Alkaid at 26°56′ Virgo has an orb of 2°20′

The Sun joins Alkaid on September 19

Fixed star Alkaid, Eta Ursae Majoris, is a single star on the tail of the Great Bear, Ursa Major constellation. Magnitude 1.86, spectral type B3 V, a blue-white hue.

η Ursae Majoris is officially named Alkaid. It has also been called Benetnash, Benetnasch and Elkeid. Alkaid and Benetnash derive from the Arabic phrase قائد بنات نعش (qā’id bināt naʿsh), meaning “The leader of the daughters of the bier.” Elkeid is from the Arabic القايد القائد, meaning “The Leader”. The Hindus knew this star as Marīci, one of the Seven Rishis. Alkaid is the most eastern star in the Big Dipper asterism.

In Japan, Alkaid in known as Hagunsei (“the military breaking star” or “most corner star”). Both meanings come from ancient China’s influence in Japan. In Chinese fortune-telling, north is believed to be a very unlucky direction. Northwest is even worse. Hunters and soldiers traditionally did not point guns and weapons in the direction of Hagunsei. [1]

Alkaid Astrology

Fixed star Alkaid has the spectral type B3, indicating the planetary nature of Jupiter.

AL KAID. η Ursae Majoris. A blue star. Spectral group B3, 163 light years distant, in the great Bear. This star is also called Benetnash. This star imparts to its natives creativeness, high preferment in business, government, a fondness for power, victory over enemies, good fortune. Negatively, it creates calamities, disasters, fanaticism, sublime illness, ruthlessness, turbulence. [6]

Al Kaid, or Al Qaíid, comes from a variety of words meaning tribal chief, an appointed local governor and the like. Often written Alkaid, it is η Ursa Majoris, at the tip of the tail. Again, here is that greater note of authority, with responsibility for others, perhaps at a more immediately practical level than in the case of the Prince, Mizar. The full title of this star, Al Kaid al Banaat al Naásh, however, means Lord of the Daughters of the Bier, a funeral theme suggestive of the Weeping Sisters, Alcyone, to which this star is locked in trine aspect. So, then, the service required of the person with it strong on the horoscope may well be in the field of consoling people in distress of bereavement. If we were to give a planetary simile, therefore, something like Moon-Mercury is on the right lines. But Al Kaid is so close in longitude to Zavijava (Al Araph) as to only give a little extra force to the meaning and the Mercury-Mars qualities we saw there. Like Alkaid only two degrees beyond it, Copula often signifies the potential for taking public office, but there is certainly a note of misfortune if the holder allows Moon-Venus to symbolize the making of quick personal fortune from it. Nothing in Virgo permits that kind of corruption without penalty. But, excluding that temptation, Copula and Alkaid (and Labrum, between the two) can signify great respect given to the individual for services well given. [2]

Benetnash, the last star in the Great Bear, means “hired mourners”. If the influence of Benetnash is exercised, an influence of a Mars-Uranus-Saturn nature is present. Experience has shown that many human lives are to be mourned. Reinhold Ebertin made a survey of this fixed star when associated with transits of the major planets over this degree… In accordance with adopted belief of ancient times, this fixed star is supposed to be bound up with the realm of the dead and is therefore associated with death and mourning. In an important position in a mundane map, Benetnash will claim human lives in calamities such as mine accidents, collapse of houses and bridges, mountain slides, earth tremors and weather catastrophes. Uranus was in exact conjunction with Benetnash at the end of July 1968. This time was marked with extreme tension between Prague and Moscow, followed later in August by the Russian takeover of the CSSR. Tank crews occupied a Damascus broadcasting station. At the same time there was a rebellion in Yemen, racial strife flared up in Indiana and the Czech reformers in Schwarzau on the Theiss fought for the freedom of their nation on July 30, as the Russian political big wigs widened their maneuvers in Poland. In the DDR, at the same time, there began a mass movement of the Viet Cong. Bloody riots took place in Mexico, and at least 100 human lives were lost when a volcano erupted in Costa Roca. Tied with Saturn in a natal cosmogram, Benetnash is supposed to lower vitality. If both Mars and Uranus are poorly placed, the death of the native is said to be a sudden one. [3]

Alkaid was called “the destroyer of nations” by Islamic astrologers, but it is not known if this was only related to the “favorable” destruction of enemy nations or pertained to nations in general, Alkaid has the nature of Jupiter so the former interpretation is the most likely. [4.]

The fixed star Alkaid meaning (Hired Mourners) marks the tail of the constellation Ursa Major (Big Bear) at a distance of 104 light-years from Earth. At 27° 04′ Virgo with a magnitude of 1.9. Alkaid has congruent energy with the planets Mercury, Saturn and the Moon. A rather unfortunate star connected to global catastrophes and the unpleasantries of war. A marker of trouble and instability. This star seeks revenge on those who try to control others or place restraints on them. In this case, Alkaid can have a profound positive effect on the world. As it says here is a chance for change. How are you going to go about it? With the power of God-like qualities, karma plays an important role in the judgement found in this fixed star. The message here is a higher power is watching. The universal law of all things in the universe is sewn together by love. Is the lesson of Alkaid fixed star meaning? Those who have Alkaid stars, prominent in their natal chart. Have quite a challenge to remain on the right side of the fence. The moral ground must be maintained to turn this star into having positive traits. Once achieved Alkaid actually works for you to highlight the spiritual side of your nature. Appealing to the natural high one gets from doing the right thing. [7]

Constellation Ursa Major

According to Ptolemy, Ursa Major is like Mars. It is said to give a quiet, prudent, suspicious, mistrustful, self-controlled, patient nature, but an uneasy spirit and great anger and revengefulness when roused. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Zain and the 7th Tarot Trump “The Chariot.” [5]

Astrologically both Bears were said to presage an evil influence. They are particularly injurious as regards to the affairs of nations and kings. [4]

Fixed Star Alkaid Conjunctions

Ascendant conjunct Alkaid: Hugh Hefner 0°01′, Walt Disney 0°06′, Emma Watson 0°11′, Paul McCartney 0°48′ (and Neptune), Dave Chappelle 1°06′, Bruce Willis 1°22′, Alexei Navalny 1°40′, Franklin D. Roosevelt 2°00′, Tiger Woods 2°11′

Midheaven conjunct Alkaid: Brad Pitt 0°33′, Elvis Presley 0°48′, Kim Kardashian 1°48′ (and Jupiter)

Part of Fortune conjunct Alkaid: Margaret Thatcher 1°28′

Sun conjunct Alkaid: High preferment in business, and matters dealing with affairs requiring attention to details. Natives with this conjunction have a life that seems to be filled with obstacles; they may become overly critical. Such natives may be ruthless in their climb to success. [6]

Stephen King 1°12′

Moon conjunct Alkaid: High preferment in matters dealing with the public; natives with this conjunction through application, and hard work, will succeed. There will be some evidence of hypocrisy. Sublime illness possible. [6]

Anton LaVey 0°24′

Full Moon conjunct Alkaid: Found prominent in an astrology chart on a full moon. This bright, uneasy blue star releases suspicious energy, encouraging silence and mistrust. Exercise a little self-control, because if roused and angered, a thirst for vengeance will follow. Causing even more grief and pain. It is a time to practice calm… and master the art of letting go. [7]

Mercury conjunct Alkaid: Problems of a calamitous nature is possible; natives with this conjunction may develop a false sense of their intelligence, experience misplaced idealism. Tragedies in the life of the native are possible and the native may create tragedies affecting many. It is possible for these natives to develop an exalted opinion of their importance which can bring on frustration. Turbulence possible. [6]

Venus conjunct Alkaid: These natives are ‘private’ persons. They can be very critical and exacting, but they also can appeal to many people (the masses). They are subject to being fanatics, arousing mass emotionalism. This fanaticism can be in their careers, as well as an idea or project. [6]

Roman Polanski 0°15′ (and Jupiter)

Mars conjunct Alkaid: These natives can create or become involved in matters of a critical nature, affecting the masses. They arouse emotions, create unpleasant conditions, have a false sense of their own importance. Such natives can become leaders, be it of a pseudo religious order, a country, or groups of people. They tend to take chances ordinary mortals fear to take. Exaggeration, given to invective, quick mind, good talkers signify these natives. They are subject to criticism for unexpected actions. Self-destruction is possible. Misplaced idealism, tragedies possible. [6]

Louis XVI 2°01′

Jupiter conjunct Alkaid: Tucker Carlson 0°20′ (and S.Node), Roman Polanski 0°43′ (and Venus), Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán 1°39′, Kim Kardashian 2°13′ (and MC).

Saturn conjunct Alkaid: Robin Williams 1°36′, Erwin Rommel 2°09′

Uranus conjunct Alkaid: Celine Dion 0°07′, Timothy McVeigh 0°45′, Tycho Brahe 1°27′.

Neptune conjunct Alkaid: John Lennon 0°03′, Emmett Till 0°32′ (and N.Node), Phil Spector 0°34′, Paul McCartney 0°59′ (and AC), Eric Burdon 1°01′, Bob Dylan 1°09′, George Pell 1°11′ (and S.Node), Bruce Lee 1°18′, Bonnie Parker 1°54′, Nancy Pelosi 2°17′.

Pluto conjunct Alkaid: Mark Wahlberg 0°26′, Elon Musk 0°33′, Michelangelo 0°57′, Gwen Stefani 0°59′, MacKenzie Scott 1°01′, Marilyn Manson 1°24′.

North Node conjunct Alkaid: Prince Andrew, Duke of York 0°16′, Salvador Dali 0°40′, Richard Ramirez 0°44′, Emmett Till 0°50′ (and Neptune), George Pell 2°18′ (and Neptune).

South Node conjunct Alkaid: Elizabeth Taylor 0°18′, Tucker Carlson 0°55′ (and Jupiter), Chuck Schumer 1°25′, Ted Kennedy 1°31′, Paul Cézanne 1°49′, Phil McGraw 2°14′.

References

1. Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology 11, Scott C. Littleton, 2005, p.1338.
2. The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse, 1988, p.51, 147.
3. Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1971, p.55.
4. Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.35.
5. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.65.
6. The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, p.133-134.
7. Alkaid Fixed Star Meaning – Sentient Metaphysics, Ian Scott.

• All fixed star positions are for the year 2000. Add one degree per 72 years to correct for precession.