Lunar Mansion 4: Al Dabaran, or The Rider

About Lunar Mansion 4

The Arabic name for Lunar Mansion 4 is Al Dabaran, which means "the follower." In the Tropical Zodiac, Lunar Mansion 4 extends from 8°34’17″ Taurus to 21°25’40″ Taurus.

I nicknamed this mansion The Rider. When the Moon is here, it's an auspicious time to exercise strength and tenacity in overcoming obstacles.

Do: Pursue your goals, especially in business. Dive in and get something accomplished. Travel.

Don't: Surrender because something is too hard. Avoid partnerships with those more powerful than you.

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Lunar Mansions in History

Astrologers throughout the ages have commented on the meaning of the lunar mansions. Here's what's been written about Lunar Mansion 4.

From Al Biruni, 11th Century

Al-dabaran is a large shining red star in the easterly eye of Taurus. The head of Taurus is shaped like a bowl with its mouth to the north, (while the muffle of the bull (mouth and lips) are directed south.) Aldebaran, the "follower" of the Pleiades is also called tabi al-najm.

From Abenragel, 11th Century:

Indian Astrology: Good for sowing, for putting on new clothes, for receiving women and feminine things, for demolishing a building or starting a new one, for making a journey, except for third part of day.

Dorotheus: Good to build a house, which will be solid, and building in general, to dig a ditch, to buy slaves, who will be loyal and honest, and to buy livestock. Also good to be with kings and lords, for receiving power or honours. Bad to contract marriage, since woman will prefer another, or to enter partnerships, especially with those more powerful. Voyages will involve big waves. If captured, the captivity will be long but, if captured for skills, will be released through goodwill.

From Picatrix, 11th Century

The fourth Mansion is Aldabaran, and it is for the creation of enmity . When the Moon has passed around to this Mansion, take red wax and from it fashion the image of an armed man riding a cavalry horse holding a serpent in his right hand. Cense this image with red myrrh and storax, and say: You, Assarez, do such and such a thing and fulfill my request; and make your request from things appertaining to enmity, separation and the creation of evil desires. And it shall be completely as you have asked. And know that Assarez is the name of the lord of this Mansion.

From Henry Cornelius Agrippa, 16th Century

Aldebram or Aldelamen: eye or head of Taurus. Destruction and hindrances of buildings, fountains, wells and gold mines, the flight of reptiles and creates discord revenge, separation, enmity & ill will A soldier on a horse, holding a serpent in his right hand.

From Vivian Robson, 20th Century

Al Dabaran. alpha Taurus [Aldebaran]. The Follower. Causes the destruction and hindrances of buildings, fountains, wells, gold mines, the flight of creeping things, and begets discord. With Moon here, pursue business, travel, marry and take medicine.

From Peter Stockinger, 20th Century

Al-Dabaran, The Eye of Taurus. Related to the star of the eye of the constellation Taurus, one of the Royal Stars of antiquity. Favorable for work, manufacture and small trade. Unfavorable for real estate, building and everything having to do with mines.

From Christopher Warnock, 20th Century

Al Dabaran indicates argument and anger. Its appearance often signifies chaos, enmity, struggle and conflict. It can be an indication of strength, too. But the situation requires restraint, lest we succumb to violence, either physical or emotional. This Mansion can signify a contest of wills or a lawsuit. It indicates countervailing forces, and often signifies hindrance in reaching our goals. It also reminds us, however, that without risk there is no grain. To achieve our goals, it is sometimes necessary to put forth furious effort. The treasure cannot be seized by the slow, the fearful or the lazy. Al-Dabaran may exhort us to seize the day, to apply our greatest effort in order to reap rewards. 

Keywords: Primal Material, discord, enmity, chaotic substance, ill-will, hindrance.