Mirzam
Beta Canis Majoris · Canis Major
Position (2026)
♋ 7°33′ Cancer
Magnitude
1.97
Planetary Nature
(none)
No individual planetary nature verified. Brady, Brady's Book of Fixed Stars (1998), printed page 86, says Robson does not refer to Murzims (Mirzam). Her general Canis Major nature differs from Robson's general constellation entry, so neither has been assigned to this star.
Spectral Type
B1 II-III
Name Origin
Language
Arabic
Original Form
Al Murzim
Meaning
The Announcer
Allen gives Al Murzim as the source of Murzim and Mirzam, explaining the title through the star's rising before Sirius (1899, printed page 129). Brady uses Murzims and the same Announcer reading (printed pages 86 to 88).
Mirzam in Astrology
Brady calls Mirzam, which she spells Murzims, the Announcer because it rises before Sirius. She reads the star through carrying a message or speaking publicly. Her examples include Laurence Olivier's Venus culminating as the star rises, and Prince Charles's Moon culminating as it rises. The planet and the angular relationship give each example its particular setting. Brady places less weight on this star than on Sirius, so the reading should retain that modest scale.
When Mirzam Is Angular
Mirzam carries additional weight when it falls on one of the chart angles, independent of any planet conjunction.
If Rising
Brady illustrates Mirzam rising with Olivier's culminating Venus and Prince Charles's culminating Moon. She reads the first through acting and the second through the maternal example of speaking publicly (printed pages 33, 34 and 39). These are specific parans, with the planet supplying the context.
Mythology & History
Brady develops Mirzam's symbolism from the dog that announces its presence and from the star rising before Sirius. She calls it the Announcer and reads it through carrying a message (printed pages 86 to 88).
Brady spells the star Murzims, with Mirzam in parentheses. She explicitly says Robson, Ebertin and Rigor do not refer to it individually (printed page 86). Robson's general Canis Major entry and Brady's report of the constellation's nature differ; no individual planetary nature is assigned here from those constellation statements. Brady gives natal and paran readings only; the crossing reading here applies her account of the star.
Canis Major Context
Brady identifies Mirzam as Beta Canis Major in the Greater Dog and supplies paran map 8 (printed pages 86 and 87). Allen identifies the same beta star and explains its name through its rising before Sirius (1899, printed page 129). The Bright Star Catalogue classification reported by SIMBAD is B1 II-III, verified by the reviewer on 2026-10-16.
Learn more about Canis Major and its stars.
Notable Charts
Laurence Olivier
Venus culminating as Mirzam rises
Brady uses Olivier's early acting career to illustrate this rising-star paran, with the chart and diagram on printed pages 33 and 34.
Prince Charles
Moon culminating as Mirzam rises
Brady reads the Moon contact through his experience of a mother with a public message (printed page 39). The description records Brady's interpretation of the example.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Mirzam mean?
The name Mirzam comes from Arabic: Al Murzim, meaning "The Announcer." Allen gives Al Murzim as the source of Murzim and Mirzam, explaining the title through the star's rising before Sirius (1899, printed page 129).
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