Behenian fixed star

The Behenian fixed stars are a selection of fifteen stars considered especially useful for magical applications in the medieval astrology of Europe and the Arab world. Their name derives from Arabic "bahman", "root," as each was considered a source of astrological power for one or more planets. Each is also connected with a gemstone and plant that would be used in rituals meant to draw the star's influence (e.g., into a talisman). When a planet was within six degrees of an associated star, this influence was thought to be particularly strong.

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa discussed them in his "De Occulta Philosophia" as the "Behenii" (singular "Behenius"), describing their magical workings and kabbalistic symbols. He attributed these to Hermes Trismegistus, as was common with occult traditions in the Middle Ages. Their true origin remains unknown, though Sir Wallis Budge suspects a possible Sumerian source.

The following table uses symbols from a 1531 quarto edition of Agrippa, but other forms exist. Where the name used in old texts differs from the one in use today, the modern form is given first.

Table of Behenian Stars

¹ See Precession of the equinoxes for further information

References

*Budge, E. A. Wallis (1930). "Amulets and Superstitions". London, Oxford University Press.

External links

* [http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/hermesfixedstars.html Hermes Trismegistus on the Fifteen Fixed Stars] features alternate symbols.
* [http://www.geocities.com/nu_isis/fonts.html Magical scripts] (Nu Isis Working Group, Leeds) has the symbols in a freeware True Type font.