Weekly Stars ~ A fixed star for every birthday by Darkstar Astrology

Libra Decan 1 ~ Sept 23 to Oct 3 2018. The monthly horoscope runs as an Egyptian decan, ie 10 days. It will start as the Sun moves into a new decan and looks at what fixed stars it hits. The star interpretations are written for those born with their Sun on that degree, but the general mood of the day will carry that flavour too.

This decan is adept at bringing peace and harmony into the most fraught situation. Like all the decans there will be a negative side, all this sugary sweetness can give one diabetes. The ironic thing about Libra decan 1 is that sometimes their push for peace can attract very aggressive and mean mates. Either that or violence just seems to blow up around them for no reason at all.

In Crowds & Triangular Relationships

September 23/24

Libra 2º 36’ ~ Theta Bootes in Bootes the Herdsman. 4.6*

There are two minor stars here in Bootes the herdsman. The constellation “is said to give prosperity from work, strong desires, a tendency to excess, a fondness for rural pursuits, together with some liking for occultism.” Bootes is the custodian to the animals in his keep, whether they be the hounds, the bear or the sheep so we have more guardianship here. Bootes is supposed to be Arca, son of Zeus and Callisto who was transformed into a bear by jealous Hera. Calisto is said to be Ursa Major, the bear he watches over. Bootes is also said to represent Icarus the father of Erigone (Virgo) who follows.

September 25

Libra 3º 23’ ~ Nodus 1 in Draco the dragon. 3.2

Stars Nodus I and Edasich fall in the constellation of Draco, this is the dragon that guards the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides. “Draco gives an artistic and emotional but somber nature, a penetrating and analytical mind, much travel and many friends but danger of robbery and of accidental poisoning.” It also said to be the point where two meteor showers radiate from in January and March every year. Bernadette Brady says this constellation actively guards and protects.

We also find Draco in Virgo decan 1 where it is more conservative. The dragon has a different flavour here in cardinal Libra. It is like it’s fiercely defending treasure from being raped and pillaged, working to preserve sacred wisdom, like a Libra-rian. The apples are a symbol of Eris and her occult knowledge. There might be a deliberate holding back of these mysteries because of the power they confer. Draco ensures the recipient must be sufficiently evolved before handling such a potent weapon.

September 26/27

Libra 4º 23’ ~ Beta Coma Berenice in Coma Berenices, Berenices hair. 4.3
Libra 4º 31’ ~ Zaniah in the the left arm of Virgo the Virgin. 4.0
Libra 4º 57’ ~ Edasich in Draco the Dragon. 3.5

We have two stars in Coma Berenice, Berenices hair. “It is said to give a suave and well-bred manner, with great personal charm, but to lead to an idle and dissipated life. There is some love of, or ability for the stage.” The most notable star is Diadem, which is in the garland. A Diadem is also a small tiara. The myth goes that Berenice, wife of Ptolemy Euergetes offered up her hair to Venus to insure the safe return of her husband from war. “Diadem can suggest a self-sacrificing person who is motivated by love for another. In that sacrifice the person can find great strength and dignity.” [1]

Brady says this star does not chase fame or seek recognition for what they do, they work purely out of devotion and dedication to their craft. One thing I think they have to be careful of is completely cutting off their intuitive and creative powers for the sake of another human being. The ancient name for this constellation was simply Coma “The desired one” and is depicted as a mother and her child, the seed. It is placed near Virgo’s sheath of corn. Motherhood of course is also an example of self-sacrifice for the love of the child. So even if the imagery has changed the essence is the same.

Zaniah is found in the left arm of the Virgin “It gives refinement, honor, congeniality, order and a lovable nature.” Generally it seems to give a talent for negotiating peace and diplomacy. You can certainly see strong tropical Libra attributes here as well as the Mercury/Venus nature attributed to it by Ptolemy. Eric Mores notes “The name must bring a smile to astrologers who often associate Mercury with money and Venus with love, and Ptolemy having put the money first for Zaniyah means “Adulteress” or “Harlot”. We have seen how Virgo has had such a reputation in past times, having been Lilith and Ashtoreth as much as more honored ladies like Mary.” I think the influence has bled into tropical Libra now, one thinks of the refined and cultured Geisha girl or the 18th century courtesan as being very Libra decan 1. I found a few sex workers in my research.

September 28

Libra 5º 20’ ~ Tureis in the keel of Argo Navis the Great Ship. 2.2

Despite Tureis being the brightest star in this decan it has no separate interpretation. The ship is such a vague constellation, far up in the poles, and has been split into three separate parts. But “the Arabians’ Turais, probably referring to the ornamental Aplustre at the stern of the Ship.” So here we see the Libran appreciation for beauty, harmonious proportions, art and decoration.

September 29/30

Libra 6º 58’ ~ Lambda Bootes in Bootes the Herdsman. 4.2

“As has been suggested Bootes may immortalize the transition from a nomadic life to settled agriculture in the ancient world. The aspiring farmer who made claims on land would need to guard his property and produce against those who had still remained nomads, at least before bylaws became established. Titles for Bootes were Greek Arktophulax, translated ‘the Bear-watcher’ and the ‘Bear-guard’, from Greek phulax, ‘watcher, guard, sentry-keeper’. A phylax was a guard or watchman in ancient Rome, and in earlier Chaldea Arcturus was identified with Papsukal, the Guardian Messenger. The name of the alpha star, Greek Arktouros, LatinArcturus, was often interchanged with the name of the constellation.” Bootes ~ Constellation Of Words.

October 1

Libra 8º 57’ ~ Diadem in Coma Berenices, Berenice’s hair. 4.3

The alpha star in the wreath of jewels in Berenice’s hair. The Coma Berenices is said “to give a suave and well-bred manner, with great personal charm, but to lead to an idle and dissipated life. There is some love of, or ability for the stage. Lilly states that the beginning of this constellation causes blindness or defective eyesight, and it is probable that the part lying in Virgo has some influence over baldness.”

Bernadette Brady see’s this star as one of a woman’s sacrifice as Berenice gave up her hair to Venus to ensure her husband’s safe return from war. This was a huge sacrifice in ancient times as long, luxuriant hair was a status symbol and short hair a form of disgrace. Brady says “ The star takes its name from the word diadem, a symbol of royalty worn on the head or a small crown. Diadem is linked to feminine strength. However it is a strength which does not seek glory or personal fame but rather belongs to quiet workers, the people who slave for years helping or working for the benefit of a group but who never seek personal recognition or fame. At times the sacrifice that it asks may seem beyond the persons ability to give.” [2]

October 2

Libra 9º 56’ ~ Vindemiatrix in the right arm of Virgo the Virgin. 3.0

Vindematrix is found in the right wing of the Virgin. “It gives falsity, disgrace, stealing, wanton folly and often causes its natives to become widows.” It’s name means the grape gatherer. It does not seem to be a fortunate star since it seems to highlight the negative mythology behind Virgo in general. Virgo is thought to represent Erigone, who hung herself with grief at the death of her father. She is Ceres, who mourned the loss of her daughter Persephone. Some say Virgo is Astraea who sided with the gods against her father, so now we have betrayal here too.

Morse says Vindematrix “ is also known as ‘The Widow Maker’ and frequently marks the death of one’s partner. The star figures strongly and regularly in deaths which are in some way dramatic, newsworthy or are resented in much more than the usual degree by those left behind (assassinations, common criminal murders, executions, airline disasters etc.)” [3] The Ebertin’s highlight the potential of tropical Libra’s strong intellect associated with the air element. “this star with its Saturn-Mercury nature is said to help mental concentration and to promote the type of native who engages for architects and businessmen. Tied up with Mars, it results in increased power of thought, tending sometimes to sarcasm and polemics.” [4]