| Fixed star: SKAT | |
| Constellation: Delta (δ) Aquarius | |
| Longitude 1900: 07PIS29 | Longitude 2000: 08PIS52 |
| Declination 1900: -16.21′ | Declination 2000: -15.49′ |
| Right ascension: 22h 54m | Latitude: -08.11′ |
| Spectral class: A2 | Magnitude: 3.5 |
The history of the star: Skat
from p.53 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Delta (δ) Aquarius, Skat, is a star on the Shin-bone of the Water Pourer.
16th and 17th century astronomers transcribing from Arabic called it Scheat, and Scheat Edeleu, the word variously derived: either from Al Shi’at, a Wish, said to be found for it on Arabic globes; or from AlSak, the Shin-bone, near which it is located in the figure (of the Water Pourer), but some said the name comes from AlSa’d of the preceding stars.
On the Euphrates it seems to have been associated with Hasisadra or Xasisadra, the 10th antediluvian king and hero of the Deluge; while, with beta (β) Sadalsuud, kappa (κ) Situla, and others adjacent, it was the lunar station Apin, the Channel, and individually the Star of the Foundation. The corresponding stations, Khatsar in Persia, Shawshat in Sogdiana (an Iranian people), and Mashtawand in Khorasmia, were also determined by this star.
The Chinese knew it, with tau (τ), chi (χ), the three stars psi (ψ), and some in Pisces, as Yu lin Keun, the Imperial Guard.
From near this star delta (δ Skat) issues a meteor stream, the delta Aquarids, [July 14 to August 18], and not far away Mayer noted as a fixed star, on the 25th of September, 1756, the object that nearly twenty-five years later Sir William Herschel observed as a comet, but afterwards ascertained to be a new planet, our Uranus.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation Aquarius
Legend: Aquarius is said to represent Ganymedes, son of Callirhoe, the most beautiful of mortals, who was carried to heaven by an eagle to act as cupbearer to Jupiter. According to other accounts, however, it is Deucalion, son of Prometheus, who was translated to heaven in memory of the mighty deluge from which only he and Pyrrha were saved. [Robson, p.28.]
Influences: Ptolemy makes the following observations: “The stars in the shoulders of Aquarius operate like Saturn and Mercury; those in the left hand and in the face do the same: those in the thighs have an influence more consonant with that of Mercury, and in a less degree with that of Saturn: those in the stream of water have power similar to that of Saturn, and moderately to that of Jupiter.” By the Kabalists Aquarius is associated with the Hebrew letter Nun and the 14th Tarot Trump “Temperance,” over which virtue the constellation appears to have some rule. The beauty of Ganymedes and his flight through the air also link it to the ideas of personal charm and aviation with which it is certainly connected. [Robson, p.28-29.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Aquarius given by Manilius:
“The youthful Waterman, who from upturned pot pours forth his stream, likewise bestows skills which have affinity with himself: how to divine springs under the ground and conduct them above, to transform the flow of water so as to spray the very stars, to mock the sea with man-made shores at the bidding of luxury, to construct different types of artificial lakes and rivers,” and to support aloft for domestic use streams that come from afar. Beneath this sign there dwell a thousand crafts regulated by water. Why, water will even set in motion the face of heaven and the starry habitations, and will cause the skies to move in a novel rotation. Never will the sons of Aquarius grow tired of the works which come in the wake of water and follow springs. They who issue from this sign are a gentle sort and a lovable breed, and no meanness of heart is theirs: they are prone to suffer losses: and of riches they have neither need nor surfeit. Even thus doth the urn’s stream flow” [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, book 4, p.243.]
The astrological influences of the star Skat
According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter; to Simmonite, of Uranus; and, to Alvidas, of Uranus and Venus in sextile to Mercury. It gives good fortune and lasting happiness. [Robson, p.210.]
The star Skat gives good fortune and lasting happiness and also it is said to indicate safety in a deluge. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.40.]
With Sun: Sensitive, emotional, psychic, criticism and persecution through mediumship, but help from friends. [Robson, p.210.]
With Moon: New and influential friends, associated with companies, public position but little prominence, valuable gifts, love of respectable women. [Robson, p.210.]
With Mercury: Peculiar events, occult interests, psychic, many friends. [Robson, p.210.]
With Venus: psychic, occult interests, friends among opposite sex, favorable for gain. [Robson, p.210.]
With Mars: Energetic, advancement through exertions, mechanical discoveries or ability. [Robson, p.210.]
With Jupiter: Philosophical occult or religious mind, social success, prominent in Freemasonry. [Robson, p.210.]
With Saturn: Trouble through opposite sex, many travels and peculiar adventures, sudden up and downs, early marriage but may desert wife may be deserted or marriage may be bigamous, separated from children, no help from friends, bad for health in latter part of life, may die in workhouse, hospital or asylum. [Robson, p.210.]
With Uranus: Vacillating, weak character, mentally far in advance of his time, writer on theories of life, suffering from violent attachment or marriage in early life, eccentric, greatly criticized, sudden death. [Robson, p.210.]
With Neptune: Abnormal mind, changeable, easily discouraged, idealistic, psychic, many alliances, separated from marriage partner and children, accidents, may become insane, death through a fall or by water in middle life. [Robson, p.211.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].