History of the star: A star in the open mouth of the Lion, Leo.

Alterf is from Arabic At-Tarf, "The glance" of the lion. The word has generally been rendered the "Glance", i.e. of the Lion's eye, although on modern maps the star lies in the open mouth, where Ptolemy located it. It also had the secondary meaning of the "Extremity".

Al tarf is the name for the 7th Arabic manzil (Moon Mansion) which this star formed with xi Cancer.

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

Influences of Al tarf, the name for the 7th Arabic manzil: Hinders harvest and travelers and causes discord. With Moon transiting here; plant, build, marry, but do not travel.

[Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923]

The astrological influences of the constellation: The Lion is associated with the Hebrew letter Kaph and the 11th Tarot Trump "Strength". (Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology , Vivian E. Robson, 1923) 

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"Who can doubt the nature of the monstrous Lion, and the pursuits he prescribes for those born beneath his sign? The lion ever devises fresh fights and fresh warfare on animals, and lives on spoil and pillaging of flocks. The sons of the Lion are filled with the urge to adorn their proud portals with pelts and to hang up on their walls the captured prey, to bring the peace of terror to the woods, and to live upon plunder. There are those whose like bent is not checked by the city-gates, but they swagger about in the heart of the capital with droves of beasts; they display mangled limbs at the shop-front, slaughter to meet the demands of luxury, and count it gain to kill. Their temper is equally prone to fitful wrath and ready withdrawal, and guileless are the sentiments of their honest hearts" [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, p.237.]