History of the star: A double star, 4.4 and 11 magnitude, white and red.

The Arabic name for Acubens is Az-Zubana (1), "The claw". This is the southern claw of the Crab, Cancer, which lies near the head of Hydra.

Pliny's names for it were Acetabula, "the Arm Sockets" (of the crab). [The acetabulum is the curved cavity on the side of the hipbone where the end of the thighbone fits - Encarta].

Another name was Cirros, — properly Cirrus, — the Arms themselves, which some translate as "The scissors of the Crab", equivalent to Ovid's Flagella [scourge, whip, or threadlike appendage of certain cells that functions as an organ of locomotion. - AHD]; others similarly saying Branchiae [a gill in aquatic animals or a similar structure found in the embryos of higher animals, including humans -AHD] and Ungulae [hoof]. Bayer also cited the Barbarians Grivenescos. Sartan and Sertan are from the Arabic word for the whole figure of the Crab.

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

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

Shining at the hinge of the year by the blazing turning-point which when recalled the Sun rounds in his course on high, the Crab occupies a joint of heaven and bends back the length of day. Of a grasping spirit and unwilling to give itself in service the Crab distributes many kinds of gain, and skill in making profits; he enables a man to carry his investment of foreign merchandise from city to city and, with an eye on steep rises in the price of corn, to risk his money upon sea-winds; to sell the world's produce to the world, to establish commercial ties between so many unknown lands, to search out under foreign skies fresh sources of gain, and from the high price of his goods to amass sudden wealth. With heaven's favour he also sells seasons of idleness at rates of interest to his liking, wishing the swift passage of time to add to the principal. His is a shrewd nature, and he is ready to fight for his profits. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, book 4, p.235.]

The general astrological influences of the star: Activity, malevolence and poison, making its natives liars and criminals. (Robson*).

Acubens has a Martian nature and a strong blending in of Saturnian influence, conveying an unbalanced and "jumpy" nature. If the chart is a disharmonious one to people effected by it and especially if Acubens is in conjunction with Mars, Sun or Uranus, this will make for an unsettled mentality and helplessness. If in conjunction with Saturn, major disappointments in life, ordeals and trials, mental suffering, excitements, loss, opposition, disputes and deception are indicated. According to Elsbeth Ebertin's experience, this is the case especially if these persons are in positions of social standing or are politically active. (Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1923). 
 
One significance of Acubens is the enforced use of applied intelligence when finding oneself in combat at someone else's behest. But a generally more positive quality to read from Acubens is that of a sharp intellect and ease of coming to grips with problems, for which one might earn public renown. But, again there is the note of doing this under pressure of others demanding 'from behind'. (The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse).

References

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