Long before the planets were the whole story, astrologers watched the bright fixed stars. This calculator checks your birth chart against the major stars and shows which ones sit conjunct your planets within a close orb, along with each star's traditional reputation.
What Fixed Stars Add
The fixed stars are the distant suns of the night sky, and a handful of the brightest were given strong meanings by tradition. When one falls on a natal planet, it is read as lighting that planet up, lending its own flavour, whether fortunate like Spica or testing like Algol.
The Royal Stars and Others
The four Royal Stars, Aldebaran, Regulus, Antares and Fomalhaut, are the most prominent, each tied to success that holds only if a particular pitfall is avoided. Stars such as Spica, Vega, Sirius and Algol round out the set this calculator checks, each with its own long-standing character.
How the Conjunctions Are Found
Only close conjunctions are used, since a fixed star's influence is considered narrow. The calculator carries the stars forward to your birth year for precession, then lists any natal planet within the orb you set, smallest orb first. A tight orb keeps the report meaningful.
What You Need
Enter your birth date and time, and birth place if you want the Ascendant included. You can set the orb in degrees; one to one and a half degrees is a sensible default.
Common Questions
What does a fixed star conjunction mean?
A natal planet conjunct a bright fixed star is read as that star colouring the planet, for better or worse depending on the star's traditional nature.
What are the Royal Stars?
Aldebaran, Regulus, Antares and Fomalhaut are the four Royal Stars, each linked to success that lasts only if a specific failing is avoided.
Why are only close conjunctions used?
A fixed star's influence is considered narrow, so only tight conjunctions, usually within a degree or two, are treated as significant.
Positions are computed with the Swiss Ephemeris. Astrological interpretations are traditional and are offered for reflection and entertainment, not as guaranteed predictions.
More to explore
Here are some related calculators you may find useful: Davison Chart Calculator, Lunar Return Calculator, Harmonic Chart Calculator and Nakshatra Finder. Every one adds a slightly different perspective on the same theme, which is part of what makes them interesting to compare. The full astrology calculators collection is one click away, along with the complete list of calculators.