| Fixed star: MIRACH | |
| Constellation: Beta (β) Andromeda | |
| Longitude 1900: 29ARI01 | Longitude 2000: 00TAU24 |
| Declination 1900: +35.05′ | Declination 2000: +35.36′ |
| Right ascension: 01h 09m | Latitude: +25.56′ |
| Spectral class: M0 | Magnitude: 2.4 |
The history of the star: Mirach
from p.36 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Beta (β) Andromeda, Mirach, is a yellow star “in the Girdle of the Chained Woman”, Allen says it is now on the left hip.
Mirach was described in the AlfonsineTables of 1521 as supermirat, from which has been derived its present title, as well as the occasional forms Mirac, Merach, Mirar, Mirath, Mirax, etc.; mirat probably coming from the 1515 Almagest’ssupermizar, the Arabic mi’zar, a girdle or waist-cloth. Mizar as a 16th century title, a title also used for beta (β) Ursa Major (Merak).
Some have termed it Cingulum (Latin for girdle or belt); others, Ventrale (Latin for belly), from its former position in the figure (of Andromeda), although now it is on the left hip.
In later Arabian astronomy it marked the right side of Andromeda, and so was known as Al Janb al Musalsalah, “the Side of the Chained Woman”.
This star, beta (β) Mirach, appeared in very early Arabic drawings as the lucida (brightest star in the constellation) of the northern of the two Fishes of Pisces, and marked the Arabic 26th manzilAl Batn al Hut, “the Belly of the Fish”, or Al Kalb al Hut, “the Heart of the Fish”. In this location it was Al Risha, the Band, Cord, Ribbon, or Thread, as being on the line uniting the Fishes; but this title now belongs to alpha Piscium (Al Risha).
It marked the corresponding sieu (Chinese Moon Mansion) Goei, or Kwei, the Man Striding, or the Striding Legs, anciently Kwet
Along with upsilon, phi, and chi Pisces, it was the Egyptian Coptic lunar station Kuton, the “Thread” another name was Arit, an asterism indigenous to Egypt.
In astrology was a fortunate star, portending renown and good luck in matrimony.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The Lunar Mansions
This star, beta (β) Mirach, appeared in very early Arabic drawings as the lucida (brightest star in the constellation) of the northern of the two Fishes of Pisces, and marked the Arabic 26th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion) Al Batn al Hut, “the Belly of the Fish”, or Al Kalb al Hut, “the Heart of the Fish”. In this location it was Al Risha, the Band, Cord, Ribbon, or Thread, as being on the line uniting the Fishes; but this title now belongs to alpha Piscium (Al Risha).
Influences of the 26th Arabic Moon Mansion Al Batn al Hut: Increases harvest and merchandise, helps travelers through danger, strengthens prisons and causes marital happiness and loss of treasure.
With Moon transiting here: travel and take purgatives. [Robson, p.75.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Andromeda
Legend: Andromeda, the original “maiden in distress” is daughter of Cepheus, king of Ethiopeia, and his wife Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia was proud of her daughter’s beauty and boasted that Andromeda was more beautiful than the Sea Nymphs, the Nereids, who were daughters of Poseidon (Neptune). The Nereids complained to Poseidon who sent a sea monster (Cetus) to ravage the coast. With his kingdom in grave danger, Cepheus consulted the oracle of Ammon in Libya for advice. He learned the only way to save his kingdom was to sacrifice his daughter, Andromeda, to the sea monster. Andromeda is chained to a rock and left to the mercy of the monster. The hero, Perseus, riding through the air on winged sandals, arrives at the scene and they fall in love. Perseus had a quick consultation with Cepheus and Cassiopeia, it is agreed that if he rescues their daughter he could marry her. The sea monster (Cetus) arrives and Perseus kills it by turning it to stone with the Medusa’s Head (Algol). Perseus breaks the chains that bound Andromeda to the rock and frees her. The wedding follows.
According to Ptolemy the influence of this constellation is similar to that of Venus, though the legend would lead one to suppose some connection with Virgo. It is said to bestow purity of thought, virtue, honor and dignity upon its natives, but to cause battle with chimerical (wildly fanciful, highly improbable) fears and a tendency to become easily discouraged. It gives love between husband and wife and reconciles adulterers. If Mars afflicts the luminaries from Andromeda and especially if in an angle, it causes death by hanging, decapitation, crucifixion or impalement. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Pé and the 17th Tarot Trump, The Stars. [Robson, p.26.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Andromeda given by Manilius:
The full English translation of the myth of Andromeda as told by Manilius in Astronomica, 1st century A.D. can be found on the Andromeda constellation page.
“The man whose birth coincides with the rising of Andromeda from the sea will prove merciless, a dispenser of punishment, a warder of dungeon dire; he will stand arrogantly by while the mothers of wretched prisoners lie prostrate on his threshold, and the fathers wait all night to catch the last kisses of their sons and receive into their inmost being the dying breath. From the same constellation comes the figure of the executioner, ready to take money for a speedy death and the rites of a funeral pyre, for him execution means profit, and oft will he bare his axe; in short, he is a man who could have looked unmoved on Andromeda herself fettered to the rock. Governor of the imprisoned he occasionally becomes a fellow convict, chained to criminals so as to save them for execution.” [Manilius,Astronomica, 1st century A.D., Book 5, p.351.]
The astrological influences of the star Mirach
According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Venus; and, to Alvidas, of Mars and the Moon. It gives personal beauty, a brilliant mind, a love of home, great devotion, beneficence, forgiveness, love, overcoming by kindness, renown, and good fortune in marriage. [Robson, p.178.]
Many interests, tendency to inspiration and medium-ship as a base for artistic creations, altruism, cheerfulness, happiness, love of company. These people have a stimulating effect on others, they make friends easily and are helped on in life by others [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.14-15.]
With Sun: Trouble through opposite sex, disappointments in expectations but otherwise favorable. [Robson, p.178.]
With Moon: Trouble with opposite sex owing to indiscretions, bad for domestic affairs, honor through martial matters. [Robson, p.178.]
With Mercury: Vacillating, unstable, peculiar events, many travels and changes. [Robson, p.179.]
With Venus: Voluptuous, bad morals, scandal, drink or drug-taking late in life. [Robson, p.179.]
With Mars: Ill-mannered, boisterous, evil associations, may be tramp. [Robson, p.179.]
With Jupiter: Help from women but danger of scandal, much travel, legal or ecclesiastical difficulties. [Robson, p.179.]
With Saturn: Strong passions, debauchery, mechanical genius, misdirected talents. [Robson, p.179.]
With Uranus: Unbalanced mind, may commit crime in insanity, occult interests, continual disappointments, bad for domestic affairs, peculiar or violent death. [Robson, p.179.]
With Neptune: Persevering, ambitious, strong passions, eccentric, dishonest, domestic disharmony and separation, may disinherit children or family, trouble through companies and inventions, successful business, many enemies and few friends, painful and lingering death. [Robson, p.179.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].