Yed Prior (Delta Ophiuchi) – Fixed Star

Yed Prior, also known as Delta Ophiuchi, is part of the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer. Ophiuchus is mythologically linked to Asclepius, the ancient healer who learned the secrets of life and death from observing serpents. The name Yed comes from the Arabic word yad, meaning hand, as this star marks the left hand of the Serpent Bearer, holding the serpent’s tail.

Yed Prior represents the hand that tames or holds danger—symbolizing power over chaos, but also risk, because handling a serpent is inherently perilous.

Positive Influence

When conjunct personal planets or angles, Yed Prior can bestow:

• Powerful healing abilities (especially psychological or energetic healing).
• Fearlessness in dealing with dark, taboo, or intense subjects.
• Deep insight into life’s mysteries, including occult, death, rebirth, and human psychology.
• A natural affinity for transformation, especially guiding others through it.
• Hands-on skills (literally or metaphorically) in medicine, energy work, therapy, or even crisis response.

It may create individuals who are drawn to heal or reform others, particularly in situations that are intense or destructive.

Negative Influence

The shadow side of Yed Prior may manifest as:

• Involvement in dark or dangerous matters—sometimes involuntarily.
• Risk of manipulation, secrecy, or being pulled into the dramas of others.
• Emotional heaviness, pessimism, or obsession with “fixing” what is broken.
• Potential for being wounded by what they try to heal.
• Tendency to interfere or impose healing on others without consent.

There is also a karmic aspect of “handling the serpent”—either mastering dangerous forces or being bitten by them.

Behavior Tactics

To work constructively with Yed Prior energy:

• Embrace your inner healer, but with discernment and boundaries.
• Avoid messianic complexes—you’re not here to save everyone.
• Develop emotional intelligence to manage intense personal and interpersonal energies.
• Ground yourself, especially if involved in spiritual, psychological, or crisis-oriented work.
• Respect the shadow—yours and others’. Learn from it, don’t suppress or fear it.

If the conjunction is with Mercury, the person might speak or write about transformative or taboo subjects. With Mars, they might act as a crisis manager or trauma responder. With the Moon, emotional depth and psychic healing are strong, but so is emotional vulnerability.

 Summary

Yed Prior brings the theme of wrestling with the dark to bring about healing or control. It is a star of serious, transformative power with both danger and redemption at its core. Those with a close conjunction to a planet are often seen as wounded healers, alchemists of pain, or guides through darkness. This energy must be approached with respect—one must learn to hold the serpent without being bitten.