About this star:

A reddish star in the mouth of the Southern Fish, Piscis Austrinus (not Pisces). Fomalhaut is from the Arabic Fam al-Hut, "Mouth of the fish".

Variations on the name were: Piscis Meridionalis, Os Piscis notii, Fumahaud, Fomahant, Fomahandt, Fumahant, Fumahaut, Fumalhaut; Phom Ahut, Fontabant; Fomauth, Phomaut, Phomault, Phomant, Phomaant, Phomhaut, Phomelhaut, Phomalhaut, Fumalhant, Fomahaut, Phomahant, Fomalcuti, Fomahout; Fomalhout, Pham Al Hut, Fomalhani.

Among early Arabs Fomalhaut was Al Difdi' al Awwal, the "First Frog"; (beta Cetus, Deneb Kaitos the Second Frog). Thalim, the "Ostrich, another Arabic title.

Fomalhaut with Achernar and Canopus made up Dante's Tre Facelle.

It was Hastorang in Persia 2582 B.C., at the winter solstice, and a Royal Star, one of the "four Guardians of Heaven", sentinels watching over other stars; while about 500 B.C. it was the object of sunrise worship in the temple of Demeter at Eleusis.

This is one of the four key stars in the heavens, also called archangel stars.

Michael (Aldebaran) watcher of the East.

Gabriel (Fomalhaut) watcher of the South.

Raphael (The Healing Archangel (Regulus) Watcher of the North.

Oriel (Antares) Watcher of the West.

At one time they marked the two Equinoxes and two Solstices. Aldebaran marked zero Aries 3044 BC, Antares marked zero Libra 3052 BC, Fomalhaut marked zero Capricorn, 2582 BC, Regulus marked zero Cancer 2345 BC.

Eric Morse says: They have been characterized as Horses, reflected both in the famed Four Horsemen of Apocalypse (Revelations 6) and Chariot Horses in the Book of Zechariah. Regulus was long considered the supreme of the Four Guardians but the role of Fomalhaut - Gabriel, in the birth of Jesus - must now be said to challenge or actually supplant, with a new stage in human spiritual evolution, the supremacy of the more 'medical' Archangel of the Leonine era. (Dr Eric Morse, The Living Stars).

With astrologers, it portended eminence, fortune, and power. (Allen).

Influence of the constellation:

Ptolemy gives no separate influence and describes Fomalhaut, but according to Bayer the constellation is of the nature of Saturn. It is said to have an influence similar to Pisces, but in addition to augment the fortunes. (Robson).

General influence of the star:

According to Ptolemy, it is of the nature of Venus and Mercury; and, to Alvidas, of Jupiter in square to Saturn from Pisces and Sagittarius. It is said to be very fortunate and powerful and yet to cause malevolence of sublime scope and character, and change from a material to a spiritual form of expression. Cardan stated that together with the stars rising with 12 Libra it gives an immortal name. (Robson).

It has a Mercury-Venus character with a blending of Neptune influence. According to tradition, this star is of quite variable effect, either very good or very bad, depending on the overall cosmic structure. It is assumed, however, that the helpful influence is the greater one and if in conjunction with Mercury, it is said to stimulate mental capabilities and promise success as a writer or scientist. On the Ascendant and in good aspect, tradition has it that this star will make for 'fame' and a name 'remembered forever'. In conjunction with Venus, there will be advantages in artistic pursuits. A conjunction with Jupiter or on the MC will bring favor from dignitaries of the church. Tied up with either Sun or Moon, the influence of Fomalhaut is said to be quite marked. (Ebertin).

If rising or culminating: Great and lasting honors. (Robson).

Rising: "When the Southern Fish rises into the heavens, leaving its native waters for a foreign element, whoever at this hour takes hold of life will spend his years about sea-shore and river-bank he will capture fish as they swim poised in the hidden depths ; he will cast his greedy eyes into the midst of the waters, craving to gather pellucid stones (pearls) and, immersed himself, will bring them forth together with the homes of protective shell wherein they lurk. No peril is left for man to brave profit is sought by means of shipwreck, and the diver who has plunged into the depths becomes, like the booty, the object of recovery. And not always small is the gain to be derived from this dangerous labor (implying that a diver's life was usually an unenviable one) pearls are worth fortunes, and because of these splendid stones there is scarcely a rich man left. Dwellers on land are burdened with the treasures of the sea. A man born to such a lot plies his skill along the shore; or he purchases at a fixed wage another's labor and sells for a profit what it has brought him, a peddler in the many different forms of sea products". (Manilus, book 5 of Astronomica, 1st century AD).

With Sun: Dissipated, easily influenced by low companions, gain through inheritance but unproductive of good, may suffer for some crime committed, danger of bites from venomous creatures. (Robson).

With Moon: Secret business causing much trouble and enmity, but eventual gain after many difficulties. The separation is more benefic than the application. (Robson).

With Mercury: Many losses and disappointments, unlucky in business, better servant than master, writes or receives secret letters, worry through slander, imprisonment or damaged reputation, domestic difficulties, sickness of a Saturnian nature. (Robson).
Success as a scientist or writer. (Ebertin).

With Venus: Secret and passionate love affairs, some restriction in the life, disappointments, easily led astray. (Robson).

With Mars: Malevolent, passionate, revengeful, many secret enemies, liable to disgrace and ruin, danger of bites from venomous creatures. (Robson).

With Jupiter: Sympathetic, charitable, honors in the Church, Freemasonry or secret societies, many voyages. (Robson).

With Saturn:Accidents, ailments affecting the lungs, throat and feet, loss through enemies, friends, Mercurial affairs, bands and companies, wrongfully accused, affairs involved at end of life, sudden death and family cheated out of their rights. (Robson).

With Uranus: Unstable, wasted talents, evil environment, unpractical ideas, loses friends, addicted to drugs or intoxicants, utopian schemes, afflicted marriage partner, brings misfortune to associates, fatally injured by electricity, explosion or accident. (Robson).

With Neptune: Sharp, shrewd, self-seeking, analytical, detective ability, many secret enemies, connected with secret affairs or government work, occult interests, somewhat dishonest, influential friends, associated with 9th and 12th house affairs, gain through speculation, death of marriage partner, many narrow escapes, violent death through secret enemies. (Robson).