The history
of the star: Rigel
from p.312 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on thiswebpage]
Beta (β) Orion,Rigel, is a double star, the 7th brightest star in the sky, 0.3 and 8, both
bluish white in the left foot of the Hunter (west foot).
Algebar
and Elgebar are seen in poetry for this star, but it universally is known as Rigel, fromRijl
Jauzah al Yusra, the Left Leg of the Jauzah (Jauzah was the Arabic title for Orion), by which extended title the Arabians knew it after the word Jauzah had become a personal
title; the modern name first appearing in theAlfonsine Tables of 1521. These say of it, in connection withEridanus:
"Lucida que est in pede
sinistro: et est communis ei et aquae: et dicitur Algebar nominatur etiam Rigel."
The Italian astronomer Riccioli (1598-1671) had Regel; the 17th century German astronomer
and ephemeris creator Schickard, Riglon; and English writer on globes John Chilmead (circa 1639), Rigel
Algeuze, or Algibbar.
The 10th century Persian astronomical
writer Al Sufi gave the earlier popular name Ra'i al Jauzah, the Herdsman of the Jauzah (i.e. this star beta
β, Rigel, is the Herdsman), whose camels were the stars alpha (α Betelgeuse), gamma (γ Bellatrix), delta (δ Mintaka), and kappa (κSaiph); and Al Najid, the Conqueror, which also was given to alpha (α Betelgeuse) and gamma (γBellatrix).
The 14th century Greco-Persian astronomer Chrysococca
termed it (Greek)Pous didumon, the Foot of — i.e. next to — the Twins (Gemini); and the 17th century German astronomer Bayer, the Hebrew Kesil, of the
constellation.
The English astronomer Smyth (1788-1865) wrote that
"independent of the "nautis infestusOrion" character of the constellation, Rigel had one of his own; for it was to the astronomical rising
of this "marinus aster" in March, that St.Marinus and St. Aster owe
their births in the Romish calendar."
He gave, however, no explanation of
this, and these saints certainly are not familiar in any stellar connection. Possibly its "marine" character came
from its location at the end of the RiverEridanus, and from its being given in the various editions of the Syntaxis and in theAlfonsine Tables as common {p.313} to both constellations (Orion and Eridanus); although the supposed stormy character of the whole group in affecting navigation may have
induced the epithet for Orion's greatest star (although figured as beta Rigel is a larger star than alpha;Betelgeuse).
Astrologers said that splendor and honors fell
to the lot of those who were born under it.
In the Norsemen's astronomy Rigel
marked one of the great toes of Orwandil, the other toe having been broken off by the god Thor when frost-bitten, and thrown
to the northern sky, where it became the little Alcor of the Greater Bear (Ursa Major).
[Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
Rigel might be the part of Orion that was stung by the Scorpion. Orion boasted that he would exterminate all the animals on Earth, and was punished for his brazenness
by the Goddess of Earth, Gaia, who sent a giant scorpion and ordered it to sting Orion. As mighty as Orion was, after only
a brief battle, the scorpion managed to deliver the hunter a deadly sting on the heel, and believed by some to be in the position
of this star which is alsosaid to be in the heel: "On the western heel of Orion, the Hunter, rests brilliantRigel."
The astrological influences of the constellation Orion
Legend: The giantOrion was created out of an ox-hide by the Gods, Jupiter, Neptune and Mercury, at the request of
Hyreus who had entertained them. He was blinded by Oenopion (the name means "wine-faced") for having raped Merope,
Oenopion's daughter, but recovered his sight by exposing his eyes to the rising sun. In consequence of his boast that he could
slay any beast bred upon the earth the scorpion (Scorpius) was brought forth and Orion died from its sting. [Robson*, p.55.]
Influences:
According to Ptolemy the bright stars with the exception of Betelgeuze and Bellatrix are like Jupiter and Saturn. It is said to give a strong and dignified nature, self-confidence,
inconstancy, arrogance, violence, impiety, prosperity in trade and particularly by voyages or abroad, but danger of treachery
and poison. It was thought by the Romans to be very harmful to cattle and productive of storms. By the Kabalists it is associated
with the Hebrew letter Aleph and the 1st Tarot Trump "The Juggler." [Robson*, p.55.]
The astrological influences of the constellationOrion given by Manilius:
"Near
neighbor to the Twins (Gemini), Orion may be seen stretching his arms over a vast expanse of sky and rising to the stars
with no less huge a stride. A single light marks each of his shining shoulders, and three aslant trace the downward line of
his sword: but three mark Orion's head, which is imbedded in high heaven with his countenance remote. It is Orion who leads
the constellations as they speed over the full circuit of heaven." [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD. p.35.]
"Orion will fashion alert minds and agile bodies, souls prompt to respond to duty's call, and hearts
which press on with unflagging energy in spite of every trial. A son of Orion's will be worth a multitude and will seem to
dwell in every quarter of the city; flying from door to door with the one word of morning greeting, he will enjoy the friendship
of all." [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD. p.305.]
The astrological influences of the star Rigel
According to Ptolemy and Lilly it is of the nature of Jupiter and Saturn, but later authors
consider it favorable and similar to Jupiter and Mars. Alvidas likens it to Mercury Mars and Jupiter. It gives benevolence,
honor, riches, happiness, glory, renown and inventive or mechanical ability. [Robson*, p.197-198.]
If Rigel
is conjunct with the Sun, Moon, MC or Ascendant, quick rise in life is promised on account of a strong, inherent will
power, love of action, and a lucky hand in enterprise. A continuous battle to retain an acquired position has to be waged.
This fight at the same time stimulates an increase in vigor. Even in spite of unhelpful aspects, success and reaching the
set aim can be secured by this powerful concentration. If however the native is not cautious or has an attack of weakness,
failure and disappointments, a fall from success will follow. Tradition regarding the influence of Rigel is quite contradictory,
implying again that the cosmogram must be fully analyzed. After the first world war, at the time of the first transatlantic
flights, Elsbeth Ebertin noted a connection of Rigel to the Sun and Moon, in charts of several world record pilots, leading
to sudden difficulties in the carrying out of planned enterprises resulting in failures to reach the set target. [Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.32.]
If Rising:
Good fortune, preferment, riches, great and lasting honors. [Robson*, p.198.]
If culminating:
Great military or ecclesiastical preferment, anger, vexation, magnanimity, much gain acquired by labor and mental anxiety,
lasting honors. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Sun:
Bold, courageous, insolent, unruly temper, hasty actions, bloodshed, many enemies, great good fortune, military success. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Moon
Much worry and disappointment, injuries to life and fortune, sickness, ill health or death to wife or mother. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Mercury:
Scientific, prominent position in connection with Mercurial matters or in science. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Venus:
Honors or favors in middle life, good and influential marriage especially if female. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Mars:
Unruly, ingenious occupied with mechanical matters, great military preferment. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Jupiter:
Great legal or ecclesiastical preferment, many journeys, benefits from foreign affairs, favorable for marriage. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Saturn:
Benefits from elderly people, clergy and lawyers, just, discriminative, good for legacy and inheritance, domestic harmony,
good health, long life. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Uranus:
Scientific, romantic, interested in antiquities, fame through historical or geological discoveries, probably in an unexplored
country, friendships formed in a peculiar way abroad, many adventures and narrow escapes, early love disappointment, favorable
for marriage after 30,death through some trivial accident abroad. [Robson*, p.198.]
With Neptune:
Kind, energetic, scholarly and active mind, position under Government or at the head of some learned institution, cautious,
reserved, resourceful, prompt, diplomatic, occult interests, success, public prominence, domestic harmony, natural death.
[Robson*, p.199.]
