The Fixed Stars of Israel
D Pearmain 01 May 2022
It is perhaps no coincidence, in the weird world of semiotics, that Israel’s flag boasts the six-pointed Star of David. Israel’s chart has an incredibly high number of powerful stars conjunct its ASC, MC and key planets.
The bright fixed stars of Israel are Spica and Arcturus, Procyon, Zaurak, Regulus, Tejat Posterior and Etamin. They are full of promise but at the same time reflect the dangers the country faces, its nature and its history. Not many nations have so many stars of such prominent in their charts.
This article looks at the meaning and significance of some of them but is not a detailed analysis of Israel’s natal chart.
Background
The magnitude of a star indicates the brightness of its appearance here on Earth with first magnitude stars being the brightest of all. The great English astrologer William Lilly said that “The Fixed Stares give great gifts and Elevate even from Poverty to an extreme height of Fortune, the Seven Planets do not so”. Bonatti observed that a fixed star in conjunction with a planet of the same character greatly emphasizes the qualities of that planet[1].
Vivian Robson[ii] commented that little is known of the effects of the fixed stars in mundane astrology but there is no doubt that their influence is of “supreme importance” in this branch of the subject. He says that while they do affect more ephemeral happenings, we are driven to a consideration of the movement of the stars for “epoch-making” events and slow, world-wide changes. They are the only influence known to us capable of producing effects of the necessary magnitude.
[1] Guido Bonatus, Anima Astrologiae, trans. Henry Coley, 1675
[ii] The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian Robson
Israel’s Chart
- On the Ascendant we have Spica and Arcturus, two first magnitude stars of great good fortune.
- On the MC sits Procyon another first magnitude star.
- The Sun is conjunct Zaurakin the 8th house
- Mars is conjunct Regulus, another first magnitude star, in the 11th house
- Venus is conjunct Tejat Posterior in the 9th house
- Jupiter is conjunct Etamin in the third house
Spica and Arcturus Conjunct The ASC at 23002 of Libra
The first house in mundane astrology indicates the general state of the nation, the country and its people. Israel’s first house is in the sign of Libra ruled by Venus which is in the 9th house of religion, higher learning and spirituality. The Jewish people have followed their religion for thousands of years and it’s an important part of their national identity.
Spica at 23°50′ Libra has an orb of 2°40′[i]
Spica is one of the most fortunate stars in the sky and among the twenty brightest. According to Ptolemy, it is of the nature of Venus and Mars; Alvidas of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury. When rising, as it is in Israel’s chart, it gives unlimited fortune, wealth and happiness and unexpected honour beyond the hopes and abilities of the person born (Ligteneigen[ii]).
Some people believe that it is a miracle that Israel today exists at all but Spica offers more than a little hope to this tiny nation that is such a big player on the world stage. Robson says that Spica gives success, renown, riches, a sweet disposition, love or art and science, unscrupulousness, unfruitfulness and injustice to innocence.
Presumably the ‘unfruitfulness’ is derived from the fact that it is in the constellation of Virgo, the virgin. However, one can’t help remembering the words of the prophet Isaiah–“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son…” which rather gives the lie to the notion of unfruitfulness in Israel’s case.
Traditionally Spica is the ear of wheat in the left hand of Virgo but due to precession of the equinoxes has moved into the sign (not constellation) of Libra. The Copts of Egypt called it “Khoritos” which means “solitary” because Spica is somewhat isolated in the sky[iii], the Arabs called it Azimech which means solitary one.
Israel’s position in the world is somewhat isolated, surrounded as it is by its enemies on three sides and the sea on the fourth. In the words of Joseph Conrad, “The sea has never been friendly to man” and represents fundamental danger.
Spica is the star of the harvest and grain which signifies abundance and prosperity. Astronomers[iv] have speculated that the heliacal rising of Spica in 6000 BC may have indicated the beginning of the harvest in ancient Egypt.
Arcturus at 24°14′ Libra has an orb of 2°40′[v]
Arcturus is the fourth brightest in the night sky and the brightest in the northern celestial hemisphere. In Arabic, Arcturus is one of two stars called al-simāk “the uplifted ones” (the other is Spica). Along with Spica, it is regarded as the other most fortunate star in the sky. On Israel’s ASC these stars indicate that the nation is uplifted, blessed, fortunate.
Arcturus sits in the left knee of the constellation Boötes, the herdsman. Arcturus is not as sweet and innocent as Spica, having a more warlike disposition. Bullinger says it means “he who comes” and is of the nature of Mars and Jupiter according to Ptolemy.
It gives honours, wealth, self-determination, prosperity and high fame (Robson, Ligteneigen). When rising it brings prosperity but also many fears and worries through own folly. Jupiter and Mars combine kings and warriors and the nation of Israel has had many warrior kings, the most famous being David.
Arcturus provides the pioneering energy of Mars with the vigorousgrowth of Jupiter – a formidable combination. Jupiter also rules religion, justice and the law. It is favourable to life and prosperity.
Mosaic law lies at the foundation of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. It continues to be applied in the rabbinical courts and the civil courts in personal matters where the parties are Jews. It is also used as a source by the Knesset and the courts when developing the law[vi].
[i]https://astrologyking.com/spica-star/
[ii] J Ligteneigen, The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology – A Practical Application
[iii]https://www.constellationsofwords.com/spica/
[iv]https://astronomy.com/magazine/2006/04/spicas-egyptian-connection
[v]https://astrologyking.com/arcturus-star/
[vi]https://www.britannica.com/topic/Israeli-law
Procyon Conjunct the MC in Cancer
The tenth house in mundane astrology represents the government and heads of state. It also indicates national trade and major industries within the country (its ‘career’) and national prestige. It also represents the authorities such as the police and armed forces when they are enforcing the law[i].
Procyon at 25°47′ Cancer has an orb of 2°40′[ii]. It is the eighth brightest star in the sky and is in the constellation of the Lesser Dog, Canis Minor.
Procyon is of the nature of Mercury and Mars (exaggerative, argumentative, unreliable, unscrupulous, given to invective, mechanical ability, very quick mind, a great talker.)[iii] Two-word descriptions for Mercury and Mars would be “clever weapons”, “military intelligence”, and “arms trade”. Israel’s intelligence community is known to be one of the most effective in the world[iv] and everyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the last fifty years has heard of Mossad.
Fixed star Procyon gives activity, violence, sudden and violent malevolence, sudden preferment by exertion, elevation ending in disaster.(Robson)
In astrology, like its constellation, Procyon portends wealth, fame, and good fortune[v]. According to Manilius, Procyon “bestows upon those born under him not hunting, but its weapons. To rear keen scented whelps and to tell their class by their pedigree, their qualities by their place of origin; to produce nets and hunting-spears tipped with strong points and pliant shafts with knots smoothed out and to manufacture and sell at a profit whatever the art of hunting is likely to require”.
It’s a small step from weapons for hunting to weapons of war and self-defence. Israel’s famous Iron Dome is a defence system designed to track, intercept and destroy short range rockets and artillery shells targeting Israel’s populated areas. Sounds a bit like hunting dogs to me.
Israel is known for its weapons industry. IWI is a world-famous and bestselling Israeli arms manufacturer that created the Uzi sub-machine gun and later various assault rifles a light machine gun, semi-automatic pistol and sniper rifle. Until 2005 it was owned by the State of Israel when it was privatized.[vi]
Israel’s military sector currently consists of more than two hundred private and public companies. They produce drones, various kinds of missile systems, military electronics, bombs, artillery, and targeting systems[vii] for sale worldwide.
Zaurak Conjunct the Sun in Taurus
Zaurak at 23°52′ Taurus has an orb of 1°40′[i]
Itis in the constellation of Eridanus, the great celestial river, and its name comes from an Arab word meaning “boat”. It is close to the beginning of the river, so Israel’s boat has a long journey ahead of it. Zaurak is of the nature of Saturn, the strict planet of boundaries, gates, rules and melancholy.
Elsbeth Ebertin noted several cases in which the Sun connected with Zaurak brought long, drawn-out illnesses and difficult times[ii]. Israel has certainly had its share of those. Zaurak is malefic and is associated with great loneliness and feelings of isolation[iii].
Alan R Taylor writes “the isolation of Israel has been one of the most striking by-products of its creation”[iv]. According to their history, God called them out to be separate from the nations – to be His special people. The Jews have been hated, persecuted and despised by the rest of the world ever since.
The constellation Eridanus gives a love of knowledge and science, much travel and many changes, a position of authority, but danger of accidents especially at sea and of drowning. (Robson).
Ebertin says with the Sun Zaurak gives leanness, infirmity and many miseries so the nation of Israel has need of the two fortunate bright stars on its ASC. Zaurak only has a magnitude of 3.2, nowhere near as bright as Spica and Arcturus.
Among other things the eighth house in mundane astrology indicates danger to the people through war and national disasters. It also represents the resources of a nation’s enemies[v]. The Sun in the eighth house can also indicate longevity since its life-giving force mitigates the power of death.
Israel is on eastern shores of the Mediterranean on the boundaries of two tectonic plates. While tsunamis are rare in Israel, earthquakesthat can generate tsunamis are not. Researchers have discovered evidence of a major tsunami that hit the east coast10 000 years ago. The wave is estimated to have been between fifty and one hundred and thirty feet high and travelled between one and two miles inland. It was caused by a quake along the Dead Sea Fault system[vi].
Tsunamis have struck Israel in 1303, 1222, 1870 and 1908 and the government has in the past five years or so been increasing its preparedness for such an event and taking the risk seriously[vii].
Mars conjunct Regulus at 28018 of Leo In 11th House
Regulus at 29°50′ Leo has an orb of 2°30′[i]
It is also known as the heart of the Lion, Qalb al-Asad in Arabic. In 3000 BC, it was known to the Persians as the Watcher of the North and marked the summer solstice.Regulus was one of four Royal Stars of Persia. It is known symbolically as the Crushing Foot (Robson) and is in the constellation of Leo.
The star is of the nature of Mars and Jupiter. It gives violence, destructiveness, military honour of short duration, with ultimate failure, imprisonment, violent death, success, high and lofty ideals and strength of spirit, and makes its natives magnanimous, grandly liberal, generous, ambitious, fond of power, desirous of command, high-spirited and independent. (Robson)
Mars conjunct Regulus brings honour, fame, strong character public prominence, and high military command. (Robson). Ebertin says it indicates courage, noble mind and frankness. Once again, we see Israel’s emphasis on the military. National military service is mandatory for all Israeli citizens over the age of eighteen, including women.
Israel’s military strength is ranked 18 out of 142 countries in 2022[ii]. Considering its size compared to the other nations of the world, that is considerable. Regulus has no doubt highlighted the strength of Mars in the chart and Israel’s per capita spend on defence in 2020 was higher than that of the US and far above that of Russia, Australia, France, the UK, China and South Korea[iii] (the expansive Jupiterian side of Regulus coming to the fore).
The 11th house is traditionally known as the House of Good Fortune and beneficial fate. With Mars conjunct Regulus there it indicates good fortune in military matters and military support from allies.
Tejat Posterior Conjunct Venus In Cancer In 9th House
Tejat Posterior at 05°18′ Cancer has an orb of 1°40′
It gives force, energy, power and protection. Of the nature of Mercury and Venus, (courteous, affable, orderly, elegant, sweet-tempered, lovable, refined, artistic, honour and riches.) The star is also called Dirah, from Al Dirah, the Seed or Branch. Symbolically it is called the Abused or Beaten One (Robson).The persecution of Jews by Gentiles down the ages for their religion is no secret.
The prophet Isaiah says, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots”. Jesse is the father of King David of Israel.
The star indicates the ability to express ideas in reasonable and acceptable ways which win because of their manifest intelligence[i].
Venus conjunct Tejat Posterior enhances the materialistic values in the home and gives domestic security. These individuals are very giving of their material possessions as they intuitively know they will always have plenty. They are generous and loving with their family and other human beings[ii].
Etamin Conjunct Jupiter
Etamin at 27°58′ Sagittarius has an orb of 2°10′
The traditional name Etamin comes from the Arabic word which means The Great Serpent.
Etamin is the brightest star in the constellation of Draco, with a magnitude of 2.2.It is an orange star located in the right eye of the Dragon.Ulug Beg, the 15th century astronomer, called it Al Ras al Tinnin, the Dragon’s head.
In astrology the constellation Pisces, ruled by Jupiter represents the feet. In Israel’s chart the head of the Great Serpent is under Israel’s feet. However, Jupiter is in his fiery sign of Sagittarius in the third house. He is set to do some damage. Jupiter, or Zeus as he was known to the Greeks, was famed for throwing fiery lightning bolts at his enemies – fiery missiles.
Interesting! In the story of Genesis, God says to the Great Serpent“ I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”[i] The Great Dragon lies at Israel’s feet in the third house of neighbours, national communication networks, national media and transport systems.
The Russia-Ukraine war has revealed to us just how much modern warfare is also a war of words in the form of propaganda, threats made over global communications networks, international negotiations and the strategic control of information.
The bright stars of Draco are like Saturn and Mars (Ptolemy). The constellation gives and artistic and emotional but sombre nature, a penetrating analytical mind, much travel and many friends. However, it is associated with accidental poisoning and danger of robbery.
Ebertin says that in the right eye of the Dragon the star has a Saturn-Jupiter nature with a Martian influence. It gives a liking for solitude, good mental concentration and an interest in esoteric and philosophical studies[ii]. It can also bring downfall, dishonour and loss of prestige as the Great Serpent did to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
Conclusion
The stars of Israel tell an interesting story. They show the emphasis on the military, quick minds, studiousness, intelligence, hardship, a journey that is not yet finished, a love of knowledge, hope and courage, wealth and prosperity, difficulties, isolation and danger. Overall, they seem to be saying to Israel, “live long and prosper”.
[1] Guido Bonatus, Anima Astrologiae, trans. Henry Coley, 1675
[1] The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian Robson
[1]https://astrologyking.com/spica-star/
[1] J Ligteneigen, The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology – A Practical Application
[1]https://www.constellationsofwords.com/spica/
[1]https://astronomy.com/magazine/2006/04/spicas-egyptian-connection
[1]https://astrologyking.com/arcturus-star/
[1]https://www.britannica.com/topic/Israeli-law
[1]https://www.skyscript.co.uk/temples/h10.html
[1]https://astrologyking.com/procyon-star/
[1]https://astrologyking.com/procyon-star/
[1]https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195375886.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780195375886-e-0048
[1]https://www.constellationsofwords.com/procyon/
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Weapon_Industries
[1]https://caat.org.uk/data/countries/israel/israels-arms-industry-its-links-with-the-uk/
[1]https://astrologyking.com/zaurak-star/
[1]https://astrologyking.com/zaurak-star/
[1]https://astrologyking.com/zaurak-star/
[1] Alan R Taylor ’The Isolation of Israel’ https://www.jstor.org/stable/2535926
[1]https://www.skyscript.co.uk/temples/h8.html
[1]https://www.timesofisrael.com/evidence-found-of-huge-tsunami-that-swept-israels-coastline-10000-years-ago/
[1]https://en.unesco.org/news/israel-prepares-face-tsunamis-largest-national-tsunami-exercise-ever-mediterranean-region
[1]https://astrologyking.com/regulus-star/
[1]https://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.php?country_id=israel
[1]https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/4/infographic-what-you-need-to-know-about-israels-military
[1]https://astrologyking.com/tejat-posterior-star/
[1]https://astrologyking.com/tejat-posterior-star/
[1]Genesis 3:15
[1]https://www.constellationsofwords.com/etamin/