from Super-Scorpio - not the most benign of stars.
Being directly opposite Aldebaran, star of the spring equinox, Antares is associated with the autumn equinox. So as Aldebaran is about inception and new cycles starting, Antares is about closing down and cycles ending. This is by no means always negative. Suppose the question were, 'Should I take early retire- ment?' Antares on the Midheaven (or the Ascendant) would be an indication that a cycle is closing and it is timeto move on.