Fixed star: SCHEAT
Constellation: Beta (β) Pegasus
Longitude 1900: 27PIS59	Longitude 2000: 29PIS22
Declination 1900: +27.32′	Declination 2000: +28.04′
Right ascension: 23h 03m	Latitude: +31.08′
Spectral class: M2	Magnitude: 2.6

The history of the star: Scheat

from p.325 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.

Beta (β) Pegasus, Scheat, is deep yellow star on the leg of the Winged Horse.

Scheat This is the Scheat of the 16th century Danish astronomer Tycho, the Palermo Catalogue, and modern lists generally, either from Al Sa’id, the Upper Part of the Arm, or, as the 17th century English orientalist Thomas Hyde suggested, from the early Sa’d, appearing in the subsequent three pairs of stars. The 17th century German astronomer Bayer had Seat Alpheras; English writer on globes John Chilmead (circa 1639), Seat Alfaras; Italian astronomer Riccioli (1598-1671), Scheat Alpheraz; and the 17th century German astronomer and ephemeris creator Schickard, Saidol-pharazi

Arabian astronomers knew it as Mankib al Faras, the Horse’s Shoulder, mentioned by the 15th century Tartar astronomer Ulug Beg and still occasionally seen as Menkib. English writer on globes John Chilmead (circa 1639) had Almenkeb

The Great Square of Pegasus which consists of four stars; Alpheratz, Algenib, Markab and Scheat, of which this star beta (β Scheat) formed one corner, constituted the double asterism, the 24th and 25th nakshatras (Hindu Moon Mansions) Purva, Former, and Uttara, Latter, Bhadra-pada, Beautiful, Auspicious, or Happy Feet, sometimes also called Proshtha-pada, Proshtha meaning a Carp or Ox; but the 19th American philologist Professor Whitney’s translated it “Footstool Feet,” and said that the authorities do not agree as to the figures by which they are represented, for by some the one, by others the other, is called a Couch or Bed, the alternate one, in either case, being pronounced a Bifaced Figure, or Twins. This Couch is a not inapt representation of the group if both asterisms are taken together, the four stars well marking the feet. The German Sanskrit scholar Weber calls them Pratishthana, a Stand or Support, as the 19th American philologist Professor Whitney’s wrote,

an evident allusion to the disposition of the four bright stars which compose it, like the four feet of a stand, table, bedstead, or the like;

The regents of these nakshatras (Hindu Moon Mansion) being Aja Ekapat, the One-footed Goat, and Ahi Budhya, the Bottom Snake, “two mythical figures, of obscure significance, from the Vedic Pantheon.”

The 24th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), formed by alpha (α Markab) and beta (β Scheat), was Al Fargh al Mukdim, the Fore Spout, i.e. of the water-bucket,— {p.326} the Persian astronomer Al Biruni ‘s (973-1048 A.D.) Al Fargh al Awwal, the First, or the Upper, Spout;

They also were the 24th sieu (Chinese Moon Mansion) was these same stars known as Ying She, or Shih, a House, anciently Sal and Shat; but it also comprised parts of Aquarius and Capricornus.

They also were the Persian Vaht, the Sogdian Iranian and Khorasmian (east of Persia) Farshat Bath, and the Coptic people of Egypt Artulos, all signifying something pertaining to Water; while in astrology beta (β Scheat) indicated danger to mankind from that element.

Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].

Scheat is called “Who Goes Forth and Returns” – Bullinger.

The Lunar Mansions

The 24th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), formed by alpha (α Markab) and beta (β, this star Scheat) Pegasus, was Al Fargh al Mukdim, the Fore-spout, i.e. of the water-bucket.

Influences of the 24th Arabic Moon Mansion Al Fargh al Mukdim: Causes union, health of captives, and destroys buildings and prisons.

With Moon transiting here: plant, sow, bargain, marry but do not navigate. [Robson, p.74.]

The astrological influences of the constellation Pegasus

Legend: Pegasus was born from the blood of Medusa (see Algol) after Perseus had cut off her head, and was afterwards tamed and ridden by Bellerophon. Being weary of earthly affairs Bellerophon attempted to fly to heaven but fell off, and Pegasus continued his course, entered heaven and took his place among the stars. [Robson, p.56.]

Influences: According to Ptolemy the bright stars are like Mars and Mercury. The constellation gives ambition, vanity, intuition, enthusiasm, caprice and bad judgment. [Robson, p.56.]

The constellation portends events concerning ships and the ocean and also changes in the weather. In medieval times it was said to indicate vain individuals with a great deal of ambition, but with very poor judgment. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.22.]

The Pegasus Syndrome, as exemplified in the legends of Perseus and Bellerophon, is concerned with the innate ability possessed by some people to negotiate difficulties by rising above them, on the one hand, and the danger of overreaching themselves, on the other. Pegasus by birth, is the child of Medusa and Neptune, symbols of ‘wisdom’ and ’emotion,’ respectively, which shows the dichotomy of his nature. As in the story, Bellerophon attempted to fly to Olympus (overreach his potential). He believed that Pegasus was subject to his will. However, it was Pegasus who made it to Olympus, while Bellerophon was tossed back to earth, lame and reproached by others. It is unwise to take any situation for granted as the ‘lesser’ person (or, in this case, beast) may be the very one to teach us the much needed lesson in humility. Pegasus is also indicative of a specific mission in life which the inquirer will always find the time and energy to pursue, although the path may be sewn with difficulties (the Chimaera) and limitations (Bellerophon’s doubt or arrogance). So, the Pegasus Syndrome is the seeming ability to “fly over any situation,” though the reverse may be a lesson in humility, being “taken down a peg,” as it were. [Rich’s Pegopediahttp://thanasis.com/pegasus.htm].

The astrological influences of the constellation Pegasus given by Manilius:

Pegasus the winged Horse will appear and gallop aloft in the heavens. It will bring forth people endowed with swiftness of movement and limbs alert to perform every task. One man will cause his horse to wheel round in caracoles, and proudly mounted on its back he will wage war from on high; horseman and soldier in one. Another will possess the ability to rob the racecourse of its true length such is his speed that he will seem to dissemble the movement of his feet and make the ground vanish before him. Who more swiftly could fly back from the ends of the earth as messenger or with light foot to the earth’s ends make his way? He will also heal a horse’s wounds with the sap of common plants, and will know the herbs which bring aid to an animal’s limbs and those which grow for the use of man.” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 5, p.350-353.]

The astrological influences of the star Scheat

According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mars and Mercury; to Simmonite, of Saturn; to other authors, of Saturn and Mercury; and, to Alvidas, of Neptune in square to Saturn or Mars. It causes extreme misfortune, murder, suicide, and drowning. [Robson, p.206.]

Tied up with ‘malefics’, this could lead the native to lose his life in catastrophes, such as floods, shipwreck, mining accidents, airplane accidents, or maybe suicide. On the other hand, it is possible for a positive influence to emanate from Scheat, but only for some people, it can have a positive effect on their mental creativity, if these people are ready to receive such inflow (examples listed). [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.82.]

With a malefic and the moon with Sirius (29 Leo), death by fiery cutting weapons or by beasts. If the Moon be with Vega (14 Capricorn), violent death. [Robson, p.206.]

With Sun: Danger through water and engines, liable to accidents or drowning. [Robson, p.206.]

With Moon: Worry, loss and gain of friends through criticism, danger of accidents and by water. [Robson, p.206.]

With Mercury: Many accidents and narrow escapes especially by water, many enemies, trouble through writings, bad for health and domestic affairs. [Robson, p.206.]

With Venus: Evil environment, suffering through own acts, danger of imprisonment or restraint. [Robson, p.207.]

With Mars: Many accidents, sickness to native and relatives. [Robson, p.207.]

With Jupiter: Many voyages, losses through law, friends and relatives, danger of imprisonment. [Robson, p.207.]

With Saturn: Danger of death in infancy, domestic trouble, colds and consumption, death by drowning or accident. [Robson, p.207.]

With Uranus: Deceitful, vacillating, little concentration, psychic, unreliable, involved in difficulties due to own acts, many accidents, death through drowning or by water especially if in 1st, 6th, 8th or 10th houses. [Robson, p.207.]

With Neptune: Prominent in inventive, occult or psychic matters, persecuted, peculiar domestic conditions, many accidents, danger of drowning. [Robson, p.207.]

References:

Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].