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A magical thread on Fixed Star Alkaid (26°56 Virgo)
aka Benetnash, Tail of the Bear, the Hired Mourners, the handle of the Big Dipper, and Alcatel (Destroying)
aka Benetnash, Tail of the Bear, the Hired Mourners, the handle of the Big Dipper, and Alcatel (Destroying)
While non-magical delineations of it generally portend tragedy and disaster, usually originating from the destruction of man made structures (mine and bridge collapses and destruction of homes via natural disaster), talismanic significations are generally precisely the opposite.
Hermes Trismegistus says in On The 15 Fixed Stars that it is "strong against incantations and against assassins and gives security from them, and if with this is placed the tooth of a wolf it protects also from robbers and thieves," however, this isn't all.
I have noticed the benefit of physical and financial security working with this fixed star, as well as magical protection, but there's more to it than that. Alkaid's magical intelligence rules over civilized infrastructure -- the very things it destroys it also creates.
When you work with celestial intelligences they like to give you their secrets. You learn their nature and why they exist. Alkaid destroys bridges, homes, and causes mine collapse and helicopter crashes but is also the reason why we have this technology.
Think about the seasonal survival skills of the black bear - it knows when it's time to hibernate and where to safely sleep for a whole winter. It stores enough fat for torpor and maintains its muscular body for up to 7.5 months of hibernation without food, drink, or defecation.
In the same vein, Alkaid provides us with the technology keeping us safe and provided for during harsh weather. Pipes that provide us with hot and cold water, heating for warmth, toilets, windows that allow us to see outside but block out noise, wind, heat, and cold.
We have a tendency to take these things for granted, but when they aren't working properly it's extremely inconvenient -- just as it would be for a black bear trying to forage for berries or catch fish in frozen streams in the frigid cold.
Another thing that comes to mind is Alkaid's location near the end of Virgo. The nature of Virgo is to be helpful, make things convenient, and to implement useful systems that not only help people, but keep them healthy and provided for.
The star's description as the handle of the plough (Big Dipper) is no mistake either. The plough is touted as the most important agricultural tool in history -- without it agriculture would have been stunted, and both cities and towns would never have came into existence.
Given that, it makes sense that ancient Islamic astrologers referred to Alkaid as "the destroyer of nations," because what it gives, it can also take away.
Another confirmation of this meaning I have noticed is that when I carry Alkaid materia I encouter many burly workers.
Another confirmation of this meaning I have noticed is that when I carry Alkaid materia I encouter many burly workers.
Blue collar construction workers (who build our infrastructure), plumbers, and electricians. Large people, sometimes hairy, with extra weight on their bodies -- much like a bear who has made the most of his environment and gained necessary weight for the colder months.
My last anecdote is about a client of mine I'll call J. J has Alkaid on her midheaven, and she confessed to me during a session that her ultimate goal is to turn city waste management into a profitable green business that creates little waste and generates income for cities.
Currently, she's doing endless research work, talking to waste management experts and hedge fund managers about how to make waste management convenient, environmentally safe and profitable enough to motivate capitalists to implement it.
Anyways, I hope people enjoy this post!
At this point I probably need a blog.
At this point I probably need a blog.
