STARS: Major | All | Constellations | Chinese | About

---

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

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. ^[11]

In Chinese astronomy, α Crv is named 右轄 Youxia, “Right Linchpin,” representing the right wheel of the chariot. It is the only star of the 4th asterism of the 28th lunar mansion Zhen (Chariot). ^[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, Zouxia (left linchpin), and Youxia (right linchpin). Together, these first four asterisms are called the Zhen (Chariot) Constellation.

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]

Asterism Zhen the Chariot

10♎43 to 17♎22

Zhen is generally inauspicious and can bring separation, financial ruin, constant fear and unease. Traveling to the north is considered unlucky. It is fortunate for buying farmland, enrolling in school, building, weddings, and tailoring.

People born under the Zhen are quick-witted, efficient, adaptable, steady, and insightful, and learn new skills quickly. With a thirst for truth and philosophical thought, they enjoy art and religion and prefer to immerse themselves in the spiritual world. They can do great things, are destined to have daughters, and are suited for immigrating abroad. Developing their careers in the south is auspicious.

However, they are impatient, introverted, timid, prone to jealousy and tend to have poorer health. Because of their low-key approach, they suit behind-the-scenes work or decision-making. Most people born under Zhen are gentle and soft-spoken, which can make them seem quiet and delicate. However, deep down, they won’t allow others to cross their boundaries or get too close. They tend to isolate themselves in their own world. ^[9]

Song History (1346)

Zhen represents the Prime Minister, ministerial aides, chariots and cavalry, the transport of burdens, the wind, and portents of death and mourning.

If the stars are large and bright, chariot forces are fully prepared; if they shift position, the Emperor worries; if they cluster together, war breaks out.

Youxia, the “Right Linchpin,” governs princes and marquises; it represents royals of different surnames (clans), other than the Emperor. If it is bright, major warfare erupts; if it drifts far from Zhen, it is ominous; if it rises high, Southern Barbarians invade; if a chariot lacks a linchpin, the state faces trouble.

A solar eclipse here signifies trouble for generals and ministers and warns officials in charge of chariots; it also signifies unease for the Empress.

A halo accompanied by “parhelia” (mock suns or “back-suns”) indicates that armies will rise, cities will fall, and victory lies in attacking the direction indicated by the mock sun; it is also considered a bad omen for the ruler.

A lunar eclipse brings trouble to the Empress and high ministers. A lunar halo signals warfare, drought, and strong winds.

If Mercury transgresses Zhen, epidemics spread, ministers face trouble, and a high-ranking figure in the Central Kingdom dies. If it remains over Zhen Su for an extended period, great floods occur. If it enters Zhen, the world will suffer fire, or a national mourning event will occur.

If Venus transgresses Zhen, war breaks out, and territory is seized. If it enters Zhen, war breaks out; if it remains over Zhen Su, land is lost, and generals face trouble. If it rises from the left horn (Spica) and moves in retrograde to Zhen Su, territory is lost. If it traverses across the sky, armies fill the fields.

If Mars transgresses Zhen, mutinous troops appear; if it enters Zhen, a general rebels, water damages crops, and superstitious rumors spread among the people; if it moves in retrograde, it portends fire and war.

When Jupiter transgresses Zhen, it brings fire, epidemics, trouble for ministers, and punishment for those in charge of the treasury (armory); if it enters Zhen, the state faces ruin; if it lingers there, the state suffers a royal death; if it remains for seven days without moving, there will be an amnesty, though the ruler may also face trouble.

If Saturn transgresses Zhen, it signals war and major earthworks; if it enters Zhen, the army will be defeated; if it moves in retrograde, the female ruler faces trouble; if it enters, exits, stations, or lingers there, war breaks out within sixty days, accompanied by severe drought.

If a “guest star” (an unexpected star or nova) transgresses Zhen, it heralds warfare and mourning; if it enters the asterism, there will be major earthworks, a rise in grain prices and the arrival of envoys from feudal lords; if it exits, the ruler will dispatch envoys to the feudal lords; if it remains over Zhen Su for an extended period, border hostilities will erupt, and the people will face famine; if it settles upon the “hub” (Changsha), military commanders will face distress.

If a comet transgresses Zhen, it signifies war and mourning; a reddish hue signifies the ruler’s moral failure, or alternatively, it indicates that the emperor raises an army or dukes are deposed.

If a 孛 “bei” star (a hairy or hazy tailless comet) appears in Zhen Su, it also signifies warfare and mourning; alternatively, it indicates subordinates plotting against superiors or the ruler has worries.

If a meteor (falling star) transgresses Zhen, it signifies war and mourning, and within a year, the treasury will be empty. If it occurs in spring or summer, it signifies leather being used for military purposes; if in autumn or winter, floods and droughts disrupt seasonal balance. ^[7]

Constellation Corvus the Crow

03♎53 to 21♎57

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. ^[10]

In mundane astrology, Corvus rules terrorism, terrorist attacks and bombings, hostage-taking, Blitzkrieg military attacks, missiles, assassinations, blockades, and military transport vehicles such as tanks and armored personnel carriers.

References

1. Alpha Corvi – Wikipedia.
2. A Dictionary of Modern Star Names, Kunitzch, Smart, 2006, p.31.
3. Corvus in Chinese astronomy – Wikipedia.
4. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.40-41, 102.
5. The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, p.246
6. Definition of “右轄” (yòuxiáng).
7. Song History, Volume 51, Treatise 4, Astronomy, 1346.
8. The Meaning of 右辖 (Right Command).
9. Zhen (Zhen Water Earthworm).
10. Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.71-72.
11. Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1899, p.181-182.