In the constellation Pegasus, between the wing and the croup, shimmers the star Matar — η Pegasi. Its name is translated from Arabic as "rain," and it has long been associated with moisture, harvest, and luck that arrives like a sudden downpour after a drought.
Matar belongs to the constellation Pegasus — the winged horse born from the blood of Medusa the Gorgon. According to ancient Greek myth, when Perseus cut off Medusa's head, Pegasus sprang from her blood. The horse soared into the sky and became the faithful companion of the hero Bellerophon, helping him defeat the Chimera. However, Bellerophon later became proud and attempted to fly to Olympus on Pegasus, for which he was thrown to the earth, while the horse remained among the stars. Arab astronomers saw in Pegasus not a horse, but a large winged creature, and Matar (Arabic for "rain") was associated with moisture and fertility. In Bedouin tradition, this star was considered a herald of spring rains, when the sky opened its gates. Richard Hinckley Allen, in "Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning" (1899), notes that the Arabs called Matar the "Star of Rain" and associated it with favorable omens. In Indian astronomy, η Peg was part of the nakshatra (lunar mansion) Uttara Bhadrapada, symbolizing the hind legs of the funeral bed and associated with fire and purification. Interestingly, in Chinese tradition, Matar was part of the asterism "Lei Bi" — the "Thunder Anchor," which also points to atmospheric phenomena. Thus, the mythological image of Matar is celestial moisture, a gift of life, but also a reminder of humility before the forces of nature.
In classical astrology, Matar is traditionally endowed with the nature of Jupiter and Mercury. Ptolemy, in the "Tetrabiblos" (2nd century c.), asserted: "The stars at the end of the wing of Pegasus have the nature of Jupiter and Mercury" — a direct indication of a combination of benevolence and intellect. Vivian Robson, in "Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology" (1923), develops this idea: "Matar grants luck acquired through intelligence and eloquence, a tendency towards travel and commerce, as well as an interest in religion and philosophy." Robson also warns that in conjunction with Mars or Saturn, the star may "bring losses through water or due to rains." Reinhold Ebertin, in "Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation" (1971), adds: "Matar is a star that stimulates intellectual activity and gives the power of persuasion, but under unfavorable aspects — a tendency towards self-deception." Bernadette Brady, in "Brady's Book of Fixed Stars" (1998), emphasizes the archetype of the "celestial watering hole": "Matar is a star that brings relief after a period of deprivation. It symbolizes sudden blessings that seem undeserved but are actually the result of accumulated merit." Brady also notes that Matar may indicate a person who becomes a "channel for higher forces," bringing benefit to society. Thus, classical astrology sees in Matar a beneficent star, enhancing luck, wisdom, and communicative abilities, but requiring caution in aspects with malefics.
The analysis is built on our own database of 7 charts of famous people, 11 historical events, and 11 independence charts — with precise calculation of conjunctions using the Swiss Ephemeris.
Scientists and inventors whose natal planets are in conjunction with Matar bear the imprint of the archetype 'Destructive Genius.' This star grants the ability to perceive the hidden mechanisms of the universe, but the price for such knowledge is inevitable loneliness, inner discord, and misunderstanding from contemporaries. Their discoveries break established paradigms, causing a resonance that can be both creative and destructive. The conjunction with Matar amplifies the ambivalence of the gift: the light of insight is combined with the shadow of alienation.
For Albert Einstein, the conjunction with Matar falls on the Sun, making his personality and creative self-expression a conduit for this archetype. His theory of relativity (1905, 1915) fundamentally revised concepts of space, time, and gravity, toppling Newtonian mechanics from its pedestal. However, the same work that allowed an understanding of the nature of E=mc² indirectly led to the development of nuclear weapons (the Manhattan Project, 1942-1945). Einstein, a pacifist, experienced deep moral shock upon realizing the consequences of his discovery. The Sun in conjunction with Matar gave him the power to generate revolutionary ideas but also made him a figure torn between the pursuit of truth and responsibility for its application. His letter to Roosevelt (1939) and subsequent public remorse (e.g., his 1947 statement) illustrate the inner conflict between intellectual breakthrough and its destructive potential.
For Isaac Newton, the conjunction with Matar falls on Saturn, the planet of structure, discipline, and limitation. This gave his genius a particular form: he not only discovered the laws of nature but also sought to subordinate them to a strict system. His "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" (1687) laid the foundations of classical mechanics, but at the same time established a mechanistic worldview that for centuries excluded mystical and living aspects of nature from science. Saturn in conjunction with Matar manifested in his obsession with alchemy and biblical chronology — he devoted more time to these pursuits than to physics, but publicly denied them, fearing for his reputation. This duality, secrecy, and rigidity in defending his ideas (e.g., the conflict with Leibniz over priority in infinitesimal calculus, 1699-1716) reflect the shadow of Saturn: the striving for absolute knowledge, which simultaneously liberates and isolates. Newton never published his alchemical works, as if sensing that their destructive power for his image as a rational scientist would be too great.
The conjunction with Matar in the group of power and statesmen reveals the archetype of power achieved through direct physical impact. The star, whose nature is associated with rain and luck, manifests here as a flow of force that sweeps away obstacles but leaves devastation in its wake. In the charts of these people, Matar accentuates not so much creation as the capacity for radical restructuring through violent methods, where the planet of conjunction becomes a conduit for this energy.
For Pol Pot, the conjunction of Matar with Uranus (orb 0.09°) indicates a sudden, revolutionary break with the existing order, where personal will merges with the impersonal force of change. As the leader of the Khmer Rouge, he initiated a program of total agrarian reform that resulted in the genocide of his own people. Uranus, the planet of radical change, in combination with Matar, gave a sudden and swift seizure of power in 1975, but also subsequent alienation from reality, when the "Rain" became a symbol not of purification, but of flooding the country with blood. His rule, which lasted until 1979, became an example of how the archetype of luck associated with Matar can be distorted towards a fatal confluence of circumstances, where personal ambition is realized through mass sacrifice.
Patrice Lumumba, with the conjunction of Matar with Uranus (orb 0.80°), demonstrates a different aspect of the same archetype. As the first Prime Minister of the independent Congo (1960), he sought liberation from colonial oppression, but his power was short-lived and tragic. Uranus here manifested as a sudden rise — within a few months he became a national leader, but also as a sharp fall: he was overthrown and killed in 1961 with the involvement of external forces. In this context, Matar gave him the ability to mobilize the masses, to become the voice of change, but the "luck" turned out to be an illusion: his ideals collided with the harsh reality of political intrigue. Unlike Pol Pot, where Uranus acted through a long-term program of violence, for Lumumba the energy of the star manifested as a brief flash, leaving a mark on history but not bringing personal triumph. Both cases show how Matar, in conjunction with Uranus, creates tension between the striving for freedom and the inevitability of violent conflict resolution.
In the group of modern celebrities, the fixed star Matar, associated with the archetype of rain and luck, manifests through a paradoxical combination of external success and internal crisis. The archetype 'Public Trial' is revealed as sharp transitions from recognition to rejection, when fame becomes not a protection but a vulnerability. These people often experience moments when public attention turns into personal tragedy, and their achievements are overshadowed by scandals or losses. The star seems to test their strength, forcing them to pay a high price for renown.
Nicolaus Copernicus, with Mercury in exact conjunction with Matar (orb 0.13°), revealed the heliocentric system to the world, but his work "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" was published only on his deathbed in 1543. Mercury, the planet of mind and communication, is colored here by the star's influence: Copernicus hid his ideas for many years, fearing ecclesiastical condemnation. The publication itself was an act of defiance, but he saw neither triumph nor persecution — his 'trial' was deferred, manifesting in posthumous fame and the subsequent ban of the book in 1616. Matar seemed to grant him luck in scientific insight but demanded a sacrifice — recognition during his lifetime.
Sathya Sai Baba, with Uranus in conjunction with Matar (orb 0.89°), was an Indian spiritual leader who gathered millions of followers. Uranus, the planet of sudden changes and eccentricity, in combination with this star manifested in a series of scandals: accusations of sexual assault, staging miracles, and financial fraud, especially in the 1990s. His public trial lay in the contrast between a divine image and human weaknesses, which were exposed again and again. Matar brought him luck in attracting the masses but simultaneously 'severed' him from an impeccable reputation, making him a figure of polar assessments — from veneration to contempt.
Kurt Cobain, frontman of Nirvana, had Venus in conjunction with Matar (orb 0.92°). Venus, the planet of love, art, and values, manifested here through his music, which became an anthem for a generation, and through his tragic personal life. His success with the album 'Nevermind' (1991) was meteoric, but accompanied by depression, heroin addiction, and strained relations with his wife Courtney Love. Cobain's public trial reached its peak in 1994 when he committed suicide, becoming an icon of the 'beheaded' genius. Matar gave him the gift of expressing the pain of millions, but at the cost of his own life — his 'severance' was literal and final.
Thus, Matar in this group acts as a dual force: it lifts to the summit but simultaneously undermines the foundations, forcing one to pay for luck with personal losses. Each of these people experienced the 'rain' of fame to varying degrees, which ultimately turned into a storm.
The star Matar, whose archetype is associated with rain and luck, manifests in historical events as an unexpected turn, a breakthrough after a drought or crisis. Its influence often carries an element of sudden relief, purification, or unexpected success, but may also indicate moments when old structures collapse under the pressure of new forces. In conjunctions with planets, Matar emphasizes the role of chance, a spontaneous impulse, or a favorable confluence of circumstances that changes the course of history.
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (Venus, 0.08°): Venus in conjunction with Matar indicates that the death of a leader who embodied love and non-violence became a catalyst for the civil rights movement. Rain of tears and purification — this is how the consequences can be described: the Civil Rights Act was passed shortly after the tragedy.
Reichstag Fire (Mercury, 0.10°): Mercury with Matar — the spark that ignited the flame. The fire, staged by the Nazis, became a pretext for seizing power. Here, luck turned into triumph for some and the beginning of darkness for others.
Battle of Waterloo (Pluto, 0.14°): Pluto with Matar — transformation through defeat. Napoleon, whose star had set, faced an unexpected alliance of forces that led to the end of his rule. The rain on the battlefield became a symbol of Europe's purification.
Hamas Attack of October 7, 2023 (Neptune, 0.25°): Neptune with Matar — illusion becoming reality. A sudden attack, like a downpour from nowhere, shook the region. Luck for the attackers turned into tragedy for many, showing the fragility of peace.
Storming of the Bastille (Saturn, 0.37°): Saturn with Matar — destruction of the old order. The fall of the prison became a symbol of the revolution, where the rain of popular anger washed away absolutism. Luck favored the rebels, but the consequences were severe.
Founding of Facebook (Venus, 0.47°): Venus with Matar — luck in social connections. The creation of a network that united millions began with an idea that came as an epiphany. The rain of information and contacts changed communication.
Rwandan Genocide (Mercury, 0.67°): Mercury with Matar — the word becoming a weapon. Propaganda and calls for hatred spread like rain, carrying away lives. Luck for extremists turned into grief for the people.
Arab Spring — Bouazizi's Self-Immolation (Uranus, 0.86°): Uranus with Matar — sudden protest. One act of despair, like a drop, triggered a wave of revolutions. The rain of change poured over the Middle East, washing away old regimes.
American Civil War (Mercury, 0.94°): Mercury with Matar — division through the word. Debates over slavery and differences in legal interpretation led to war. The rain of blood soaked the land but led to unity.
Dictatorship in Argentina (Mercury, 0.99°): Mercury with Matar — propaganda and control. The military coup came like a thunderstorm, establishing a harsh regime. Luck for the junta turned into suffering for the people.
In the independence charts of countries, the active star Matar indicates that the birth of the state was marked by unexpected luck, a confluence of circumstances, or sudden liberation after a long wait. Such countries often go through periods where the rain of change washes away old foundations, and their history is filled with sharp turns where luck plays a key role.
Lesotho (Saturn, 0.11°): Saturn with Matar — independence won through patience. Lesotho, surrounded by South Africa, gained freedom without bloodshed, like rain after a drought. Luck in geographical isolation became the foundation for preserving culture.
Botswana (Saturn, 0.22°): Saturn with Matar — stability arriving unexpectedly. Botswana, one of the poorest countries at birth, thanks to diamonds and wise leadership, became an example of prosperity. The rain of resources poured upon it.
Iran (Mars, 0.24°): Mars with Matar — revolution like a thunderstorm. The Islamic Republic was born from protests, where luck favored the ayatollahs. The rain of change washed away the monarchy but brought a new order.
France (Saturn, 0.37°): Saturn with Matar — the birth of a republic through destruction. The storming of the Bastille was the spark, but the rain of revolution lasted long. France gained freedom, passing through thorns.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mercury, 0.39°): Mercury with Matar — independence achieved through word and war. The Dayton Accords, like rain, stopped the bloodshed. Luck in diplomacy gave a chance for peace.
Italy (Mercury, 0.43°): Mercury with Matar — unification like a sudden downpour. Garibaldi and his "Thousand" acted swiftly, and luck favored them. The rain of patriotism washed away fragmentation.
Netherlands (Mercury, 0.69°): Mercury with Matar — a constitutional monarchy born from compromise. After the Napoleonic Wars, the country gained stability, like rain after a storm. Luck in trade became the foundation.
Chile (Pluto, 0.85°): Pluto with Matar — independence through transformation. The struggle against Spain was long, but luck in battles led to freedom. The rain of blood soaked the land, but Chile survived.
Austria (Mars, 0.90°): Mars with Matar — the Second Republic, like a rebirth after war. Austria, liberated by the Allies, gained neutrality. Luck in that the country avoided partition.
Belgium (Mars, 0.90°): Mars with Matar — independence won in battle. The Revolution of 1830 led to the creation of the state. The rain of change washed away Dutch rule.
Argentina (Pluto, 0.96°): Pluto with Matar — independence through profound changes. The struggle against Spain was long, but luck in the person of San Martín led to success. The rain of freedom poured over the country.
Matar (η Pegasi) is a yellow giant of spectral class G2III, located approximately 215 light-years from Earth. Its apparent magnitude is 2.93, making it one of the brightest stars in Pegasus. Together with ζ Peg (Homam), θ Peg (Biham), and μ Peg (Sadalbari), it forms an asterism known as the "Belt of Pegasus" or the "Square of Pegasus." Ptolemy, in the "Tetrabiblos," described Matar as a star "at the end of the wing" of Pegasus, attributing to it the nature of Jupiter and Mercury. Modern observations confirm that the star has a significant luminosity — about 200 times that of the Sun, and its surface temperature is around 5000 K.
How the star Matar influences personality when in exact conjunction with one of the planets in the natal chart.
The star itself is not "located" in a house of the horoscope. But when a natal planet is in exact conjunction with the star Matar, the star's influence is colored by the theme of the house where that planet is placed.
Matar endows a person with optimism, sociability, and the ability to attract luck. As a star of rain, it grants "sudden blessings" (Brady, 1998) that come in a difficult moment. People under the influence of Matar possess the gift of persuasion, intellect, and a thirst for knowledge. They often become mediators, teachers, or diplomats, bringing benefit to society. The Jovian nature of the star promotes generosity, a philosophical outlook on life, and faith in a better future. In combination with Mercury, Matar gives eloquence and a commercial streak. These people know how to find common ground with different cultures and are successful in travel. Their life path is one of constant growth, like waters nourishing the earth.
The flip side of Matar is a tendency towards excess, extravagance, and self-deception. Ebertin (1971) warns that under unfavorable aspects, the star can give "an illusion of luck leading to losses." A person may become too trusting or lazy, relying on luck. In conjunction with malefics, Matar manifests its watery nature: possible problems with bodily fluids, accidents on water, or losses due to floods (Robson, 1923). Furthermore, an excess of Jovian energy breeds pride and a craving for luxury, which can alienate others. It is important to remember that rain is a blessing, but a flood is also rain.