Noctua Constellation Meaning

Noctua Constellation

Noctua (Latin for owl) was a constellation near the tail of Hydra in the southern celestial hemisphere, but is no longer recognized.  It was introduced by Alexander Jamieson in 1822. Now designated Asterism a, the owl was composed of the stars 4 Librae and 54–59 Hydrae, between 16° and 20° Scorpio.

Constellation Noctua Stars

2000BStarMagOrb
16 ♏ 024 Librae5.701°00′
16 ♏ 4654 HydraeAl Janah5.151°00′
17 ♏ 0855 HydraeVigilis Borealis5.611°00′
17 ♏ 2156 HydraeCor Noctua5.231°00′
17 ♏ 3457 HydraeVigilis Australis5.761°00′
18 ♏ 2858 HydraeAl Corni4.421°00′
20 ♏ 1159 Hydrae5.651°00′

Constellation Noctua is made up of seven small stars in the tail of the Watersnake, Constellation Hydra.  Al Corni is the claw, Al Janah the wing, Cor Noctua is the heart of the owl, and the two stars on either side of the heart are Vigilis Borealis (Northern Guard) and Vigilis Australis (Southern Guard). 59 Hydrae is in the tail. [1]

An obsolete constellation that superseded Solitarius, the Solitaire, or Turdus Solitarius, the Solitary Thrush, formed by Le Monnier in 1776. It occupies the end of the tail of Hydra. [2]

Constellation Noctua Astrology

Constellation Noctua the Night Owl is said to give wisdom, discrimination, penetration, patience, and depth of thought and study. [2]

In astrology, the constellation Noctua is fortunate, giving honor and ambition. Owls are vigilant predators and this comes through as a killer instinct, fixity of purpose, and steely determination. Wisdom, both spiritual and intellectual, comes through contemplation of their experiences.

Noctua is the species name of the Little Owl, Athene noctua. The genus name comes from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. Athena’s Owl was called Glaucus, Greek for “glaring”. The Little Owl does have a stern expression.

Glaucus sat on Athena’s blind side so that she could see the whole truth. The owl can turn it’s head right round, looking behind to find the truth through hindsight. The German philosopher Georg Hegel referred to Glaucus to explain his idea that philosophical understanding can only come from hindsight: “the owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk”. Minerva is the Roman equivalent of Athena (asteroid Pallas Athena).

Constellation Noctua Astrology

Constellation Noctua [Urania’s Mirror]


Margaret Thatcher (Noctua rising) once said “The wisdom of hindsight, so useful to historians and indeed to authors of memoirs, is sadly denied to practicing politicians”. The literary genius Johan Wolfgang Goethe also had Noctua rising and one of his best quotes was “Wisdom is only found in truth.”

Mary Shelley (rising) touched on spiritual wisdom and fixity of purpose with “Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose, a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.” Maggie the “Iron Lady” had a stern glare.

Others with their Ascendant in constellation Noctua include astrologers Jeff Green (with Venus) and Robert Pelletier. Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis (with South Node), Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Michael Douglas, Clint Eastwood, Sarah Ferguson, Aretha Franklin, Prince, and Johnny Weissmuller.

References

  1. David Lee, The Little Lost Constellation.
  2. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.53.

17 thoughts on “Noctua Constellation Meaning

  1. My north node is conjunct asteroid Kaali @ 20 degrees Scorpio. Interesting that I’ve always loved owls…thought it was my strong Saturn energy. I’ve read that cats are descendants of owls. Compare the eyes of both and you can see the resemblance. Always loved cats too…maybe because Isis incarnated into a cat and I have asteroid Isis on my IC. 🙂

  2. Moon conjunct Al Corni. This adds a very nice dimension to my understanding of my Scorpio Moon. Thank you!

  3. Oh! So good to know! It appears as conj. NN, which saves the not-so-nice other ensaladas between my 11th and 5th house. Now, I know why the vidents say to me that I always have to reflect lots!

    Thankyou Jamie!

  4. While I was LOL with Unukalhea (Star) conjunct my Jupiter at 22 Scorp, as Mars transited upon today … I now find Noctua a degree before Jupiter. Seems like I “hear trouble on the wind” while I “smell teen spirit” and “run for cover”! LOL

    Funny, a friend sent a pic of an owl today. I think this star is cool.

  5. Very interesting I have an owl totem and keep being told to connect more with them, and looking here the constellation is on my desc and pandora,

    How do you think the mars transit affects this constellation, and what about the up and coming Saturn transit?

    • Good question Nikki. I’ve noticed that I seem to research things when they are being triggered by transits. Looking into asteroid Pallas with it conjunct Uranus. Not planned, but researched Noctua with Mars there. Been looking into comet C/2012 S1 ISON and Saturn will be in Noctua in December 2013 when the comet is closest and predicted to be very bright.

      • Jamie!

        In a very unpredictable and let´s say naïv way, I find that both of you -Marina and you- have an amazing way to see what´s comming and to keep us in the track. And for me, it is very easy to feel the inner or sorrounding energies, thanks to the readings. In all, I feel like having a map -like Marina says (and me to my self) or a compass- then it is easier to face reality -or even dreams- with this sensing and sensitive knowledge. Not that I manage it like a magician (I have this challenge in this life, according to mayan oracle), but I seem to interact within, with others and my surroundings in a more subtile way. I feel that you connect with the comming skies, and also with you intuition!

        My Athena is in my 10th house, and I have so many times felt that I am more my father´s daughter, than my mother´s. And then, her owl Noctua is conj. my NN, close to the Moon, my mother´s funny energies (5th H. Saggitatius), inviting me to be light AND thoughtful. Both. For me, it is like this integration, the inner one, which is very important for each one of us. Or at least, for me!

        Rocío.

  6. I have this influence too on my Neptune.

    Jamie, it’s interesting how much the photo of your eyes here looks like the owl’s eyes!

  7. Jamie, thank you so much for researching this constellation! My ascendant and dark moon Lilith are both at 17°. Definitely relate to everything you wrote. 🙂

  8. Dear Marina and Jamie,

    Thank you Jamie for introducing the Fixed Stars of the Constellation Noctua.

    My natal chart shows the following challenging aspect: Moon square Juno (orb 1deg18),

    Natal Moon 15deg08 Aquarius
    Natal Juno 16deg56 Scorpio

    Since Asteroid Juno is the patroness of long-term commitments, relationships and true love, the stressful aspect with my Moon indicates conflict between emotional and partnership needs.

    However, my natal chart also shows the following harmonious aspect: Juno conjunct Cor Noctua (orb around 1deg),

    and the fortunate nature of Cor Noctua turns out to be very beneficial to me!

    Indeed, wisdom in truth is found in the very heart of Noctua the Owl.

    Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights.

    In Gratitude,

    Maurits

    Natal Data
    Maurits, Man, Born on Monday, 13 November 1972,
    in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 4e54, 52n22
    Time 5:13 p.m.
    Univ.Time 16:13
    Sid. Time 20:04:05

  9. Working all night long, self-hypnosis yeah it’s great. Right on, Jamie.

    Moon 18 deg scorpio

    Red Moon

  10. I have this rising and realized that asteroid Minerva squares my ascendant (00′). Interesting…

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