Table of Fixed Stars in Hellenistic Astrology

By Joseph Crane
September, 2010
This list provides 33 fixed stars that are given specific astrological interpretations within the
Hellenistic tradition. To help you prioritize them and assess their astrological influence, this list
provides information about location, brightness (magnitude), and what planets may correspond
to them. All star positions are given for January 1, 2010.
The following items describe the data that will be provided for each of the fixed stars:
Name/Description Often we do not have specific names for specific fixed stars but merely
a description, e.g. The bright star at the base of the right horn (of the
Ram) and later tradition will pick up the star name from Arabic. That
name (usually the official name) will appear outside the quotes in
brackets, e.g. [Hamal]. If a star retains its ancient name, the name will
appear within quotations but also in bold.
Constellation

Official name for the constellation will appear, as will the depiction of
the stars magnitude (brightness) among the other stars of that
constellation. The brightest star is the alpha star then, descending
order, we have beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon.

Magnitude

This allows us to quantify a stars brightness. Magnitude numbers go in

descending order: any star of 3+ would be rather faint in an urban sky,
between 1 and 0 would be considered first magnitude stars and the
closer we get to zero the brighter the star is. You will find that the star
Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, has a magnitude of -1.46 thats
very bright.

Longitude

This is otherwise known as ecliptical or celestial longitude and is

divided into the familiar twelve signs of the zodiac and their divisions
into thirty degrees for each sign. What is a stars closest zodiacal
degree on the ecliptic? For the stars in the constellations of the
zodiac, these positions will be given first.

Latitude

This is often called celestial latitude and measures up and down,

north and south, from the ecliptic. If this degree of latitude is great,
that star may be physically far away from the circle of the ecliptic.
Most planets are only a few degrees north or south of the ecliptic.

Declination

This is also up and down, north and south, not of the ecliptic but the
celestial equator, an extension of our earthly equator into the sky.
A stars declination will tell us at what latitude on the earth that star
will culminate. Stars in constellations not on the ecliptic are listed in
descending order from furthest north (+) to furthest south (-). The
closer the location is to 00, the closer it is to the equator. (The
ecliptics declination will range from +23 26 (at the Tropic of Cancer)
to -2326 (the Tropic of Capricorn).

Right Ascension

This measures a stars position across the celestial equator. Right

ascension begins at the vernal point is give either in degrees hours or
in degrees: following our measurement of time and location on earth,
15 of Right Ascension is equal to one hour of time; a position at the
place of the autumn equinox will be 180 or 12 hours. This list gives
degree and hour measurements.
Listing for the stars in the zodiac begin with ecliptical positions; for
stars outside the zodiac, we begin with equatorial measurements of
declination and right ascension.

Co-rising:
(NYC, 40N)
(Mexico City,
19N)

These values will be given for all stars but are traditionally used for star
positions outside the zodiacal constellations. What degree of the
zodiac rises when the star rises? Because the rising degree is sensitive
to latitude, I use two locations here. Some of the results may be
striking, because a star to the north and a distant star to the south can
rise at the same time along the eastern horizon.

Co-culminating
(anywhere)

Fortunately the degree of the zodiac that culminates with a particular

star does not change with location. This is also useful for star positions
outside the zodiacal constellations.

Planetary Nature

This seems to have been the most important interpretative

consideration and they give us a way to assess a stars influence upon
an astrological chart. Texts from Anonymous of 397 and Rhetorius are
very similar, but that of Ptolemy contains significant differences. I note
by (Pt) where Ptolemys listing is different from either or both of the
other two sources.

Stars in Constellations of the Zodiac

#1

Name/Description

The bright star at the base of the right horn (of the Ram) [Hamal]

Constellation

Aries (alpha)

Magnitude

2.00

Longitude

07 Taurus 49

Latitude

09N58

Declination

+ 23 31

Right Ascension

3156//2:07:46

Co-rising (NYC, 40N)

17 Aries
(Mexico City, 19N)
28 Aries

Co-culminating (anywhere)

04 Taurus 12

Planetary Nature

Mars, Saturn (Pt)

#2
Name/Description

The bright red star in the Hyades in the southern eye [Aldeberan]

Constellation

Taurus (alpha)

Magnitude

0.85

Longitude

09 Gemini 56

Latitude

05S28

Declination

+16 32

Right Ascension

6908//4:36:32

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

16 Gemini

(Mexico City, 19N)

12 Gemini

Co-culminating (anywhere)

10 Gemini 43

Planetary Nature

Mars (Pt) or Mars and Venus

#3
Name/Description

Star on the head of the following twin, [Pollux, a.k.a. Hercules]

Constellation

Gemini (beta)

Magnitude

1.14

Longitude

23 Cancer 22

Latitude

06N41

Declination

+28 00

Right Ascension

11629//7:45:58

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

18 Cancer

(Mexico City, 19N)

21 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

24 Cancer 34

Planetary Nature

Mars

#4
Name/Description

Reddish star on the head of the leading twin [Castor, a.k.a.

Hercules]

Constellation

Gemini (alpha)

Magnitude

1.98

Longitude

20 Cancer 23

Latitude

10N06

Declination

+31 52

Right Ascension

11349//07:35:17

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

11 Cancer

(Mexico City, 19N)

17 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

22 Cancer 03

Planetary Nature

Mercury (Pt) or Jupiter and Mercury

#5
Name/Description

The star in the heart, called Regulus [Ptolemy: Basilisksos]

Constellation

Leo (alpha)

Magnitude

1.35

Longitude

29 Leo 59

Latitude

00N28

Declination

+11 55

Right Ascension

15214//10:08:56

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

29 Leo

(Mexico City, 19N)

29 Leo

Co-culminating (anywhere)

00 Virgo 09

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Mars

#6
Name/Description

In the back of the Lion [Zosma]

Constellation

Leo (delta)

Magnitude

2.56

Longitude

11 Virgo 28

Latitude

14N20

Declination

+20 28

Right Ascension

16839//11:14:40

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

05 Virgo

(Mexico City, 19N)

11 Virgo

Co-culminating (anywhere)

17 Virgo 41

Planetary Nature

Saturn and Venus

#7
Name/Description

The star at the tip of the tail [Denebola]

Constellation

Leo (beta)

Magnitude

2.14

Longitude

21 Virgo 46

Latitude

12N16

Declination

+14 31

Right Ascension

17723//11:49:36

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

17 Virgo

(Mexico City, 19N)

22 Virgo

Co-culminating (anywhere)

27 Virgo 10

Planetary Nature

Saturn, Venus

#8
Name/Description

Northernmost of (these stars in the right northern wing)

[Vindemiatrix]

Constellation

Virgo (epsilon)

Magnitude

2.84

Longitude

10 Libra 05

Latitude

16N12

Declination

+1054

Right Ascension

13:02:41//195.33

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

04 Libra

(Mexico City, 19N)

10 Libra

Co-culminating (anywhere)

17 Libra 00

Planetary Nature

Saturn, Mercury (Pt)

#9
Name/Description

The star on the left hand of Virgo, called Spica

Constellation

Virgo (alpha)

Magnitude

0.98

Longitude

23 Libra 59

Latitude

02S03

Declination

-11 13

Right Ascension

20125//13:25:44

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

24 Libra

(Mexico City, 19N)

23 Libra

Co-culminating (anywhere)

23 Libra 10

Planetary Nature

Venus, Mercury; Venus, Mars (Pt)

#10
Name/Description

[Bright star] on the end of the Southern Claw [Zuben Elgenubi, or

South Scale]

Constellation

Libra (alpha)

Magnitude

2.75

Longitude

15 Scorpio 13

Latitude

00N20

Declination

-16 05

Right Ascension

22251//14:51:26

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

14 Scorpio

(Mexico City, 19N)

15 Scorpio

Co-culminating (anywhere)

15 Scorpio 19

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Mercury (Pt)

#11
Name/Description

[Bright star] on the end of the Northern Claw [Zuben Elschemali]

Constellation

Libra (beta)

Magnitude

2.61

Longitude

19 Scorpio 31

Latitude

08N30

Declination

-09 25

Right Ascension

22923//15:17:33

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

15 Scorpio

(Mexico City, 19N)

18 Scorpio

Co-culminating (anywhere)

21 Scorpio 48

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Mercury

#12
Name/Description

Middle star in the middle of the body which is reddish and bright and
called Antares.

Constellation

Scorpio (alpha)

Magnitude

0.96

Longitude

09 Sagittarius 54

Latitude

04S34

Declination

-26 27

Right Ascension

24730//16:30:01

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

13 Sagittarius

(Mexico City, 19N)

10 Sagittarius

Co-culminating (anywhere)

09 Sagittarius 12

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Mars

#13
Name/Description

The one on the knee of Sagittarius [Rukbat]

Constellation

Sagittarius (alpha)

Magnitude

3.97

Longitude

13 Capricorn 46

Latitude

18S23

Declination

-40 36

Right Ascension

29108//19:24:36

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

23 Capricorn

(Mexico City, 19N)

29 Capricorn

Co-culminating (anywhere)

19 Capricorn 32

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Saturn

#14
Name/Description

The star on the left shoulder, called Capella [Little She-Goat]

Constellation

Auriga/The Charioteer (alpha)

Magnitude

0.08

Longitude

22 Gemini 00

Latitude

22N52

Declination

+46 01

Right Ascension

7922//05:17:29

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

23 Aries

(Mexico City, 19N)

07 Gemini

Co-culminating (anywhere)

20 Gemini 14

Planetary Nature

Mars, Mercury (Pt), Jupiter, Saturn

#15
Name/Description

The bright star in the tail (of the Swan) [Deneb Adige]

Constellation

Cygnus (alpha)

Magnitude

1.25

Longitude

05 Pisces 28

Latitude

59N55

Declination

+45 19

Right Ascension

30126//20:41:45

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

24 Scorpio

(Mexico City, 19N)

10 Capricorn

Co-culminating (anywhere)

08 Aquarius 01

Planetary Nature

Venus, Mercury

#16
Name/Description

The star in the right shoulder of the charioteer [Menkalinam]

Constellation

Auriga/The Charioteer (beta)

Magnitude

1.90

Longitude

00 Cancer 24

Latitude

21N31

Declination

+44 57

Right Ascension

9004//06:00:19

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

18 Taurus

(Mexico City, 19N)

18 Gemini

Co-culminating (anywhere)

00 Cancer 04

Planetary Nature

Mars, Mercury (Pt), Jupiter, Saturn

#17
Name/Description

The bright star in the Gorgons head. [Algol]

Constellation

Perseus (beta)

Magnitude

2.12

Longitude

26 Taurus 19

Latitude

22N26

Declination

+41 00

Right Ascension

4712//03:08:52

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

26 Pisces

(Mexico City, 19N)

06 Taurus

Co-culminating (anywhere)

19 Taurus 40

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Saturn

#18
Name/Description

The bright star in the shell, called The Lyre [Vega]

Constellation

Lyra (alpha)

Magnitude

0.03

Longitude

15 Capricorn 27

Latitude

61N44

Declination

+38 48

Right Ascension

27918//18:37:15

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

13 Scorpio

(Mexico City, 19N)

15 Sagittarius

Co-culminating (anywhere)

08 Capricorn 33

Planetary Nature

Venus, Mercury

#19
Name/Description

The star common to the Horses (Pegasus) navel and the head of
Andromeda [Alpheratz]

Constellation

Andromeda (alpha)

Magnitude

2.06

Longitude

14 Aries 27

Latitude

25N40

Declination

+29 09

Right Ascension

00213//08:55

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

17 Aquarius

(Mexico City, 19N)

18 Pisces

Co-culminating (anywhere)

02 Aries 26

Planetary Nature

Venus (Pt); Mars, Mercury

#20
Name/Description

The bright star in the crown [Alphecca]

Constellation

Corona Borealis (alpha)

Magnitude

2.23

Longitude

12 Scorpio 26

Latitude

44N19

Declination

+26 41

Right Ascension

23346//15:35:07

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

22 Libra

(Mexico City, 19N)

10 Scorpio

Co-culminating (anywhere)

26 Scorpio 06

Planetary Nature

Venus, Mercury

#21
Name/Description

The bright and reddish-brown star called Arcturus

Constellation

Botes (alpha)

Magnitude

-0.04

Longitude

24 Libra 23

Latitude

30N44

Declination

+19 08

Right Ascension

21401//14:16:07

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

13 Libra

(Mexico City, 19N)

25 Libra

Co-culminating (anywhere)

06 Scorpio 21

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Mars

#22
Name/Description

The bright star in the back of the Eagle Altair

Constellation

Aquila (alpha)

Magnitude

0.77

Longitude

01 Aquarius 55

Latitude

29N18

Declination

+8 54

Right Ascension

19:51:16//29748

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

28 Sagittarius

(Mexico City, 19N)

14 Capricorn

Co-culminating (anywhere)

25 Scorpio 50

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Mars

#23
Name/Description

The bright star in the hind parts of the little dog called Procyon

Constellation

Canis Minor (alpha)

Magnitude

0.38

Longitude

25 Cancer 56

Latitude

16S01

Declination

+5 12

Right Ascension

07:39:52//11457

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

05 Leo

(Mexico City, 19N)

28 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

23 Cancer 08

Planetary Nature

Mars, Mercury

#24
Name/Description

The star in the left/leading shoulder [of Orion] Bellatrix

Constellation

Orion (gamma)

Magnitude

1.64

Longitude

21 Gemini 06

Latitude

16S49

Declination

+6 22

Right Ascension

05:25:43//08125

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

06 Cancer

(Mexico City, 19N)

29 Gemini

Co-culminating (anywhere)

22 Gemini 08

Planetary Nature

Mars, Mercury

#25
Name/Description

The bright red star in the right shoulder [of Orion] Betelgeuse

Constellation

Orion (alpha)

Magnitude

0.50

Longitude

28 Gemini 54

Latitude

16S02

Declination

+7 25

Right Ascension

05:55:45//08856

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

12 Cancer

(Mexico City, 19N)

04 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

29 Gemini 02

Planetary Nature

Mars, Mercury

#26
Name/Description

The middle star in the belt [Alnilam]

Constellation

Orion (epsilon)

Magnitude

1.70

Longitude

23 Gemini 37

Latitude

24S30

Declination

-0112

Right Ascension

05:36:46//8411

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

14 Cancer

(Mexico City, 19N)

02 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

24 Gemini 40

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Saturn

#27
Name/Description

The star at the left foot of Orion [Rigel]

Constellation

Orion (beta)

Magnitude

0.12

Longitude

16 Gemini 59

Latitude

13S07

Declination

-8 11

Right Ascension

05:15:03//7845

Co-rising

15 Cancer

(NYC, 40N)

(Mexico City, 19N)

00 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

19 Gemini 40

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Saturn

#28
Name/Description

The bright star in the two in the south [Alphard]

Constellation

Hydra (alpha)

Magnitude

1.98

Longitude

27 Leo 26

Latitude

22S23

Declination

-8 42

Right Ascension

09:28:07//14201

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

5 Virgo

(Mexico City, 19N)

27 Leo

Co-culminating (anywhere)

19 Leo 37

Planetary Nature

Saturn, Venus

#29
Name/Description

The star in the mouth, the brightest, which is called the Dog and is
reddish; the bright and red star in the face called Sirius.

Constellation

Canis Major (alpha)

Magnitude

-1.46

Longitude

14 Cancer 14

Latitude

39S36

Declination

-16 43

Right Ascension

06:45:38//10124

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

9 Leo

(Mexico City, 19N)

23 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

10 Cancer 29

Planetary Nature

Jupiter, Mars (Pt), Mars

#30
Name/Description

The star at the end of the water and at the mouth of Piscus
Austrinus. [Fomalhaut]

Constellation

Pisces Australis (alpha)

Magnitude

1.16

Longitude

04 Pisces 00

Latitude

21S08

Declination

-29 34

Right Ascension

22:58:13//34433

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

23 Aries

(Mexico City, 19N)

24 Pisces

Co-culminating (anywhere)

13 Pisces 14

Planetary Nature

Venus, Mercury

#31
Name/Description

The bright star in the oar (of Argo) called Canopus

Constellation

Carina or Argo (alpha)

Magnitude

0.72

Longitude

15 Cancer 08

Latitude

75S49

Declination

-52 42

Right Ascension

06:24:13//9603

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

Does not rise

(Mexico City, 19N)

06 Leo

Co-culminating (anywhere)

05 Cancer 34

Planetary Nature

Saturn, Jupiter

#32
Name/Description

The last star of the river, the bright one [Archernar]

Constellation

Eradinus (alpha)

Magnitude

0.46

Longitude

15 Pisces 27

Latitude

59S23

Declination

-57 11

Right Ascension

1:38:07//2431

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

Does not rise

(Mexico City, 19N)

06 Gemini

Co-culminating (anywhere)

26 Aries 27

Planetary Nature

Jupiter (Pt); Jupiter and Venus

#33
Name/Description

The star at the tip of the right foot (of the Centaur) [Toliman]

Constellation

Centaur (alpha)

Magnitude

0.01

Longitude

29 Scorpio 37

Latitude

42S36

Declination

-60 52

Right Ascension

14:40:19//22004

Co-rising

(NYC, 40N)

Does not rise

(Mexico City, 19N)

12 Cancer

Co-culminating (anywhere)

12 Scorpio 32

Planetary Nature

Venus and Mercury (Pt); Jupiter and Venus

Planetary Natures
Venus and Mercury: Spica, Vega, Deneb Adige, Alphecca
Jupiter, Saturn: Rigel, Alnilam, Capella, Rukbat, Algol
Jupiter, Mars: Regulus, Arcturus, Aquila, Antares
Mars, Venus: Aldeberan
Mars: Sirius, Pollux
Jupiter, Mercury: North Scale, Castor
Mars, Mercury: Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Procyon
Jupiter, Venus: Toliman, Achernar
Saturn, Venus: Denebola, Alphard, Zosma