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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 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.
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 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.


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 kabbalistic symbols. 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.
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 kabbalistic symbols. 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.


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.
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.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behenian_fixed_star Behenian Fixed Stars]</ref>


==Table of Behenian Stars==
==Table of Behenian Stars==
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|Caput Larvæ
|Caput Larvæ
|Beta Persei
|Beta Persei
|26 [[Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]] 10
|26 [[Taurus|Taurus]] 10
|[[Saturn]] & [[Jupiter]]
|[[Saturn]] & [[Jupiter]]
|[[diamond]]
|[[diamond]]
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|Aldaboram
|Aldaboram
|Alpha Tauri
|Alpha Tauri
|9 [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]] 47
|9 [[Gemini|Gemini]] 47
|Mars & [[Venus]]
|Mars & [[Venus]]
|[[ruby]] / [[garnet]]
|[[ruby]] / [[garnet]]
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|[[File:Aldaboram (Agripa 1531).svg|50px]]
|[[File:Aldaboram (Agripa 1531).svg|50px]]
|-
|-
|[[Capella (star)|Capella]]
|[[Capella|Capella]]
|Alhayhoch, Hircus
|Alhayhoch, Hircus
|Alpha Aurigæ
|Alpha Aurigæ
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|-
|-
|[[Sirius]]
|[[Sirius]]
|[[Canis Major|Canis major]]
|[[Sirius|Canis major]]
|Alpha Canis Majoris
|Alpha Canis Majoris
|14 [[Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]] 05
|14 [[Cancer|Cancer]] 05
|Venus
|Venus
|[[beryl]]
|[[beryl]]
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|-
|-
|[[Procyon]]
|[[Procyon]]
|[[Canis Minor|Canis minor]]
|[[Procyon|Canis minor]]
|Alpha Canis Minoris
|Alpha Canis Minoris
|25 Cancer 47
|25 Cancer 47
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|Cor leonis
|Cor leonis
|Alpha Leonis
|Alpha Leonis
|29 [[Leo (constellation)|Leo]] 50
|29 [[Leo|Leo]] 50
|Jupiter & Mars
|Jupiter & Mars
|[[granite]]
|[[granite]]
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|[[File:Agrippa1531 corLeonis.png]]
|[[File:Agrippa1531 corLeonis.png]]
|-
|-
|[[Alpha Ursae Majoris|Polaris]]
|[[Polaris|Polaris]]
|Cauda [[Ursa Major|Ursæ]]
|Cauda [[Ursa Major|Ursæ]]
|Alpha Ursæ Majoris
|Alpha Ursæ Majoris
|28 [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]] 34
|28 [[Gemini|Gemini]] 34
|Venus & Moon
|Venus & Moon
|[[magnet]]
|[[magnet]]
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|[[File:Agrippa1531 caudaUrsae.svg]]
|[[File:Agrippa1531 caudaUrsae.svg]]
|-
|-
|[[Delta Corvi|Algorab]]
|[[Algorab|Algorab]]
|[[Corvus (constellation)|Corvi]]
|[[Corvus (constellation)|Corvi]]
|Delta Corvi
|Delta Corvi
|13 [[Libra (constellation)|Libra]] 27
|13 [[Libra|Libra]] 27
|Saturn & Mars
|Saturn & Mars
|[[onyx]]
|[[onyx]]
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|[[File:Agrippa1531 Alchameth.png]]
|[[File:Agrippa1531 Alchameth.png]]
|-
|-
|[[Alpha Coronae Borealis|Alphecca]]
|[[Alphecca|Alphecca]]
|Elpheia
|Elpheia
|Alpha Coronæ Borealis
|Alpha Coronæ Borealis
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|Cor scorpii
|Cor scorpii
|Alpha Scorpii
|Alpha Scorpii
|9 [[Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]] 46
|9 [[Sagittarius|Sagittarius]] 46
|Venus & Jupiter
|Venus & Jupiter
|[[sardonyx]]
|[[sardonyx]]
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|[[File:Agrippa1531 Vulturcadens.png]]
|[[File:Agrippa1531 Vulturcadens.png]]
|-
|-
|[[Delta Capricorni|Deneb Algedi]]
|[[Deneb Algedi|Deneb Algedi]]
|Cauda capricorni
|Cauda capricorni
|Delta Capricorni
|Delta Capricorni
|23 [[Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]] 30
|23 [[Aquarius|Aquarius]] 30
|Saturn & Mercury
|Saturn & Mercury
|[[chalcedony]]
|[[chalcedony]]
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|}
|}


These locations are given in celestial longitude, the relatively fixed reference frame of tropical signs used in astrology and are derived from the measurements listed at Constellations of Words. Due to Precession of the Equinoxes the Fixed Stars appear to drift or move through space at the rate of 1 degree of Arc per 72 years. In order to fix the measurement to a specific date and degree of arc the values published through that scholarly work are utilized for the year 2000. All celestial bodies, including stars and constellations, are measured according to various fixed frameworks, in this instance a geocentric tropical zodiac. Cf. Heliocentric model as a fixed framework and sidereal and tropical astrology to identify the measuring system used here. For example, 26 Taurus 10 means 26 degrees 10 minutes of the tropical sign Taurus. See Ecliptic coordinate system for further information.
These locations are given in celestial longitude, the relatively fixed reference frame of tropical signs used in astrology and are derived from the measurements listed at Constellations of Words. Due to Precession of the Equinoxes the Fixed Stars appear to drift or move through space at the rate of 1 degree of Arc per 72 years. In order to fix the measurement to a specific date and degree of arc the values published through that scholarly work are utilized for the year 2000. All celestial bodies, including stars and constellations, are measured according to various fixed frameworks, in this instance a geocentric tropical zodiac. Cf. Heliocentric model as a fixed framework and sidereal and tropical astrology to identify the measuring system used here. For example, 26 Taurus 10 means 26 degrees 10 minutes of the tropical sign Taurus. See [[Ecliptic coordinate system]] for further information.


==References==  
==References==