About this star:

Cancer itself, is not a brilliant constellation, however, at its heart is a lovely star cluster, a mysterious glow M44 (NGC 2632), a cluster of stars better known by the name the "Beehive Cluster", or the Latin equivalent, Praesepe, which not only means a "hive" but also a "Manger", or "Crib" ['crib' and 'crab' look like relatives]. The name Beehive derives from the appearance of a swarm of stars in a dance of activity. There are at least 40 stars in the cluster that are visible to the naked eye as a cloudy patch, its 1.5 degree size is equivalent to three full moons end-to-end. In ancient times this cluster often served to predict the weather; if not crystal clear inclement weather might be on the way. Pliny said, "If Praesaepe is not visible in a clear sky it is a presage of a violent storm".

Other names cited for it Mallephon, Melleff, Mellef, Meeleph; from the Arabians' Al Ma'laf, "the Stall"; and this, in turn, derived from the Greek astronomy. It marked the 6th Arabic manzil. [Influences: Causes love, friendship and society of fellow travelers, drives away mice, afflicts captives and causes their imprisonment. With Moon transiting here; navigate. (Robson).]
Epsilon or M44, with gamma (Asellus Borealis), delta (Asellus Australis), eta, and theta in the Persian lunar station Avra-k, "the Cloud, and the Egyptian Coptic Ermelia, "Nurturing".

The Aselli, Latin for donkeys (Asellus Borealis), (Asellus Australis) along with Praesaepe form a mini constellation in their own right, which appears on the back of the Crab's shell Cancer, all are now at 7 and 8 degrees Leo. This group has been associated with a disproportionate number of important historic events that have brought about great changes in society. Particularly represented are events relating to the introduction of communism, which may be symbolic of the two Asses eating out of a communal Manger, or the busy beehive representing a commune. Praesepes was activated during the two world wars by the outer planets; there was much bombing; 'bomb' from Latin bombire ‘to buzz’, from bombus ‘humming, booming’.

Julius Staal identifies Praesepes with Midas "A story involving the Praesepe relates to King Midas who once wished that everything he touched should turn to gold. His wish was fulfilled, but he soon realized that he would starve to death because even the food he touched turned to gold. As a warning to others, Midas was later placed in the stars of Praesepe".

In China Praesepe was known by the unsavory title Tseih She Ke; "Exhalation of Piled-up Corpses" [drone, a male honeybee, is related to the word "threnody" = A poem or song of mourning or lamentation, a dirge].

The unnamed stars; eta, and theta along with Praesaepe was located in the Hindu 6th nakshatra Pushra "Flower", or Tishiya "Auspicious", with Brihaspati, the priest and teacher of the gods as presiding divinity [Influences: favorable for sales, art, sculpture, learning, marital love, wearing of ointments, medicine and purchase of carriages when containing the moon (Robson)]. It was sometimes figured as a Crescent, the head of an Arrow and also called Sidhaya "Prosperous". (Allen).

In Egyptian hieroglyphic language, the sign of the bee was a determinative in royal nomenclature, partly by analogy with the monarchic organization of these insects, but more especially because of the ideas of industry, creative activity and wealth which are associated with the production of honey. In the parable of Samson (Judges xiv, 8) the bee appears in this same sense. In Greece it was emblematic of work and obedience.

According to a Delphic tradition, the second of the temples built in Delphi had been erected by bees. In Orphic teaching, souls were symbolized by bees, not only because of the association with honey but also because they migrate from the hive in swarms, since it was held that souls 'swarm'. [DSC].

Bees represent an ordered community, obey their ruler, cooperation, industry, thrift, diligence, royalty, cleanliness, purity, chaste virgins, sweetness, honeyed words, 'the suave one"

Astrologically Praesepe makes founders of large businesses ['business' from the 'buzzing', 'busy' bee]. (Allen).

Influence of the constellation:

The Crab is associated with the Hebrew letter Tzaddi and the 18th Tarot Trump "The Moon". (Robson).


General Influence of the star:

It causes disease, disgrace, adventure, insolence, wantonness, brutality, blindness, industry, order and fecundity; and makes its natives fortunate though liable to loss through others, and the founders of large businesses. (Robson).

One can observe a craving for and abuse of stimulants, luxury foodstuffs, narcotic, drugs and heavy smoking. Susceptibility to infectious diseases. (Ebertin).

If culminating: Disgrace ruin and violent death. (Robson).

With Sun: Evil disposition, murderer or murdered, blows, stabs, serious accidents, shooting, shipwreck, execution, banishment, imprisonment, sharp diseases, fevers, hemorrhage, lawsuits, danger of death from fire, iron or stones, injuries to the face, wounds, bad eyes, and if in an angle blindness. (Robson).

With Moon: Wounds, stabs (operations), imprisonment, injuries to the face, sickness, blindness or eye injuries especially if Saturn or Mars be with Regulus. (Robson).