The 15 Core Behenian and Royal Stars
- Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri, Taurus)
- Magnitude: 0.85
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (East), Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Bull’s Eye, power, wealth, martial vigor; a Watcher of the Heavens.
- Regulus (Alpha Leonis, Leo)
- Magnitude: 1.35
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (North), Ptolemy, Persian
- Significance: The Lion’s Heart, royalty, courage; a regal beacon.
- Antares (Alpha Scorpii, Scorpio)
- Magnitude: 0.96
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (West), Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Scorpion’s Heart, passion, transformation; a fiery sentinel.
- Fomalhaut (Alpha Piscis Austrini, Piscis Austrinus)
- Magnitude: 1.16
- Traditions: Behenian, Royal (South), Ptolemy
- Significance: The Fish’s Mouth, mysticism, dreams; a poetic guide.
- Algol (Beta Persei, Perseus)
- Magnitude: 2.1 (variable)
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Chinese
- Significance: The Demon Star, Medusa’s Head; protection, ferocity, and peril.
- Algorab (Delta Corvi, Corvus)
- Magnitude: 2.94
- Traditions: Behenian
- Significance: The Raven’s Wing, subtlety, shadow; a lesser but potent light.
- Alphecca (Alpha Coronae Borealis, Corona Borealis)
- Magnitude: 2.23
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy
- Significance: The Jewel of the Crown, purity, honor; a radiant gem.
- Arcturus (Alpha Boötis, Boötes)
- Magnitude: -0.05
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Bear Guardian, wisdom, prosperity; among the brightest.
- Capella (Alpha Aurigae, Auriga)
- Magnitude: 0.08
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy
- Significance: The She-Goat, nurture, brilliance; a pastoral star.
- Deneb Algedi (Delta Capricorni, Capricorn)
- Magnitude: 2.81
- Traditions: Behenian
- Significance: The Goat’s Tail, justice, stability; a quiet authority.
- Pleiades (Cluster in Taurus)
- Magnitude: 1.6 (combined)
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian
- Significance: The Seven Sisters, inspiration, sorrow; a celestial chorus.
- Procyon (Alpha Canis Minoris, Canis Minor)
- Magnitude: 0.34
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy
- Significance: The Lesser Dog, agility, cunning; a bright companion.
- Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris, Canis Major)
- Magnitude: -1.46
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Egyptian, Babylonian, Chinese
- Significance: The Dog Star, divine brilliance, initiation; the brightest of all.
- Spica (Alpha Virginis, Virgo)
- Magnitude: 0.98
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Ear of Wheat, fertility, knowledge; a harvest light.
- Vega (Alpha Lyrae, Lyra)
- Magnitude: 0.03
- Traditions: Behenian, Ptolemy, Chinese
- Significance: The Harp Star, harmony, ethereal beauty; a northern jewel.
Ptolemy’s Additions and Ancient Revered Stars
Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos lists over 30 stars, many overlapping with the Behenian canon.
- Bellatrix (Gamma Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 1.64
- Traditions: Ptolemy
- Significance: The Warrior’s Shoulder, strength, conquest; an Orion sentinel.
- Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 0.42 (variable)
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Egyptian, Babylonian
- Significance: The Hunter’s Shoulder, power, destiny; a ruddy giant.
- Rigel (Beta Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 0.12
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Hunter’s Foot, brilliance, guidance; a blue-white star.
- Canopus (Alpha Carinae, Carina)
- Magnitude: -0.74
- Traditions: Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian
- Significance: The Navigator’s Star, wisdom, the south; second-brightest.
- Deneb (Alpha Cygni, Cygnus)
- Magnitude: 1.25
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Chinese
- Significance: The Swan’s Tail, transcendence, grace; a northern titan.
- Pollux (Beta Geminorum, Gemini)
- Magnitude: 1.14
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Twin’s Head, vitality, duality; a boxer’s star.
- Castor (Alpha Geminorum, Gemini)
- Magnitude: 1.58
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Babylonian
- Significance: The Twin’s Brother, intellect, partnership; a paired light.
- Alnair (Alpha Gruis, Grus)
- Magnitude: 1.74
- Traditions: Babylonian, Sumerian
- Significance: The Crane’s Light, clarity, ascent; a southern gleam.
- Alnilam (Epsilon Orionis, Orion)
- Magnitude: 1.69
- Traditions: Ptolemy, Egyptian
- Significance: The Belt’s Center, order, strength; Orion’s midpoint.
- Mirach (Beta Andromedae, Andromeda)
- Magnitude: 2.06
- Traditions: Ptolemy
- Significance: The Chained Maiden’s Girdle, beauty, creativity.
Stars from Other Traditions
- Achernar (Alpha Eridani, Eridanus)
- Magnitude: 0.46
- Traditions: Indian, Chinese
- Significance: The River’s End, flow, eternity; a southern star.
- Polaris (Alpha Ursae Minoris, Ursa Minor)
- Magnitude: 1.97
- Traditions: Egyptian, Chinese, Indian
- Significance: The North Star, direction, constancy; the pole’s guide.
- Altair (Alpha Aquilae, Aquila)
- Magnitude: 0.77
- Traditions: Chinese, Indian
- Significance: The Eagle’s Eye, swiftness, vision; a summer triangle star.
Brightest Stars Beyond Esoteric Lists
From the top 30 brightest stars (by apparent magnitude), some lack deep occult lore but demand inclusion for their radiance:
- Alpha Centauri (Rigel Kentaurus, Centaurus)
- Magnitude: -0.27 (system)
- Traditions: None prominent
- Significance: The nearest star system, unity, exploration; third-brightest.
- Acrux (Alpha Crucis, Crux)
- Magnitude: 0.76
- Traditions: Southern skies (later noted)
- Significance: The Southern Cross, sacrifice, orientation; a cruciform light.