Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/463

Rh Deer," probably because of its colour, which is decidedly ruddy.

According to Lockyer, Aldebaran rose heliacally at the' beginning of spring in Babylon 6900 years ago, and it was thought that its rising at this time unattended by showers portended a barren year. The Babylonians regarded Aldebaran as "the Leading Star of Stars," as it was the brightest star in the first of the zodiacal signs.

The Akkadians called it "the Furrow of Heaven," and "the Messenger of Light," although Allen tells us that this latter title was applied to Hamal, Capella, and Vega.

Astrologically Aldebaran was a fortunate star, portending riches and honour, and it was one of the four "Royal Stars" or "Guardians of the Sky" of Persia, 5000 years ago, when it marked the vernal equinox.

Mrs. Martin sees in these four starry Guardians of the Sky a suggestion of royalty: "As one slips away from our admiring gaze we turn to hail the coming of the other. 'The King is dead: long live the King.'" The rising of Aldebaran is thus described by Mrs. Martin: "Along in September a very little north of east it shows its fiery face above the horizon with such unmistakable individuality that it catches the eye of even the least observing. ... It glows with a rosy light that demands recognition and at once pronounces it one of the most important heavenly bodies."

According to Peschitta the line in the book of Job, "Dost thou guide ’Ayish and her children?" refers to Aldebaran and the Hyades. "’Ash" means "moth" and the Hyades are V-shaped, resembling a butterfly or moth.

Aldebaran lies along the moon's track and is often occulted by our satellite. Because of its position it is a star much used by navigators in ascertaining their position. It is nearly a standard first magnitude star, lacking only two tenths of a magnitude of so being. Elkins states that Aldebaran is twenty-eight light years distant from us.