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    Cornelius Agrippa

    Agrippa's Table of Behenian Fixed Stars

    The Behenian Fixed Stars are a selection of fifteen stars considered especially useful for magical applications in the mediæval astrology of Europe and the Arab world. Their name derives from 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. Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa discussed them in his De Occulta Philosophia as the Behenii (singular Behenius), describing their magical workings and kabbalistic symbols. He attributed these to Hermes Trismegistus, as was common with occult traditions in the Middle Ages.
    [NOTE: the symbols drawn by Agrippa for Aldebaran (Aldaboram), for Capella (Hircus) and for the Pleiades differ somewhat from those displayed in Wikipedia. There are a number of versions extant, but I have used those presented in J.F's 1651 English translation of Book II of Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy.]
    Name Latin Name Astronomical Designation Location1 Planet Gemstone Plant Symbol
    Algol Caput Algol Beta Persei 26º Taurus 07' Saturn & Jupiter diamond black hellebore algol symbol
    Pleiades Pleiades M45 (Taurus) 29º Taurus 55' Moon & Mars rock crystal fennel
    Aldebaran Aldaboram Alpha Tauri 09º Gemini 11' Mars & Venus ruby / garnet milk thistle  Image:Agrippa1531_Hircus.png
    Capella Alhayhoch, Hircus Alpha Aurigæ 21º Gemini 48' Jupiter & Saturn sapphire thyme
    Sirius Canis major Alpha Canis Majoris 14º Cancer 03' Venus beryl juniper Image:Agrippa1531_Canismaior.png
    Procyon Canis minor Alpha Canis Minoris 25º Cancer 45' Mercury & Mars agate water buttercup Image:Agrippa1531_Canisminor.png
    Regulus Cor leonis Alpha Leonis 29º Leo 47' Jupiter & Mars granite mugwort Image:Agrippa1531_corLeonis.png
    Polaris Cauda ursæ Alpha Ursæ Minoris 28º Gemini 31' Venus & Moon magnet succory Image:Agrippa1531_caudaUrsae.svg
    Gienah Ala corvi Gamma Corvi 13º Libra 23' Saturn & Mars onyx burdock Image:Agrippa1531_alaCorui.png
    Spica Spica Alpha Virginis 23º Libra 47' Venus & Mercury emerald sage Image:Agrippa1531_Spica.png
    Arcturus Alchameth Alpha Boötis 24º Libra 11' Mars & Jupiter jasper plantain Image:Agrippa1531_Alchameth.png
    Alphecca Elpheia Alpha Coronæ Borealis 12º Scorpio 14' Venus & Mars topaz rosemary Image:Agrippa1531_Elpheia.png
    Antares Cor scorpii Alpha Scorpii 09º Sagittarius 43' Venus & Jupiter sardonyx birthwort Image:Agrippa1531_corScorpii.png
    Vega Vultur cadens Alpha Lyræ 15º Capricorn 16' Mercury & Venus chrysolite winter savory Image:Agrippa1531_Vulturcadens.png
    Deneb Algedi Cauda capricorni Delta Capricorni 05º Pisces 18' Saturn & Mercury chalcedony marjoram Image:Agrippa1531_caudaCapricorni.png

    1 See Stars & Signs: The Precession of the Equinoxes for further information.

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