| Fixed star: RAS ELASED BOREALIS | |
| Constellation: Mu (μ) Leo | |
| Longitude 1900: 20LEO02 | Longitude 2000: 21LEO26 |
| Declination 1900: +26.29′ | Declination 2000: +26.00′ |
| Right ascension: 09h 52m | Latitude: +12.20′ |
| Spectral class: K3 | Magnitude: 4.1 |
The history of the star: Ras Elased Borealis
from p.263 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Mu (μ) Leo, Ras Elased Borealis, is an orange star on the head of the lion.
This star, mu (μ Ras Elased Borealis), and epsilon (ε Ras Elased Australis) were Al Ashfar, the Eyebrows; but, singly, the Arabians designated this star mu (μ) as Al Ras al Asad al Shamaliyy, the Lion’s Head towards the South, which, by abbreviation, has become Rasalas in modern lists; and sometimes, but very insufficiently, plain Alshemali
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The Lunar Mansions
Alpha (α Regulus) Leo was chief star in the 8th nakshatra (Hindu Moon Mansion) that bore its name, Magha, made up by all the components of the Sickle (Leo’s mane and head); alpha (α Regulus described as on the base of the sickle), Gamma (γ Algieba), eta (η Al Jabhah), zeta (ζ Adhafera), mu (μ this star Ras Elased Borealis), epsilon (ε Ras Elased Australis), lambda (λ Alterf), and kappa (κ). The symbol of Magha “The Mighty” was a House. The regents were the Pitris (the spirits of the dead ancestors), or Fathers. Ruled by the Dragon’s Tail.
Influences of the 8th Hindu Moon Mansion Magha: A severe asterism belonging to the Shudra caste (low caste Hindu) and favorable for acts of disgrace, destruction, deceit, imprisonment, beating, burning and poison when containing the Moon. Those born on the lunar day will be wealthy, fond of hills, merchants, valiant, and women haters. With Moon here at birth native will be wealthy, religious, contented, well served, and fond of life. Rules grain boxes and the lips and upper mouth. [Robson, p.79.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Leo
Ptolemy makes the following observations: “Of the stars in Leo, two in the head are like Saturn and partly like Mars. The three in the neck are like Saturn, and in some degree like Mercury. . . . Those in the loins . . . Saturn and Venus: those in the thighs resemble Venus, and, in some degree, Mercury.” It is said that the stars in the neck, back and wing all bring trouble, disgrace and sickness affecting the part of the body ruled by the sign, especially if they happen to be in conjunction with the Moon. By the Kabalists, Leo is associated with the Hebrew letter Kaph and the 11th Tarot Trump “Strength.” [Robson, p.48.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Leo given by Manilius:
“Who can doubt the nature of the monstrous Lion, and the pursuits he prescribes for those born beneath his sign? The lion ever devises fresh fights and fresh warfare on animals, and lives on spoil and pillaging of flocks. The sons of the Lion are filled with the urge to adorn their proud portals with pelts and to hang up on their walls the captured prey, to bring the peace of terror to the woods, and to live upon plunder. There are those whose like bent is not checked by the city-gates, but they swagger about in the heart of the capital with droves of beasts; they display mangled limbs at the shop-front, slaughter to meet the demands of luxury, and count it gain to kill. Their temper is equally prone to fitful wrath and ready withdrawal, and guileless are the sentiments of their honest hearts” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, p.237.]
The astrological influences of the star Ras Elased Borealis
These star in the Lion’s head; ε Leo, Ras Elased Australis, and μ Ras Elased Borealis; are said to indicate those with an appreciation for language and a power of expression, but also those who may be heartless and cruel. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.32.]
Credited with properties such as conveying higher spiritual gifts of the Logos to those men who are able to conceive them. In primitive natives, this star may become a danger, if bound up with a poorly placed Saturn or Neptune, severe psychological depressions are indicated and possibly even suicide. In conjunction with a ‘strongly’ placed Mars, the Lion’s Head will make for feverish diseases and if conjunct with Uranus, dangers of accidents are present. Bismarck had this fixed star positioned exactly conjunct his Ascendant; this fact as well as the part played by other configurations gave this chancellor his mental superiority. [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.50.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].