Lovers of speed: fixed star Alpheratz
Executioners, outspoken advocates, bold artists — what alpha Andromedae bestows in five chart examples
Alpheratz is the alpha star of constellation Andromeda, currently projected at 14° tropical Aries.
Alpha Andromedae, freedom and speed
Andromeda is a large constellation in the Northern hemisphere, very much tied to Pegasus. In fact, Alpheratz is considered Andromeda’s head, but is also a part of the Pegasus square along with Algenib, Scheat and Markab, marking Pegasus’ navel.
In ancient Greek myth, Andromeda is a princess, daughter of king Cepheus and queen Cassiopeia. The legend goes when Cassiopeia boasts that she (or Andromeda) is more beautiful than the Nereids, Poseidon sends the sea monster Cetus to ravage the coast of Aethiopia as divine punishment. Queen Cassiopeia understands that chaining Andromeda to a rock as a human sacrifice is what will appease Poseidon. Perseus finds her as he is coming back from his quest to decapitate Medusa, and brings her back to Greece to marry her and let her reign as his queen. With the head of Medusa, Perseus petrifies Cetus to stop it from terrorizing the coast any longer.
