SPICA

Astronomical information and designation: α Virginis. A binary, brilliant flushed white star marking the Ear of Wheat shown in the Virgin's left hand, in Virgo, a system whose two stars are so close together they are egg-shaped rather than spherical, and can only be separated by their spectra. 

Position: 25th degree Libra (2026- 24° 12')

Planetary nature: Venus- Mars. According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Venus and Mars and, to Alvidas, of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury.

Suggested orb: 1 deg. approx.

History of the star

The Romans believed Spica to be the goddess Ceres. Early Arabs had an enormous Lion of which part of Virgo formed one of the legs. Spika was Al Hulbah, "the Bristle" or the Calf of the Lion, with Arcturus as the second Calf; others said it was Sak al Asad, the Shin-bone of the Lion. A still more widely spread native Arabian name for Spika was Al Simak al A'zal, "the Defenceless", or "Unarmed", Simak, i.e. unattended by any near-by star; the other Simak, Arcturus, being armed with a lance, or staff, represented by adjacent stars of Bootes.

This star marked the Arabic 12th manzil, Al Simak or Al Zimach (related to the Hebrew word Tsemech), and in early astrology was, like all of Virgo, a sign of unfruitfulness and a portent of injustice to innocence; but later on, of eminence, renown, and riches. [Influences: Causes marital love, cures the sick, helps sailors but hinders journeys by land.

With Moon transiting here; dig but do not marry or travel. (Robson)].

The Hindus knew it as Citra, "Bright", their 12th nakshatra, figured as a Lamp, or as a Pearl, with Tvashtar, the Artificer, or Shaper, as its presiding divinity. [Influences: Those born on the lunar day will be mathematicians, surgeons, oculists, weavers, writers, singers, manufacturers of perfumes and dealers in jewels and cloth.

With the Moon transiting here at birth native will be fond of clothes and flowers of many colours and will have beautiful eyes and limbs (Robson).

General influence of the star

Spica gives success, renown, riches, a sweet disposition, love of art and science, unscrupulousness, unfruitfulness and injustice to innocence. (Robson).

With Sun: Great and lasting preferment, eminent dignity, immense wealth, great happiness to native's parents and children, help from friends among clergy, favourable for public and legal affairs. If culminating, Church and State preferment. If with Venus and Mars also the native is a potent king obeyed by many people, but subject to many infirmities. (Robson).

With Moon: Gain through inventions, success, wealth and honour from Mercury, Venus or Jupiter people. (Robson).

With Mercury: Neat, tidy, clever, ingenious, favour of clergy and people in authority, gain through investment, responsible position. (Robson).

With Venus: Benefits from friends, social success, false friends of own sex. (Robson).

With Mars: Popular social success, may have good judgement and quick decision or be violent in dispute, rigid, and nearly or quite a fool. (Robson).

With Jupiter: Popular, social success, wealth, ecclesiastical honour and preferment. (Robson).

With Saturn: Apt to be suspicious, sharp or rugged, but does much good, occult interests, good speaker, popular, many friends, gain through legacies but extravagant, good health, favourable for domestic matters. (Robson).

With Uranus: Mediumistic, popular, business connected with ornaments, gain through marriage, fortunate, sudden natural death. (Robson).

With Neptune: Well-born, comfortable surroundings, always sufficiently well off, associated with companies, gain through legacies, favourable for domestic matters, somewhat fast and extravagant, does not live to old age. (Robson).