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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

22♊22 to 24♊41

CINGULA ORIONIS. δ and ε (and ζ) Orionis.
      Notes.   Orion’s Belt, of which the chief stars are Mintaka and Alnilam.
      Influence.   The joint influence is said to give strength, energy, industry, organizing abilities, notoriety, good fortune, lasting happiness, a sharp mind and a good memory.
      With a malefic and the Moon at the same time with Markab, death at human hands. ^[rob]

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

Constellation Shen the Three Stars

16♊20 to 28♊46

Those born under the constellation Shen are talented and trustworthy, calm under pressure, but lack patience, are prone to impulsiveness, and may have a rebellious or restless streak. If they cannot tolerate criticism and blame from others, they may find themselves isolated.

The constellation Shen has seven stars, with three stars in the middle and two stars on each side. All seven stars are very bright and conspicuous in the sky. It is directly opposite the star Antares, hence the saying “disagreements are like the stars of Orion and Antares” and “brothers who are not on good terms do not meet.”

Construction under the constellation of Shen will bring prosperity, wealth and glory surpassing even that of Shi Chong, and auspicious burials and marriages will be blessed with abundant clothing, food, cattle, and horses. Twenty-Eight Mansions – Baidu Encyclopedia.

Shen represents the son of a loyal, virtuous, filial, and respectful person. When it is bright and large, it signifies loyal ministers and filial sons, peace and good fortune; when it moves, it signifies the killing of loyal ministers.

Shen resembles a white beast, with three stars arranged horizontally within it, representing three generals. The three small stars in the center are called Fa (Orion’s Belt), representing the Heavenly Commandant, signifying the states of the Hu, Xianbei, Rong, and Di, hence its brightness is discouraged. General Examination of Literature, Volume 279, Part 2, Ma Duanlin, 1317.

Shen oversees the cutting down or harvesting of all things to assist yin energy; they also represent Heaven’s prison, governing execution and wielding authority to carry out punishment. Additionally, they symbolize scales and weights, used for fairness and justice. Furthermore, they preside over border cities and serve as a conduit for nine levels of translation; their movement is undesirable. Shen represents the body of the White Tiger.

Shen corresponds to seven generals; the three small central stars (Orion’s Belt) are called Fa, representing Tian Duyi (Heaven’s Chief), who oversees Xianbei and foreign nations. It is undesirable for these stars to be bright. If the Fa stars shine equally with Shen, ministers will conspire, and warfare erupts; should they lose color, armies disband in defeat. If these stars display sharp edges or movement, urgent military action is taken along the borders, and executions or punitive campaigns follow. If their positions shift, it indicates that outsiders will attack the sovereign. If the three main stars of Shen (Orion’s Belt) appear widely spaced, laws and decrees become strict and oppressive.

A solar eclipse signifies that high-ranking ministers face distress; subordinates will turn against one another in violence, and a yin-aligned nation or force grows powerful. If the Sun is encircled by a halo (sun ring), it indicates that someone will come seeking peace through marriage alliances; alternatively, this portends a great famine.

If the Moon is eclipsed in this region, warfare ensues; subordinates plot against their superiors. A high-ranking minister will be executed. In its corresponding territory, a great famine occurs; foreign generals die, and new decrees or policies are issued across the realm. If a halo forms around the Moon, it signifies that a general will die, people will suffer misfortune, and warfare will become chaotic or disadvantageous.

If the Moon transgresses Shen Su, high-ranking ministers face anxiety; warfare erupts, and people suffer from famine. If it transgresses Canfa (the stars of Shen), a deputy general will die.

If Jupiter transgresses this region, floods and droughts occur unpredictably; a great plague breaks out, leading to famine. If it remains over Shen Su for an extended period, war erupts, and plagues afflict people. If it enters this area, the realm undergoes political change or reform.

If Mars transgresses the Shen Su region, it signifies warfare or internal unrest in the territories of Qin and Yan. If Mars remains over this area for an extended period, droughts and military conflicts will occur, causing instability in all directions. If Mars moves backward (retrograde) into this region, great famine follows.

If Saturn transgresses the Shen Su area, there will be rebellious ministers. If it remains over this region for a long time, its corresponding territory faces destruction; treacherous ministers plot rebellion. Some sources say that mourning follows, affecting the queen or imperial concubines. If Saturn moves in reverse (retrograde) and lingers here, warfare erupts.

If Venus transgresses Shen Su or remains over this region for an extended time, it signifies that the realm mobilizes its armies. High-ranking officials will rebel, causing chaos; the state will undergo political upheaval, and fierce battles will erupt among border populations.

If Mercury transgresses the Shen Su constellation, it signifies flooding or warfare; a high-ranking minister will be demoted or dismissed. If Mercury appears in the west alongside Shen (the Three Stars), drought follows and a high-ranking official is executed. If it remains over this region in retrograde motion, warfare erupts. Alternatively, if Mercury lingers here while moving backward (retrograde), military conflict ensues.

If a guest star enters and transgresses Shen Su, there will be executions or punitive actions within the realm. If it remains over this area, border regions lose territory; if cloud formations encircle it, border generals face similar fates of execution or suppression.

If a comet transgresses Shen Su, border forces suffer defeat, and the ruler perishes; this may occur within three years. If the comet passes directly through this region with white coloration, it signifies warfare or mourning. If a star suddenly flares up (Bo) in the Shen Su constellation, both the ruler and ministers face anxiety, and the state’s military forces suffer defeat.

If a meteor enters and transgresses this region, whoever first raises an army will perish. The Yisi Zhan states: “If a meteor emerges with bright and smooth light, the borders will be at peace; there will be an amnesty, and prisons will empty.”

If blue cloud formations enter and transgress Shen Su, the Son of Heaven will construct border cities. If bluish-white, it signifies ministerial rebellion; if red, internal warfare erupts. Yellow clouds with a moist luster indicate that a high-ranking general receives rewards or honors. Black clouds portend water disasters and distress for senior ministers. If white cloud formations pass through Shen Su, generals will die, and the emperor will fall ill. Song History, Volume 51, Chapter 4, 1346.

Constellation Orion

09♊18 to 06♋25

ORION.   The Giant or Hunter.
      Legend.   The giant Orion was created out of an ox-hide by the Gods, Jupiter, Neptune and Mercury, at the request of Hyreus who had entertained them. He was blinded by Œnopion and Bacchus for his treatment of the former’s daughter, but recovered his sight by exposing his eyes to the rising sun. In consequence of his boast that he could slay any beast bred upon the earth the scorpion (SCORPIO) was brought forth and Orion died from its sting.
      Influence.   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.”
      Magical.   Gives victory. ^[rob]

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. ^[noo]

Fixed Star Alnitak Conjunctions

Ascendant conjunct Alnitak: In the first part of Cancer the Lugulae* rise. Whoever is born in these risings will indeed be irreligious and treacherous, but applied to every pursuit of hunting. He will catch wild animals in nets, or deceive them in pits, or he will be pursued with various fears and swords, or he will search the secrets of the forests with dogs for the sake of catching wild animals. But if a woman is born like this, she will pursue the same with similar reasons, with a virginal mind. But she will do this if Mars, with benevolent planets, looks at this same place with any radiation. But if Saturn does the same, they will be applied to every pursuit of fishing, so that they can catch even sea beasts with exquisite fishing. Mathesis, Julius Firmicus Maternus, 336 AD, viii. 8.1.

*The lugulae are the three stars δ ε ζ Orionis, the Belt of Orion.

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]

Aldrich Ames 0°23′ (and Mercury).

Descendant conjunct Alnitak: But if the Belt of Orion is in the setting, and the benevolent planets look at this place, this person who was born like this will die in his sleep. But if Mars sees this place, he will indeed frequently encounter all kinds of dangers, but while sleeping he will be strangled to a bitter death. Mathesis, Julius Firmicus Maternus, 336 AD, viii. 8.1.

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]

Mercury conjunct Alnitak: Aldrich Ames 1°21′ (and AC). 

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.