| Fixed star: SABIK | |
| Constellation: Eta (η) Ophiuchus | |
| Longitude 1900: 16SAG34 | Longitude 2000: 17SAG58 |
| Declination 1900: -15.36′ | Declination 2000: -15.43′ |
| Right ascension: 17h 10m | Latitude: +07.11′ |
| Spectral class: A2 | Magnitude: 2.6 |
The history of the star: Sabik
from p.302 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Eta (η) Ophiuchus, Sabik, is a star on the right leg of the Serpent Bearer.
It is Sabik with Al Tizini (Arabian astronomer, first half of 16th century), zeta (ζ Han) often being included; but Beigel thought that the name should be Saik, the Driver.
This star eta was also included with theta (θ) and xi (ξ) in the Egyptian Coptic Tshio, “the Snake”, and Aggia, “the Magician”. These same stars were the Akkadian Tsir, or Sir, “the Snake”.
Zeta (Han), eta (η, this star Sabik), theta (θ), and xi (ξ), were the Persian Garafsa, or “Serpent-tamer”.
Zeta (Han) with eta (η, this star Sabik), were the Sogdian Bastham, “Bound”, i.e. “Ophiuchus enveloped in the coils of Ophis” and they were the Khorasmian Sardhiwa, the “Head of the Evil One” [although this star is not anywhere near the head of the snake Serpens].
Epsilon (ε, Yed Posterior), delta (δ Yed Prior) zeta (ζ Han), eta (η, this star Sabik) of Ophiuchus, along with alpha (α Unukalhai), delta (δ), and epsilon (ε) of Serpens, constituted the Nasak al Yamaniyy, “the Southern Boundary Line of the Raudah”, or “Pasture”, which here occupied a large portion of the heavens; other stars in Ophiuchus and Hercules forming the Nasak al Shamiyyah, or Northern Boundary. The stars between these two Nasak or boundaries marked the Raudah or pasture itself and Al Aghnam, the Sheep within it, now the Club of Hercules (Kajam is the main star). These sheep were guarded by the Shepherd and his Dog, the two lucidae or alpha stars marking the heads of Ophiuchus (Ras Alhague the Shepherd) and Hercules (Ras algethi the Dog).
In China it was Sung, another of the early feudal states.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation Ophiuchus
It is said to give a passionate, blindly good-hearted, wasteful and easily seduced nature, unseen dangers, enmity and slander. Pliny said that it occasioned much mortality by poisoning. This constellation has also been called Aesculapius and held to rule medicines. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump “The Lightning Struck Tower”. [Robson, p.54.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Ophiuchus given by Manilius:
“When Ophiuchus, encircled by the serpent’s great coils, rises he renders the forms of snakes innocuous to those born under him. They will receive snakes into the folds of their flowing robes, and will exchange kisses with these poisonous monsters and suffer no harm.” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 5, p.333].
“One called Ophiuchus holds apart the serpent which with its mighty spirals [gyris] and twisted body encircles his own, that so he may untie its knots and back that winds in loops. But, bending its supple neck, the serpent looks back and returns; and the other’s hands slide over the loosened coils. The struggle will last for ever, since they wage it on level terms with equal powers.” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 1, p.31].
The astrological influences of the star Sabik
According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Saturn and Venus; and, to Alvidas, of Jupiter and Venus. It causes wastefulness, lost energy, perverted morals, and success in evil deeds. [Robson, p.199.]
With Sun: Sincere, honorable, scientific, religious and philosophical interests, unorthodox or heretical, moral courage. [Robson, p.199.]
With Moon: Secret enmity and jealousy, trouble through relatives, successful but not wealthy, success in breeding stock. [Robson, p.199.]
With Mercury: Injury from open enemies, little help from friends, failure in business, fairly good for gain but legal losses, scandal through relatives of marriage partner. [Robson, p.199.]
With Venus: Musical and artistic ability. [Robson, p.199.]
With Mars: Unorthodox or heretical religious views that may cause trouble, domestic disharmony, trouble through love affairs. [Robson, p.199.]
With Jupiter: Material success, preferment in Church or law but criticized, gain through large animals, trouble through relatives. [Robson, p.199.]
With Saturn: Industrious, persevering, economical, strong passions, trouble through some active indiscretion affecting whole life, trouble and disappointment in love affairs, secret help from female friends which may cause scandal, success especially in latter part of life in affairs of an earthy or Sagittarian nature, but little prominence. [Robson, p.200.]
With Uranus: Sincere, sober, retiring, melancholy, thoughtful, calm and patient in trouble, clergyman or associated with the Church, some physical disability, separated from friends and relatives, some great sorrow in the life, occupied in doing good but disappointed in results, rarely marries. [Robson, p.200.]
With Neptune: Highly sensitive, psychic strong will, prominent writer or speaker, success, many friend, favors from opposite sex, gifts and legacies used for scientific purposes, domestic harmony, sudden death in middle age from colds or consumption. [Robson, p.200.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].