About this star:

This star, beta Perseus, marks the head that the Hero Perseus is carrying under his left arm. Algol is the "Head of Gorgon Medusa".

Algol changes its brightness, because it is an eclipsing binary - every 68 hours and 49 minutes the demon "blinks" for roughly 8 hours as the dimmer star of the pair passes between the brighter star and the earth.

Ancient Arabs thought it was spooky, and called the star Algol, or Al-Ghul, which means "The Ghoul" or "Demon Star", and Ri'B al Ohill, the "Demon's Head". It is said to have been thus called from its rapid and wonderful variations. Algol is the most famous of the eclipsing variables and the only one known of in ancient times. This behavior was attributed to a pulsing eye of the Gorgon Medusa.

"the Gorgon's head, a ghastly sight, deformed and dreadful, and a sight of woe" - Iliad.

"The Blinking Demon", "the Spectre's Head" are common names. Al Ghul literally signifies a "Mischief-maker".

The Hebrews knew Algol as Rosh ha Sitan, "Satan's Head", or "the Devil's Head"; also as Lilith, Adam's legendary first wife, believed to have been in existence before the creation of Eve. She is believed to be the nocturnal vampire from the lower world.

The Chinese gave it the gruesome title Tseih She, the "Piled-up Corpses". Astrologers say that it was the most unfortunate, violent, and dangerous star in the heavens. (Allen).

About Medusa Myth : Medusa ("cunning one"), along with her sisters, Stheno ("strong"), and Euryale ("wide roaming") were the daughters of the sea Titans Porcys and Ceto. Medusa (Algol), whose head Perseus is carrying under his left arm, was the youngest and most beautiful and she was also the only mortal one of the three. Once said to have been extremely wise; they all served as priestesses to the virgin goddess of wisdom, Athena. However, the Seagod Poseidon ( Neptune ) desperately desired Medusa. In a moment of raw passion he raped Medusa inside of Athena's temple of worship. Perhaps in anger, the three sisters became petty and vindictive toward men. Athena transformed Medusa and her sisters into hideous beasts with scaly skin, dragon's wings and hair formed of dozens of coiling snakes. As a result, all who beheld the Gorgons were instantly turned to stone when their eyes met. Perseus; guided and gifted by the Gods; slew Medusa. He used her head to slay the Sea Monster (Cetus) after rescuing Andromeda, then gave the head to Athena who mounted it onto a breastplate (or shield) called the Aegis. From then on; all who looked into the Athena's Aegis turned to stone. The gigantic head of Gorgon, a thing of fear and horror, was the centerpiece of a series of warcraft icons; Terror, Hatred and Onslaught.

Influence of the constellation:

It gives an intelligent, strong, bold and adventurous nature, but a tendency to lying. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Lamed and the 12^th Tarot Trump, The Hanged Man. (Robson).

The constellation is indicative of events effecting large numbers of people, especially those events caused by major meteorological phenomena. When prominent in a natal chart it is said to denote adventurous individuals, but also those who are less than honest in their dealings with others. (Noonan).

It causes misfortune, violence, decapitation, hanging, electrocution and mob violence, and gives a dogged and violent nature that causes death to the native or others. It is the most evil star in the heavens. (Robson).

Poor teeth. Brutality and violence. Arabic commanders in chief, in times of conquest, made it a point that no important battles were begun when the light of Algol was weak (Algol is an eclipsing binary - every 68 hours and 49 minutes the demon ‘blinks’ for roughly 8 hours as the dimmer star of the pair passes between the brighter and the earth). (Ebertin).

If culminating: Murder, sudden death, beheading, prone to murder and mischief. If at the same time in conjunction with Sun, Moon or Jupiter, gives victory over others in war. (Robson).

With the Hyleg and angular: decapitation or a murderer who meets with a violent death. (Robson).

With Fortuna or its dispositor, poverty. (Robson).

With Sun: Violent death or extreme sickness. If also in no aspect to a benefic, or there is no benefic in the 8th house, and the dispositor of the Sun in a day nativity or if the Moon in the night one is in square or opposition to Mars, the native will be beheaded; if the luminary culminate he will be maimed, mangled, wounded or torn to pieces alive; and if Mars is at the same time in Gemini or Pisces his hands or feet will be cut off. (Robson).

With Moon: Violent death or extreme sickness. (Robson).

With Mars: or if Mars be elevated above the luminaries when Algol is angular, the native will be a murderer who will come to an untimely end. The same is caused by Algol angular or with the hyleg. (Robson).

With Mars or Saturn: and the Moon at the same time with Sadalmelik (2 Pisces), hanging or decapitation by royal command; if the Moon is with Denebola (20 Virgo), death by judicial sentence; and, if the Moon is with Alfard (26 Leo) death by water or poison. (Robson).