History of the star: A triple star, pale white and lilac on the head of the Scorpion Scorpius.

The Arabic name for Acrab is Al-'Aqrab (1), "The scorpion".

This star, Acrab (beta), along with the other stars on the Head of the Scorpion; Dschubba (delta), and Jabbah (nu) were the Euphratean Gis-gan-gu-sur, "the Light of Hero", or "the Tree of the Garden of Light ".

In Mesopotamia these were Jia Jan Ju Sur which seems to have meant "the forbidden Tree of Life in Eden".

These three stars along with sigma and pi (and some add nu Jabbah, and rho) was the Arabic 15th manzil, Iklil al Jabhah, "the Crown of the Forehead", just north of which feature it lies.

The Hindus knew the group as their 15th nakshatra, Anuradha, "Propitious", or "Successful", "The Star Calling to Activity" (2), — "Mitra, the Friend", one of the Adityas, being the presiding divinity; and they figured it as a "Row" or "Ridge", which the line of component stars well indicates.

[Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinchley Allen, 1889]

Influences of the 15th nakshatra: Improves misfortune, makes love durable, strengthens buildings and helps seamen. [Robson*].

Etymology: Graffias (caraffagio is the Italian cockroach.) Identical with the Hebrew term for scorpion, but see the “CRAB” and “COCKROACH (A)” entries to fully understand the crustacean crustiness and CORVETTE-like combatativeness of this sign. QR, like Keras, horn in Latin, infers hardness. The other subroot, RB, infers much and quarrelling.

From The Word CRAB entry: Hebrew etymons appear to offer a fuller sense of the animal. (A)KRABH is a "scorpion" (I Kings 12:11), but the term should be considered a generic term for similar hard-shelled crustaceans.

The KEREBH (animal innards - Exodus 12:9) lies exposed, beneath the CRAB'S armor plating. This militaristic creature creeps or KORABH (approaches gradually, nears) for battle or KRABH (battle, warfare - Psalms 144:1) shielded by its CARAPACE or KLEPA (shell - see "CALIPEE"). The crab, in short, is nature's CORVETTE (warship).

[Isaac Mozeson, author of The Word dictionary, Edenic (Biblical Hebrew)].

The astrological influences of the constellation: The Scorpion is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump "The Lightning Struck Tower". (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"The Scorpion presides over arms" [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 4, p.253]

By virtue of his tail armed with its powerful sting, wherewith, when conducting the Sun's chariot through his sign, he cleaves the soil and sows seed in the furrow, the Scorpion creates natures ardent for war and active service, and a spirit which rejoices in plenteous bloodshed and in carnage more than in plunder. Why, these men spend even peace under arms : they fill the glades and scour the woods; they wage fierce warfare now against man, now against beast, and now they sell their persons to provide the spectacle of death and to perish in the arena, when, warfare in abeyance, they each find themselves foes to attack. There are those, too, who enjoy mock-fights and jousts in arms (such is their love of fighting) and devote their leisure to the study of war and every pursuit which arises from the art of war. [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, p.239-240]. 

The general astrological influences of the star: According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mars and Saturn; and, to Alvidas, of Jupiter in square to Saturn and the Moon. It causes extreme malevolence, mercilessness, fiendishness, repulsiveness, malice, theft, crime, pestilence, and contagious diseases. (Robson*).

This star and Dschubba are supposed to correspond to a Mars character with a blend of Saturn characteristics. Dr Koch is of the opinion that both these stars are 'doubtful'. The effect of these two stars has yet to be researched more fully. According to tradition, these stars are credited with giving the ability to do research, and especially research into things of a particularly secret and hidden nature. For this to be however, further influence of the sign Scorpio and planets Mercury and Uranus have also to be present; preferably these stellar bodies would be positioned on the MC or Ascendant and be near another stellar body pointing to mental capabilities. In lower types, however, a tendency to falsehood and treason can be noted. Both stars are a poor augury for material wealth. There will be difficulties, impediments, or loss, dependent upon the position these have in the cosmogram. In mundane maps, there is an indication of mass catastrophes, should either Mars, Saturn or Uranus be in these first degrees of Sagittarius, especially in an angular position. (Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1923)

Situated on the head of the Scorpion, not where its armament is, which is at the rear. It is a fighter of great skill and characterizes Mars-Saturn perfectly. Anyone with this star strong in their horoscope is likely to show a patient and wary approach to any situation, but this will belie the skilled determination which will then be brought to bear. Scorpio is famous for the surgeons born in it and this star shows up just the qualities which they need to have. The same applies to generals, policemen, private investigators and secret service agents, many of whom have this star well placed and aspected. In research of all other kinds too, it distinguishes the real adept. (The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse).

Associated sometimes with cruelty. (Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology). 

If rising: Riches and preferment attended by danger, violence, trouble, sickness, benefits seldom last. (Robson*).

With Sun: Materialistic, too active a mind, ecclesiastical difficulties, bad health. Otherwise similar to the effect if rising. (Robson*).

With Moon: Great power, honor, wealth, gifts, difficulty in obtaining legacy, materialistic, interested in unpopular ideas, criticized, success after many difficulties. Otherwise similar to the effect if rising. (Robson*).

With Mercury: Dull mind, difficulty in expression or defect in speech, gifts, difficulty in obtaining legacy but final success. (Robson*).

With Venus: Dishonest, self-seeking, energetic, able, favorable for gain. (Robson*).

With Mars: Athletic, suffers from over-exertion, goes to extremes, active mind, favorable for money matters but extravagant and has many debts. (Robson*).

With Jupiter: Hypocritical, real or pretended religious zeal, legacies attended by legal difficulties. (Robson*).

With Saturn: Cautious, cunning, self-seeking, deceitful, dishonor able, progressive ideas, religious but hypocritical, proud of borne, loss by fire or water, gain through marriage and partnership, few children, long life. (Robson*).

With Uranus: Scientific, religious or philosophical work, difficulties with marriage partner's relatives, favorable for marriage and children, domestic difficulties finally overcome, trouble with parents in early life, favorable for gain and speculation, loss through Mercurial matters, liable to accidents by fire and electricity, sudden death. (Robson*).

With Neptune: Connected with science, inventions, companies, or journalism, breeds horses or cattle, good mind, late but favorable marriage but peculiar domestic conditions, accidents in middle age, death after lingering illness. (Robson*).

 *(Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology , Vivian E. Robson, 1923)