History of the star: A topaz yellow star in the Great Bear Ursa Major. The Arabic name for Phecda or Phad is Al-Fakhidh (1), "The thigh" where this star is located in the figure. Phacd and Phachd, Phaed, Phekda, and Phegda, are all variations.
One of the "Plough" stars, also called "the Big Dipper", the bucket shaped figure in the back of the Bear, outlined by the stars; Merak (beta), Dubhe (alpha), this star Phecda (gamma) and Megrez (delta). The Plough was a Bier or coffin in the Arabic figuring (bear and bier come from the same root word). (Allen).
Al Biruni said that it was Pulastya or Pulasthya, one of the Hindu Seven Sages (born from brahma's ears). Pulastya was the medium through whom some of the Puranas were communicated to man. He was the grandfather of Kubera, the god of treasures; he was also the father of Ravana (q.v); all the Rakshasas (demons) are said to have arisen from him. The word Rakshasa is derived from the root raksha, meaning to guard. Based on this derivation, some scriptures associate Rakshasas with Brahma who made them guard the waters. (2).
Influence of the constellation: It is said to give a quiet, prudent, suspicious, mistrustful, self-controlled, patient nature, but an uneasy spirit and great anger when roused. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Zain and the 7th Tarot Trump "The Chariot". (Robson).
Rising: Those born at the rising of this constellation will be tamers of wild beasts, that is men to teach bears, bulls and lions to lay aside their fierceness and share in human ways. (Manilius Astronomica 1st century AD).
General influence of the star: In conjunction with planetary malefics, it is said that this star is a possible cause of 'a great blood bath'. In conjunction with Neptune and provided relevant configurations with Moon, Venus and Mars are present, it is an indication of a pathological sex nature. The power of this fixed star is a distinct one in mundane astrology, Elsbeth Ebertin noted that when the assassination in Serajewo of the Austrian heir to the Crown took place, Mars had just transited this fixed star. When the Justizpalast in Vienna was overrun, 20-24 July 1927, Mars transited Phacd and in other places too, riots took place. |
