Sadalachbia

Fixed star:  SADALACHBIA
Constellation:  Gamma (γ) Aquarius
Longitude 1900:  05PIS19 Longitude 2000:  06PIS43
Declination 1900:  -01.53′ Declination 2000:  -01.23′
Right ascension:  22h 21m Latitude:  +08.14′
Spectral class:  A0 Magnitude:  4.0

The history of the star: Sadalachbia

from p.52 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage

SadalachbiaGamma (γ) Aquarius, Sadalachbia, is a 4th magnitude greenish star in the right arm of the Water Bearer, and the westernmost star, at the inner edge of the Urn (on the Urn in this Olcott drawing).

Sadachbia, from Al Sad alAhbiyah (now called Sadalachbia) which 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 the 19th American philologist Professor Whitney’s “Felicity of Tents” a happy translation of the original.

Zeta (ζ), eta (η), and pi (π) are included with gamma (γ) Sadalachbia, under this designation by the 15th century Tartar astronomer Ulug Beg —zeta (ζ), in the centre, marking the top of the tent; the 13th century Persian astronomical writer Al Kazwini, however, considered this central star as Al Sa, and the three surrounding ones his tents.

All these stars; Gamma (γ) Sadalbachia, zeta (ζ), eta (η), and pi (π), with alpha (α) (Sadalmelik), formed the 23d manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), bearing the foregoing title [Al Sa’d al Ahbiyah].

Gamma (γ) Sadalbachbia, zeta (ζ), eta (η), pi (π), and tau (τ) were the Chinese Fun Mo, the Tomb.

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

The Lunar Mansions

Robson includes this star in the 23rd manzil, or Arabic Lunar Mansion Al Sa’d al Ahbiyah, The Lucky Star of Hidden Things or Hiding Places. The mansion included; alpha (α, Sadalmelik), gamma (γ, this star Sadalbachia), zeta (ζ), eta (η) and pi (π), Aquarius

Influences of the 23rd Arabic Moon Mansion Al Sa’d al Ahbiyah: Favorable for besieging and revenge, destroys enemies, causes divorce, helps prisons and buildings, hastens messengers, hinders childbirth and hinders the action of the body. [Robson P.74.]

With Moon transiting here: unfortunate for everything except taking medicine. [This is “The Lucky Star of Hidden Things or Hiding Places”; it should be good for finding things; see what Eric Morse says below] [Robson P.74.]

The astrological influences of the constellation Aquarius

Legend: Aquarius is said to represent Ganymedes, son of Callirhoe, the most beautiful of mortals, who was carried to heaven by an eagle to act as cupbearer to Jupiter. According to other accounts, however, it is Deucalion, son of Prometheus, who was translated to heaven in memory of the mighty deluge from which only he and Pyrrha were saved. [Robson, p.28.]

Influences: Ptolemy makes the following observations: “The stars in the shoulders of Aquarius operate like Saturn and Mercury; those in the left hand and in the face do the same: those in the thighs have an influence more consonant with that of Mercury, and in a less degree with that of Saturn: those in the stream of water have power similar to that of Saturn, and moderately to that of Jupiter.” By the Kabalists Aquarius is associated with the Hebrew letter Nun and the 14th Tarot Trump “Temperance,” over which virtue the constellation appears to have some rule. The beauty of Ganymedes and his flight through the air also link it to the ideas of personal charm and aviation with which it is certainly connected. [Robson, p.28-29.]

The astrological influences of the constellation Aquarius 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 astrological influences of the star Sadalachbia

“The 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, p.111.]

References:

Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].