“The fixed stars are the root from which the planets get their nature and their power" - Damien Echols
Books
- Hermes on the 15 fixed stars
https://foreverconscious.com/intuitive-astrology-the-four-royal-stars
The four stars with their modern names, and their ancient Persian names (in brackets) were:
Aldebaran (Tascheter) – vernal equinox (Watcher of the East) Regulus (Venant) – summer solstice (Watcher of the North) Antares (Satevis) – autumnal equinox (Watcher of the West) Fomalhaut (Haftorang/Hastorang) – winter solstice (Watcher of the South)
In astrology, the Royal Stars of Persia are Aldebaran, Regulus, Antares and Fomalhaut. They were regarded as the guardians of the sky during the time of the Persian Empire (550 BC–330 BC) in the area of modern-day Iran.1 The Persians believed that the sky was divided into four districts with each district being guarded by one of the four Royal Stars.2 The stars were believed to hold both good and evil power and the Persians looked upon them for guidance in scientific calculations of the sky, such as the calendar and lunar/solar cycles, and for predictions.
The constellations of the Royal Stars were said to be fixed because their positions were close to the four fixed points of the sun's path.4 The sun was then surrounded by four bright stars at the beginning of every season.5 From this observation individuals began to denote them the Royal Stars.5
By 700 BCE the Assyrians had essentially mapped the ecliptic cycle because of the four stars and were in result able to map the constellations, distinguishing them from the planets and the fixed stars.
The highest level of celestial energies worked with in astrotheurgy/High Magick is the zodiacal influences - what the Bible refers to as “the firmament.” Each element is worked with one by one, and then the same is done with each of the 7 classic planets. The final level which separates the finite world from the infinite is the astrological - beginning with the 12 constellations, the 36 decans, and the 72 angels of the Shem HaMephorash. The last level of the zodiacal work before approaching the throne of God is the fixed stars, also called the Behenian stars. Their name derives from Arabic bahman, "root," as each was considered a source of astrological power for one or more of the planets. Their true origin remains unknown, though Sir Wallis Budge suspects a possible Sumerian source. The celestial, planetary, and elemental powers were traditionally worked with by invoking the Angel which embodied them, although the angels of the fixed stars are notoriously difficult to find. They are listed in the second photo. For modern literature on the subject, the best source would be the work of Christopher Warnock.
- Damien Echols
The sigils and correspondences needed to work with the Fixed Stars, the final level of the zodiacal work which is undertaken after the elemental and planetary work. This material corresponds to the sphere of Chokmah on the tree of life - the “lower spheres” correspond to planetary and elemental work. Some have mistakenly assigned planets to the spheres of Chokmah and Kether, but they are “above” or “beyond” planetary influences. Also included in the last pic is info on the four Royal Stars. These can be invoked using the same formula used when doing the LBRP: Before me - Aldebaran Behind me - Antares On my right hand - Fomalhaut On my left hand - Regulus. When doing this, the star itself is invoked instead of the archangel which rules it.
— Behenian means root. Planets get their energy from the fix stars that they are associated with.
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 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 Three Books of Occult Philosophy (Book II, chapters 47 & 52) 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. Their true origin remains unknown, though Sir Wallis Budge suspects a possible Sumerian source.