| Fixed star: ANCHA | |
| Constellation: Theta (θ) Aquarius | |
| Longitude 1900: 01PIS52 | Longitude 2000: 03PIS16 |
| Declination 1900: -08.17′ | Declination 2000: -07.47′ |
| Right ascension: 22h 16m | Latitude: +02.42′ |
| Spectral class: G6 | Magnitude: 4.3 |
The history of the star: Ancha
from p.54 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Theta (θ) Aquarius, Ancha, the “Hip”, or “Hipbone” of the Water Bearer, although on most modern atlases the star lies in the belt on the front of the figure.
The word is from the Latin of the Middle Ages, and still appears in the French hanche, our “haunch”. Reeves says that in China it was Lei, a Tear.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation Aquarius
Legend: Aquarius is said to represent Ganymedes, son of Callirhoe, the most beautiful of mortals, who was carried to heaven by an eagle to act as cupbearer to Jupiter. According to other accounts, however, it is Deucalion, son of Prometheus, who was translated to heaven in memory of the mighty deluge from which only he and Pyrrha were saved. [Robson, p.28.]
Influences: Ptolemy makes the following observations: “The stars in the shoulders of Aquarius operate like Saturn and Mercury; those in the left hand and in the face do the same: those in the thighs have an influence more consonant with that of Mercury, and in a less degree with that of Saturn: those in the stream of water have power similar to that of Saturn, and moderately to that of Jupiter.” By the Kabalists Aquarius is associated with the Hebrew letter Nun and the 14th Tarot Trump “Temperance,” over which virtue the constellation appears to have some rule. The beauty of Ganymedes and his flight through the air also link it to the ideas of personal charm and aviation with which it is certainly connected. [Robson, p.28-29.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Aquarius given by Manilius:
“The youthful Waterman, who from upturned pot pours forth his stream, likewise bestows skills which have affinity with himself: how to divine springs under the ground and conduct them above, to transform the flow of water so as to spray the very stars, to mock the sea with man-made shores at the bidding of luxury, to construct different types of artificial lakes and rivers,” and to support aloft for domestic use streams that come from afar. Beneath this sign there dwell a thousand crafts regulated by water. Why, water will even set in motion the face of heaven and the starry habitations, and will cause the skies to move in a novel rotation. Never will the sons of Aquarius grow tired of the works which come in the wake of water and follow springs. They who issue from this sign are a gentle sort and a lovable breed, and no meanness of heart is theirs: they are prone to suffer losses: and of riches they have neither need nor surfeit. Even thus doth the urn’s stream flow” [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, book 4, p.243.]
The astrological influences of the star Ancha
This star along with Albali can cause danger and can cause persecution and even death, but are also said to give good fortune. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.40.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].