Merak at 19°26′ Leo has an orb of 2°10′

The Sun joins Merak on August 11

Fixed star Merak, Beta Ursae Majoris, is a solitary star on the side of the Great Bear, Ursa Major Constellation. Magnitude 2.37, spectral type A1IVps, color blue-white.

The traditional and official name Merak comes from the Arabic al-maraqq, meaning “the flank” or “the loins.” It is the star’s traditional name, and it refers to its position in Ursa Major. In Hindu mythology, Merak is known as Pulaha, the son of Brahma and one of the Saptarishi (the Seven Sages).

2000*	2050	Name	Orb
13♌38	14♌21	Acubens	1°20′
15♌12	15♌54	Dubhe	2°20′
19♌26	20♌04	Merak	2°10′
20♌42	21♌24	Ras Elased Australis	1°40′
21♌26	22♌08	Ras Elased Borealis	1°30′

Merak Astrology

Fixed star Merak has the spectral type A1, indicating the planetary nature of Venus.

MERAK. β Ursae Majoris. A white, giant star, Spectral class Al, in the side of the Bear. The native has a ‘love of power’, the ability to get on in life, a creative ability, determination, the native can become dictatorial, is of a pragmatic nature. NEGATIVELY: The native can destroy what they build, be of a deceitful nature. ^[1]

Merak in the Side of the Great Bear, being the second-largest star of this constellation, has a Mars nature. Merak is of importance in a natal chart if the sign Leo is tenanted, and other configurations give a clue to love of command and domination. This star is credited with increasing the power of the native to get on in life, and this is especially so if in conjunction with the Sun, Mars or Pluto. ^[2]

Merak, the star beneath Dubhe, helps us point the way to the Pole for us. Merak is β rsae Majoris, and the name comes from Al Maraqq, the loin (of the Bear). We need to take little note of that; its role is the same as that of Dubhe in every respect, and this will to play a guiding part, yet not quite in the leading place, is typical of the region of the Leo Sign, not quite equal to mighty Regulus. Merak has a Saturn-Mercury nature, perhaps with a little of the Mars drive that we find with ε Leonis, Ras Elased Australis just after it. ^[3]

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.” ^[4]

Astrologically both Bears were said to presage an evil influence. They are particularly injurious as regards to the affairs of nations and kings. ^[5]

Fixed Star Merak Conjunctions

Ascendant conjunct Merak: Christopher Reeve 0°19′ (and S. Node), Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 0°19′, Corey Feldman 0°41′ (and Mercury),  Catherine, Princess of Wales 0°48′, Muhammad Ali 0°54′, Marilyn Manson 1°51′, Michael Moore 2°06′.

Midheaven conjunct Merak: Rudy Galindo 0°20′, Marc Edmund Jones 0°29′ (and Moon, Saturn), Hugo Spatz 0°50′, Bernadette Peters 0°53′ (and Saturn), Sid Vicious 0°55′, Amélie Mauresmo 1°01′, Gustave Flaubert 1°08′, Edward Higgins White 1°29′, Chaka Khan 1°31′, Rafael Nadal 1°39′, Mel B 1°46′, Niki de Saint Phalle 1°46′, Vito Genovese 1°48′, Eva Braun 1°50′, Chris Pratt 1°53′, Katharine Hepburn 1°57′, Linda McCartney 2°03′, Christian Dior 2°10′.

Descendant conjunct Merak: Whoopi Goldberg 0°26′, Lucky Luciano 0°40′, Barack Obama 0°49′, David Bowie 1°10′, William Lilly 1°34′, Ivan The Terrible 1°53′

Part of Fortune conjunct Merak: Jeremy Renner 0°05′, Jimi Hendrix 0°42′, Charlton Heston 1°08′ (and Neptune), Richard Nixon 1°31′, Chris Brown 1°36′, Hugh Hefner 1°47′.

Imun Coeli conjunct Merak: Machine Gun Kelly 0°01′. 

Sun conjunct Merak: Preferment in government, astrology, occult, science, writings, and affairs connected with public matters. The native has drive and determination, the ability to get ahead, become dominant in their activities. ^[1]

Increased power to get on in life. ^[2]

Kylie Jenner 1°00′, Joe Rogan 1°09′.

Moon conjunct Merak: Leadership ability may be developed, if so such natives will be recognized as leaders in their fields of activities and can gain high preferment. The native can be very determined; has the ability to get on in life, is pragmatic and has a desire to be dominant without the dogged persistence of an Algol conjunction. ^[1]

Paul McCartney 1°10′, Beau Bridges 1°10′, Marc Edmund Jones 1°20′ (and MC, Saturn), Volodymyr Zelenskyy 1°24′.

Mercury conjunct Merak: The native is ingenious, can become active in many careers or areas. There can be indications of the native being indecisive and possibly easily influenced in making decisions. These natives tend to follow what they believe is the popular trend. ^[1]

Yves Saint Laurent 0°07′ (and Venus), Mata Hari 0°14′ (and Mars), Bonnie Parker 0°54′, Corey Feldman 2°05′ (and AC), Ed Gein 2°07′ (and Mars). 

Venus conjunct Merak: The native has creative abilities, imagination. Domestic problems are possible. The native will be socially inclined and generally outspoken. Attracts many, some of great influence. Native may excel in many fields of activities. ^[1]

Yves Saint Laurent 0°02′ (and Mercury), Tom Cruise 0°58′, Phil McGraw 1°23′ (and Pluto), Michael Jackson 1°46′. 

Mars conjunct Merak: This conjunction gives to its natives the inborn ability to become a leader and dominate situations. It is almost a ‘do or die’ type conjunction. They will attract attention to themselves, generally through their own efforts and most likely they will not care to have someone else perform for them. The native can rise to an authoritative position or make such a position for themselves. Negatively, the native has the same drive for power and excitement, it could prove difficult to hold them in check. Caution should be exercised in selecting their associates, they should avoid becoming involved in intrigues and those that do get involved could find themselves engulfed in situations from which there is no escape. Natives with this conjunction could receive recognition, but it might not be lasting. ^[1]

Increased power to get on in life. ^[2]

Nicolás Maduro 0°08′, Mata Hari 0°38′ (and Mercury), Marshall Applewhite 0°40′, Charles II of England 0°59′, Amy Winehouse 1°20′, Bella Hadid 1°24′, Anne Frank 1°28′, Helen Keller 1°56′, Ed Gein 2°10′ (and Mercury).

Jupiter conjunct Merak: Preferment in sports, writings, philosophical matters. These natives will be recognized for their good deeds or contributions, or other actions. They will not go unnoticed. ^[1]

Sirhan Sirhan 0°38′, Rudy Giuliani 1°23′, Oliver North 1°55′. 

Saturn conjunct Merak: Tom Brady 0°04′, Hillary Clinton 0°06′, Stephen King 0°34′, Marc Edmund Jones 0°38′ (and MC, Moon), Clarence Thomas 0°47′, Alice Cooper 0°50′, Bernadette Peters 1°02′ (and MC), Sidney Gottlieb 1°13′.

Uranus conjunct Merak: Prince Andrew, Duke of York 0°19′, Charles Cullen 0°27′, Richard Ramirez 0°41′, Ivan Lendl 1°00′, Sarah, Duchess of York 1°23′, Ayrton Senna 1°26′, Jeffrey Dahmer 1°36′, David Koresh 1°42′.

Neptune conjunct Merak: George H. W. Bush 0°14′, William Blake 0°40′, Charlton Heston 1°21′ (and POF), Malcolm X 1°30′, Linda Goodman 1°32′.

Pluto conjunct Merak: Increased power to get on in life. ^[2]

Robin Williams 0°04′, Phil McGraw 0°14′ (and Venus), Pablo Escobar 0°33′, Jeff Bridges 0°35′, Caitlyn Jenner 0°38′, Harvey Weinstein 0°42′, Benjamin Netanyahu 0°43′, Chuck Schumer 1°06′, Richard Branson 1°37′, David Duke 2°04′, Charles III 2°08′.

North Node conjunct Merak: Jim Carrey 0°44′, Kim Kardashian 1°35′, Mikey Madison 1°55′, Jimmy Carter 2°06′.

South Node conjunct Merak: Vladimir Putin 0°08′, Yuri Gagarin 0°28′, Pierre-Auguste Renoir 0°47′, Mark Wahlberg 1°18′, Christopher Reeve 1°54′ (and AC). 

References

1. The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, p.117-118.
2. Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1971, p.43.
3. The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse, 1988, p.146.
4. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.65.
5. Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.7.

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