| Fixed star: AUVA | |
| Constellation: Delta (δ) Virgo | |
| Longitude 1900: 10LIB04 | Longitude 2000: 11LIB28 |
| Declination 1900: +03.56′ | Declination 2000: +03.24′ |
| Right ascension: 12h 55m | Latitude: +08.36′ |
| Spectral class: M3 | Magnitude: 3.7 |
The history of the star: Auva
from p.470 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
Delta (δ) Virgo, Auva, is a golden yellow star on the hip or stomach of the Virgin.
Delta (δ), although individually unnamed in our lists, was one of the Awwa, the 11th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), Al Awwa, the Barker
On the Euphrates it was Lu Lim, the Gazelle, Goat, or Stag,— or perhaps King; and, with epsilon (ε), probably Mas-tab-ba, another of the seven pairs of Twin-stars of that country. The Hindus called it Apa, or Apas, the Waters; and the Chinese, Tsze Seang, the Second Minister of State.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
In other publications this star was called Minelauva and Minalauva. It might be that the name ‘Minelauva’ is actually from ‘Min-Al-Awwa’; Awwa means either ‘barker’ or ‘howler’. [Danny Caes, RUG-Public observatory, Armand Pien, Ghent, Belgium.]
The Lunar Mansions
The stars beta (β Zavijava), eta (η Zaniah), gamma (γ Porrima), delta (δ this star Auva), epsilon (ε Vindemiatrix), outlining this Kennel, formed the 11th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), Al Awwa, the Barker, or “the Howler”, which was considered of good omen.
Influences of the 11th Arabic Moon Mansion Al Awwa: Gives benevolence, gain, voyages, harvests and freedom of captives.
With Moon transiting here: sow, plant, take medicine but do not travel or marry. [Robson, p.72.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Virgo
Legend: This constellation is said to represent Erigone, daughter of Icarius, who hanged herself through grief at the death of her father (Bootes). According to other accounts it is Astraea, daughter of one of the Titans, who sided with the Gods against her own father. [Robson, p.66.]
Influences: Ptolemy makes the following observations; “The stars in the head of Virgo, and that at the top of the southern wing, operate like Mercury and somewhat like Mars: the other bright stars in the same wing, and those about the girdle, resemble Mercury in their influence, and also Venus, moderately . . . those at the points of the feet and at the bottom of the garments are like Mercury, and also Mars, moderately.” By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Gimel and the 3rd Tarot Trump “The Empress.” [Robson, p.66-67.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Virgo given by Manilius:
spicifera est Virgo Cereris” — “The Virgin with her sheaf belongs to Ceres”. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.117]
“Virginis in propriam descendunt ilia sortem“, — “the belly comes down to the Maid as her rightful lot” [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.119]
“At her rising Erigone (Virgo, who reigned with Justice over a bygone age and fled when it fell into sinful ways, bestows high eminence by bestowing supreme power; she will produce a man to direct the laws of the state and the sacred code; one who will tend with reverence the hallowed temples of the gods.” [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.265]
“The temperaments of those whose span of life she pronounces at their birth Erigone (Virgo) will direct to study, and she will train their minds in the learned arts. She will give not so much abundance of wealth as the impulse to investigate the causes and effects of things. On them she will confer a tongue which charms, the mastery of words, and that mental vision which can discern all things, however concealed they be by the mysterious workings of nature. From the Virgin will also come the stenographer: his letter represents a word, and by means of his symbols he can keep ahead of utterance and record in novel notation the long speech of a rapid speaker. But with the good there comes a flaw: bashfulness handicaps the early years of such persons, for the Maid, by holding back their great natural gifts, puts a bridle on their lips and restrains them by the curb of authority. And (small wonder in a virgin) her offspring is not fruitful.” [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.237 and 239]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].