Behenian Stars
In European and Arabic medieval astrology the Behenian fixed stars were important in understanding the work of the alchemists. The occult traditions of these stars were presented in Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's work De Occulta Philosophia and were referred to as the Behenii (singular Behenius). Aggippa attributed the mysteries of these stars to Herme Trismegitus and went into great detail describing their magical properties.
Behenian comes from the Arabic word 'bahman" meaning "root.” Therefore, the Behenian stars were considered a source or "root" of astrological power that was magnified whenever one or more of the visible planets were within six degrees.
Each Behenian star is connected with a ritual gemstone and plant that was used to help draw upon the star's influence (e.g., into a talisman) as described in the table below.
| Star | Constellation | Stone | Herb |
| Aldebaran (9 Gemini 44) |
Hyades in the Bull | Ruby or Garnet | Milk Thistle |
| Pleiades (29 Taurus 55) | Bull | Rock Cystal | Fennel |
| Algol (26 Taurus 07) | Perseus | Diamond | Black Hellebore |
| Capella (21 Gemini 48) | Auriga | Sapphire | Thyme |
| Sirius (14 Cancer 03) | Canis Major | Beryl | Juniper |
| Procyon (25 Cancer 45) | Canis Minor | Agate | Buttercup |
| Regulus (29 Leo 58) | Lion | Granite | Mugwort |
| Algorab (13 Libra) | Corvus | Onyx | Burdock |
| Spica (23 Libra 47) | Virgin Priestess | Emerald | Sage |
| Arcutrus (24 Libra) | Herdsman (Bootes) | Jasper | Plantain |
| Polaris (28 Gemini 31) | Ursa Minor | Magnet | Succory |
| Alphecca (12 Scorpio 14) | Corona Borealis | Topaz | Rosemary |
| Antares (9 Sagittarius 43) | Scorpion | Sardonyx | Birthwort |
| Vega (15 Capricorn 16) | Lyra | Chrysolite | Winter Savory |
| Deneb Algedi (23 Aquarius 33) | The Goat Fish | Chalcedony | Marjoram |