Fixed star:  DENEB ADIGE  Arided
Constellation:  Alpha Cygnus
Longitude 1900:  03PIS57. Longitude 2000:  05PIS20.
Declination 1900:  +44.55'. Declination 2000:  +45.16'.
Right ascension:  20h41m. Latitude:  +59.54'.
Spectral class:  A2. Magnitude:  1.25.

History of the star: A brilliant white star in the Tail of Cygnus, the Swan. Deneb is from Arabic Al Dhanab ad-Dajajah (1), the "Hen's Tail", which has become Denebadigege, Denebedigege, Deneb Adige, etc.

Arided appears, and is still frequently seen for this star, as Al Ridhadh and El Rided formerly were for the constellation of Cygnus. The signification is uncertain but it is thought to be some sweet-scented flower.

Referring to this last title, Caesius termed alpha Os rosae, the German "Rosemund", although he also designated it as Uropygium, the "Pope's Nose" (The tail of a cooked fowl) of our Thanksgiving dinner-tables. (Uropygium tail + rump is the fleshy hindmost part of a bird’s body from which the tail feathers grow. - Encarta).

This star also was Aridif, from Al Ridf, the "Hindmost"; variations were Arrioph, and Arion.

Gallina was also used for it.

This and the three adjacent bright stars in the Swan are known as the Triangles.

[Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinchley Allen, 1889].  

Arion is one of the alternative titles for this star, Alpha Cygnus, or Deneb Adige: Arion may refer to the mythological character Arion2. Both Arion and Orpheus were famous lyre-players turned into swans at death. Arion2, who lived in Corinth was the best citharist or lyre-player of his time. On his return from an artistic tour in Italy he was robbed by the crew of his ship and forced to cast himself into the sea. Against all odds, however, he landed on shore in Greece, riding on the back of a dolphin (Cygnus and Delphinus, the Dolphin, are adjacent constellations).

"Now Arion2, not wishing to die in a meaningless way, decided to take for his shroud the sophisticated attire he used to wear at competitions, and with it on sing a final song to life, as swans generously do". http://www.maicar.com/GML/Arion2.html

[Another Arion, Arion1, was the title of a black horse (an immortal horse born to the goddess Demeter after she was raped by Poseidon in the shape of a horse) and Cygnus would seem an unlikely placement for it, but it might relate to the fact that under those white feathers of swans is pure black skin?]

 

The astrological influences of the constellation: Cygnus gives a contemplative, dreamy, cultured and adaptable nature. The affections are ill regulated and unsteady, the talents develop late. There is some love of water and swimming and the arts. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Resh and the 20th Tarot Trump "Judgment". (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"Hard by is the place allotted to the Swan:  as a reward for the shape with which he [Jupiter or Zeus] snared the admiring Leda, when, a god changed into a snow-white swan, he came down and offered his feathered form to the unsuspecting woman. Now too with outspread wings it flies among the stars" [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 1, p.31.]

"Its down and glittering wings figured by stars. Accordingly he who at its rising leaves his mother's womb and beholds the light of day shall make the denizens of the air and the race of birds that is dedicated to heaven the source of his pleasure and profit.

"From this constellation shall flow a thousand human skills (artes): its child will declare war on heaven and catch a bird in mid-flight, or he will rob it of its nestling, or draw nets up and over a bird whilst it is perched on a branch or feeds on the ground (swans have a reputation for being hostile to other birds). And the object of these skills is to satisfy our high living. Today we go farther afield for the stomach than we used to go for war: we are fed from the shores of Numidia and the groves of Phasis; our markets are stocked from the land whence over a new-discovered sea was carried off the Golden Fleece. Nay more, such a man will impart to the birds of the air the language of men and what words mean; he will introduce them to a new kind of intercourse, teaching them the speech denied them by nature's law.

"In its own person the Swan hides a god (as being in the disguise of Jupiter) and the voice belonging to it; it is more than a bird and mutters to itself within. Fail not to mark the men who delight to feed the birds of Venus in pens on a rooftop, releasing them to their native skies or recalling them by special signs; or those who carry in cages throughout the city birds taught to obey words of command, men whose total wealth consists of a little sparrow (for such performing birds). [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 5, p.331].

The general astrological influences of the star: It is of the nature of Venus and Mercury, and gives an ingenious nature and a clever intellect that is quick at learning. (Robson*).

The star corresponds to a combination of Mercury and Venus influence and is therefore favorable for artistic and scientific pursuits, which are carried out with the aim of gain. To prove this, it is interesting to find several well known artists and writers, who could make good money with their art, be it manifold activities in the acting art or achieving record sales of their printed works. (Ebertin).

With Sun and Mars above the earth, and the Moon at the same time with Procyon (25 Cancer), death by the bite of a mad dog. (Robson*).

Setting: Deneb provides the native with an income from others, when setting. But Maternus asserts that badly aspected in this position, Deneb presages public punishment because of theft of the spoils of war. (Noonan).

References

*(Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology , Vivian E. Robson, 1923)