The Fixed Stars and Your Love Life

The so-called 'fixed stars' are celestial objects that do not seem to move in relation to the other stars (like the planets).

They appear to be stationary even though they do travel (less than one minute per year).

Because proper motion was not noticed by ancient cultures (they did not have precise measurements over long periods of time to notice) these fixed stars were thought to be fixed.

Hence, though technically incorrect, the words 'fixed stars' are nonetheless used in many contexts. 

In astrology, some of the fixed stars, particularly those of significant magnitude, have been found to exert powerful influence.

While the fixed stars were abundantly used by medieval astrologers, they have been forgotten somewhat by modern astrologers though.

In matters of love, the fixed stars are not widely used to find out about one's love life.

Though numerous web sites provide the positions and meaning of the most known fixed stars, this introductory article has the purpose to take a realistic look at incorporating these fixed stars in the horoscopes because the approach that most web sites advocate is, in our opinion, unscientific, unfounded and (self-)deceptive.

First of all, when using fixed stars, keep a very tight orb (maximum 1°).

Also, it's still not completely sure when exactly fixed stars work out.

It may be the magnitude and/or declination that plays a role and as long as there are no conclusive research results available, it's best to only use the fixed stars in the following situations that have proven to be reliable and do work:

• a fixed star conjunct two planets or bodies
• a fixed star conjunct a house cusp AND at least a planet/body

Indeed, when two bodies/planets/points/house cusp conjunct a fixed star, you will definitely see the star working out.

Researcher and astrologer Bernadette Brady has written about her own investigations and she especially takes into account the parans.

Feel free to read about and use her method because it's reliable too but more complicated (the more so because not many astrology software programs feature her method).

There is a third factor to consider: many web sites delineate outer (generational) planets conjunct a fixed star.

You should not fall into that trap.

Consider this: fixed stars remain 'stationary' for long, while outer (generational) planets too stay at the same degree for quite some time (weeks, months,...).

It's therefore unscientific and (self-)delusive to link a certain outcome in one's personal life to this generational combo.

It makes no sense, really!

Generational planets conjunct a fixed star can only give mundane background information, describe Zeitgeist and mundane events but cannot predict the outcome of your own personal love life (for example).

If that was the case, everyone born during the same weeks and months would encounter the same personal issues and events.

In reality this is not true.

Therefore, ONLY take into account the personal planets and points (the house cusps, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) when using the fixed stars.

You can incorporate outer (generational) planets and bodies in your fixed star research though on condition they also conjunct a house cusp or personal planet/body.

As long as you have three factors of which two are planets/bodies/points, you can reliably delineate the fixed star and find out how it manifests.

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