| Fixed star: TEJAT POSTERIOR | |
| Constellation: Mu (μ) Gemini | |
| Longitude 1900: 03CAN54 | Longitude 2000: 05CAN18 |
| Declination 1900: +22.34′ | Declination 2000: +22.30′ |
| Right ascension: 06h 22m | Latitude: -00.49′ |
| Spectral class: M3 | Magnitude: 3.2 |
The history of the star: Tejat Posterior
from p.236 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Mu (μ) Gemini, Tejat Posterior, is a double star, 3.2 and 11, crocus yellow and blue, in the right heel of the northern Twin, Castor, in the constellation of the Twins.
It occasionally has been known as Tejat posterior, and sometimes as Nuhatai, from the manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion) of that title of which it formed a part.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia apply to it the Pish Pai seen for eta (η Propus), yet appropriate enough for this similarly situated star; but in Flamsteed’s edition of the 16th century Danish astronomer Tycho’s catalogue we distinctly read of it, dictaCalx, the Heel (Latin dictaCalx, the “Heel”, the rounded part of the heel).
This star marked the 9th ecliptic constellation of Babylonia as Arku-sha-pu-u-mash-mashu, the Back of the Mouth of the Twins.
{p.237} In China it was included with Castor and others in the sieu (Chinese Moon Mansion) Tsing
In Babylonia gamma (Alhena), eta (Propus), mu (this star Tejat Posterior), nu, and xi (Alzirr), all in the Milky Way, may have been the Babylonian lunar mansion Khigalla, the “Canal”, and the equivalent Persian Rakhvad, the Sogdian Ghathaf, and the Khorasmian Gawthaf (Star Names, p.234.).
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
Listed under Dirah “Seed” or “Branch” in Robson’s book, Fixed stars and Constellations; and adds; “Symbolically called the Abused or Beaten One”. [Robson, p.163.]
The Lunar Mansions
Tejat Posterior, mu Gemini, was included in the Arabic 4th manzil, Al Han’ah, “The brand-mark”. Al Han’ah, the 4th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), comprised of; gamma (γ Alhena), mu (μ this star Tejat Posterior), nu (ν), eta (η Propus), and xi (ξ Alzirr), in the feet of the Twins. This word, Al Han’ah, usually translated a Brand, or Mark, on the right side of a camel’s, or horse’s, neck, was defined by the Persian astronomer Al Biruni (973-1048 A.D.) as Winding, as though the stars of this station were winding around each other, or curving from the central star; and they were Al Nuhatai, the dual form of Al Nuhat, a Camel’s Hump, itself a curved line. Some Arabic authority found in them, with chi (χ) and chi (χ) of Orion, the Bow with which the Hunter (Orion) is shooting at the Lion (Arabs had an enormous Lion, their early Asad, extending over a third of the heavens). [p.234 of Star Names
Influences of the 4th Arabic Moon Mansion Al Hanah: Favorable for hunting, besieging towns, and the revenge of princes, destroys harvests and fruits, and hinders the operation of the physician. [Robson, p.71].
With Moon transiting here: plough, sow, but do not travel. [Robson, p.71].
The astrological influences of the constellation Gemini
Legend: The constellation represents Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Leda and Jupiter. It has also been suggested that it may represent Apollo and Hercules. [Robson, p.45.]
Influences: Ptolemy makes the following observations; the stars in the feet of Gemini have an influence similar to that of Mercury, and moderately to that of Venus; the bright stars in the thighs are like Saturn. It is said to cause trouble and disgrace, sickness, loss of fortune, affliction and danger to the knees. By the Cabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Qoph and the 19th Tarot Trump, The Sun”. [Robson, p.46.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Gemini given by Manilius:
“The arms to shoulders joined are accounted to the Twins” [Manilius, p.119.]
“From the Twins come less laborious callings and a more agreeable way of life, provided by varied song and voices of harmonious tone, slender pipes, the melodies inborn in strings and the words fitted thereto: those so endowed find even work a pleasure. They would banish the arms of war, the trumpet’s call, and the gloom of old age: theirs is a life of ease and unfading youth spent in the arms of love. They also discover paths to the skies, complete a survey of the heavens with numbers and measurements, and outstrip the flight of the stars: nature yields to their genius, which it serves in all things. So many are the accomplishments of which the Twins are fruitful.” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD. p.281.]
The astrological influences of the star Tejat Posterior
Listed under Dirah “Seed” or “Branch” in Robson’s book, Fixed stars and Constellations; “Symbolically called the Abused or Beaten One”. [Robson, p.163.]
Of the nature of Mercury and Venus. It gives force, energy, power and protection. [Robson, p.163.]
The ability to express ideas in reasonable and acceptable ways which win, because of their manifest intelligence. Al Hena with Tegat Posterior and Propus (Tegat Prior) entered Cancer 1349, 1621 and 1755 AD respectively. Each of these dates, within a year or two, was significant in the rise of European thought and literature from the Renaissance onwards. [The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse, p.45.].
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].