Fixed Star Name : MAIA

Location Name : 20 Taurus
Apparent Magnitude : 4.0 Spectral Class : B9
Right Ascension : 03h 45m Latitude : +04.23'
Declination (1900) : +24.03' Declination (2000) : +24.21'
 
Longitudinal Position (in 1900) : 28 Taurus 17
Longitudinal Position (in 2000) : 29 Taurus 41
Its Planetary Nature : Moon - Mars

About this star :

The eldest of the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters in Taurus. She was said to have surpassed her sisters in beauty. Maia of Greek myth had an affair with Zeus and gave birth to Hermes. Later became foster-mother to Arcas (Ursa Minor) who was the son of Zeus and Callisto (Ursa Major) during the period while Callisto was a bear, and before Callisto and Arcas were placed in the heavens by Zeus (she as Ursa Major, he as either Ursa Minor). This is also the goddess Maia of the Romans who was the mother of Mercury and to which the month of May was particularly dedicated. She was the supporter of Vulcan.

Influence of the constellation : By the Kabalists Taurus is associated with the Hebrew letter Aleph and the 1st Tarot Trump "The Juggler". (Robson).   

General Influence of the Pleiades : According to Ptolemy they are of the nature of the Moon and Mars; and, to Alvidas, of Mars, Moon and Sun in opposition. They are said to make their natives wanton, ambitious, turbulent, optimistic and peaceful; to give many journeys and voyages, success in agriculture and through active intelligence; and to cause blindness, disgrace and a violent death. Their influence is distinctly evil. (Robson).

See Alcyone for the influences of the Pleiades.
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