Beyond the planets, ancient astrology gave a central place to the fixed stars: those distant suns whose position, in conjunction with a luminary or an angle, tints a life with a particular hue. A royal star like Regulus, a star as feared as Algol, or the benevolent Spica have never had the same reputation.
We compute each star's longitude for your exact date (precession, nutation and the star's proper motion), from its real astrometry (SIMBAD/ICRS J2000 positions), then look for its contacts with your luminaries and angles. Their meanings, as handed down by tradition, are given below.
Meanings after Vivian E. Robson (1923), Reinhold Ebertin and Ptolemy, verified word for word. See our calculation method →
Sirius magnitude -1.5
Confers honor, renown, wealth, ardor, faithfulness, devotion, passion and resentment; makes its natives custodians, curators and guardians. In conjunction with the Sun: success in business, a trade linked to metals or martial matters, domestic harmony; on the ascendant or culminating, royal favor.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com. Ptolemy: « of the nature of Jupiter and Mars ». Robson: « It gives honor, renown, wealth, ardor, faithfulness, devotion, passion and resentment, and makes its natives custodians, curators and guardians ».
Canopus magnitude -0.7
A star of a Saturn-Jupiter nature, associated with piety, conservatism, a wide and profound knowledge, voyages and teaching, and turning evil into good; culminating, it gives great glory, fame, wealth, dignity and authority through an elderly clergyman or an influential person. In conjunction with the Moon: success in martial professions (soldier, metalworker).
Robson (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, Ptolemy: « of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter »; « It gives piety, conservatism, a wide and comprehensive knowledge, voyages and educational work, and changes evil to good »; culminating: « Great glory, fame and wealth, dignity and authority by the help of an old clergyman or influential person »; Moon conj.: « Success in martial matters as a soldier, metal worker, etc. ». https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Canopus.html
Arcturus magnitude -0.1
Of the nature of Mars and Jupiter (Ptolemy; Venus/Mercury conjoined according to Alvidas). On the ascendant: good fortune, but many worries and anxieties caused by one's own imprudence. Culminating: high office under the government, great profit and reputation (and, if the Sun, Moon or Jupiter are joined there, ample fortune and great honor).
Robson p.139, via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Arcturus.html
Vega magnitude 0.0
According to Ptolemy, of the nature of Venus and Mercury (Alvidas: Saturn trine Jupiter). In conjunction it gives a critical and reserved temperament: with the Sun, « critical, abrupt, reserved, unpopular, fleeting honors, influential position, insincere friends »; with Neptune, a taste for music and occult interests, a practical and scientific mind, with material success.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Vega.html; « of the nature of Venus and Mercury » (Ptolemy); Sun: « Critical, abrupt, reserved, unpopular, fleeting honors, influential position, insincere friends. »
Capella magnitude 0.1
Makes the native careful, timorous, inquisitive, very fond of knowledge and particularly of novelties; also gives honor, wealth, eminence, a public position of trust and eminent friends. In conjunction with the Sun: versatile, changeable, talkative, quick of speech, misunderstood and criticized, but martial honor and wealth.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com. Ptolemy: « of the nature of Mars and Mercury ». Robson: natives « careful, timorous, inquisitive, very fond of knowledge and particularly of novelties ».
Rigel magnitude 0.1
Gives benevolence, honor, riches, happiness, glory, renown and an inventive or mechanical aptitude. In conjunction with the Sun: bold, courageous, an unruly temperament, hasty actions, many enemies, but great fortune and military success.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com. « According to Ptolemy and Lilly it is of the nature of Jupiter and Saturn, but later authors consider it favorable and similar to Jupiter and Mars »; Sun: « Bold, courageous, insolent, unruly temper, hasty actions, bloodshed, many enemies, great good fortune, military success ».
Procyon magnitude 0.4
Of a Mercury-Mars nature, Procyon gives activity, violence, sudden malevolence, elevation gained through effort but ending in disaster (danger of dog bites). Conjunct the Sun, it brings great help from friends, gifts and inheritances (if unafflicted) and military advancement after great struggles; on the Ascendant, it makes one cunning, crafty and dissembling.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Procyon.html
Betelgeuse magnitude 0.4
Confers martial honor, advancement and wealth; some authors (Noonan, Allen) add great fortune and « royal » attributes. In conjunction with the Sun: interest and aptitude for occult and mystical subjects, acute illnesses, fevers, honor and advancement ending in final ruin.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com: « It gives martial honor, preferment and wealth ». Royal attributes/great fortune: Noonan and R. H. Allen (Star Names), cited on the same page.
Achernar magnitude 0.5
Confers success in public office, beneficence and religion (Robson); according to Ebertin, it raises one to high offices, particularly ecclesiastical ones, especially in conjunction with Jupiter, and favors happiness and success linked to a religious orientation and fidelity to one's convictions. Robson gives no detailed table of conjunctions.
Robson (1923): « It gives success in public office, beneficence, and religion »; Ptolemy classes the stars of Eridanus under Saturn, Achernar excepted. Ebertin (1928): high offices in the Church, especially in conjunction with Jupiter. Via constellationsofwords.com. https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Achernar.html
Altair magnitude 0.8
Of the nature of Mars and Jupiter (Ptolemy): confers a bold, confident, valiant, unyielding, ambitious and generous temperament, great and sudden but ephemeral wealth, and a position of command. In conjunction with the Sun: public honors, notoriety, favors from superiors, many friends but also envious ones who cause trouble through writings, with some health problems and losses.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Altair.html; « bold, confident, valiant, unyielding, ambitious and liberal nature, great and sudden but ephemeral wealth, and a position of command »; Sun: « Public honor, notoriety, favors from superiors, many friends and some envious ones who cause trouble through writings... »
Aldebaran magnitude 0.9
Confers honor, intelligence, eloquence, steadfastness, integrity, popularity, courage, a responsible position and the gaining of power and wealth through others; but these benefits are seldom lasting and come with a danger of violence and sickness. In conjunction with the Sun: great energy and perseverance, high material honors but danger of losing them, honors and riches ending in disgrace and ruin.
Robson (1923), p.120, via constellationsofwords.com. Nature: Mars (Royal Star, Watcher of the East). Robson: « It gives honor, intelligence, eloquence, steadfastness, integrity, popularity, courage, ferocity... a responsible position, public honors ».
Antares magnitude 0.9
Of the nature of Mars and Jupiter (Ptolemy). On the ascendant: riches and honor, but violence, sickness, and benefits that seldom last. Culminating: honor, advancement and good fortune. Makes the native rash, ravenous, headstrong and destructive to himself through his own obstinacy.
Robson p.136-137, via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Antares.html
Spica magnitude 1.0
Of the nature of Venus and Mars (Ptolemy), or of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury (Alvidas). On the ascendant or culminating: boundless luck, happiness, ecclesiastical favor, honor or advancement unexpected and beyond the native's hopes or abilities. With the Sun: great and lasting advancement, eminent dignity, immense wealth, great happiness.
Robson p.211, via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Spica.html
Pollux magnitude 1.1
Of a Martian nature, Pollux gives a subtle, cunning, spirited, brave, bold, cruel and rash character, a taste for combat (boxing), a haughty malevolence, and is linked to poisons. Conjunct the Sun, it inclines toward occult and theosophical interests but exposes one to blows, wounds and serious accidents.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Pollux.html
Fomalhaut magnitude 1.2
A very fortunate and powerful star, associated with lofty idealism and the passage from a material to a spiritual expression; ill-placed, however, it can produce malevolence on a considerable scale. In conjunction with Jupiter: a sympathetic and charitable nature, honors in the Church, Freemasonry or secret societies, many voyages.
Robson (1923), p.165-166, via constellationsofwords.com, Ptolemy: « of the nature of Venus and Mercury »; Jupiter conj.: « Sympathetic, charitable, honors in the Church, Freemasonry or secret societies, many voyages ». https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Fomalhaut.html
Deneb magnitude 1.3
Of a Venus-Mercury nature: confers an ingenious nature and a clever intellect, quick to learn (Robson). According to Ebertin, the star favors artistic and scientific activities pursued for the purpose of gain. Robson provides no table of planet-by-planet conjunctions for this star.
Robson (1923): « It is of the nature of Venus and Mercury, and gives an ingenious nature and a clever intellect that is quick at learning ». Ebertin (1928), for the art/science/gain aspect: « favorable for artistic and scientific pursuits which are carried out with the aim of gain ». Via constellationsofwords.com. https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/DenebAdige.html
Regulus magnitude 1.4
A royal star of a Mars-Jupiter nature (Mars alone for later authors). Conjunct the Sun, it gives power, authority, great influence over friends, honor and wealth, but also violence, trouble and final disgrace; at the Midheaven, honors, advancement, good fortune, high office under the government and military success.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Regulus.html
Castor magnitude 1.6
Of a Mercurial nature according to Ptolemy (Mars/Venus/Saturn for Wilson, Simmonite and Pearce), Castor gives distinction, a keen intellect, success in law and many journeys, sudden fame and honor often followed by losses and disgrace. Conjunct Mercury, it confers remarkable psychic powers that expose one to criticism and ridicule but lead to notoriety; conjunct the Sun, it gives a prominent place in occult or governmental affairs (foreign affairs), but also serious accidents, blows and wounds.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology (1923), via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Castor.html
Bellatrix magnitude 1.6
Gives great civil or military honors, but a danger of sudden dishonor; renown, wealth, eminent friends, and a liability to accidents that may cause blindness and ruin. In conjunction with the Sun: fickle and undecided in business, mechanical aptitude, wealth and honor but final ruin, blindness through accident.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com. Ptolemy: « Bellatrix is like Mars and Mercury ». Robson: « It gives great civil or military honor but danger of sudden dishonor... liability to accidents causing blindness and ruin ».
Baten Kaitos magnitude 2.0
In conjunction, it brings forced transport or removal, change or emigration, misfortune through force or accident, shipwreck but also rescue, falls and blows.
Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, general influence verified verbatim; Saturnian nature (constellation of the Whale).
Hamal magnitude 2.0
In conjunction, it causes violence, brutality, cruelty and premeditated crime. With Mars: violence, criminal tendencies, an influential position but ultimate disgrace and ruin.
Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, verified verbatim (Mars/Saturn nature + Alvidas Venus-Saturn; general influence; Mars).
Mirach magnitude 2.1
In conjunction, it gives personal beauty, a brilliant mind, love of home, great devotion, benevolence, forgiveness, love, the ability to overcome through kindness, renown and good fortune in marriage.
Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, verified verbatim (Venus nature / Alvidas Mars-Moon; general influence).
Alpheratz magnitude 2.1
In conjunction, it grants independence, freedom, love, wealth, honor and a keen intellect. With the Sun: honor, advancement and favors from others.
Robson, The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology (1923), p.133, via constellationsofwords.com, verified verbatim (Jupiter/Venus nature + Alvidas Mars; general influence; Sun).
Rasalhague magnitude 2.1
Of the nature of Saturn and Venus (Ptolemy). In conjunction: a tendency to misfortune through women, perverted tastes and mental depravity, with a predisposition to poisoning by toxins. Conjunct the Moon, Mars or Neptune, the star makes the subject particularly exposed to infections, including epidemic ones.
Robson, 'The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology' (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/RasAlhague.html; « of the nature of Saturn and Venus » (Ptolemy); « misfortune through women, perverted tastes and mental depravity »; Moon/Mars/Neptune conjunction: strong exposure to infections and epidemic diseases.
Almach magnitude 2.1
In conjunction, it gives honor, eminence and artistic talent.
Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923) p.128, via constellationsofwords.com, verified verbatim (Venus nature; general influence).
Algol magnitude 2.1
Reputed the most malefic star in the heavens. It brings misfortune, violence and decapitation, and a relentless nature. In conjunction with the Sun or the Moon: violent death or extreme sickness.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com (Anne Wright). Ptolemy: « Of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter ». Robson: « It is the most evil star in the heavens »; Sun/Moon: « Violent death or extreme sickness ».
Denebola magnitude 2.1
Of a Saturn-Venus nature, Denebola gives riches, advancement and good fortune attended by many dangers and anxieties through one's own folly, the benefits seldom lasting. Conjunct the Sun: honor and advancement with danger, public disgrace and ultimately ruin, acute illnesses and fevers.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Denebola.html
Scheat magnitude 2.4
Of a Mars-Mercury nature according to Ptolemy (Saturn for other authors). Causes extreme misfortune: murder, suicide and drowning. In conjunction with the Moon: worries, gain and loss of friends through criticism, danger of accidents and by water; in conjunction with the Sun: danger through water and machines, risk of accident or drowning.
Robson (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, Ptolemy: « of the nature of Mars and Mercury »; « It causes extreme misfortune, murder, suicide, and drowning »; Moon conj.: « Worry, loss and gain of friends through criticism, danger of accidents and by water »; Sun conj.: « Danger through water and engines, liable to accidents or drowning ». https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Scheat.html
Markab magnitude 2.5
A star of a Mars-Mercury nature; culminating, it indicates disgrace, ruin and often a violent death. In conjunction with Mercury: a good mind, but impetuous and headstrong, quick of speech, diplomatic, a capable writer but criticized (friends becoming enemies); with the Sun: energetic but unlucky, fleeting martial honors, disappointed ambitions, accidents and illnesses.
Robson (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, Ptolemy: « of the nature of Mars and Mercury »; culminating: « Disgrace, ruin and often a violent death »; Mercury conj.: « Good mind, rash and headstrong, quick in speech, diplomatic, capable writer, criticized, friends become enemies ». https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Markab.html
Menkar magnitude 2.5
In conjunction, it causes illness, disgrace, ruin, injuries from beasts, physical weakness and loss of fortune. With the Sun: great trouble, illness, throat ailments, legacies and inheritances attended by much evil, loss of money, poor harvests.
Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923) p.176, via constellationsofwords.com, verified verbatim (Saturn nature per Ptolemy; general influence; Sun).
Zosma magnitude 2.5
Of a Saturn-Venus nature, Zosma produces benefit through disgrace, selfishness, egotism, immorality, meanness, melancholy, unhappiness of mind and fear of poison, and gives an unreasonable, shameless and self-centered character. According to Ebertin, when associated with malefic planets, it indicates a danger from poison and diseases of the intestinal tract.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923) + Ebertin's addition, via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Zosma.html
Zubeneschamali magnitude 2.6
Of the nature of Jupiter and Mercury (Ptolemy; Jupiter/Mars according to later authors). On the ascendant or culminating: honor, advancement, good fortune. With the Sun: very great good fortune, high position, passing difficulties that ultimately prove beneficial.
Robson p.203, via constellationsofwords.com/zubenelshamali/
Unukalhai magnitude 2.6
Of the nature of Saturn and Mars (Ptolemy). Gives immorality, accidents, violence and danger of poison. With the Sun: many quarrels and disappointments, an unhappy life, gravely affected by the death of relatives or friends. With the Moon: intelligent but in a harmful environment, hatred of authority, mixed up in intrigues and plots.
Robson p.213, via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Unukalhai.html
Lesath magnitude 2.7
Of the nature of Mercury and Mars: gives danger, desperation, immorality and malevolence, and is linked to acid poisons (venom). According to tradition (a medieval reading), in conjunction with Mars, Uranus or Saturn, the MC or the Ascendant, it has been associated with a danger from wild animals; modern authors read it instead as accidents, catastrophes or surgical operations.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Lesath.html; « Of the nature of Mercury and Mars. It gives danger, desperation, immorality and malevolence, and is connected with acid poisons »; mention of the animal danger as a traditional interpretation on the same page.
Sheratan magnitude 2.7
In conjunction, it causes bodily injuries, unscrupulous defeat, destruction by fire, war or earthquake. Ebertin's addition: danger arises when one acts impulsively and rashly.
Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923) p.208 + Ebertin, Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation (1928) p.18, via constellationsofwords.com, verified verbatim.
Zubenelgenubi magnitude 2.8
Of the nature of Saturn and Mars (Saturn/Venus or Saturn/Mercury according to later authors). With the Sun: illness, losses in business and through fire or speculation, disgrace, ruin, disfavor from superiors, unjust accusations. With the Moon: trouble through the opposite sex, unjust accusations, disgrace, ruin, mental anxiety, loss of loved ones.
Robson p.205, via constellationsofwords.com/zuben-elgenubis/
Vindemiatrix magnitude 2.8
Of a Saturn-Mercury nature, Vindemiatrix gives falseness, disgrace, theft, wanton folly, and often makes its natives widows or widowers. Conjunct the Sun, it brings worries, depression, unpopularity, failure in business and harassment by creditors; conjunct the Moon, worries, many disappointments, losses through the law, writings or theft, and poor health.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), p.215, via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Vindemiatrix.html
Deneb Algedi magnitude 2.8
Of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter (Ptolemy), indicating authority, and associated with both beneficence and malevolence (law, happiness and misfortune, life and death). Culminating: great glory, renown, wealth, dignity and authority through the help of an old clergyman or an influential person. In conjunction with the Sun: loss through false friends, a high position but final disgrace and ruin, losses of money, illness, worries through children.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/DenebAlgedi.html; « of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter » (Ptolemy); culminating: « Great glory, fame, wealth, dignity and authority by the help of an old clergyman or influential person »; Sun: « Loss through false friends, high position but final disgrace and ruin... »
Algenib magnitude 2.8
In conjunction, it gives notoriety, dishonor, violence and misfortune, and denotes the naked, destitute professional beggar. With Mercury: a fiery temperament, mental troubles, success in legal and other disputes.
Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com, verified verbatim (Mars/Mercury nature; general influence; Mercury).
Alcyone magnitude 2.9
Alcyone (the chief of the Pleiades) causes love, eminence, blindness from fevers, smallpox and accidents to the face. In conjunction with the Sun: throat ailments, blindness, poor eyes, injuries to the face, sickness, disgrace. With the Moon: injuries to the face, misfortune, wounds, disgrace, imprisonment, blindness.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com. Ptolemy: « of the nature of the Moon and Mars ». Robson: « Alcyone causes love, eminence, blindness from fevers, small pox, and accidents to the face ».
Algorab magnitude 2.9
Of the nature of Mars and Saturn. It gives destructiveness, malevolence, wickedness, a repulsive character and lying, and is associated with scavenging. Robson gives only this general temperament: no text on specific planetary conjunctions.
Robson, 'The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology' (1923), p.41, via constellationsofwords.com/stars/Algorab.html
Acumen magnitude 3.3
Of the nature of Mars and the Moon: affects the eyesight and causes blindness in one or both eyes if the star is in conjunction with an afflicted luminary, or with a malefic that afflicts the luminaries; the opposition appears just as important. Traditionally counted among the nebulous stars called « blinding ».
Robson (1923), p.117, via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Acumen.html; « Of the nature of Mars and the Moon... causes blindness of one or both eyes, if in conjunction with an afflicted luminary or in conjunction with a malefic that afflicts the luminaries. The opposition seems to be equally important. »
Ras Algethi magnitude 3.5
Of the nature of Mercury according to Ptolemy. It is said to give strength of character, tenacity and fixity of purpose, an ardent nature and dangerous passions. Note: this temperament is the one Robson attributes to the constellation of Hercules, carried over to its principal star; Robson details no planet-by-planet conjunction.
Robson p.47 (constellation of Hercules), via constellationsofwords.com/ras-algethi/; Ebertin's addition, 'Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation'
Praesepe magnitude 3.7
A cluster of a Mars-Moon nature, Praesepe causes illness, disgrace, adventure, insolence, wantonness, brutality, blindness, industry, order and fecundity; it makes the native fortunate but subject to losses through others, and a founder of great enterprises. Conjunct the Sun: an evil disposition, serious accidents, fevers, injuries to the face, poor eyes, and blindness if on an angle.
Vivian E. Robson, The Fixed Stars (1923), via constellationsofwords.com/praesaepe/
Aculeus magnitude 4.2
Of the nature of Mars and the Moon: affects the eyesight and causes blindness in one or both eyes if the star is in conjunction with an afflicted luminary, or with a malefic that afflicts the luminaries, the opposition appearing just as active. Traditionally counted among the nebulous stars called « blinding ».
Robson (1923), p.117, via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Aculeus.html; « Of the nature of Mars and the Moon. It effects the eyesight and causes blindness of one or both eyes if in conjunction with an afflicted luminary, or in conjunction with a malefic that afflicts the luminaries. The opposition seems to be equally effective. »
Facies magnitude 5.1
The nebula in the Archer's Face is of the nature of the Sun and Mars: it causes blindness, defective sight, illnesses, accidents and a violent death. Much blamed for accidents and broken limbs.
Robson (1923) via constellationsofwords.com, https://www.constellationsofwords.com/stars/Facies.html; « The nebula in the Archer's Face is of the nature of the Sun and Mars, and causes blindness, defective sight..., sickness, accidents and a violent death »; « Much blamed for accidents and broken limbs. »
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