Fixed stars belong to the great cosmos rather than our solar system. Unlike the planets that orbit our Sun, fixed stars are suns in their own right; in fact, depending on their magnitude, some fixed stars are far larger and brighter than our own Sun. When we discuss fixed stars we use the term "light years" to describe the vast distances that are difficult to calculate or comprehend. Due to these stars' remoteness from Earth they appear to us as stationary, and are therefore called "fixed" stars. The influence of fixed stars is relevant to their strength, which is calculated by their brightness.

Although there are millions of fixed stars in the universe, in astrological practice relatively few are considered--namely, those that are located near the zodiacal ring.


The observation and relationship of fixed stars to world events began thousands of years ago. The naming of fixed stars is recorded in the Mesopotamian and Babylonian eras.In ancient times positions of fixed stars were used to orient large structures like megaliths and pyramids and were usually given religious significance for a culture.  

For example: the Nile flood coincides with the first appearance of Sirius, just before sunrise and this was interpreted as a causal event: this was seen as the star of the Nile flood and the star of Isis.  The day of the rising of Sirius and of the river’s flooding because the sacred New Year’s Day to the Egyptians.


Fixed stars are mentioned in the Epoch of Gilgamesch and, together with comets, eclipses, and planets, played an important role in the interpretation of weather phenomena. In addition to the Babylonians, the Egyptians believed in the powerful influence of the fixed stars.

Recently there has been much evidence to suggest that the Egyptians aligned the majestic pyramids of Giza to the Orion Belt. Although many historians still claim that the great Pyramids are a testimony to the great kings of Egypt, many new archaeological findings reveal a clear connection between the design of the Cheops Pyramids and the circumpolar stars.

In the story of the Nativity, a star guided the three wise men to the stable in Bethlehem. Catalogues of fixed stars were recorded in Greece around 250 b.c. The observation of fixed stars continued throughout history and was incorporated into the celestial understanding of the ancients.

Fixed stars were associated with many different aspects of life, and the origin of their interpretation was derived from the symbols with which the constellations were associated.

For example, in the constellation of Alpha leonis, or Leo, the brightest fixed star is Regulus (also called the Lion's Heart) and symbolizes strength, power, and authority. This star is one of the most important fixed stars in the sky, associated with royalty and honors. Usually this star appears in the charts of kings, queens, rulers, and high government officials. This star is also linked to people who are favored by the public; it bestows popularity.

The importance of fixed stars derives from the fact that all material bodies in the cosmos are in a state of electrical charge and have a magnetic field surrounding them. Even the weakest emissions can influence life on Earth. This is remarkably akin to the term "butterfly effect" in modern Chaos theory, which argues that even a butterfly's wing stirring the air can create a ripple effect that transforms the weather system at a later date in another part of the world. As the fixed stars are essentially the same as our own Sun, they have similar force fields. The effect of stars is measured by their magnitude or brightness.

Fixed stars offer a fascinating insight into the subconscious mind and the potential or problems an individual might have. This interpretation, however, must be carefully analyzed in relation to a complete natal horoscope; fixed stars are not interpreted separately, but always as a subinfluence on the planets' celestial qualities. Fixed stars must be understood as enhancing or detracting from the planets they are in contact with.

As there are numerous fixed stars, we consider some of them in astrology based on the following factors:

           One first  is the brightness of  the star in the sky, called  “magnitude.”  Some stars are bright, some faint.  One would  want to use  stars that are easy to see by the naked eye.

           Another factor is closeness to the ecliptic.   Some of these stars are close to the ecliptic, and some very far away.

The 10 fixed prominent stars are:

Algol – 26 Taurus

Aldeberan – 9 Gemini

Rigel – 16 Gemini

Sirius – 14 Cancer

Regulus – 29 Leo

Spica – 23 Libra

Arcturus – 24 Libra

Antares – 9 Sagittarius

Wega – 15 Capricorn

Formalhaut – 3 Pisces