Alphecca

About this Collection…

Today we’re talking about another important star, one of the 15 Behenian fixed stars: Alphecca, or the “Jewel of the Northern Crown”!

Alphecca, or α Corona Borealis is the brightest star of the Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown) constellation. It’s a “fixed” star, meaning that unlike other observable celestial bodies, her position doesn’t seem to move from year to year (in reality it does, but extremely slowly). Fixed stars rise & set at around the same time from year to year! Because of this, they were very important to humans from the very beginning of our existence, for all sorts of things: agriculture (deciding when to sow the crops), navigation (orienting yourself with no land in sight!), and many other uses!

In ancient astrology, fixed stars had great mythical & practical powers: tied to a native’s life story through their chart, or with their image impressed on a talisman, fixed stars could bring various auspicious things to mankind. The Corona Borealis constellation was originally named Στέφανος (“Stefanos“) by the Greeks, meaning the wreath — our crown was more so a crown of flowers than a crown made of solid gold and gems as we know them today! Alphecca was actually the “knot” of the flower crown due to her brilliance and prominent position. Alphecca is a beautiful fixed star, and later on her nature was assimilated to that of Venus and Mercury. According to Renaissance astrologer Cornelius Agrippa, a talisman made under fixed star Alphecca “bestoweth the good will and love of men, and giveth chastity." What does Alphecca mean? What are the myths associated with her as a fixed star?

Originally, Corona Borealis was the crown of mythical figue Ariadne. Daughter of the Cretan king Minos, Ariadne was a beautiful young woman who rescued hero Theseus from the minotaur, a monstrous beast put in the labyrinth of king Minos who would devour those who were in it. Ariadne fell in love with Theseus, and saved him from the labyrinth using her infamous thread. They ran away together, and legends then differ considerably on what happens next. One thing is for sure, though: Theseus isn’t exactly grateful! Several different myths have him either abandon Ariadne on the island of Naxos, or let her get killed. One of these legends has a nicer ending: Ariadne is found and rescued by Dionysus, god of festivity, drinking, fertility and vegetation. She remains loyal to him, and he gifts her a wreath similar to the one he has. Eventually, Ariadne passes away (as she is a mortal). Incredibly sad, Dyonisus throws the crown he gave her into the firmament, creating the Corona Borealis constellation we know today.

This ancient myth presents us with a lot of the elements that help us understand Alphecca: just like Ariadne, Alphecca is a star of benevolence — she’s easy to love. Alphecca represents the beautiful maiden, associated with Dyonisian lush and wild nature. 1st century astrologer Manilius says that those born under Alphecca cultivate a love of perfumes and flowers: “The child of the Crown will cultivate a garden budding with bright flowers and slopes […]. His heart is set upon elegance, fashion, and the art of adornment, upon gracious living and the pleasure of the hour.” In other words, Alphecca gives a love of beauty, adornment and flowers. Picture a beautiful Ariadne, enjoying her life with her husband — the god of festivity, theatrics and fun! A great example of Alphecca’s love of perfume is in the chart of one of the most famous perfumers of all time, Jacques Guerlain. Guerlain has a paran between his Jupiter and Alphecca, and he became very interested in perfumes in his youth — he ended up creating over 80 fragrances for the infamous perfume house!

There is also a very “social” dimension to Alphecca. She’s a prime star for making friends & meeting new people, or even for reinforcing existing bonds in a very healthy, sincere way. I think this is what Cornelius Agrippa refers to when he says that Alphecca brings “the good will and love of men”: Alphecca attracts the people and mindset that are right for us. This is also due to the other major quality of Alphecca: chastity.

In the description of Alphecca’s talismanic properties, the word “chastity“ may have made you raise your eyebrow. So getting an Alphecca talisman means zero action? Well, in my experience, not exactly. Just look at Ariadne’s example, who braved all injunctions of virginity and patriarchal obedience to her father to help Theseus! Some have argued that this word was mistranslated, and others say that it is badly interpreted. In my opinion, it’s a bit of that and also that some ancient concepts, although bearing a similar names, are sometimes radically different to our modern ones. Historically, chastity was a positive attribute at the time Cornelius Agrippa was writing about it: a virtuous, morally upstanding person was one who didn’t easily follow the desires of the flesh, and above all who controlled their passions and emotions — in other words, who displayed temperance. I believe that the “chastity” of Alphecca should not be strictly understood as “sexually abstinent”, but moreso as discernment. In other words, Alphecca allows those under her influence to rise above their passions, their petty grievances and impulses of the moment to become a more “objective” and fair judge of character. Coincidentally, this is often what makes for great friendships and thriving community: being able to visualise the big picture, to put our ego aside and see people for who they truly are (and conversely, allowing others to see us authentically).

Genie from Tides of Tethys says: “I’ve come to believe the dismantling of illusion is a requirement for one to step into a position of command and to receive [Alphecca’s] gifts.” This is something I deeply resonate with. When divining on an Alphecca working, the fist card I pulled was actually a reversed 7 of cups, meaning the end of illusions. The “chastity“ procured by Alphecca is the quality of doing the right thing.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Alphecca is a star of loyalty. Ariadne remains loyal to Theseus, even if she ends up betraying her father and her nation. The important part is that she isn’t blindly faithful: Ariadne remains loyal to what is morally right. Extremely bravely, she renounces her status and position as princess to put an end to the tyranny of her father and rescue the hero. Alphecca represents unfailing, but enlightened commitment: one that is contracted for the right reasons. According to Vivian Robson, Alphecca brings her natives “to a position of command”: the upholding of the right values leads to a reward… Although she is forsaken by Theseus, Ariadne is later married by a god and gifted a celestial crown! Quite literal.

When researching Alphecca, some sources also attest that an alternative name for the star in Latin was “Margarita Coronae”, AKA the “Pearl of the Crown”. During the Middle Ages, this resulted into the star being assimilated to Sainte Marguerite. The cult of Sainte Marguerite refers to a martyr from early Christian times, Marguerite of Antioch. According to her legend, she was martyred after making a vow of chatity and pushing Roman governor Olybrius away, refusing to abandon her Christian faith. A legend has it that she swallowed by a dragon and killed it from the inside with a cross she was carrying. This resulted in her becoming the patron saint of birth-giving, and was invoked for a smooth birthing process!

Like Ariadne, Marguerite refuses to follow an easy path and a wrongful moral order. Instead, she remains loyal to her faith, and upholds her vow at a time when it contravenes (unfair) societal rules. Interestingly, the herb associated with Alphecca is rosemary. The Greeks and Romans believed that rosemary strengthened memory, and therefore associated it with fidelity. These qualities make for a particularly benevolent star: one who will not only show us what is the right thing to do, but who will also help us form sincere bonds and authentic commitments.

In summary, Alphecca is a wonderful star to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life (and is particularly great for things that pertain to beauty, adornment, perfumes…), which includes forming sincere and beautiful friendships, but also a star that brings discernment and help us remain loyal to our values and “do the right thing”, even if it isn’t easy!

I hope you enjoyed this Alphecca portrait! I will now leave you to the offerings of this celestial collection 👇