Fixed Stars in a Person’s Fate

The topic of fixed stars in the natal chart has fascinated more than one generation. These stars are attributed with magical power, said to elevate the native to the heights of success overnight or to plunge them into the whirlpool of misfortune. If an inexperienced user sees the names of stars in an astro-processor, clicks on them, and reads the interpretation, they might think they are doomed to perpetual adversity or, on the contrary, born under a lucky star with no way to change their fate.

What is true and what isn’t depends on many factors, but one thing is clear: it is unreasonable to ascribe any single star an all-powerful, fatalistic impact on life. However, there are times when their influence should be taken into account. The mere position of a star in a particular House says little on its own. What matters is the relationship with the individual planetary pattern in the natal chart. The main factor in interpretation will be one of the principles of Hermes Trismegistus: “As above, so below; as within, so without.”

The Nature of Fixed Stars

It took 2,000 years to finally understand that the division of stars into “wandering” (the planets in the horoscope) and “fixed” is quite conditional.

Astrologers of antiquity—and even in later centuries—were able to track the movements of the luminaries and planets, but they lacked the tools to measure how much certain stars such as Altair, Algol, Sirius, Arcturus, Aldebaran, and others shifted in relation to other celestial bodies. Thus, they presumed these stars to be fixed.

The British astronomer and astrologer Edmond Halley was the first to notice the movement of individual bright stars relative to the planets and announced his discovery. Later, this was confirmed by other prominent 18th-century scientists: Nicolas Lacaille, Tobias Mayer, and Friedrich Bessel, who compiled detailed descriptions of the celestial bodies.

It is now scientifically proven that over a span of 72 years, stars once considered fixed shift by 1° of the zodiac. Such calculations are very important, as a star, by changing its position, may move beyond the allowable orb with a planet, weakening its influence—or, on the contrary, it may draw closer, in which case its fateful impact on the native can be discussed.

The most important thing to understand about a fixed star is that it has a real influence only if it is in aspect to a planet or House cusp. The orbs for stars are quite small, and this must be taken into account; not everyone will have their life ruined by Algol, and not everyone will be blessed with talents by Spica.

How Fixed Stars Influence Destiny

The influence of stars differs from that of planets. It is typically sudden and fateful, especially at the moment when a star approaches a House cusp or a planet.

The native has no chance to avoid such a twist of fate, and even less time for reflection or preparation: one either soars towards happy changes, or dodges an avalanche of destructive events.

Planets, by contrast, exert their influence in obvious and somewhat predictable ways, provided that one accounts for their nature, sign, House position, transits, and aspects in the natal chart.

Tip for astrologers: if you observe an incredibly strong influence on the native’s destiny from a planet in a weak position, without aspects or significant transits, most likely there is a powerful fixed star behind it. This is why it’s so important to consider the positions of all celestial bodies for a clear picture.

The potency of a fixed star’s influence depends on several factors:

1. Magnitude: the strongest influence comes from first-magnitude stars, decreasing down to fourth magnitude, although stelliums are a special case—their power is cumulative.

2. Position: the closer to Earth, the more significant the intervention in the life script.

3. The specific nature of the planet involved: the effect is stronger if the planet and star share a similar nature. Furthermore, a benefic star can neutralize the negativity of a malefic planet, or vice versa—a Saturnian star can distort the nature of benefics like Venus and Jupiter.

4. The individual pattern of the horoscope: fixed stars amplify what is inherently present in the chart. If there is ambition for a brilliant career, it can bring a meteoric rise, but if the person is oriented toward domestic comfort, these same opportunities may simply pass by.

5. House position: in cadent Houses, all resonances are much weaker than in angular Houses.

Without conjunction to planets or House cusps, one should not expect a single star to suddenly wreak havoc or bestow the chance to become a leader or influential figure.

The Most Significant Stars

Another important point: you cannot make predictions solely on the position of a star in a particular place in the horoscope. However, in horary astrology, their influence can and should be taken into account.

There are several stars whose meanings have become classical and widely known; in other cases, it is necessary to study the history and characteristics, comparing them with the planet that is in aspect to them.

The malefic stars include:

Algol—the most malevolent and destructive. However, for any prediction, other factors must be considered; it does not always mean physical destruction, but it does bring suffering;

Alcyone—provokes unfavorable outcomes, blindness, disappointment;

Antares—destruction of what has outlived its purpose.

Traditionally, the benefic stars include:

Aldebaran—hope for improvement in circumstances, favorable opportunities;

Regulus—high status, wealth;

Spica—peaceful happiness from self-realization and a successful marriage.

To work through the influence of malefic stars, one must face their own shadow side. The planet involved in aspect can indicate which dark traits must be consciously mastered for compensation. This might mean assertiveness in the struggle for leadership, aggressive ways of earning money, or sharply defending one’s point of view in contentious matters—but it is always important to keep within bounds, so as not to fall into absolute negativity. ✓

B.Alph