Ancient astrologers, mages, and seers— from the priests of Babylon to the hermetic sages of Alexandria—gazed upon these stars, naming them as potent forces in the affairs of gods and men. Their number and significance vary across traditions, yet certain stars rise above the rest, marked by their brilliance, mythology, and occult resonance. Among these, the Royal Stars—a quartet of regal luminaries—hold a place of honor, while the broader pantheon of Fixed Stars expands into a chorus of celestial voices.
Lighthouses of the cosmos
In medieval and Renaissance astrology, the Behenian Fixed Stars—a set of 15—were prized by wizards and alchemists for their potency in talismanic magic. Named in the Liber Hermetis and elaborated by Agrippa, they include:
- Aldebaran (Taurus)
- Algol (Beta Persei, in Perseus) – The Head of Medusa, fierce and protective.
- Algorab (Delta Corvi, in Corvus) – The Raven’s Wing, subtle and shadowy.
- Alphecca (Alpha Coronae Borealis, in Corona Borealis) – The Jewel, pure and radiant.
- Antares (Scorpio)
- Arcturus (Alpha Boötis, in Boötes) – The Bear Guardian, golden and wise.
- Capella (Alpha Aurigae, in Auriga) – The She-Goat, nurturing and bright.
- Deneb Algedi (Delta Capricorni, in Capricorn) – The Tail of the Goat, just and steady.
- Fomalhaut (Piscis Austrinus)
- Pleiades (in Taurus) – The Seven Sisters, a cluster of inspiration and sorrow.
- Procyon (Alpha Canis Minoris, in Canis Minor) – The Lesser Dog, swift and clever.
- Regulus (Leo)
- Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris, in Canis Major) – The Dog Star, blazing and divine.
- Spica (Alpha Virginis, in Virgo) – The Ear of Wheat, fertile and blessed.
15. Vega (Alpha Lyrae, in Lyra) – The Harp Star, ethereal and harmonious.
The 15 Core Behenian and Royal Stars
- Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri, Taurus)
- Magnitude: 0.85
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (East), Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Bull’s Eye, power, wealth, martial vigor; a Watcher of the Heavens.
- Regulus (Alpha Leonis, Leo)
- Magnitude: 1.35
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (North), Ptolemy, Persian
- Significance: The Lion’s Heart, royalty, courage; a regal beacon.
- Antares (Alpha Scorpii, Scorpio)
- Magnitude: 0.96
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (West), Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Scorpion’s Heart, passion, transformation; a fiery sentinel.
- Fomalhaut (Alpha Piscis Austrini, Piscis Austrinus)
- Magnitude: 1.16
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (South), Ptolemy
- Significance: The Fish’s Mouth, mysticism, dreams; a poetic guide.
- Algol (Beta Persei, Perseus)
- Magnitude: 2.1 (variable)
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Chinese
- Significance: The Demon Star, Medusa’s Head; protection, ferocity, and peril.
- Algorab (Delta Corvi, Corvus)
- Magnitude: 2.94
- Traditions: Behenian
- Significance: The Raven’s Wing, subtlety, shadow; a lesser but potent light.
- Alphecca (Alpha Coronae Borealis, Corona Borealis)
- Magnitude: 2.23
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy
- Significance: The Jewel of the Crown, purity, honor; a radiant gem.
- Arcturus (Alpha Boötis, Boötes)
- Magnitude: -0.05
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Bear Guardian, wisdom, prosperity; among the brightest.
- Capella (Alpha Aurigae, Auriga)
- Magnitude: 0.08
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy
- Significance: The She-Goat, nurture, brilliance; a pastoral star.
- Deneb Algedi (Delta Capricorni, Capricorn)
- Magnitude: 2.81
- Traditions: Behenian
- Significance: The Goat’s Tail, justice, stability; a quiet authority.
- Pleiades (Cluster in Taurus)
- Magnitude: 1.6 (combined)
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian
- Significance: The Seven Sisters, inspiration, sorrow; a celestial chorus.
- Procyon (Alpha Canis Minoris, Canis Minor)
- Magnitude: 0.34
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy
- Significance: The Lesser Dog, agility, cunning; a bright companion.
- Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris, Canis Major)
- Magnitude: -1.46
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Egyptian, Babylonian, Chinese
- Significance: The Dog Star, divine brilliance, initiation; the brightest of all.
- Spica (Alpha Virginis, Virgo)
- Magnitude: 0.98
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Ear of Wheat, fertility, knowledge; a harvest light.
- Vega (Alpha Lyrae, Lyra)
- Magnitude: 0.03
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Chinese
- Significance: The Harp Star, harmony, ethereal beauty; a northern jewel.
Ptolemy’s Additions and Ancient Revered Stars
Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos lists over 30 stars, many overlapping with the Behenian canon.
- Bellatrix (Gamma Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 1.64
- Traditions: Ptolemy
- Significance: The Warrior’s Shoulder, strength, conquest; an Orion sentinel.
- Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 0.42 (variable)
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Egyptian, Babylonian
- Significance: The Hunter’s Shoulder, power, destiny; a ruddy giant.
- Rigel (Beta Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 0.12
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Hunter’s Foot, brilliance, guidance; a blue-white star.
- Canopus (Alpha Carinae, Carina)
- Magnitude: -0.74
- Traditions: Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian
- Significance: The Navigator’s Star, wisdom, the south; second-brightest.
- Deneb (Alpha Cygni, Cygnus)
- Magnitude: 1.25
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Chinese
- Significance: The Swan’s Tail, transcendence, grace; a northern titan.
- Pollux (Beta Geminorum, Gemini)
- Magnitude: 1.14
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Twin’s Head, vitality, duality; a boxer’s star.
- Castor (Alpha Geminorum, Gemini)
- Magnitude: 1.58
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Twin’s Brother, intellect, partnership; a paired light.
- Alnair (Alpha Gruis, Grus)
- Magnitude: 1.74
- Traditions: Babylonian, Sumerian
- Significance: The Crane’s Light, clarity, ascent; a southern gleam.
- Alnilam (Epsilon Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 1.69
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Belt’s Center, order, strength; Orion’s midpoint.
- Mirach (Beta Andromedae, Andromeda)
- Magnitude: 2.06
- Traditions: Ptolemy
- Significance: The Chained Maiden’s Girdle, beauty, creativity.
Stars from Other Traditions
- Achernar (Alpha Eridani, Eridanus)
- Magnitude: 0.46
- Traditions: Indian, Chinese
- Significance: The River’s End, flow, eternity; a southern star.
- Polaris (Alpha Ursae Minoris, Ursa Minor)
- Magnitude: 1.97
- Traditions: Egyptian, Chinese, Indian
- Significance: The North Star, direction, constancy; the pole’s guide.
- Altair (Alpha Aquilae, Aquila)
- Magnitude: 0.77
- Traditions: Chinese, Indian
- Significance: The Eagle’s Eye, swiftness, vision; a summer triangle star.
Brightest Stars Beyond Esoteric Lists
From the top 30 brightest stars (by apparent magnitude), some lack deep occult lore but demand inclusion for their radiance:
- Alpha Centauri (Rigel Kentaurus, Centaurus)
- Magnitude: -0.27 (system)
- Traditions: None prominent
- Significance: The nearest star system, unity, exploration; third-brightest.
- Acrux (Alpha Crucis, Crux)
- Magnitude: 0.76
- Traditions: Southern skies (later noted)
- Significance: The Southern Cross, sacrifice, orientation; a cruciform light.