Stars and Megastars

Hipparchus, a Greek astronomer, geographer and mathematician who lived in Rhodes and discovered that fixed stars were not “fixed”, obtained the positions of at least 850 stars and compiled them in a star catalogue in 129BC.  Cladius Ptolemy, an astronomer, astrologer and mathematician who developed Hipparchus work and calculated the precession of equinoxes and linked the mythological meanings and influences of the stars with the planetary combinations, listed 1022 stars and published them in his astronomical treatise named Almagest.  Ptolemy tried to explain the potential planetary powers of the fixed stars and his wisdom influenced the following millennium.

Fixed stars are one of the crucial tools of traditional astrology. Guido Bonatti, the Italian Medieval astrologer, stated that in addition to the planets the fixed stars which are rising or the fixed stars that are in contact with the ruler of the Ascendant were the celestial bodies which influenced the life and the personality of the native and the way he expresses himself. As they were highly influential, if they were neglecting them in interpretations would lead the astrologer into mistake.[1] The Renaissance astrologer William Lilly also put emphasis on the conjunctions of the planets and the fixed stars and suggested that such conjunctions might increase or decrease the influence of the respective planet. Lilly awarded accidental dignity/debility based on planets conjunction with three major fixed stars. In this table of dignities and debilities, the conjunction of a planet with Regulus or Spica strengthens the power of that planet (Regulus gives +6 and Spica gives +5 points to that planet in Lilly’s table of accidental dignities) while the conjunction with Algol weakens the power of the related planet (gives -5 points).[2]

Striking Influences of the Fixed Stars

Planets carry the powerful energy of the fixed stars to the Earth. When the fixed stars are in conjunction or in parallel with the axes of the astrological chart or with the planets, they are influential in the life of that native. While some astrologers consider the oppositions of the fixed stars, I do not work with oppositions. I especially consider conjunctions and also take notice of the parallel position. I use an orb of 1.5° in conjunct, and 0°10” in parallels. I consider the house where the planet in contact with a fixed star is the life area that the influences of that conjunction emerge and the houses ruled by that planet reflect the concerning themes.

When examining a chart, sometimes it is difficult to explain the great achievements of the native. Then, you realize that the fixed stars have striking influences on the life scenario of the native. Tarkan is one of the leading names in Turkish pop music and also a Megastar who is famous worldwide. When the fixed stars in his chart are ignored, it is difficult to see that he is a global talent however when fixed stars are considered, his great achievements become evident. Below, you may see Tarkan’s natal chart.

In his chart, Leo is rising at 28°14”.  Regulus, the fixed star related with honour, preferment and good fortune (Robson, page 196), is both in conjunction with the rising degree and is parallel with this degree. The Sun as the ruler of the Ascendant is at 23°45” Libra and in conjunction with Spica. This conjunction represents great and lasting preferment, eminent dignity and immense wealth (Robson, page 211).  The Sun is also in conjunction with Arcturus; a position which promises success through slow and patient plodding (Robson, page 139). To remind Guido Bonatti’s words, even the fixed stars that are in contact with the Ascendant or the ASC ruler inform us that the native will reach great achievements.

Not only these two fixed stars but many others make conjunction or parallel with the planets in Tarkan’s chart and help us to explain his talents and achievements. Betelgeuse is in parallel with Venus, the planet of artistic abilities, and helps him express his artistic abilities easily and be successful. Sirius in parallel with Mercury, the planet of communication skills, promises professional success and support from influential people.  The contacts between various planets and important stars help us explain Tarkan’s achievements.

Fixed stars are also operative in the chart of another well-known and productive Megastar of Turkish pop music, Sezen Aksu. Although she has many planets including the Sun in her 12^th house; none of the planets in her chart is in its rulership and many planets are peregrine, as many planets are in conjunctions or in parallel with fixed stars her chart promises great achievements. Below you may see Sezen Aksu’s chart, one of the most productive Turkish pop music composers who wrote more than 400 compositions and lyrics.     

In Sezen’s chart Venus, the planet artistic abilities, is in conjunction with Regulus and promises honour, preferment and good fortune. Venus in the 2^nd house is an indication of good income as a result of success at work. Spica conjuncts Neptune in Libra, the sign ruled by Venus, indicates the expression of artistic talents and success through this field. Together with their house and sign placements, Castor-Sun conjunction and Pollux-Uranus conjunction explains her creativity and ability in writing magnificent lyrics. South Node-Sirius conjunction emphasizes that her ability to make the ordinary charismatic is a trait that was carried from the past. She is deeply loved by her fans both in Turkey and in international arena due to her deep and strong ability of expressing her feelings. She is not only famous in singing but also with the magical appeal of the lyrics she wrote.

Fixed Stars in Synastry Charts

The similarity of fixed stars in the charts of these two celebrities is obvious. Now let’s take one more step further and see fixed stars in the comparison of two natal charts. Below you may see Tarkan’s and Sezen’s charts together.

Regulus-Venus conjunction in Sezen’s chart is projected on Tarkan’s ASC degree.

Spica-Neptune conjunction in Sezen’s chart is reflected on Tarkan’s Sun which is the ruler of ASC.

Castor-Sun conjunction in Sezen’s chart is reflected on the South Node in Tarkan’s chart.

Sirius-North Node conjunction in Sezen’s chart is in parallel with Mercury in Tarkan’s chart.

These indicators show that there is a fated connection between those two Mega Stars; their mutual interactions would have a strong influence of each other’s destinies. The interaction between Venus in Sezen’s chart and the ASC degree of Tarkan’s chart represent that Sezen’s artistic abilities would be supportive for Tarkan to express himself.  As Venus is placed in the 2^nd house of Sezen’s chart, we may conclude that there would be a financial connection between Sezen and Tarkan. The interaction between the Sun in Tarkan’s chart and Neptune in Sezen’s chart represent that either Tarkan would inspire Sezen or Sezen’s inspirational and artistic abilities would contribute Tarkan’s recognition.  The interaction between the Sun in Sezen’s chart and the South Node in Tarkan’s chart indicate Sezen’s writing ability and that she wrote lyrics and composed songs for Tarkan; this seems to be a karmic agreement between these two. Tarkan became worldwide famous after singing songs written by Sezen Aksu named “Şımarık” and “Hepsi Senin mi? (Şıkıdım)”. They wrote and composed many songs in Tarkan’s albums together and gave an unforgettable concert together.

This analysis on the charts of two celebrities confirms Guido Bonatti’s advice from many centuries ago: “Fixed Stars may either help or hinder the matter in question; for they have oftentimes great power, and lead the Astrologer sometimes into error.”

Öner Döşer, AMA, MAPAI

May 2016, Istanbul

AstroArt School of Astrology (ASA)