Algol

On 18 May 2015 the Moon will be conjunct the Sun in Taurus. Both planets will be conjunct fixed star Algol, the ‘daemon star’.

In the legend, Algol represents the head of the Gorgon Medusa who was slain by Perseus. Medusa, who was the only mortal one of the three Gorgon sisters, was originally a beautiful maiden, but her hair was changed into hissing serpents by Minerva in consequence of her having become by Neptune the mother of Chrysaor and Pegasus in one of Minerva’s temples. This gave her so fearful an appearance that everyone who looked at her was changed into stone. It is said that if fixed star Algol is:

in conjunction with the Sun, it indicates a violent death or extreme sickness; if the luminary culminate he will be maimed, mangled, wounded or torn to pieces alive; and if Mars is at the same time in Gemini or Pisces his hands or feet will be cut off.

in conjunction with the Moon, this indicates a violent death or extreme sickness.

culminating, it suggests murder, sudden death, beheading, prone to murder and mischief. If Algol is at the same time in conjunction with Sun, Moon or Jupiter, it gives victory over others in war.

From the perspective of mundane astrology, fixed star Algol is also connected with explosions and fires, eruptions, earthquakes and storms.

In 1790, a solar eclipse (Sun conjunct Moon) was aligned with Algol; soon after the French Revolution began and a plague killed 80,000 in Egypt.

In 1855, a solar eclipse took place during the Crimean War’s Siege of Sevastopol, causing great hardships that led to Florence Nightingale’s famous mission.

Algol was on the IC when the Titanic sank.

Algol was rising when the Massacre of the Huguenots took place, on Bartholomew’s Eve, 1772.

The map below shows the paths of Sun, Moon and fixed star Algol:

(click map to enlarge)

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Update: Vulcano on Hawaii could erupt: http://phys.org/news/2015-05-earthquakes-hawaii-volcano-eruption.html

On June, 1^st 2011, at 21:02UT, there will be a partial solar eclipse. At this time Sun and Moon will be conjunct in 11*01′ Gemini, forming a separating trine aspect to Saturn as the chart below shows.

In his Annus Tenebrosus, or the Dark Year, William Lilly presents a method of eclipse delineation, including an interpretation of the effects of solar and lunar eclipses, occurring in each decanate of the Zodiac. As this solar eclipse takes place in the second decanate of Gemini, ruled by Mars who is at the same time the ruler of the first house, Lilly’s aphorism is as follows:

“much Piracy at Sea, and Murder, many fruitless treaties, many turbulent Petitions presented by the people to their Superiors.”

Lilly continues, explaining where to look to clarify the delineation:

“… For although it be most true, that the Planet who disposeth of the place of the Eclipse, shall mostly shew what manner or quality the effects shall be of, yet are they more or lesse, great or little, more forcible, or more restrained, according to the quality of that Planets existence and fortitude at time of the Eclips.”

In the case of this eclipse this would be Mercury in Taurus, indicating problems with intellectual issues brought onto the mundane level. The high-flying intellectual approach of Mercury is slowed down or even hampered trough him being peregrine, under the sunbeams and in close proximity to Algol. (In his book Fixed Stars & Constellations, Robson calls Algol the “most evil star in the heavens”, indicating misfortune, violence, mob violence and decapitation).

For readers, interested in the personal implications of this eclipse, it might be of interest what William Lilly has to say:

“… Eclipse is more dangerous or pernitious which shall be in the Horoscope or Ascendant of the birth; or which shall be in the degree Ascending in an Annuall Revolution: it portends unto the Native some ominous and mischievous action as unto his body and also in his vital substance.”

For this particular Solar eclipse that means that people with Gemini rising, either in their birth chart or in their Solar return chart for 2011, will feel the influence stronger than others. If it should be the case that one or even both of these factors apply, an in -depth reading of the native’s charts may be necessary to find out which particular areas of life are likely to be affected the most .

See as well my web log entry about the solar eclipse on July 1st 2011:

https://starsandstones.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/solar-eclipse-july-1st-2011/