History of the star: A ternary star, 2.3, 5.5, and 6.5, orange, emerald, and blue and was thought to be one of the most beautiful objects in the heavens.

The Arabic name for Almach or Alamak is 'Anaq al-Ard, "Earth-kid", a small predatory animal of Arabia, similar to a badger, and popularly known there as Al Barid (Barid in Arabia is a unit of distance equal to about 19.3 kilometers). This name comes from very early Arab astronomy. This star marks the left foot of Andromeda and there has been conjecture that this name comes from Arabic Al Mauk, the Buskin [A foot and leg covering reaching halfway to the knee. Another meaning is a Greek tragedy].

Al H'amis al Na'amat, the "5th one of the Ostriches" was another Arabic title. Also Arabic Al Riji al Musalsalah, "the Woman's Foot".

Astrologically it was honorable and eminent.

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

The astrological influences of the constellation: It is said to bestow purity of thought, virtue, honor and dignity upon its natives, but to cause battle with chimerical (wildly fanciful, highly improbable) fears and a tendency to become easily discouraged. It gives love between husband and wife and reconciles adulterers. If Mars afflicts the luminaries from Andromeda and especially if in an angle, it causes death by hanging, decapitation, crucifixion or impalement. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Pe and the 17th Tarot Trump, "The Stars". (Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology , Vivian E. Robson, 1923)

The general astrological influences of the star: Of the nature of Venus. It gives honor, eminence and artistic ability. (Robson).

Honors in military endeavors. (Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology, George Noonan, 1990).

It is supposed to give a cheerful nature with a liking for change, diversion and amusement. The popularity of these people will bring benefits from others. Almach is a double star. It has a yellowish-reddish companion which is supposed to have a Martian character. Both stars are moving around a center point. This is supposed to bring about the change in preponderance of the Venus and Mars character alternatively. (Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1923)

The man whose birth coincides with the rising of Andromeda from the sea will prove merciless, a dispenser of punishment, a warder of dungeon dire; he will stand arrogantly by while the mothers of wretched prisoners lie prostrate on his threshold, and the fathers wait all night to catch the last kisses of their sons and receive into their inmost being the dying breath. From the same constellation comes the figure of the executioner, ready to take money for a speedy death and the rites of a funeral pyre, for him execution means profit, and oft will he bare his axe; in short, he is a man who could have looked unmoved on Andromeda herself fettered to the rock. Governor of the imprisoned he occasionally becomes a fellow convict, chained to criminals so as to save them for execution. [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century A.D., Book 5, p.351.]

The English translation of the myth of Andromeda as told by Manilius in Astronomica, 1st century A.D. can be found on the Andromeda constellation page.