History of the star: A white binary star (some call both yellow) and slightly variable in light; 3 and 3.2, on the waist of Virgo. The Latins called this Porrima, or Antevorta, sometimes Postvorta, names of two ancient goddesses of prophecy, sisters and assistants of Carmenta or Carmentis, worshiped and at times invoked by their women. Porrima was known as Prorsa and Prosa by Aulus Gellius of our 2d century. [Carmenta was the Roman goddess of childbirth. Pierre Grimal (Dictionary of Classical Mythology) says Carmenta was regarded as a divinity of procreation; she was invoked by two names, Prorsa (head first) and Postversa (feet first), the two positions in which a child can be born].

This star Porrima (gamma) was specially mentioned as itself being Zawiat al 'Awwa', the "Angle", or "Corner", of the "Barker"; [it exactly marks this Corner] with delta (Auva), eta (Zaniah), epsilon (Vindemiatrix), outlined a "Kennel", of the Dogs [Eric Morse in The Living stars says this Kennel has brothel associations, see Zaniah], and formed the 11th manzil, Al 'Awwa', "The barker".

In Babylonia it marked the 19th ecliptic constellation, Shur-mahru-Bhiru, the Front, or West, Shur (?); while individually it was Kakkab Dan-nu, "the Star of the Hero".

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

Listed as Caphir in Vivian Robson's book The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology; - called "An Atonement Offering" and "the Submissive One". Referring to this title, Eric Morse says:; "The Arabic title Caphir (infidel) no doubt springs from the Islamic revulsion of pagan goddesses".

Influences of the Arabic 11th manzil (Moon Mansion) Al 'Awwa': Gives benevolence, gain, voyages, harvests and freedom of captives. With Moon transiting here; sow, plant, take medicine but do not travel or marry. (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation: By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Gimel and the 3^rd Tarot Trump "The Empress". (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"spicifera est Virgo Cereris"  —  "The Virgin with her sheaf belongs to Ceres". [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.117]

"Virginis in propriam descendunt ilia sortem",  —  "the belly comes down to the Maid as her rightful lot"  [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.119]

"At her rising Erigone (Virgo), who reigned with Justice over a bygone age and fled when it fell into sinful ways, bestows high eminence by bestowing supreme power; she will produce a man to direct the laws of the state and the sacred code; one who will tend with reverence the hallowed temples of the gods. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.265]

The temperaments of those whose span of life she pronounces at their birth Erigone will direct to study, and she will train their minds in the learned arts. She will give not so much abundance of wealth as the impulse to investigate the causes and effects of things. On them she will confer a tongue which charms, the mastery of words, and that mental vision which can discern all things, however concealed they be by the mysterious workings of nature. From the Virgin will also come the stenographer: his letter represents a word, and by means of his symbols he can keep ahead of utterance and record in novel notation the long speech of a rapid speaker. But with the good there comes a flaw: bashfulness handicaps the early years of such persons, for the Maid, by holding back their great natural gifts, puts a bridle on their lips and restrains them by the curb of authority. And (small wonder in a virgin) her offspring is not fruitful. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.237 and 239] 

With Sun: Involved in an intrigue, some difficulty of short duration leaving native in unpleasant position. (Robson*).

With Moon: Popular, business worries, domestic disharmony and divorce, poor health. (Robson*).

With Mercury: Legal troubles, criticism, many worries, business difficulties which will be overcome, ill-health, loses respect of associates. (Robson*).

With Venus: Unfavorable for gain, much scandal from passionate love affair. (Robson*).

With Mars: Loss through lawsuits and by fire or storm, trouble with opposite sex, marriage partner and public. (Robson*).

With Jupiter: Trouble through legal affairs or with the Church, disputes over inheritance, domestic disharmony through intrigue and consequent scandal. (Robson*).

With Saturn: Intelligent, studious, home troubles in early life, evil environment, liable to imprisonment or execution for another's crime especially if in 12th house, suffers through conspiracy of friends or relatives, domestic disharmony, sickly children, home broken up, death in prison. (Robson*).

With Uranus: Well educated, good intellect, early influenced, led astray into extremely unpleasant environment by false friends strong passions, often remains single, frequent accidents to the head, sudden and unexpected death through accident. (Robson*).

With Neptune: Shrewd and cunning for evil, changes in early life, many disappointments affecting the mental balance, abnormal religious enthusiasm, unpractical and useless pursuits, bad for gain, marriage and children. (Robson*).

References

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

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