| Fixed star: YED POSTERIOR | |
| Constellation: Epsilon (ε) Ophiuchus | |
| Longitude 1900: 02SAG07 | Longitude 2000: 03SAG31 |
| Declination 1900: -04.27′ | Declination 2000: -04.41′ |
| Right ascension: 16h 18m | Latitude: +16.26′ |
| Spectral class: G8 | Magnitude: 3.3 |
The history of the star: Yed Posterior
from p.302 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Epsilon (ε) Ophiuchus, Yed Posterior, is a red star in the left hand of the Serpent Bearer.
Yed Posterior, meaning the star Behind, Following or succeeding one of “the Hand”, delta (δ), is found on our modern lists, but was not given by the 17th century German astronomer Bayer.
In China it was Tsoo, the name of one of the feudal states; and, with iota (ι) and some other stars, is said to have formed Hwan Chay
Epsilon (ε, this star Yed Posterior), delta (δ Yed Prior) zeta (ζ Han), eta (η 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).
Delta (δ Yed Prior) and epsilon (ε, this star Yed Posterior) point out the left hand grasping the body of the Serpent (Serpens); tau (τ) and nu (ν, Sinistra), the other hand, holding the tail.
Epsilon (ε, this star Yed Posterior), with Zeta (ζ Han), marked the Akkadian lunar asterism Mulu-bat, the “Man of Death”.
Epsilon (ε, this star Yed Posterior) was also the Euphratean Nita χ-bat, the “Man of Death”.
Coincidentally (!) “in modern astrology, which contains some singular survivals, the Hand of Ophiuchus is said to be a star “of evil influence”.
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].
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].