Mintaka
Delta Orionis · Orion
Position (2026)
♊ 22°44' Gemini
Magnitude
2.25
Planetary Nature
Jupiter / Saturn (robson)
Spectral Type
O9.5II
Mintaka in Astrology
Mintaka, the first star of Orion's Belt, carries Jupiter-Saturn energy that bestows precision, good fortune in enterprise, and a natural sense of cosmic order. It grants success through alignment with larger patterns and an instinctive understanding of structure and hierarchy. The native finds their place within greater systems with remarkable accuracy.
Mythology & History
Mintaka takes its name from the Arabic al-Mintaqah, meaning 'the belt,' describing its position as the westernmost star of Orion's Belt. Mintaka sits almost exactly on the celestial equator, making it one of the most important reference points in positional astronomy. Across cultures, Mintaka and its belt companions have been used as calendrical markers, navigation aids, and celestial timekeepers. Its Jupiter-Saturn nature gives it a quality of structured expansion, appropriate for a star that serves as a universal reference point.
Orion Context
Mintaka marks the right (western) edge of Orion's Belt, the three stars that have been recognized as a distinct unit by virtually every culture on earth. While Alnilam at the center carries the focal authority of the belt, Mintaka at the edge represents the starting point or the boundary. Its position on the celestial equator gives it a quality of perfect balance between north and south, an equilibrium that has made it invaluable to astronomers and navigators for millennia.
Check if Mintaka is active in your chart
Enter your birth data to see which fixed stars conjoin your natal planets.
Open Fixed Stars Calculator