| Fixed star: POLLUX | |
| Constellation: Beta (β) Gemini | |
| Longitude 1900: 21CAN50 | Longitude 2000: 23CAN13 |
| Declination 1900: +28.16′ | Declination 2000: +28.01′ |
| Right ascension: 07h 45m | Latitude: +06.41′ |
| Spectral class: K0 | Magnitude: 1.14 |
The history of the star: Pollux
from p.233 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Beta (β) Gemini, Pollux, is a “yellowish” or “reddish,” star positioned on the head of the Southern Twin (eastern), “the immortal Twin”, in the constellation of Gemini. The other Twin, Castor, is the mortal one.
Together they were “the Two Gods of Sparta”, the Greek Dioscuri, and Didymi, Roman Gemini, also Amphion and Zethus, Antiope’s sons, who, as Homer wrote, were “Founders of Thebes, and men of mighty name”. In India they Acvini, the Ashwins, or “Horsemen”, they were also called Apollo (Castor) and Hercules (Pollux).
Pollux was formerly Polluces, the Greek Poludeukes; Ovid’s (43 B.C.-18 A.D.) Pugil, the Pugilist (or boxer) of the Two Brothers, and the immortal one as being son of Zeus. [Pollux was the “boxer”, and Castor was “famous for his skill in taming and managing horses”.]
As companion of Apollon (Castor), Pollux was (Greek) Hrakles and Hraklees, descending to Flamsteed’s day as Hercules, and degenerating, in early catalogues, into Abrachaleus, that the 17th century Dutch astronomer Caesius derived from the Arabic Ab, Father, and the Greek word; this being contracted by some to Aracaleus, by Dutch scholar Grotius (1583-1645) to Iracleus, by the 17th century English orientalist Thomas Hyde to Heraclus, and by the Italian astronomer Riccioli (1598–1671) to Garacles. All these are queer enough, as are some of Castor‘s titles; but what shall be said of the 17th century Italian astronomer Riccioli’s Elhakaac, that he attributes to the Arabs for alpha (α Castor) and beta (β Pollux) jointly, and Ketpholtsuman for beta (β Pollux) alone, and with no clue to their origin!
Pollux was the early Arabs’ Al Thani al Dhira, the Second in the Forearm; but the later termed it Al Ras al Taum al Mu’ahar, the Head of the Hindmost Twin, and Al Ras al Jauza‘, the Head of the Twin,— the Alfonsine TablesRasalgense and Rasalgeuze, that elsewhere is Rasalgauze. The 17th century Italian astronomer Riccioli cited Elhenaat, but this he also more properly gave to gamma (γ Alhena).
Beta (β Pollux) was the determinant of the 12th Babylonian ecliptic asterism Mash-mashu-arku, the Eastern One of the Twins; and individually Mu-sir-kes-da, the Yoke of the Inclosure.
It lies 12° north of the ecliptic, the zodiac’s boundary line running between it and Castor
It is one of the lunar stars made use of in navigation; and, in astrology, differed from its companion in portending eminence and renown.
The two lucidae (brightest stars of a constellation) probably bore the present title of the constellation long {235} antecedent to the latter’s formation; they certainly were the Mas-mas, or Twins, of the Assyrians, independent of the rest of the figure.
As a convenient measuring-rod it may be noted that alpha (α Castor) and beta (β Pollux) stand 4 ½° apart; and this recalls an early signification of their manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion) title, Al Dhira‘, the Arabs’ Ell measure of length that the stars were said to indicate. This naturally became the dual Al Dhira’an that also was used on the Desert for other similar pairs of stars.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The Lunar Mansions
Castor (α) and Pollux (β); alpha with beta Gemini; marked the 5th Arabic manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion) Al Dhira, The Forearm.
Influences of the 5th Arabic Moon Mansion Al Dhira: Favorable for gain and friendship and for lovers, and destroys magistracies. [Robson, p.71.]
With Moon transiting here: travel and take medicine. [Robson, p.71.]
Castor (α) and Pollux (β); alpha with beta Gemini; marked the 5th nakshatra (Hindu Moon Mansion) in Hindu astrology; Punarvarsu; the Two Good Again; Aditi, the sky goddess, mother of the Adityas, being the presiding divinity, and beta (β Pollux) marking the junction with Pushya, the next nakshatra
Influences of the 5th Hindu Moon Mansion Punarvarsu: Ruled by Jupiter. An asterism belonging to the Vaisya caste (business/merchants) and favorable for shaving. Those born on the lunar day will be truthful, generous, cleanly, respectable, handsome, famous and wealthy, fond of service, friendly with painters and sculptors, honorable merchants. With Moon here at birth native will be devout, quiet, happy, good-tempered, of wrong views, sickly, thirsty and pleased with trifles. Rules granaries and the nose. [Robson, p.77.]
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 Pollux
According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mars; and, to Alvidas, of the Moon, Mars and Uranus. It gives a subtle, crafty, spirited, brave, audacious, cruel and rash nature, a love of boxing, dignified malevolence, and is connected with poisons. [Robson, p.185-186.]
Pollux has a strong Martian nature and has the name ‘the wicked boy’ of the of the sibling Twins. According to its nature, this star is brutal and tyrannical, violent and cruel if in conjunction with the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, MC or with malefics. Just as Mars has its good sides if the energy it creates is channeled constructively, so Pollux should not always be considered as unhelpful. The star badly place could manifest that way, not by the native misusing his energy but by others deceiving him and fate playing him some cruel tricks. Helper if in peril on voyages at sea. [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.41.]
It can show aptitude for getting into quarrels, but it also denotes a power of penetration on the mental plane. [The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse, p.44.]
If Rising: Bad eyes, blindness, injuries to the face, sickness, wounds (can be operations nowadays), imprisonment, ephemeral honor and preferment. [Robson, p.186.]
If culminating: Honor and preferment but danger of disgrace and ruin. [Robson, p.186.]
With Sun: Occult and theosophical interests, blows, stabs, serious accidents, shooting, shipwreck, murderer or murdered, extreme sickness and diseases, fevers, ailments affecting the stomach, evil disposition (used to be a term in astrology for homosexuality), riches and honor but final ruin, blindness, injuries to head and face, quarrels, rape committed or suffered, banishment, imprisonment for embezzling, violent death, decapitation. [Robson, p.186.]
With Moon: Hatred of the vulgar, ill-will of women, danger from thieves, violent death, power, pride, sickness, calamity, wounds, imprisonment, injuries to face, defective sight or blindness especially if Mars or the Sun be in square from Aries. If Mars or the Sun be in square from Libra, danger of accidents and legal or matrimonial troubles but, if in opposition from Capricorn, danger to the mother’s honor and reputation. If Mars be in conjunction, death by suffocation, drowning or assassination. If Mars be with Arcturus in the 1st or 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, houses, death by suffocation. [Robson, p.186.]
With Mercury: Unbalanced mind, unpopular and peculiar occupation, trouble with father through relatives or enemies, domestic disharmony, anxiety, loss through land, property and mines. [Robson, p.186.]
With Venus: Strong and irregulated passions, danger of seduction if female, loss through women, danger of poison. [Robson, p.187.]
With Mars: Violent, murderer or murdered, high position but final ruin, violent death by suffocation, drowning or assassination especially if the Moon be there also. [Robson, p.187.]
With Jupiter: Legal losses, high position but danger of disgrace, trouble through relatives, banishment or imprisonment. [Robson, p.187.]
With Saturn: Bad temper, bitter, sarcastic, loss of arm or leg, loss of parents or trouble through step-parents, much help from a friend, lack of education, sudden death while following occupation through horses or large animals. [Robson, p.187.]
With Uranus: Occult interests, psychic ability, selfish, proud, vain of person and appearance, success in connection with the Government, companies or electrical matters, harmonious marriage in middle age, favorable for children, end of life not so favorable as middle. [Robson, p.187.]
With Neptune: Changeable, many travels, excellent linguist, many influential friends, good for partnership, peculiar conditions in marriage and partner often a foreigner, occupation connected with exploration or zoological and botanical work abroad, minor accidents, isolated death through fever or virulent disease. [Robson, p.187.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].