Alnitak at 24°41′ Gemini has an orb of 2°20′

The Sun joins Alnitak on June 15

Fixed star Alnitak, Zeta Orionis, is a 2nd magnitude triple star system in Cingula Orionis (the Belt) of the Hunter, Orion Constellation.

Magnitude 1.77 (2.08 + 4.28 + 4.01), spectral type O9.5Iab + B1IV + B0III. ^[1]

Zeta Orionis is traditionally and officially named Alnitak. Applied in recent times from an abbreviation of the Indigenous Arabic asterism name niṭāq al-jauzāʼ, “the Belt (or Girdle) of al-jauzāʼ,” for δ, ε, and ζ Ori. ^[2]

Cingula Orionis (The Belt of Orion) is made up of three stars: Mintaka (δ Ori), Alnitak (ζ Ori) and Alnilam (ε Ori).

2000	2050	Fixed Star	Orb
23♊00	23♊42	Ensis	1°20′
23♊28	24♊10	Alnilam	2°20′
24♊41	25♊23	Alnitak	2°20′
24♊47	25♊30	Al Hecka	1°50′
28♊35	29♊17	Polaris	2°20′

Alnitak Astrology

Fixed star Alnitak has the spectral type O9, indicating the planetary nature of the Moon and, to a lesser extent, Jupiter.

SPECTRAL CLASSES O: A fondness for power, great authority, the ability to command, martial honors, kingly preferment, victory over enemies, liberality, and cosmopolitan views. High honors, wealth, and renown are possible. It also suggests a higher spiritual nature, but few can respond. ^[3]

The Belt of Orion: Mintaka, Alnitak and Alnilam

CINGULA ORIONIS. Strength, energy, industry, organizing abilities, notoriety, good fortune, lasting happiness, a sharp mind and a good memory. ^[4]

These stars in medieval times were said to presage those who were “passionately devoted to hunting, but not noble hunting with falcon or bow”. ^[5]

Constellation Orion

According to Ptolemy the bright stars with the exception of Betelgeuze and Bellatrix are like Jupiter and Saturn. It is said to give a strong and dignified nature, self-confidence, inconstancy, arrogance, violence, impiety, prosperity in trade and particularly by voyages or abroad, but danger of treachery and poison. It was thought by the Romans to be very harmful to cattle and productive of storms. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Aleph and the 1st Tarot Trump “The Juggler.” ^[4]

Orion is the most important constellation in the heavens outside the zodiac. In judicial astrology this is the constellation of war. In the Middle Ages this constellation was said to be a direful influence to agriculture, being the “the veri cuttrhrote of cattle” and presaging violent storms and much rain. In genethiacal charts the indications are for arrogance, rebellion, strength, and courage. Tetrabiblos lists the stars in the shoulder of Orion to have a nature similar to that of Mars and Mercury, and the other bright stars in the constellation to be similar to the natures of Jupiter and Saturn. ^[5]

Fixed Star Alnitak Conjunctions

Ascendant conjunct Alnitak: Legacies, love or dissipation, gravity and austerity. ^[4]

Irreligious and treacherous. In a female chart, Mintaka rising and aspected by both Mars and a benefit portends a shrew. ^[5]

Sun conjunct Alnitak: Notoriety, good fortune, lasting happiness. ^[4]

Moon conjunct Alnitak: Blindness of at least one eye, new and influential friends, valuable gifts, love of respectable women. If a malefic be with Markab, drowning. If the moon is with Saturn also, drowning and assassination. ^[4]

A malefic conjunct Alnitak and Moon conjunct Markab: Death at human hands. ^[4]

References

1. Alnitak (Zeta Orionis): Star Facts
2. A Dictionary of Modern Star Names, Kunitzch, Smart, 2006, p.46.
3. The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, p.245.
4. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.55, 156-157.
5. Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990, p.59.