History of the star: A binary star, white and yellowish, on the toe of the right front hoof of the centaur Centaurus. Toliman or Bungula is the Alpha star of the constellation Centaurus and the third largest star in the sky. Rigilkent or Rigil Kentaurus, are common names from the Arabic Rijl Qanturus (1) or Al Rijl al Kentaurus, "Foot of the centaur".

Bungula, another common title, may be a word coined from beta and Latin ungula, "the hoof".

Ideler said that alpha and beta (Agena) also have been the Arabic Hadar, "Ground", and Wazn, "Weight" probably on account of their proximity to the horizon. These two stars were among several groups of Al Muhlifain "the two causing dispute and the swearing of an oath", as were stars in Argo and Canis Majoris.

Alpha's splendor naturally made it an object of worship on the Nile, and its first visible emergence from the sun's rays, in the morning at the autumnal equinox, has been connected by Lockyer with the orientation of at least nine temples in northern Egypt dating from 3800 to 2575 B.C., and of several in southern Egypt from 3700 B.C. onward. As such object of worship it seems to have been known as Serk-t.

Alpha lies in the Milky Way, 60° south of the celestial equator, culminating with Arcturus, but is invisible from north of the 29th parallel.

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

The astrological influences of the constellation: It is said to give hard-heartedness, inclination to vengeance, love of arms, strong passion, and an energetic nature. It may be connected with poisons. (Robson*).

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius:

"The Centaur, from his own nature assigns qualities to his progeny. Such a one will either urge on asses with the goad and yoke together quadrupeds of mixed stock or will ride aloft in a chariot; else he will saddle horses with a fighter or drive them into the fight ("he will load horses with arms or drive them into arms", that is yoked to war-chariots).  

Another knows how to apply the arts of healing to the limbs of animals [translator's note; these endowments reflect the identification of Centaurus as Chiron] and to relieve the dumb creatures of the disorders they cannot describe for his hearing.

His is indeed a calling of skill, not to wait for the cries of pain, but recognize betimes a sick body not yet conscious of its sickness". [Astronomica, Manilius, 1st century A.D, book 5, p.329].

Relationships to female persons often seem spoiled, or an existing relationship is stricken by exceptional circumstances. Disturbances, riots, periods of storm and stress and revolt against curtailment of freedom. (Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1923)

With Sun: Envious, self-centred, slow but fairly successful progress, many enemies, loss of inheritance. (Robson*).

With Moon: Popular, many friends, diplomatic, secret bad habits, excessive drinking, involved in disputes but emerges successfully. (Robson*).

With Mercury: Changeable, vacillating, fault-finding, difficult to please, good intellect, business success, trouble in domestic affairs through enemies, family sickness, disappointed ambitions. (Robson*).

With Venus: Popular, artistic and musical abilities, benefits from friends, danger from love affairs. (Robson*).

With Mars: Physical endurance, considerable mental power, speaker or writer, little prominence. (Robson*).

With Jupiter: Great ecclesiastical or legal honor and preferment, ritualistic tendencies, success in foreign countries, favorable for gain. (Robson*).

With Saturn: Studious, well read, materialistic, self-seeking, favorable for gain, accumulation of money and property and legacies, though not without quarrels, favorable for marriage though some domestic disturbance, eldest child may be afflicted in early life. (Robson*).

With Uranus: Selfish; sell-seeking, jealous of others' success, dishonest, determined but indecisive in some things, loss through law, enemies and mercurial affairs, little prominence at home and greater reputation abroad, loss of friends, death through virulent disease. (Robson*).

With Neptune: Occult interests, psychic or mediumistic, deceitful, dishonest, many journeys and voyages often to the east of birthplace, rarely long in one place, occupation of a watery nature or connected with places of amusement and small speculations, favorable for gain and domestic matters, heavy business losses at end of life, death caused by Scorpio ailment. (Robson*).

References

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