| Fixed star: SCHEDIR | |
| Constellation: Alpha (α) Cassiopeia | |
| Longitude 1900: 06TAU24 | Longitude 2000: 07TAU47 |
| Declination 1900: +55.59′ | Declination 2000: +56.31′ |
| Right ascension: 00h 40m | Latitude: +46.37′ |
| Spectral class: K0 | Magnitude: 2.5 |
The history of the star: Schedir
from p.145 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Alpha (α) Cassiopeia, Schedir, is a multiple and slightly variable star, 2.2 to 2.8, pale rose, on the left breast of the Ethiopian Queen.
Schedar is first found in the Alfonsine Tables, and was Schedir with Hevelius; Shadar, Schedar, Shedar, Sheder, Seder, Shedis, Zedaron, etc., elsewhere; and all supposed to be from Arabic Al Sadr, the Breast, which the star marks in the figure (of Cassiopeia). Some, however, have asserted that they are from the Persian Shuter for the constellation (Cassiopeia).
The 15th century Tartar astronomer Ulug Beg called it Al Dhat al Kursiyy from the whole constellation [the Arabians called CassiopeiaAlDhatalKursiyy, the Lady in the Chair], which the Italian astronomer Riccioli (1598–1671) changed to Dath Elkarti
{p.146} The English astronomer Smyth (1788-1865) said that it was known as Lucida Cassiopea,— a matter-of-fact statement, as the brightest star in any sky figure (constellation) is the lucida (the brightest star in a constellation).
Alpha (α), beta (β), eta (η) and kappa (κ) were the Chinese Yuh Lang, or Wang Leang
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation Cassiopeia
Legend: Cassiopeia, the the wife of Cepheus and mother of Andromeda, was taken into heaven in consideration of the deeds of Perseus (see Andromeda). She is said to have boasted that not only Andromeda but she herself was fairer than the Nereids, and for that reason she was bound to her chair and condemned to circle the pole head downwards as a lesson in humility. [Robson, p.36.]
Influences: According to Ptolemy this constellation is of the nature of Saturn and Venus. It is said to give haughtiness, boastfulness and exaggerated pride, but at the same time the power of commanding respect. It is associated by the Kabalists with the Hebrew letter Beth and the 2nd Tarot Trump "The High Priestess." [Robson, p.36.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Cassiopeia given by Manilius:
"Cassiope will produce goldsmiths who can turn their work into a thousand different shapes, endow the precious substance with yet greater value, and add thereto the vivid hue of Jewels. From Cassiope come the gifts of Augustus which gleam in the temples he consecrated, where the blaze of gold rivals the sun’s brightness and the fires of gems flash forth light out of shadow. From Cassiope come the memorials of Pompey’s triumph of old and the trophies which bear the features of Mithridates: they remain to this very day, spoils undimmed by the passage of time, their sparkle as fresh as ever.
"From Cassiope come the enhancement of beauty and devices for adorning the body: from gold has been sought the means to give grace to the appearance; precious stones have been spread over head, neck, and hands and golden chains have shone on snow-white feet. What products would a grand lady like Cassiope prefer her sons to handle rather than those she could turn to her own employments? And that material for such employment should not be lacking, she bids men look for gold beneath the ground, uproot all which nature stealthily conceals, and turn earth upside down in search of gain; she bids them detect the treasure in lumps of ore and finally, for all its reluctance, expose it to a sky it has never seen. The son of Cassiope will also count greedily the yellow sands, and drench a dripping beach with a new flood; he will make small weights to measure the tiny grains, or else will collect the wealth of gold-foaming Pactolus [Pactolus]; or he will smelt lumps of silver, separating the hidden metal and causing the mineral to flow forth in a running stream; otherwise he will become a trader of the metals produced by these two craftsmen, ever ready to change coinage of the one metal into wares of the other. Such are the inclinations which Cassiope will fashion in those born under her" [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.343.]
The astrological influences of the star Schedir
Incorporates serious demeanor with joi-se-vivre. This star is not considered unlucky, but a certain amount of demonic power seems to be ascribed to it. Should good living transgress reasonable limits the results will be disadvantageous. [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.20.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].