History of the star:  A binary, brilliant flushed white star marking the Ear of Wheat shown in the Virgin's left hand, in Virgo. The Romans believed Spica, to be the goddess Ceres. Spicum, Spigha, Stachys (Latin from Greek stakhus, ‘ear of corn’), Arista (Latin, ‘ear of grain’) Aristae Puella [grain maiden] were other Roman names. In Old England it was the Virgin's Spike.  Other titles: inermis Asimec, Acimon, Alaraph, Almucedie "of the Chaldaeans," Alacel; Aschimech inermis, Alaazel, Alazel, Azimon, Alzimon "of the Nubians."

Hazimet Alazel, the alchemists' Alhaiseth, Eltsamecti, Eltsamach, Azimech, Huzimethon.

A "Nubian" title, Eleazalet, that some have said came from Al 'Azalah, "the Hip-bone".

Sunbala; Sunbale; Sumbela; Sumbalet, Sombalet, Sembalet Eleandri; Sunbalon — are from Sunbulah and Al' Adhra', Arabic words synonymous respectively with Spica and Virgo, although some derived them from a Greek word meaning "the Singing Sibyl" (Sibyl who uttered prophesies), of the constellation Virgo.

Early Arabs had a enormous Lion of which part of Virgo formed one of the legs. Spika was Al Hulbah, "the Bristle" or the Calf of the Lion, with Arcturus as the second Calf; others said it was Sak al Asad, the Shin-bone of the Lion.

A still more widely spread native Arabian name for Spika was Al Simak al A'zal, "the Defenceless", "or Unarmed", Simak, i. e. unattended by any near-by star; the other Simak, Arcturus, being armed with a lance, or staff, represented by adjacent stars of Bootes. This star marked the Arabic 12th manzil, Al Simak or Al Zimach (related to the Hebrew word Tsemech), and in early astrology was, like all of Virgo, a sign of unfruitfulness and a portent of injustice to innocence; but later on, of eminence, renown, and riches.

It doubtless was this isolated position of Spica that induced the Egyptian Coptic title Khoritos, "Solitary".

Chrysococca called it "the Little Lance-bearer", Arcturus being …; par excellence. And Hyde gave the Hebrew Shibboleth, the Syrian Shebbelta, the Persian Chushe, and the Turkish Salkim, all signifying the "Ear of Wheat"; other names being the Persian Cpnr, the Cparegha of the Avesta, the Sogdian Shaghar and Khorasmian Akhshafarn, all meaning a "Point" (or spike) — i. e. Spica.

The Hindus knew it as Citra, "Bright", their 12th nakshatra, figured as a Lamp, or as a Pearl, with Tvashtar, the Artificer, or Shaper, as its presiding divinity.

In Babylonia, and representing the whole constellation, it personified the wife of Bel, and as Sa-Sha-Shiru," the Virgin's Girdle", marked the 20th ecliptic asterism of that name, and the lunar asterism Dan-nu, "the Hero of the Sky Furrow". It was also Enmku Tin-tir-Ki, "the Might of the Abode of Life", a common title for Babylon itself.

It is said to have been known at one time in Egypt as the Lute-Bearer. Another Egyptian name was Repa, "the Lord"; and some think that the great "Mena may symbolize Spica, with which star we have seen Min-worship associated."; one of the temples at Thebes, probably dedicated to this Mena, Menat, Menes, Min, or Khem, was oriented to Spica's setting about 3200 B.C.

A temple to this star in Greece erected in 715 B.C with reference to "the Great Diana of the Ephesians".

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

Influences of the Arabic 12th Moon Mansion al Simak: Causes marital love, cures the sick, helps sailors but hinders journeys by land. With Moon transiting here; dig but do not marry or travel.

[Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.72]. 

The Hindus knew it as Citra, "Bright", their 12th nakshatra (Moon Mansion), figured as a Lamp, or as a Pearl, with Tvashtar, the Artificer, or Shaper, as its presiding divinity.

Influences of the 12th nakshatra: Those born on the lunar day will be mathematicians, surgeons, oculists, weavers, writers, singers, manufacturers of perfumes and dealers in jewels and cloth. With Moon transiting here at birth native will be fond of clothes and flowers of many colors and will have beautiful eyes and limbs. (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation: By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Gimel and the 3^rd Tarot Trump "The Empress". (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"spicifera est Virgo Cereris"  —  "The Virgin with her sheaf belongs to Ceres". [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.117]

"Virginis in propriam descendunt ilia sortem",  —  "the belly comes down to the Maid as her rightful lot"  [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.119]

"At her rising Erigone, who reigned with Justice over a bygone age and fled when it fell into sinful ways, bestows high eminence by bestowing supreme power; she will produce a man to direct the laws of the state and the sacred code; one who will tend with reverence the hallowed temples of the gods. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.265]

The temperaments of those whose span of life she pronounces at their birth Erigone will direct to study, and she will train their minds in the learned arts. She will give not so much abundance of wealth as the impulse to investigate the causes and effects of things. On them she will confer a tongue which charms, the mastery of words, and that mental vision which can discern all things, however concealed they be by the mysterious workings of nature. From the Virgin will also come the stenographer: his letter represents a word, and by means of his symbols he can keep ahead of utterance and record in novel notation the long speech of a rapid speaker. But with the good there comes a flaw: bashfulness handicaps the early years of such persons, for the Maid, by holding back their great natural gifts, puts a bridle on their lips and restrains them by the curb of authority. And (small wonder in a virgin) her offspring is not fruitful. [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century AD, p.237 and 239] 

If rising or culminating: Unbounded good fortune, happiness, ecclesiastical preferment, unexpected honor or advancement beyond native's hopes or capacity. (Robson*).

With Fortuna: Great wealth, voluptuous propensities. (Robson*).

With Sun: Great and lasting preferment, eminent dignity, immense wealth, great happiness to native's parents and children, help from friends among clergy, favorable for public and legal affairs. If culminating, Church and State preferment. If with Venus and Mars also the native is a potent king obeyed by many people, but subject to many infirmities. (Robson*).

With Moon: Gain through inventions, success, wealth and honor from Mercury, Venus or Jupiter people. (Robson*).

With Mercury: Neat, tidy, clever, ingenious, favor of clergy and people in authority, gain through investment, responsible position. (Robson*).

With Venus: Benefits from friends, social success, false friends of own sex. (Robson*).

With Mars: Popular social success, may have good judgment and quick decision or be violent in dispute, rigid, and nearly or quite a fool. (Robson*).

With Jupiter: Popular, social success, wealth, ecclesiastical honor and preferment. (Robson*).

With Saturn: Apt to be suspicious, sharp or rugged, but does much good, occult interests, good speaker, popular, many friends, gain through legacies but extravagant, good health, favorable for domestic matters. (Robson*).

With Uranus: Mediumistic, popular, business connected with ornaments, gain through marriage, fortunate, sudden natural death. (Robson*).

With Neptune: Well-born, comfortable surroundings, always sufficiently well off, associated with companies, gain through legacies, favorable for domestic matters, somewhat fast and extravagant, does not live to old age. (Robson*).

References

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

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