The second most prominent star in Orion, and the seventh brightest in the sky, is Rigel, at 16° 50’ Gemini. A bluish-white double star situated in Orion’s left foot, its name derives from the Arabic phrase Rijl Jauzah al ‘Iusra, “the left leg of the tyrant”, later shortened to Rijl, “the foot”.
Influence: According to Ptolemy and William Lilly, its nature is that of Jupiter and Saturn, though later authors consider Jupiter and Mars a closer and more appropriate comparison. Alvidas likens it to Mercury, Mars and Jupiter. It brings benevolence, honours, prosperity, good fortune, fame, distinction, and an aptitude for invention and mechanics. Rigel is associated with fame, wealth and originality. It grants rapid success in life to the person signified by a planet in conjunction with it. Yet this star demands a continual struggle to sustain that success, which in turn strengthens the individual. Success here depends on remaining focused on one’s work, for only in this way can the person overcome whatever external obstacles may arise. Without such focus, disappointment is a distinct possibility. It also gives mechanical aptitude and success in everything connected with sharp instruments, as well as in invention.
It is known for bringing fame accompanied by responsibility, as is evident from Lilly’s description of the direction of the MC to this star:
“By the command of some grave Prince, the Native shall be constituted a Leader or Commander of an Army or Soldiers. His behaviour shall be austere, angry or churlish; he shall be fearless, commanding, noble. It shall procure him Ecclesiastical preferment, if he be not capable of warfare, very profitable, yet such as shall much impair and consume his body with endless vexations and hard labour. Thus it signifies that his honour or command shall be burdensome, and not worth accepting.”
According to Ebertin, a conjunction with the Sun, Moon, MC or Ascendant promises a rapid rise in life through an inherently strong will, a love of action and a fortunate hand in one’s undertakings. Nevertheless, a continual struggle is required to retain the positions attained. At the same time, this struggle stimulates greater strength. Even in the presence of difficult aspects, success and the attainment of one’s chosen goal are possible through this powerful concentration. If, however, the native is careless or succumbs to a period of weakness, failure or disappointment, a fall will follow. Traditional accounts of Rigel’s influence are decidedly contradictory, which again suggests that it must be thoroughly assessed in the context of the chart as a whole. After the First World War, at the time of the first transatlantic flights, Elsbeth Ebertin observed Rigel’s conjunction with the Sun or Moon in the nativities of several world-record-breaking pilots. These configurations brought sudden difficulties in carrying out planned undertakings, resulting in failure to reach the intended goal.
With the Ascendant: Good fortune, advancement, wealth, great and secret honours. At the zenith of the chart: Exceptional military or ecclesiastical advancement, rage, anger, generosity; substantial earnings through labour, anxieties, lasting honours. With the Sun: Fearlessness, courage, audacity, an unruly temperament, rash actions, bloodshed, many enemies, exceptional good fortune, military success. With the Moon: Many worries and disappointments, danger to life and property, illness, unfavourable for earnings, poor health or death of the wife or mother. With Mercury: Scientific ability, a distinguished position connected with Mercurial pursuits or science.
This indicates a somewhat more ruthless type of person. Such people can sell anything, even what they do not themselves possess. This may be regarded as a gift, but if Mars is also present, they exploit others. The entire nervous system is stimulated, producing a very rapid and even flow of energy through the nerves and patterns of thought. They usually speak quickly, are very bright, and people enjoy listening to them. They can therefore be persuasive in any field in which they choose to apply their communication skills.
With Venus: Honours or benefits in middle life, an advantageous marriage to an influential person, especially for women. With Mars: An unruly disposition, perceptiveness, involvement in mechanical pursuits, great military advancement. With Jupiter: Exceptional advancement in the Church or the law, extensive travel, gains through foreign business, favourable for marriage. With Saturn: Benefits through older people, clergy and lawyers, fairness, refinement, favourable for legacies and inheritances, domestic harmony, good health, longevity. With Uranus: Scientific and romantic inclinations, an interest in antiquities, fame through historical or geological discoveries, most likely in some unexplored country, friendships formed abroad in unusual ways, many adventures and narrow escapes from fatal situations, early disappointment in love, favourable for marriage after thirty; death in a foreign country through a trivial accident. With Neptune: Kindness, energy, a learned and active mind, a government position or leadership of a scientific institution, caution, reserve, resourcefulness, readiness, a diplomatic manner, an interest in the occult, success, public distinction, domestic harmony, natural death.
According to Dupor, with the Sun or Moon it brings danger from ambush and strange obstacles; with Jupiter, military or civil honours, and a position of command if on the MC. With Mercury it brings fame as a poet, painter or singer, and with Venus, musical fame.