Behenian fixed star
Application in medieval astrology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 the 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.
History
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa discussed them in his Three Books of Occult Philosophy (Book II, chapters 47 & 52) as the Behenii (singular Behenius), describing their magical workings and sigils. 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.
Table of Behenian stars
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 | Longitude (2020)[1][a] | Planet | Gemstone | Plant | Symbol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algol | Caput Larvæ | Beta Persei | 26 Taurus 26 | Saturn & Jupiter | diamond | black hellebore |  |
| Alcyone | (or Pleiades) | Eta Tauri | 00 Gemini 16 | Moon & Mars | rock crystal | fennel |  |
| Aldebaran | Aldaboram | Alpha Tauri | 10 Gemini 04 | Mars & Venus | ruby / garnet | milk thistle |  |
| Capella | Alhayhoch, Hircus | Alpha Aurigæ | 22 Gemini 08 | Jupiter & Saturn | sapphire | thyme |  |
| Sirius | Canis major | Alpha Canis Majoris | 14 Cancer 21 | Venus | beryl | juniper |  |
| Procyon | Canis minor | Alpha Canis Minoris | 26 Cancer 03 | Mercury & Mars | agate | water buttercup |  |
| Regulus | Cor leonis | Alpha Leonis | 00 Virgo 06 | Jupiter & Mars | garnet | mugwort |  |
| Alkaid | Tail of the Great Bear | Eta Ursae Majoris | 27 Virgo 12 | Venus & Moon | magnet | succory |  |
| Algorab | Corvi | Delta Corvi | 13 Libra 43 | Saturn & Mars | onyx | burdock |  |
| Spica | Alpha Virginis | 24 Libra 06 | Venus & Mercury | emerald | sage |  | |
| Arcturus | Alchameth | Alpha Boötis | 24 Libra 30 | Mars & Jupiter | jasper | plantain |  |
| Alphecca | Elpheia | Alpha Coronæ Borealis | 12 Scorpio 34 | Venus & Mars | topaz | rosemary |  |
| Antares | Cor scorpii | Alpha Scorpii | 10 Sagittarius 01 | Mars & Jupiter | sardonyx | birthwort |  |
| Vega | Vultur cadens | Alpha Lyræ | 15 Capricorn 34 | Mercury & Venus | chrysolite | winter savory |  |
| Deneb Algedi | Cauda capricorni | Delta Capricorni | 23 Aquarius 48 | Saturn & Mercury | chalcedony | marjoram |  |
