Fomalhaut is a reddish fixed star of the first magnitude in the mouth of the Southern Fish. Its name derives from Fum-al-Hut, meaning ‘the Fish’s Mouth’. Around 3000 BC, it was one of the four royal stars of Persia, alongside Aldebaran, Regulus and Antares, marking the winter solstice as the Watcher of the South. The Arabs also gave this star another name, DAFDA AL AWWAL, meaning ‘the First Frog’. Fomalhaut lies at 4° 02’ Pisces.
Influence: According to Ptolemy, it has the nature of Venus and Mercury, while Alvidas assigns it the nature of a square between Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces and Sagittarius. It is said to be highly fortunate and powerful, yet to cause malevolence and concealment in appearance and character, as well as a shift from material to spiritual expression. Cardan held that, together with the stars rising at 12° Pisces, it confers immortality. This royal star brings success in the arts and in aesthetic pursuits generally. Those marked by Fomalhaut form the intellectual and creative elite of society. They are the ones who should teach future generations through their example.
It can produce scientists or writers, particularly when conjunct Mercury or the ruler of the 3rd house. Connected with Venus, it produces artists; however, when connected with malefics afflicted by Neptune (or the ruler of the 12th house), either directly or through their dispositors, it indicates deception and describes ill intentions concealed behind an apparently pleasant exterior. In a favourable combination with Neptune or Jupiter, it may draw the native towards faith and religion. It is remarkable how many famous musicians have Fomalhaut prominently placed in their charts. This star of artistic talent and inspiration is conjunct the Moon in the charts of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Leonard Cohen and Prince. Kurt Cobain, the late frontman of Nirvana, and George Harrison of the Beatles both had it conjunct the Sun. Fomalhaut has also found expression in jazz. Let us mention just two great musicians who had the opportunity to express this star’s energy: the brilliant saxophonist John Coltrane and the pianist Thelonious Monk. The most striking example from our own region is undoubtedly Danilo Kiš, who was born with the Sun on this star. According to Dupor, Fomalhaut with Mercury produces a writer, artist or actor. With Venus, it gives the same, with the addition of music; with Jupiter, honour through learning and, when well placed in the 10th house, fame as well.
Fomalhaut is intoxicated and enchanted by love and life. As ruler of the winter solstice, it embodies, like Jesus, the hope of rebirth. Fomalhaut embraces grand ideas, such as the belief that love conquers all. These people often fall hopelessly in love, yet the path to that love is strewn with challenges and obstacles. Romeo may have had Venus on this star.
Pride can be a great enemy to these people: if they harbour a messianic or similar complex, the immortal name bestowed by this star may acquire a darker connotation. It is interesting, for instance, that Osho had this star on the MC. Although recognised as a guru, his path was far from free of serious obstacles: his homeland rejected his teachings, while the American police constantly harassed him (he was even arrested over problems with his visa). Despite all this, Osho is remembered as a prominent spiritual teacher whose teachings have had a considerable influence on the Western world.
On the Ascendant or at the zenith of the chart, it brings great and lasting honours. With the Sun: extravagance, extreme susceptibility to the influence of bad company, gains through inheritance that nevertheless bring no good, possible suffering for a crime committed, danger from the bites of venomous creatures. With the Moon: secret business that brings much trouble and enmity, though profit is ultimately secured after many difficulties. Parting from others is far more beneficial than forming attachments. With Mercury: many losses and disappointments, ill fortune in business, better suited to being a servant than a master, writing or receiving secret letters, anxiety over a curse, arrest or a ruined reputation, domestic troubles, illness of a Saturnian nature. With Venus: passionate love affairs conducted in secret, certain limitations in life, disappointments, easily led astray. With Mars: an evil disposition, passion, vindictiveness, many secret enemies, susceptibility to disgrace and ruin, danger from the bites of venomous creatures. With Jupiter: compassion, charity, honours in the Church, Freemasonry or secret societies, much travel. With Saturn: accidents, diseases of the lungs, throat or feet; losses through enemies, friends, Mercurial occupations, gangs or associations; false accusations, involvement in scandals towards the end of life, sudden death, deception by the family in legal matters. With Uranus: instability, wasted talents, an unfavourable environment, impractical ideas, loss of friends, addiction to drugs or intoxicants, utopian notions, injury to the spouse, misfortune brought upon partners, fatal injury through electricity, an explosion or an accident. With Neptune: severity, malice, selfishness, an analytical mind, detective abilities, many concealed enemies, involvement in secret business or government work, an interest in the occult, some dishonesty, influential friends, involvement in affairs associated with the 9th and 11th houses, gains through speculation, death of the spouse, many escapes from dangerous situations, violent death at the hands of secret enemies.