History of the star: A greenish star in the right arm of the Water Bearer Aquarius at the inner edge of the Urn. Sadachbia or Sadalachbia from Arabic Sa'd al-Akhbiyah (1), "Lucky star of the tents". It has been interpreted "the Lucky Star of Hidden Things or Hiding-places", because when it emerged from the sun's rays all hidden worms and reptiles, buried during the preceding cold, creep out of their holes! But as this word Ah'biyah is merely the plural of H'iba, a Tent, a more reasonable explanation is that the star was so called from its rising in the spring twilight, when, after the winter's want and suffering, the nomads' tents were raised on the freshening pastures, and the pleasant weather set in. This idea renders Professor Whitney's "Felicity of Tents "a happy translation of the original. Zeta, eta, and pi are included with this star gamma under this designation by Ulug Beg — gamma, in the centre, marking the top of the tent; Kazwini, however, considered this central star as Al Sa'd, and the three surrounding ones his tents.

All these stars, with alpha (Sadalmelik), formed the 23d manzil, bearing the foregoing title. [Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinchley Allen, 1889].

The astrological influences of the constellation: The beauty of Ganymedes and his flight through the air link it to the ideas of personnel charm and aviation with which it is certainly connected. The Water Bearer is associated with the Hebrew letter Nun and the 14th Tarot Trump "Temperance". (Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923).

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"The youthful Waterman, who from upturned pot pours forth his stream, likewise bestows skills which have affinity with himself: how to divine springs under the ground and conduct them above, to transform the flow of water so as to spray the very stars, to mock the sea with man-made shores at the bidding of luxury, to construct different types of artificial lakes and rivers," and to support aloft for domestic use streams that come from afar. Beneath this sign there dwell a thousand crafts regulated by water. Why, water will even set in motion the face of heaven and the starry habitations, and will cause the skies to move in a novel rotation. Never will the sons of Aquarius grow tired of the works which come in the wake of water and follow springs. They who issue from this sign are a gentle sort and a lovable breed, and no meanness of heart is theirs ; they are prone to suffer losses ; and of riches they have neither need nor surfeit. Even thus doth the urn's stream flow" [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, book 4, p.243.]

 

The general astrological influences of the star: "Lucky Star of Hidden Things". In horary it indicates the ability to discover that which is hidden or lost. 'The Lucky One for Hidden Things, or for Tent dwellers'; Abhbiyah is the plural of a word once common for a tent but also meaning a place of seclusion. It is said that, when the Sun rises conjunct this star, about 25th February, then all the worms and insects come out of their winter holes and tent dwellers can move to their Spring pasture-lands. That is the warmer climes of Arabia, of course, not London or New York. The meaning we find in this star is, as an indicator of the right time for making moves, entering upon new ventures, a likelihood of general success in enterprises if Sadachbia be well placed and aspected on the horoscope. (The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse).

• Starlists
• Homepage
• Discussion
• Moon Mansions