About this star:

A sapphire star on the head of the Snake Charmer Ophiuchus. Ras alhague, or Rasalague, is from Ra's al Hawwa', "the Head of the Serpent-charmer", the Moorish El Hauwe. Variations: Rasalauge, Ras Alhagas, Ras Alhagus, Rasalange, Ras al Hangue, Rasalangue, Ras Alaghue, Rasalhagh, Alhague, and Alangue.

Al Ra'i, "the Shepherd", was a title from the early Arabic astronomy, the near-by alpha Herculis (Rasalgethi), 6° to the west, being Kalb al Ra'i, the Shepherd's Dog. (Allen).

Influence of constellation: "It is said to give a passionate, blindly good-hearted, wasteful and easily seduced nature, together with little happiness, unseen dangers, enmity, strife and slander. Pliny said that it occasioned much mortality by poisoning. This constellation has also been called Aesculapius and held to rule medicines. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump, The Lightning Struck Tower". (Robson).

General influence of the star: According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Saturn and Venus; and, to Alvidas, of Jupiter and Mercury in sextile to Mars. It gives misfortune through women, perverted tastes and mental depravity. (Robson).

It has a Saturn like character, and some of the undesirable Venus qualities are also present. Connected with these are Neptunian tendencies, making the native especially prone to infectious contamination caused by toxins. People thus influenced are easy going in the use of medical drugs, hallucinatory drugs stimulating foodstuffs, too much good living and overindulgence in tobacco and alcohol. There is danger of insect bites, snakebites or assault from infuriated animals or rabies smitten dogs. If conjunct the Moon, Mars, or Neptune, the native is very prone to infections in general and to epidemic infections. Besides the lower emanations, there are supposedly higher influences attributed to this star, 'though only very few people are able to attune themselves to these influences'. (Ebertin).

Rising: When Ophiuchus, encircled by the serpent's great coils, rises he renders the forms of snakes innocuous to those born under him. They will receive snakes into the folds of their flowing robes, and will exchange kisses with these poisonous monsters and suffer no harm (snake charmers). (Manilus).

With Sun: Reserved, thoughtful, studious, suspicious, solitary, reputation for athletics, little wealth, careless of public opinion. (Robson).

With Moon: Public prominence in religious matters, favorable for gain. (Robson).

With Mercury: Unpopular attitude and criticism through religion, philosophy or science; difficulties in marriage and quarrels fostered by others, trouble through opposite sex, not very good for gain. (Robson).

With Venus: Quick mind, well educated, cautious, secretive, suspicious, unfavorable for gain. (Robson).

With Mars: Trouble through writings, public censure in connection with religion, science or philosophy, bad for gain. (Robson).

With Jupiter: Diplomatic, religious or legal preferment, but some criticism, favorable for gain. (Robson).

With Saturn: Selfish, unpopular, determined, fixed opinions, successful, somewhat dishonest, domestic disharmony through jealousy, marriage partner may be invalid, losses of a Mercurial nature. (Robson).

With Uranus: Strong passions, strong nature but changeable, ambitious, occult interests, seeks popularity, easily swayed though outwardly aggressive, reverence for ancestry, benefits through elderly and influential people and public affairs, unfavorable for marriage and children, if any, trouble through opposite sex, sudden death. (Robson).

With Neptune: Hypocritical, self-seeking, able speaker or writer, but panders to the public, occult, religious or scientific work, but largely misleading, minor Government position, domestic disharmony, ill-health to marriage partner, disappointment over legacy, peculiar death sometimes through fall but animal and human agency may be suspected. (Robson).