The Behenian fixed stars are a selection of fifteen stars considered especially useful for magical applications in the medieval astrology of Europe and the Arab world. Their name derives from the Arabic bahman, "root," as each was considered a source of astrological power for one or more planets. Each is also connected with a gemstone and plant that would be used in rituals meant to draw the star's influence (e.g., into a talisman). When a planet was within six degrees of an associated star, this influence was thought to be particularly strong.
History Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa discussed them in his Three Books of Occult Philosophy (Book II, chapters 47 & 52) as the Behenii (singular Behenius), describing their magical workings and sigils. He attributed these to Hermes Trismegistus, as was common with occult traditions in the Middle Ages. Their true origin remains unknown, though Sir Wallis Budge suspects a possible Sumerian source.
Table of Behenian stars The following table uses symbols from a 1531 quarto edition of Agrippa, but other forms exist. Where the name used in old texts differs from the one in use today, the modern form is given first. Name Astronomical designation Longitude(2020)Fixed Stars - Astrology Online Calculator Planet Gemstone Plant SymbolAlgolCaput LarvæBeta Persei26 Taurus 26Saturn & Jupiterdiamondblack hellebore Alcyone (or Pleiades)Eta Tauri00 Gemini 16Moon & Marsrock crystalfennelAldebaranAldaboramAlpha Tauri10 Gemini 04Mars & Venusruby / garnetmilk thistleCapellaAlhayhoch, HircusAlpha Aurigæ22 Gemini 08Jupiter & SaturnsapphirethymeSiriusCanis majorAlpha Canis Majoris14 Cancer 21VenusberyljuniperProcyonCanis minorAlpha Canis Minoris26 Cancer 03Mercury & Marsagatewater buttercupRegulusCor leonisAlpha Leonis00 Virgo 06Jupiter & MarsgarnetmugwortAlkaidTail of the Great BearEta Ursae Majoris27 Virgo 12Venus & MoonmagnetsuccoryAlgorabCorviDelta Corvi13 Libra 43Saturn & Marsonyxburdock SpicaAlpha Virginis24 Libra 06Venus & MercuryemeraldsageArcturusAlchamethAlpha Boötis24 Libra 30Mars & JupiterjasperplantainAlpheccaElpheiaAlpha Coronæ Borealis12 Scorpio 34Venus & MarstopazrosemaryAntaresCor scorpiiAlpha Scorpii10 Sagittarius 01Mars & JupitersardonyxbirthwortVegaVultur cadensAlpha Lyræ15 Capricorn 34Mercury & Venuschrysolitewinter savoryDeneb AlgediCauda capricorniDelta Capricorni23 Aquarius 48Saturn & Mercurychalcedonymarjoram
See also Olympian spirits Worship of heavenly bodies
References Notes
Citations
Works cited
Budge, E. A. Wallis (1930). Amulets and Superstitions. London, Oxford University Press. , Robson, Vivian E. (1979). The Fixed Stars & Constellations in Astrology. Samuel Weiser. ,
External links Hermes Trismegistus on the Fifteen Fixed Stars features alternate symbols.