Fixed Star Alchiba

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Alchiba at 12°15′ Libra has an orb of 1°20′

Corvus Constellation [Stellarium]

The Sun joins Alchiba on October 5

Fixed star Alchiba, alpha Corvi (α Crv), is a 4th-magnitude binary star system on the beak of the Crow, Corvus Constellation.

Magnitude 4.03, spectral type F1 V, color yellow-white. The secondary star is a red dwarf with a spectral type of M4V. ^[1]

α Crv is officially named Alchiba.
From the indigenous Arabic asterism name al-khibāʾ, “the Tent,” for β, γ, δ and ε Crv. Wrongly applied as a star name to α Crv in recent times. ^[2]

α, 4.3, orange. Al Chiba is from the Desert title for the whole Arabic figure; but Ulug Beg and the Arabian astronomers designated it as Al Minḣar al Ghurāb, “the Raven’s Beak.
Although lettered first, it now is so much less brilliant than the four following stars that some consider it as having decreased since Bayer’s day, and perhaps changed in color, for Al Sufi called it red. ^[14]

In Chinese astronomy, α Crv is named 右轄 Youxia, “Right Linchpin.” It is the only star of the 4th asterism of the Zhen Su, “Chariot Mansion.” ^[3]
The first asterism of the Chariot Mansion is Zhen. Its four main stars represent the Chariot. The next three single-star asterisms are attached to it: Changsha (a coffin), Zouxia (Left Linchpin), and Youxia (Right Linchpin).

2000*	2050	Name	Orb
09♎56	10♎38	Vindemiatrix	2°00′
10♎08	10♎50	Porrima	2°00′
12♎15	12♎57	Alchiba	1°20′
13♎27	14♎09	Algorab	1°50′
17♎40	18♎22	Seginus	1°50′

Alchiba Astrology

Fixed star Alchiba has the spectral types F1 and M4, indicating the planetary nature of Mercury, and to a lesser extent, Saturn.

MERCURY-SATURN: Subtle, studious, keen and profound mind, often a shameless liar, interested in occult or serious subjects. ^[4]

SPECTRAL CLASS F: A thoughtful, serious, sincere, hardworking, adventurous, private, demanding and self-centered nature. It brings career and material success, the ability to lead and conquer, keenness of mind, determination, endurance, a rise followed by a fall, melancholy, self-destruction, and possibly violence. Harsh aspects can cause impatience, irritability, hostility, excessive drive, and an overly ambitious nature. ^[5]

Right Command

In Chinese astronomy, fixed star Alchiba is named Youxia, the “Right Linchpin” in the constellation Zhen, the “Chariot.” It is also called the Right Chariot, Right Command, and Right Jurisdiction.

The left and right Xia (linchpins) represent kings and nobles, as well as chariot commanders. They jointly governed the Ministry of Personnel.

The left linchpin (η Crv) represents the emperor’s own clan, with his surname. The right linchpin (α Crv) represents those of a different clan and surname than the emperor. In China, the right-ranking official is the senior official. So Youxia represents the senior of the two chariot commanders.

In ancient times, when people saw the Right Chariot star shining bright, they knew that a king or nobleman of a different surname would rise to power. ^[6]

A bright Xia star indicates a large-scale war; a distant Xia constellation is ominous; a raised Xia constellation signifies invasion by southern barbarians; a carriage without a Xia constellation indicates national distress. ^[7]

The name 右辖 (Youxia) signifies nobility, respect, and extraordinary qualities. It indicates a person with a kind heart but slow action, easily missing opportunities. Such a person lacks willpower, has fickle thoughts, but possesses good patience and can endure hardship. They are not suited for independent development. ^[8]

Alpha Corvi, Alchiba [SIMBAD]

Constellation Zhen the Chariot

10♎43 to 17♎22

Zhen Natal

The constellation Zhen the Chariot symbolizes speed and change, boundless vitality and potential. You are quick-witted, adaptable, insightful, efficient and swift in action, seemingly racing against time. ^[9]

You have a calm, steady nature and prefer to keep a low profile, giving the first impression of being gentle, refined, and reserved. But beneath your seemingly honest exterior lies an urgent, intense, perfectionist and realistic core. You can actually be cunning and ruthless, often feigning weakness while secretly reaping the benefits. You also possess a certain pride, as if you are the only one who remains clear-headed in a world of drunkenness. ^[10]

You have great learning skills and are capable of great things. You demonstrate extraordinary talent in your youth, secure your position in middle age, and reach the pinnacle of your career in your later years. Your impatience and thirst for truth make you philosophical. You enjoy art, religion, and learning about the spiritual world, and are well-suited for immigrating abroad and will likely have daughters.

However, the constellation Zhen carries connotations of sorrow and is considered inauspicious. You may become introverted and unwilling to let others cross your boundaries or get too close, isolating yourself in your own world. You may also be prone to jealousy, experience poor health and have a life of ups and downs.

With harsh aspects or a malefic, this constellation brings separation from people, loss of wealth, constant fear and unease every day. ^[11]

Zhen Transits

The Zhen constellation governs the prime minister and his advisors, as well as chariots and carriages. Military movements are determined by observing the stars in the Zhen constellation. It also governs wind and death/mourning, navigation and the control of direction.

Changes in the constellation Zhen foreshadow the mobilization and outbreak of war. When the stars of Zhen are bright, the chariots are ready; if they flicker, the chariots will assemble and set off.

With Sun: People born on this day are blessed throughout their lives, and their fortune increases with age. Favorable for buying farmland, enrolling in school, building, weddings, and tailoring. Unfavorable for traveling to the north. ^[12]

A bright and large Zhen star indicates the emperor’s carriage is ready; a shifting constellation signifies the emperor’s distress; a gathering constellation foretells war.

A solar eclipse indicates distress for generals and ministers, and warns officials in charge of carriages and carriages, also signifying unease for the ruler.

A halo around a moon indicates war and the fall of cities; observe the direction from which the moon faces to attack for victory, also indicating the ruler’s displeasure.

A lunar eclipse indicates distress for the queen and high officials. A lunar halo indicates war, drought, and strong winds.

When Jupiter invades Zhen, it brings fire, plague, worry for ministers, and punishment for those in charge of the treasury; if it enters Zhen, the country will perish; if it guards Zhen, the country will suffer loss; if it does not move for seven days, there will be a pardon, and it also means the ruler will suffer.

When Mars invades Zhen, there will be rebellious armies; if it enters Zhen, generals will cause chaos, floods will damage crops, and the people will spread rumors; if it moves in retrograde, it brings fire and war.

When Saturn invades Zhen, it brings war and earthworks; if it enters Zhen, the army will be defeated; if it moves in retrograde, the empress will suffer; if it moves out, in, out, or stays, war will break out within sixty days, and there will be a great drought.

When Venus invades Zhen, war will break out, and the land will be gained; if it enters Zhen, it will bring war; if it guards Zhen, the land will be lost, and the general will suffer; if it rises from the left horn (Spica) and moves in retrograde to Zhen, the land will be lost; if it passes through the sky, the fields will be filled with soldiers.

When Mercury invades Zhen, there will be plague, worry for ministers, and loss of a noble in China; if it guards Zhen, there will be great floods; if it enters Zhen, the world will suffer from fire, and it also means the country will suffer loss.

A guest star entering Zhen signifies war and mourning; its entry indicates land reclamation, high grain prices, and the arrival of envoys from feudal lords; its exit signifies the ruler sending envoys to feudal lords; its presence indicates border wars and famine; its presence indicates military officials’ worries.

A comet entering Zhen signifies war and mourning; its red color indicates the ruler’s misconduct, and also signifies the emperor raising an army and the deposition of princes. A comet in the constellation Zhen also signifies war and mourning, and also signifies the inferior plotting against the superior, indicating the ruler’s worries.

A meteor entering Zhen signifies war and mourning, and within a year, the treasury will be empty; its presence in spring and summer signifies the need for leather goods; its presence in autumn and winter signifies drought and flood. ^[7]

War Chariot.
The Zhen constellation is the celestial war chariot. Like modern tanks, they were symbols of a state’s military power. Changes in the constellation foreshadowed the mobilization and outbreak of war. According to the Book of Jin, Treatise on Astronomy, the four stars of Zhen symbolized “chariots and cavalry” and “carrying duties,” that is, war chariots and war missions. ^[12]

Constellation Corvus

10♎43 to 17♎22

CORVUS. The Crow.
Legend. Apollo gave a feast to Jupiter and requiring water sent the raven with a cup (CRATER) to fetch some. On his way the raven noticed a fig tree, and, resting there until the figs became ripe, feasted himself upon them until, remembering his errand and fearing the anger of Apollo, he picked up a snake (HYDRA) and on his return gave as an excuse that it had prevented him from filling the cup. Apollo ordained in punishment that the raven should never drink so long as figs were not ripe, and placed the crow, cup and snake in the heavens as a memorial.
Influence. According to Ptolemy, Corvus is like Mars and Saturn. It is said to give craftiness, greediness, ingenuity, patience, revengefulness, passion, selfishness, lying, aggressiveness, and material instincts, and sometimes causes its natives to become agitators. ^[4]

Today called Corvus (Crv), this constellation has all the traditional attributes of Mercury, but with some distinct perversions! The sharp intelligence is blunted, and what passes for wisdom is superficial. Mercury is there, but any attempt to manifest its abilities ends in disaster. Ovid explained the phenomenon by claiming Apollo punished the Raven for her unfaithfulness. Ptolemy asserts that the stars of the constellation portend storms, and some astrologers say it gives craftiness and greediness. ^[3]