Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/393

Rh central one." It is an irregular variable star of a rich topaz hue, and is often called "the Martial Star."

In astrology this star denoted military or civic honours.

Mrs. Martin describes Betelgeuze as "suggestive of sombreness in its dull and comparatively untwinkling face."

Allen tells us that the title "Roarer" or "Announcer" is also applied to this star, as heralding the rising of its companions.

Betelgeuze marks the 6th Hindu lunar station known as "Ardra," meaning "moist." In this title we see an allusion to the stormy character of the constellation, and when this star rose the rainy season set in.

Sayce and Bosanquet identify Betelgeuze with the Euphratean "Gula," and Brown says the constellation of "the King" or "Ungal" refers to α, γ, and λ Orionis. In the Euphratean star list we find Betelgeuze styled "Lugal" (the King). The similarity in these titles "Gula," "Ungal" and "Lugal" is strikingly suggestive.

Secchi makes Betelgeuze a typical star of his third class with banded spectra, suggesting that it may be approaching the point of extinction. According to Vogel it is receding from our system at the rate of 10.5 miles a second, and culminates at 9 Jan. 29th.

β Orionis is known to us as "Rigel," the Arab title from which it came meaning "the left leg of the Jauzah, or Giant." Another name for it is "Algebar," a corruption of "Al-Jabbah," the "mighty one." It is a brilliant white star, and ranks fifth in order of brightness of all the stars visible in this latitude.

In astrology Rigel denotes splendours and honours.

In the Norseland, Rigel marked out the great toe of Orwandil, the other toe having been broken off by the god Thor, when frost-bitten, and thrown to the northern sky,