| Fixed star: REGULUS Cor Leonis | |
| Constellation: Alpha (α) Leo | |
| Longitude 1900: 28LEO26 | Longitude 2000: 29LEO50 |
| Declination 1900: +12.27′ | Declination 2000: +11.58′ |
| Right ascension: 10h 08m | Latitude: +00.27′ |
| Spectral class: B7 | Magnitude: 1.35 |
The history of the star: Regulus
from p.255 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Alpha (α) Leo, Regulus, is a triple star, 1.7, 8.5, and 13, flushed white and ultramarine in the Lion.
Regulus was so called by Polish astronomer Copernicus (1473-1543), as a diminutive of the earlier Rex, equivalent to the (Greek) Basiliskos (translated “Little King”) of the second-century Greek astronomer Ptolemy. This was from the belief that it ruled the affairs of the heavens,— a belief current, till three centuries ago, from at least 3000 years before our era. Thus, as Sharru, the King, it marked the 15th ecliptic constellation of Babylonia; in India it was Magha, the Mighty; in Sogdiana (a Persian people), Magh, the Great, {p.256} Miyan, the Centre; among the Turanian races, Masu, the Hero; and in Akkadia it was associated with the 5th antediluvian King-of-the-celestial-sphere, Amil-gal-ur, (Greek) Amegalaros. A Ninevite tablet has:
“If the star of the great lion is gloomy the heart of the people will not rejoice.”
In Arabia it was Malikiyy, Kingly; in Greece, basiliskos aster (Little King star); in Rome, Basilica Stella; with Pliny (23-79 A.D.), Regia; in the revival of European astronomy, Rex; and with the 16th century Danish astronomer Tycho, Basiliscus
So, too, it was the leader of the Four Royal Stars of the ancient Persian monarchy, the Four Guardians of Heaven. Dupuis, referring to this Persian character, said that the four stars marked the cardinal points, assigning Hastorang, as he termed it, to the North; Venant to the South; Tascheter to the East; and Satevis to the West: but did not identify these titles with the individual stars. Flammarion does so, however, with Fomalhaut, Regulus, and Aldebaran for the first three respectively, so that we may consider Satevis as Antares. This same scheme appeared in India, although the authorities are not agreed as to these assignments and identifications; but, as the right ascensions are about six hours apart, they everywhere probably were used to mark the early equinoctial and solstitial colures, four great circles in the sky, or generally the four quarters of the heavens. At the time that these probably were first thought of, Regulus lay very near to the summer solstice, and so indicated the solstitial colure.
Early English astrologers made it a portent of glory, riches, and power to all born under its influence; Wyllyam Salysbury, of 1552, writing, but perhaps from Proclus:
“The Lyon’s herte is called of some men, the Royall Starre, for they that are borne under it, are thought to have a royall nativitie.”
And this title, the Lion’s Heart, has been a popular one from early classical times, seen in the Kardia Leontos of Greece and the Cor Leonis of Rome, and adopted by the Arabians as Al Kalb al Asad, this degenerating into Kalbelasit, Kalbeleced, Kalbeleceid, Kalbol asadi, Calb-elez-id, Calb-elesit, Calb-alezet, and Kale Alased of various bygone lists. The Persian astronomer Al Biruni (973-1048 A.D.) called it the Heart of the Royal Lion, which “rises when Suhail rises in Al Hijaz (in Saudi Arabia). The 17th century German astronomer Bayer and others have quoted, as titles for Regulus, the strange Tyberone and Tuberoni Regia; but these are entirely wrong, and arose from a misconception of Pliny’s (23-79 A.D.) Stella Regia appellata Tuberoni in pectore Leonis, {p.257} rendered “the star called by Tubero (Lucius Tubero, friend of Cicero.) the Royal One in the Lion’s breast”; Holland’s translation reading:
“The cleare and bright star, called the Star Royal, appearing in the breast of the signe Leo, Tubero mine author saith.”
Naturally sharing the character of its constellation as the Domicilium Solis, in Euphratean astronomy it was Gus-ba-ra, the Flame, or the Red Fire, of the House of the East; in Khorasmia, Achir, Possessing Luminous Rays; and throughout classical days the supposed cause of the summer’s heat, a reputation that it shared with the Dog-star. Horace (65-8 B.C.) expressed this in his Stella vesani Leonis
It was of course prominent among the lunar-mansion stars, and chief in the 8th nakshatra (Hindu Moon Mansion) that bore its name, Magha, made up by all the components of the Sickle; and it marked the junction with the adjoining station Purva Phalguni; the Pitares, Fathers, being the regents of the asterism, which was figured as a House. In Arabia, with gamma (γ Algieba), zeta (ζ Adhafera), and eta (η Al Jabhah) of the Sickle, it was the 8th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), Al Jabhah, the Forehead. In China, however, the 8th sieu (Chinese Moon Mansion) lay in Hydra; but the astronomers of that country referred to Regulus as the Great Star in Heen Yuen, a constellation called after the imperial family, comprising alpha (α Regulus), gamma (γ Algieba), epsilon (ε Ras Elased Australis), eta (η Al Jabhah), lambda (λ Alterf ), zeta (ζ Adhafera), chi (χ), nu (ν), omicron (ο Subra), rho (ρ), and others adjacent and smaller reaching into the constellation Leo Minor. Individually it was Niau, the Bird, and so representative of the whole quadripartite zodiacal group.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
Regulus enters the sign Virgo in 2012 AD. It entered the sign Leo in 156 BC.
Regulus is one of the four key stars in the heavens, also called archangel stars, assigning:
Tasoheter – Michael (Aldebaran) watcher of the East;
Satevis – Oriel (Antares) Watcher of the West;
Hastorang – Gabriel (Fomalhaut) watcher of the South;
Venant – Raphael The Healing Archangel (Regulus) Watcher of the North.
[The angel associations come from Eric Morse, The Living Stars, p.35. Allen’s explanation of these four stars on p.256 of Star Names
They have been characterized as Horses, reflected both in the famed Four Horsemen of Apocalypse (Revelations 6) and Chariot Horses in the Book of Zechariah. [Dr Eric Morse, The Living Stars
At one time these four stars marked the two Equinoxes and two Solstices. Aldebaran marked the zero Aries point in 3044 BC, Antares marked zero Libra 3052 BC, Fomalhaut marked zero Capricorn, 2582 BC, Regulus marked zero Cancer 2345 BC.
The Lunar Mansions
In Arabia, Alpha (α Regulus) Leo with gamma (γ Algieba), zeta (ζ Adhafera), and eta (η Al Jabhah) of the Sickle (a star pattern resembling a reversed question mark representing Leo’s mane), was the 8th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), Al Jabhah, the Forehead.
Influences of the 8th Arabic Moon Mansion Al Jabhah: Strengthens buildings, promotes love, benevolence, and help against enemies. [Robson, p.71.]
With Moon transiting here: sow, plant, release prisoners but take no purgatives.[Robson, p.71.]
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 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” [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.237.]
The astrological influences of the star Regulus
Notes: A triple star, flushed white and ultramarine, situated on the body of the Lion. From Regulus, a Little King, and often called Cor Leonis, the Lion’s Heart, and symbolically the Crushing Foot. It was one of the four Royal Stars of the Persians in 3,000 B.C., when, as Watcher of the North, it marked the summer solstice. [Robson, p.194-195.]
According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mars and Jupiter, but most later authors liken it to Mars only, while Alvidas states that it is similar to the Sun in good aspect to Uranus. It gives violence, destructiveness, military honor of short duration, with ultimate failure, imprisonment, violent death, success, high and lofty ideals and strength of spirit, and makes its natives magnanimous, grandly liberal, generous, ambitious, fond of power, desirous of command, high-spirited and independent. [Robson, p.195.]
It may convey royal properties, noble mind, frankness, courage. The importance of this star is accentuated by its nearness to the ecliptic. Its effect is in the best sense that of Jupiter and Mars. On the Ascendant, it will give a courageous and frank character, especially if in conjunction with the Sun, Moon, Jupiter or Mercury. Positioned on the MC, Regulus will raise the native to high positions in life, positions far exceeding the environment the native was born into. On the MC it is not only a good omen for a military career, but also for careers connected with the public, such as lawyers, civil servants, bankers and the clergy, especially if Regulus is also in conjunction with the Sun or Moon or with a benefic stellar body. According to tradition, Regulus conjunct MC will bring with it connections with rulers, honorable people or famous people. If the cosmogram as a whole points to this possibility, Jupiter conjunct Regulus is one of the best configurations for success. People like this can reach high positions, positions of trust, preferment and favors; fortunes. Riches and power could fall to these natives easily. Elsbeth Ebertin had this star near the MC (the author of this book, ‘Fixed Stars and Their Interpretations‘ and mother of Reinhold Ebertin author of ‘C.O.S.I.’). An old saying goes that Regulus in the 10th house ‘makes astrologers to kings. people in high positions and noble men’. Naturally not everyone who has this configuration will make a ‘Royal Astrologer’ even if he has the necessary knowledge and capabilities. But with Frau Ebertin, this rule was borne out. During the first world war, her book ‘Royal Nativities’ was published. There followed commissions from royal houses and ruling industrialists (listed in the book Fixed Stars and their Interpretations by Ebertin-Hoffman). Elsbeth Ebertin studied historical events with the planetary configurations in each case and came to the following conclusion; “when Mars or Saturn are in conjunction with Regulus, especially exciting events are always recorded e.g. assassinations, coup d’états, revolutions, revolts, demonstrations, overthrow of heads of state and similar events”. [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p51-52.]
If Rising: Great honor and wealth, but violence and trouble, sickness, fevers, acute disease, benefits seldom last, favor of the great, victory over enemies and scandal. The 145th Consideration of Guido Bonnets is as follows: -” That thou see in Diurnal Nativities whether Cor Leonis be in the Ascendant, that is to say, in the Oriental Line or above it one degree or below it three degrees; or whether it be in the tenth in like degrees, without the Conjunction or Aspect of any of the Fortunes, for this alone signifies that the Native shall be a person of great note and power, too much exalted, and attain to high preferment and honors, although descended from the meanest parents. And, if any of the Fortunes behold that place also, his glory shall be the more increased; but, if the Nativity be nocturnal, his fortune will be somewhat meaner, but not much; but if the Infortunes cast their aspects there it will still be more mean; but if the Fortunes behold it also they will augment the good promised a fourth part, and mitigate the evil as much; yet still, whatever of all this happens, it signifies that the Native shall die an unhappy death; or at least that all his honors, greatness and power shall at last suffer an eclipse and set in a cloud”. [Robson, p.195.]
If culminating: Honor, preferment, good fortune, high office under Government, military success. If with Sun, Moon or Jupiter, great honor and ample fortune. [Robson, p.196.]
If with a malefic and the Moon with Antares (9 Sagittarius), Praesepe or the Pleiades (stars in Taurus), blindness or injuries to the eyes. [Robson, p.196.]
With Sun: Power, authority, great influence over friends, honor and riches, but violence, trouble and ultimate disgrace and ruin, sickness, fevers, benefits seldom last. [Robson, p.196.]
With Moon: Occult interests, powerful friends, danger from enemies and false friends, gain by speculation, public prominence, great power, honor, wealth, benefits seldom last, violence, trouble and sickness. Make women high spirited and independent. If at the same time the Sun is with the Dragon’s Head in Gemini, or Jupiter is in the 10th house in trine to Mars and the Sun is with the Dragon’s Head, great preferment even from the lowest sphere to high rank. [Robson, p.196.]
With Mercury: Honorable, just, popular, generosity abused by opponents, fame, gain through high position. [Robson, p.196.]
With Venus: Many disappointments, unexpected happenings, violent attachments, trouble through love affairs. [Robson, p.196.]
With Mars: Honor, fame, strong character public prominence, high military command. [Robson, p.197.]
With Jupiter: Fame, high preferment, especially of a military nature, success in the Church. [Robson, p.197.]
With Saturn: Just, friends among clergy, success in Church or law, scholarly, wealth, gain through speculation, companies and friends, high position, proud of home and family, good health, heart trouble at end of life. If angular and especially if rising or culminating, public honor and credit. If Mars be with the Pleiades, violent death in a tumult. [Robson, p.197.]
With Uranus: Energetic, ambitious, successful, may be unjust or dishonorable, self-aggrandizement, high official position, panders to aristocracy, associated with religion for business purposes, gain through speculation and companies, favorable for marriage, sorrow through death of daughter and disappointment through a son; friends become enemies at end of life, may retire and live in seclusion, violent death through accident or assassination. [Robson, p.197.]
With Neptune: Prominent leader, lawgiver, diplomatic, strong character, control over others, influential friends, few if any enemies, domestic harmony, natural death in old age. [Robson, p.197.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].