| Fixed star: WASAT | |
| Constellation: Delta (δ) Gemini | |
| Longitude 1900: 17CAN07 | Longitude 2000: 18CAN31 |
| Declination 1900: +22.10′ | Declination 2000: +21.58′ |
| Right ascension: 07h 20m | Latitude: -00.10′ |
| Spectral class: A8 | Magnitude: 3.5 |
The history of the star: Wasat
from p.234 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Delta (δ) Gemini, Wasat, is a double star, pale white and purple, on the right arm of the Northern Twin (Castor), or some give it as on the waist area of the Southern Twin, Pollux; hence the meaning of the name Al Wasat “the Middle”.
Wasat and Wesat are from Al Wasat, the Middle, i.e. of the constellation; but some have referred this to the position of the star very near to the ecliptic, the central circle.
In China it was Ta Tsun, the Great Wine-jar.
Just north of delta (δ Wasat) lies the radiant point of the Geminids, visible early in October; another stream of meteors bearing the same title appearing from the northeastern border of the constellation and at its maximum on the 7th of December.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The planet Pluto was discovered in the constellation Gemini on Feb 18th 1930 close to this star by Clyde Tombaugh.
The astrological influences of the constellation Gemini
Legend: The constellation represents Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Leda and Jupiter. It has also been suggested that it may represent Apollo and Hercules. [Robson, p.45.]
Influences: Ptolemy makes the following observations; the stars in the feet of Gemini have an influence similar to that of Mercury, and moderately to that of Venus; the bright stars in the thighs are like Saturn. It is said to cause trouble and disgrace, sickness, loss of fortune, affliction and danger to the knees. By the Cabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Qoph and the 19th Tarot Trump, The Sun”. [Robson, p.46.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Gemini given by Manilius:
“The arms to shoulders joined are accounted to the Twins” [Manilius, p.119.]
“From the Twins come less laborious callings and a more agreeable way of life, provided by varied song and voices of harmonious tone, slender pipes, the melodies inborn in strings and the words fitted thereto: those so endowed find even work a pleasure. They would banish the arms of war, the trumpet’s call, and the gloom of old age: theirs is a life of ease and unfading youth spent in the arms of love. They also discover paths to the skies, complete a survey of the heavens with numbers and measurements, and outstrip the flight of the stars: nature yields to their genius, which it serves in all things. So many are the accomplishments of which the Twins are fruitful.” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD. p.281.]
The astrological influences of the star Wasat
Of the nature of Saturn. Connected with chemicals, poisons and gas. Violence, malevolence, destructiveness as a first principal. [Robson, p.216.]
Because of the Saturnine quality of this star, it gives a heaviness and tendency to pessimism. Apart from that however, Al Wasat does show up a quality of being able to speak with clear authority when others are waffling and prominence in public affairs or management is often the result. [The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse, p.45.].
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].