Koval: Fate & Fixed Stars
since our equinox is now in the opposite constellation. Markab and Scheat in late tropical n are very powerful and quite malefic. Although they do not define a mansion or decanate they are worth keeping in mind when interpreting charts. The way to assess the brightness of a star is by the Greek letter associated with its placement in the constellation. The Îą stars are the brightest and on down through the alphabet. For instance, Kerb has a Ď„ designation well into the alphabet and thus rather dim, but it is in the right place for a decanate. While some of these stars appear to be small and insignificant, the ancients would use whatever stars were in the right place. One might argue that without telescopes it might be difficult to see some of these stars, but if you consider the clear desert atmosphere and the likely superior eyesight of our forebears who never had to read a book under the light of an electric bulb or deal with smog you can see why. It was said that Galileo's mother could see the Moons of t unassisted by his telescope. We have all sorts of support mechanisms because we need them. In the Hindu system, the star, Revati, has some importance. It is supposed to be in the constellation n, but a star at its coordinates is impossible to find on a celestial globe and does not appear in many star catalogues. The above mentioned Kerb is the closest to it placement. Although Kerb is in Pegasus, Pegasus has a position that straddles n and a, so it can be associated with either. We see in this list many stars that do not fit in the constellations on the ecliptic or equator, but they do line up in the right places for decanates and mansions. Some stars are known by different names in different systems or catalogues. The star, Unukalhai, is called Benetnash in the Ebertin Catalogue. The Hindu name for Spica is Chitra. Although the stars, a name commonly used in reference to astrology, do have an importance in astrological analysis, the fixed stars, like the wandering stars, the planets, do have a place as important timers and parallels to the life and times on our little planet, Earth. Bibliography: Allen, Richard Hinckley, Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Dover Publications, New York, 1963. This excellent book is one of the most comprehensive and detailed accountings of the stars anywhere. Robson, Vivian. The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Samuel Weiser, Inc., New York, 1923. This is absolutely the best book on the different mansion systems, Hindu, western, and even Chinese. His star catalogue is very good, too, but not entirely comprehensive. DeVore, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology, Philosophical Library, New York, year unknown. If you want to know something about almost anything this is the book to get. Johndro, L. Edward. The Stars, Samuel Weiser, Inc., New York, 1970. While his work is excellent and comprehensive about all the stars and their "effects", his star tables are almost impossible to read because they give no names, only positions.
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