| SHERATAN | |
| Beta Aries | |
| 02TAU34. | 03TAU58. |
| +20.19'. | +20.47'. |
| 01h54m. | +08.29'. |
| A5. | 2.7 |
History of the star: A pearly white star in the left horn of the Ram Aries. Sharatan and Sheratan are from Al Sharatain, or Ash-Sharatan (1), "The two signs", the dual form of Al Sharat, a Sign, referring to this and gamma (Mesarthim), the third star in the head, as a sign of the opening year; beta having marked the vernal equinox in the days of Hipparchus (190-120 BC), about the time when these stars were named - so that is what is 'signed'. Bayer's Sartai is from this dual word.
Beta (this star Sheratan) and gamma (Mesarthim) were the Arabic 1st manzil in Al Biruni's list, the earlier 27th, but some added alpha (Hamal) to the combination, calling it Al Ashrat in the plural. Al Matih was another name for this lunar station, as the chief components are near the horns of Aries.
Beta (Sharatan) and gamma (Mesarthim) constituted the Hindu 27th nakshatra Acvini, the Ashwins, or Horsemen, the earlier dual Acvinau and Acayujau, the Two Horsemen, corresponding to the Gemini of Rome, but figured as a Horse's Head. Alpha (Hamal) sometimes was added to this lunar station, but beta ( this star Sharatan) always was the junction star with the adjoining Bharani. About 400 years before our era this superseded Krittika (the Pleiades) as leader of the nakshatras.
Beta (this star Sheratan) and gamma (Mesarthim) were the Persian Padevar, "the Protecting Pair"; the Sogdian Bashish, "the Protector"; and the equivalent Coptic Pikutorion; while in Babylonia, according to Epping, they marked the second ecliptic constellation Mahru-sha-rishu-ku, the "Front of the Head of Ku".
Alpha (Hamal), beta (this star Sheratan), and gamma (Mesarthim) may have been the Jewish Shalisha, — more correctly Shalish, — some musical instrument of triangular shape, a title also of Triangulum. And they formed one of the several Athafiyy, Trivets or Tripods; this Arabic word indicating an arrangement of three stones on which nomads placed a kettle, or pot, in an open-air kitchen; others being in Draco, Orion, Musca, and Lyra.
[Star
Names, Their Lore
and Meaning, Richard Hinchley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation: The Ram is associated with the Hebrew letter He and the 5th Tarot Trump "The Pope". (Robson*).
"All the Aries stars
have been in the sign Taurus for 200-300 years now. Hamal just over 600, (Botein
year 505AD) and in this same period we have seen large-scale aggression
change its nature from barbaric raiding and migration of earlier centuries to
the building of large empires which had to be administered and kept in peace and
good order, as well as exploited by their conquerors. This is typical both of
the sign Taurus and of the planet Saturn". (The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse).
The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:
"The Ram, who is rich
with an abundance of fleecy wool and, when shorn of this, with a
fresh supply, will ever cherish hopes; he will rise from the sudden
shipwreck of his affairs to abundant wealth only to meet with a
fall, and his desires will lead him to disaster; he will yield his
produce for the common benefit, the fleece which by a thousand
crafts gives birth to different forms of gain, now workers pile into
heaps the undressed wool, now card it, now draw it into a tenuous
thread, now weave the threads to form webs, and
now they buy and sell for gain garments of every kind; no nation
could dispense with these, even without indulgence in luxury. So
important is this work that Pallas herself has claimed it for her
own hands, of which she has judged it worthy, and deems her victory
over Arachne a token of her greatness.
These are the callings and allied crafts that
the Ram will decree for those born under his sign:
in an anxious breast he will fashion a diffident heart that ever
yearns to commend itself by its own praise. When the Ram emerges
above the surface of the waves (rising) and the curve of his neck
appears before his horns, he will give birth to hearts that are
never content with what is theirs; he will engender minds bent on
plunder and will banish all sense of shame: such is their desire for
venture. Even thus does the ram himself rush forth with lowered
horns, resolved to win or die. Not for them the gentle ease of a
fixed abode with none but peaceful cares; it is ever their delight
to travel through unknown cities, to explore uncharted seas, and
enjoy the whole world's hospitality. The Ram himself gives you
evidence of this: once furrowing a trail through the glassy sea, he
tinged it with the gold of his fleece, when on his back he carried
Phrixus, bereft of his sister (Helle) by fate's decree, and brought
him to the banks of the Phasis and to Colchis". [Astronomica,
Manilius, 1st century AD, book 4, p.233].
Daredevils and bold, danger is
indicated when acting impulsively and in a foolhardy way. (Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1923)
References
*(Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology