Fixed star:  GIEDI PRIMA  Algedi
Constellation:  Alpha11) Capricornus
Longitude 1900:  02AQU22 Longitude 2000:  03AQU46
Declination 1900:  -12.49' Declination 2000:  -12.30'
Right ascension:  20h 17m Latitude:  +06.59'
Spectral class:  G5 Magnitude:  4.6

The history of the star: Giedi Prima

from p.140 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage]

Giedi PrimaAlpha (α) Capricornus is actually two stars, 4 minutes apart, in the right horn of the Goat. Alpha¹ (this star Giedi Prima) double, 3.2 and 4.2, yellow. Alpha² (Giedi Secunda), triple, 3, 11.5, and 11.5, pale yellow, ash, and lilac.

These are the Prima and Secunda Giedi, or plain Algedi, from the Arabian constellation title Al Jady (Arabic jadi or jady means goat).

Other titles, Dabih and the degenerated Dschabbe and Dshabeh, applied to them, but more commonly to beta (β Dahib), have been traced by some to Al Jabbah, the Forehead, although the stars are nearer the tip of the horn; but the names undoubtedly come from Al Sa'd al Dhabih, the Lucky One of the Slaughterers, the title of the 20th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion of which these alphas and beta (β Dahib) were the determinant point), manifestly referring to the sacrifice celebrated by the Arabs at the heliacal rising of Capricorn. And of similar signification was the Euphratean Shak-shadi and the Coptic people of Egypt Eupeutos, or Opeutus, for the same lunar asterism of those peoples.

Brown thinks that alpha (α), then seen only as a single star, with beta (β Dahib) and nu (ν Alshat) was known by the Akkadians as Uz, the Goat; and as Enzu in the astronomy of their descendants; while the German orientalist Epping is authority for the statement that this, or perhaps beta (β Dahib), marked the 26th ecliptic asterism of the Babylonians, Qarnu Shahu, the Horn of the Goat. Brown also says that alpha (α) represented the 8th antediluvian king Amar Sin,— Amempsinos ("Amempsinos is probably Amelu-Sin").

In Hipparchos' (circa 160-120 B.C.) time the two alphas were but 4' apart, and it was not till towards the 17th century German astronomer Bayer's day that they had drifted sufficiently away from each other to be readily separated by the naked eye. Their distance in 1880 was 6 1/4', and this is increasing by 7" in every hundred years.


The Lunar Mansions

Al Sa'd al Dhabih, the Lucky One of the Slaughterers, the title of the 20th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion) of which these alphas; (this star alpha1 Giedi Prima), alpha² (Giedi Secunda) and beta (β Dahib) were the determinant point.

Influences of the 20th Arabic Moon Mansion Al S'ad al Dhabih: Helps the escape of servants and captives and the curing of diseases. [Robson*, p.74.]

With Moon transiting here: take medicine, travel, but do not lend money or marry. [Robson*, p.74.]

The astrological influences of the constellation Capricornus

Legend: During their war with the giants, the Gods were driven into Egypt and pursued by Typhon. In order to escape, each was forced to change his shape, and Pan, leaping into the Nile, turned the upper part of his body into a goat and the lower part into a fish, a shape considered by Jupiter worthy of commemoration in the heavens. [Robson*, p.35.]

Influence: Ptolemy's observations are as follows "The stars in the horns of Capricorn have efficacy similar to that of Venus, and partly to that of Mars. The stars in the mouth are like Saturn, and partly like Venus: those in the feet and in the belly act in the same manner as Mars and Mercury: those in the tail are like Saturn and Jupiter." By the Kabalists this constellation is associated with the Hebrew letter Yod and the 10th Tarot Trump "The Wheel of Fortune." [Robson*, p.36.]

The constellation Capricorn has a great influence over human affairs portending major changes in such areas as climate and political customs. Along with the sign, the constellation is also noted as the "Mansion of Kings." Unfavorably situated with regards to lunar eclipses, it indicates major storms, especially at sea. [Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.36.]

The astrological influences of the constellation Capricorn given by Manilius:

"In her shrine Vesta tends your fires, Capricorn: and from her you derive your skills and callings. For whatever needs fire to function and demands a renewal of flame for its work must be counted as of your domain. To pry for hidden metals, to smelt out riches deposited in the veins of the earth, to fold sure-handed the malleable mass—these skills will come from you, as will aught which is fashioned of silver or gold. That hot furnaces melt iron and bronze, and ovens give to the wheat its final form, will come as gifts from you. You also give a fondness for clothes and wares which dispel the cold, since your lot falls for all time in winter's season, wherein you shorten the nights you have brought to their greatest length and give birth to a new year by enlarging the daylight hours. Hence comes a restless quality in their lives and a mind which is often changed and floats this way and that; the first half of the sign is the slave of Venus, and that with guilt involved, but a more virtuous old age is promised by the conjoined fish below." [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, book 4, p.241.]

The astrological influences of the star Giedi Prima

According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Venus and Mars; to Simmonite, of Venus and Mercury; and, to Alvidas, of Uranus in sextile to Venus. It gives beneficence, sacrifice and offering. [Robson*, p.167-168.]

Associated with piety and self-sacrifice. [Larousse Encyclopedia of astrology].

With Sun: Peculiar events, unexpected losses and gains, sometimes great good fortune. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Moon: Peculiar and unexpected events, eccentric, public criticism, new and influential friends, valuable gifts, love of respectable women but difficulties and sometimes platonic marriage. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Mercury: Romantic, psychic, vacillating, many love affairs some of which cause notoriety, may elope with married person. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Venus: Many strange and unexpected events, peculiar and romantic marriage, may be separated for years from partner through secret government or political reasons of which even native may be ignorant. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Mars: Abrupt, aggressive, much criticism, public position. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Jupiter: Government position, preferment in law or Church, marriage abroad, favorable for gain and inheritance. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Saturn: Genius but kept down by circumstances, peculiar and occult early environment, birth amidst strange conditions while mother is travelling, many narrow escapes, associated with the stage, rarely marries. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Uranus: Peculiar environment, bad morals, strong passions, genial, affectionate, vacillating, small self confidence, too trusting, peculiar ideas on marriage and religion, ambitious but too weak to rise, bad for domestic affairs and children, if any, though there may be illegitimate ones, violent death. [Robson*, p.168.]

With Neptune: Psychic in childhood, never understood by others, cruelty from a parent, many disappointments, peculiar conditions in domestic life, greatly influenced by others, accidents, death in early life or middle age. [Robson*, p.169.]

