| Fixed star: DORSUM | |
| Constellation: Theta (θ) Capricornus | |
| Longitude 1900: 12AQU27 | Longitude 2000: 13AQU51 |
| Declination 1900: -17.38′ | Declination 2000: -17.14′ |
| Right ascension: 21h 05m | Latitude: -00.35′ |
| Spectral class: A0 | Magnitude: 4.2 |
The history of the star: Dorsum
Theta (θ) Capricornus, Dorsum, is a star on the back of the Goat.
Dorsum is from Latin, "the back" because of its position on the back of the Goat.
The Latin word dorsum is related to the words; dorsal, dossier, and endorse
The astrological influences of the constellation Capricornus
Legend: During their war with the giants, the Gods were driven into Egypt and pursued by Typhon. In order to escape, each was forced to change his shape, and Pan, leaping into the Nile, turned the upper part of his body into a goat and the lower part into a fish, a shape considered by Jupiter worthy of commemoration in the heavens. [Robson, p.35.]
Influences: Ptolemy’s observations are as follows: "The stars in the horns of Capricorn have efficacy similar to that of Venus, and partly to that of Mars. The stars in the mouth are like Saturn, and partly like Venus: those in the feet and in the belly act in the same manner as Mars and Mercury: those in the tail are like Saturn and Jupiter." By the Kabalists this constellation is associated with the Hebrew letter Yod and the 10th Tarot Trump "The Wheel of Fortune." [Robson, p.36.]
The constellation Capricorn has a great influence over human affairs portending major changes in such areas as climate and political customs. Along with the sign, the constellation is also noted as the "Mansion of Kings." Unfavorably situated with regards to lunar eclipses, it indicates major storms, especially at sea. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.36.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Capricorn given by Manilius:
"In her shrine Vesta tends your fires, Capricorn: and from her you derive your skills and callings. For whatever needs fire to function and demands a renewal of flame for its work must be counted as of your domain. To pry for hidden metals, to smelt out riches deposited in the veins of the earth, to fold sure-handed the malleable mass—these skills will come from you, as will aught which is fashioned of silver or gold. That hot furnaces melt iron and bronze, and ovens give to the wheat its final form, will come as gifts from you. You also give a fondness for clothes and wares which dispel the cold, since your lot falls for all time in winter’s season, wherein you shorten the nights you have brought to their greatest length and give birth to a new year by enlarging the daylight hours. Hence comes a restless quality in their lives and a mind which is often changed and floats this way and that; the first half of the sign is the slave of Venus, and that with guilt involved, but a more virtuous old age is promised by the conjoined fish below." [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, book 4, p.241.]
The astrological influences of the star Dorsum
With Sun or Mars: Danger of bites from venomous creatures. [Robson, p.164.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].