Fixed star:  KITALPHA
Constellation:  Alpha (α) Equuleus
Longitude 1900:  21AQU43	Longitude 2000:  23AQU07
Declination 1900:  +04.50′	Declination 2000:  +05.14′
Right ascension:  21h 15m	Latitude:  +20.07′
Spectral class:  FA	Magnitude:  4.1

The history of the star: Kitalpha

from p.214 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage

Alpha (α) Equuleus, Kitalpha, is a star in the constellation of the Foal.

The Arabic name for Kitalpha is Qit’at al-Faras (), or Al Kitah al Faras, “Part of the horse”. Kitel Phard, Kitalphar are other names. Equuleus is the head of a horse with a flowing mane which the Arabs called Al Faras al Awwal, “the First Horse”. This horse is identified with Celeris “the Swift Foal”, the “Colt”, son of Pegasus, given by Mercury to Castor

With beta (β is unnamed) it was the Chinese Sze Wei

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

---

 

On the Equuleus Page Allen [p.212, Star Names] says that some of the mythologists said that Equuleus represented Celeris, the brother of Pegasus, given by Mercury to Castor (constellation Gemini); or Cyllarus, given to Pollux (constellation Gemini) by Juno.

Cyllarus, the young centaur has the same name as Cyllarus who was loved by the she-centaur Hylonome. These centaurs were very much in love, and according to Ovid they were more civilized than the usual centaurs and made efforts to groom and educate themselves. These centaurs could be compared with thoroughbred horses; winners, distinguished.

There is also Cyllene (probably from the same root as Cyllarus), an Arcadian nymph who gave her name to Mt Cyllene where Hermes was born. She is said to have brought Hermes up during his infancy.

Uranus was conjunct this star on 9/11/2001.

Etymology

Some mythologists said that Equuleus represented Celeris, the brother of Pegasus. Celeris is related to Latin celer “swift”, from the Indo-European word kel-“To drive”, “set in swift motion”.

Derivatives: hold, behold, upholsterer, halt, avast (a command to stop or desist), celerity, acceleration, accelerate, accelerant [a substance, such as a petroleum distillate, that is used as a catalyst, as in spreading an intentionally set fire]. Possibly further suffixed form *keles-ri-, celebrate (as in celebrating a winning horse), celebrity, from Latin celeber, which originally meant ‘attend in great numbers’, ‘to attend a festival’, from Latin celeber, celebris, celebre ‘thronged, frequented, well-known”. [Pokorny 5. kel– 548]

The astrological influences of the constellation Equuleus

It gives friendship and sagacity (discernment, good judgment) but frivolity and love of pleasure. [Robson, p.44.]

The bright star Kitalpha has a spectral nature of Mercury and Venus combined. Ancient astrologers asserted that those born under these stars will be famous charioteers, teamsters or courier scouts. They may also be veterinarians in keeping with the Mercurial nature of its major star. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.22.]

References:

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