History of the star: Ascella, i.e. Axilla, the "Armpit" of the Archer, Sagittarius. In ancient Arabia the two small groups of stars now marking the head and the vane of the Archer's arrow were of much note as relics of still earlier asterisms, as well as a lunar station. The westernmost of these, — gamma (Alnasl), delta (Kaus Medius), epsilon (Kaus Australis), and eta — were Al Na'am al Warid, "the Going Ostriches"; and the easternmost, — sigma (Nunki), zeta (Ascella), phi, chi, and tau, — Al Na'am al Sadirah, "the Returning Ostriches", passing to and from the celestial river, the Milky Way, with the star lamda (Kaus Borealis) for their Keeper. Ideler thought it inexplicable that these non-drinking creatures should be found here in connection with water, and Al Jauhari compared the figures to an Overturned Chair, which these stars may represent. But Al Biruni said that Al Zajjaj had a word that signifies the Beam over the mouth of a well to which the pulleys are attached; while another authority said that pasturing Camels, or Cattle, were intended. There evidently is much uncertainty as to the true reading and signification of this title. All of the stars listed above were included in the Arabic 18th manzil, Al Na'am.

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

Influences of the Arabic 18th manzil, Al Na'am: Helps the taming of wild beasts, strengthening of prisons, destroys the wealth of societies and compels a man to come to a certain place. With Moon transiting here; build, ask favors but do not marry.

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

The astrological influences of the constellation: The Archer is associated with the Hebrew letter Vau and the 6th Tarot Trump "The Lovers". (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"As for the Archer, when the foremost portion of his cloak rises, he will give birth to hearts renowned in war and will conduct the conqueror, celebrating great triumphs in the sight of all, to his country's citadels. Such a one will build high walls (moenia from Latin murus) one moment and pull them down the next. But if Fortune favours them too generously with success, the mark of her envy is to be seen on their faces, for she works cruel havoc upon their features. So was it that a dread warrior^* paid for his victories at the Trebia, Cannae, and the Lake, even before the hour of his retreat, with such disfigurement." [Translator's note: *Hanibal who lost an eye (Livy 22.2.11: Sagittarius is one-eyed; see p.103) [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 4, p.267]

But they whose lot it is to be born under the Centaur of double form delight in yoking a team, in bringing a fiery horse to obey the pliant reins, in following herds which graze all over the grasslands, and in imposing a master on every kind of quadruped and taming them: they soften tigers, rid the lion of his fierceness, speak to the elephant and through speech adapt its huge bulk to human skills in a variety of displays. Indeed, in the stars of this constellation the human form is blended with a beast's and placed above it; wherefore it has lordship over beasts. And because it carries a shaft poised on drawn bow, it imparts strength to limb and keenness to the intellect, swiftness of movement, and an indefatigable spirit. [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 4, p.241.]

With Sun: Good fortune and lasting happiness. (Robson*).

With Moon: New and influential friends, valuable gifts, love of respectable women. (Robson*).

References

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