The sphere of the fixed stars is the outermost sphere in the traditional model which is tangible, and is the 2nd sphere with which we concern ourselves, the zodiacal sphere being the 1st. Fixed stars are planets but are seen as fixed in relation to the wandering stars (planets) as they move approximately 1 degree every 72 years. If a planet or a house cusp is posited on a fixed star, the symbology of that fixed star, which is derived from mythology, will colour that planet or the affairs of that house. The planets or house cusps have to be in a very close conjunction to the fixed stars for them to be relevant.

There were 48 constellations known to the ancients although many have been added since the 1600’s. The 48 ancient constellations are grouped into three categories: the zodiacal constellations: Aries through to Pisces (12); the northern constellations (21) and the southern constellations (15). In traditional astrology we are only concerned with the traditional constellations.The International Astronomical Union (IAU), the world authority for assigning names to celestial objects, officially recognizes 88 constellations; these constellations cover the entire sky.

The signs of the zodiac are not the same as the constellations that carry the same name. The signs are a division of the zodiac into 12 equal sections, just as the degrees are a division of the ecliptic into 360 equal sections; the sphere of the Zodiac is invisible and carries no stars in it.

The Zodiacal Constellations:

• Aries: the Ram with the Golden Fleece
• Taurus:  Jupiter assuming the form of the Bull
• Gemini: the Twins Castor and Pollux
• Cancer: the Crab that bit the heel of Hercules
• Leo: the Nemean Lion slain by Hercules
• Virgo: the Virgin, Erigone, daughter of Icarius
• Libra: the Balance wherein Astrea weighed the deeds of men (and Claws of the Scorpion, constellation Scorpio)
• Scorpio: the Scorpion that killed Orion
• Sagittarius: the wise centaur Chiron; the Archer
• Capricorn: Pan changing form into half Goat, half fish
• Aquarius: Ganymede, the sweet waters of life; God’s Grace
• Pisces: Venus and Cupid saved by the two Fishes  

The Northern Constellations:

• Andromeda: the Chained Woman; daughter of Cassiopeia
• Aquila: the Eagle carrying Ganymede to heaven
• Auriga: the Charioteer Erichthonius
• Bootes: the Herdsman Arcus
• Cassiopeia: the Seated Woman; mother of Andromeda
• Cepheus: King of Aethiopia; husband of Cassiopeia
• Corona Borealis: the Northern Crown; the garland given by Venus to Ariadne
• Cygnus: the Swan; another transformation of Jupiter
• Delphinus: the Dolphin who convinced Amphitrite to marry Neptune
• Draco: the Dragon that guarded the Golden Apples in garden of Hespirides
• Equuleus: the Foal  of Pollux
• Hercules: the Kneeling Man; the labours of Hercules
• Lyra: the Lyre; the tortoise shell used by Mercury to make a musical instrument
• Ophiuchus: the Serpent Bearer; the 2 serpents strangles by infant Hercules
• Pegasus: the Flying Horse born from the blood of Medusa
• Perseus: the Champion, Perseus, who killed Medusa
• Sagitta: the Arrow with which Hercules slew the eagle feeding on Prometheus’ liver
• Serpens: the Serpent which showed Aesclepius how to restore life to Glaucus
• Traingulum: the Triangle representing Sicily
• Ursa Major: the Greater Bear; Callisto, mother of Arcus
• Ursa Minor: the Lesser Bear Arcus

The Southern Constellations:

• Ara: the Altar built for the gods by Cyclops
• Argo: the Ship in which Jason brought the Golden Fleece from Colchis
• Canis Major: the Greater Dog set to guard Europa by Jupiter
• Canis Minor: the Lesser Dog, Maera; the hound of Icarius
• Centaurus: the Centaur Phollos
• Cetus: the Sea Monster sent by Neptune to devour Andromeda
• Corona Australis: the Southern Crown; a garland or wheel
• Corvus: the Crow; sent by Jupiter to fetch water in the cup (Crater)
• Crater: the Cup given by Jupiter to the Crow
• Eridanus: the River Po into which Phaeton fell when slain by Jupiter
• Hydra: the Water Snake picked up by the Crow and taken to Apollo
• Lepus: the Hare brought to the Isle of Leros
• Lupus: the Wolf depicting the religious nature of the Centaur
• Orion: the Giant or Hunter created out of ox hide by the gods
• Piscis Australis: the Southern Fish into which Venus transformed

The Application of Fixed Stars:

• Fixed Stars are the designer labels of the cosmos.
• The important aspect is the understanding, the meaning of the explanation: the Stars are the peg on which to hang the understanding.
• Astrology provides a deeper level of truth, another model of thought.
• Myth is meant to be taken up and retold while holding onto its truth.
• Retelling will bring out different facets @ time to stress different factors.
• The beauty of the thing is important; the myth is not fixed or set in stone: meant to be picked up and retold, but must respect the source.
• Fixed Stars provide deeper insight into the chart and convey mythological signatures which will be important for that person, country or entity. 
  

Royal Stars

What makes a royal star “royal” is that it is very bright and on the ecliptic, the path of the Sun around the earth, with the Sun being, of course, the symbol of royalty. The royal stars are:

• Alderbaran
• Pollux
• Regulus
• Spica
• Lucida Lancis
• Antares