The Behenian Fixed Stars are a selection of fifteen stars considered especially useful for magical applications in the mediæval astrology of Europe and the Arab world. Their name derives from Arabic bahman, "root", as each was considered a source of astrological power for one or more planets. Each is also connected with a gemstone and plant that would be used in rituals meant to draw the star's influence (e.g., into a talisman). When a planet was within six degrees of an associated star, this influence was thought to be particularly strong. Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa discussed them in his De Occulta Philosophia as the Behenii (singular Behenius), describing their magical workings and kabbalistic symbols. He attributed these to Hermes Trismegistus, as was common with occult traditions in the Middle Ages. [NOTE: the symbols drawn by Agrippa for Aldebaran (Aldaboram), for Capella (Hircus) and for the Pleiades differ somewhat from those displayed in Wikipedia. There are a number of versions extant, but I have used those presented in J.F's 1651 English translation of Book II of Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy.]
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