| Fixed star: ALHENA | |
| Constellation: Gamma (γ) Gemini | |
| Longitude 1900: 07CAN42 | Longitude 2000: 09CAN06 |
| Declination 1900: +16.29′ | Declination 2000: +16.24′ |
| Right ascension: 06h 37m | Latitude: -06.44′ |
| Spectral class: A1 | Magnitude: 1.9 |
The history of the star: Alhena
from p.234 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Gamma (γ) Gemini, Alhena, is a brilliant white star located on the left foot of the Twin Pollux
Almeisan, Almisan, Almeisam, and Almisam are from Al Maisan, the Proudly Marching One, its early Arabic name, which the 14th century Arabian lexicographer Al Firuzabadi, however, said was equally applicable to any bright star.
The 17th century Italian astronomer Riccioli called it Elhenaat, but Alhena is now generally given to it, from Al Han’ah, the 4th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), gamma (γ Alhena), mu (μ Tejat Posterior), nu (ν), eta (η Propus), and xi (ξ Alzirr), in the feet of the Twins. This word, 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 is shooting at the Lion (the Arab lion was a much larger lion than our Leo).
In Babylonia gamma (γ) marked the 10th ecliptic constellation, Mash-mashu-sha-Risu, the Twins of the Shepherd (?), and, with eta (η Propus), probably was Mas-tab-ba-tur-tur, the Little Twins; and, with eta (η Propus), mu (μ Tejat Posterior), nu (ν), and xi (ξ Alzirr), all in the Milky Way, may have been the Babylonian lunar mansion Khigalla, the Canal, and the equivalent Persian Rakhvad, the Sogdian Iranians Ghathaf, and the Khorasmian (east of Persia) Gawthaf
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
Robson wrote “A brilliant white star in the left foot of the Southern Twin, often called the Bright Foot of Gemini. From Al han’ah, a Brand or Mark burnt in. According to Bullinger (biblical writer of Witness of the Stars) it means “hurt, wounded or afflicted,” and it has been called “the wound in the tendon of Achilles”. [Robson, p126.]
The Lunar Mansions
Alhena, gamma 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 Tejat Posterior), nu (ν), eta (η Propus), and xi (ξ Alzirr), in the feet of the Twins. [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 Alhena
According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mercury and Venus, but Alvidas gives Moon and Venus. It bestows imminence in art, but gives liability to accidents effecting the feet. [Robson, p.126.]
Artistic skills, especially with the written or spoken word and ability to negotiate a peaceful settlement in disputes. Al Hena with Tegat Posterior and Propus (Tegat Prior) entered Cancer 1349, 1621 and 1755 A.D. 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.44.]
Alhena is supposed to have a Venus nature with a Jupiterian influence. This will confer a spiritual orientation on people thus effected and also give an artistic inclination, with interest in the sciences. [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.38.]
With Sun: Pride, love of ease, luxury and pleasure. There may be martial honors but danger of losing them. [Robson, p.127.]
With Moon: Good health, honor, riches, pleasure and society, domestic benefits. [Robson, p.127.]
With Mercury: Popularity, benefits from opposite sex, musical and artistic ability but little fame, domestic harmony, business adversely affected by pleasure and society. [Robson, p.127.]
With Venus: Material concerns, love of dress, pleasure and flattery, artistic and musical ability. [Robson, p.127.]
With Mars: Superficial nature, fond of pleasure, ease, luxury, ornament and display. [Robson, p.127.]
With Jupiter: Social advancement and success, philosophical mind, love of ostentation. [Robson, p.127.]
With Saturn: Caution, reserve, studiousness, prominence in science or art, some domestic discord, sickness to the children, unexpected losses but possibility of wealth, ill-health at the end of life. [Robson, p.127.]
With Uranus: Timid, suspicious, selfish, economical over small things and extravagant in large ones, emotional, vacillating, unpractical and much influenced by habits, easily hypnotized, occult interests and secret psychic ability, afflicted with Cancerian ailments, two or more marriages, one very early and extremely unhappy especially if female, unfavorable for home and children. If a woman, good-looking and many friends but enemies among women. [Robson, p.127.]
With Neptune: Easily influenced, suffers through indiscreet actions, mediumistic, very sympathetic, often domestic disharmony, death brought about by own acts. [Robson, p.127.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].