History of the star: A pale yellow star in the neck of the Serpent Serpens. Sometimes called Cor Serpentis, "the Serpent's heart". Unukalhai is Arabic 'Unuq al-Hayyah (1), "Neck of the snake". Variations were Unuk al Hay, Unk al Hayyah, Uunk al Hay.

It was also Alioth, Alyah, and Alyat, often considered as terms for the broad and fat tail of the Eastern sheep that may have been at some early time figured here in the Orientals' sky; but we know nothing of this, and these are not Arabic words, so that their origin in Al Hayyah of the constellation is more probable.

Epsilon (Yed Posterior), delta (Yed Prior) with zeta (Han), and eta Ophiuchi (Sabik) and alpha (Unukalhai), delta, and epsilon of Serpens, constituted the Nasak al Yamaniyy, "the Southern Boundary Line of the Raudah", or "Pasture", which here occupied a large portion of the heavens; other stars in Ophiuchus and Hercules forming the Nasak al Shamiyyah, or Northern Boundary.

Alpha may have been the lucidus anguis of Ovid and Vergil, as it certainly was the Cor Serpentis of astrology.

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

"Ophiuchus means 'he who holds the serpent' and that is how he is depicted. The struggle will last forever, since they wage it on equal terms with equal powers". [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 1, p.31]

In the Neck of the Serpent, Unukalhai shows its properties as a Martian force combined with Saturn and is often really dangerous and destructive. There will be chronic diseases, which are not easily detected, these will result in a weakened state of health and operations will be necessary. There will be accidents. This is especially true with Uranus or with Neptune. The conjunction of the latter with Unuk will make the native prone to infectious diseases and also to poisoning. If with the MC and in conjunction also with 'malefics' it is damaging to the social position, often there will be many difficulties in the professional life. (Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1923)

The neck, rather than the head, is where a snake has its brain, its seat of knowledge. So this star is all about that knowledge that the good doctor has won from his labors, that knowledge of where we came from, what we are, where we are going, what holds us back, what to do about healing it. (he is referring to this star's position in the constellations Serpens and Ophiuchus, which are related to medicine and healing). This Saturn-Mars star does in some measure merit the black reputation it has gained from the debasers of astrology, for those who will abuse and, mis-use, the gifts available here, are as deserving of being struck off the register as any corrupt doctor. But those who will give service, in healing or teaching of what they receive, have only good fortune where Unukalhai shines on them. (The Living Stars, Dr. Eric Morse).

With Sun: Many quarrels and disappointments, unfortunate life, seriously affected by death of family or friends. (Robson*).

With Moon: Clever, evil environment, hatred of authority, involved in intrigues and plots, banished, imprisoned or hanged for crime probably by poisoning. (Robson*).

With Mercury: Dishonorable, accused of forgery or theft of papers, ill-health, narrow escapes, danger of bites from poisonous animals. (Robson*).

With Venus: Enmity, jealousy of own sex, bad for domestic matters, favorable for gain, secret death probably by poison. (Robson*).

With Mars: Violence, quarrels, lying, crime, violent death probably by poison. (Robson*).

With Jupiter: Hypocrisy, deceit, banishment, imprisonment or exile. (Robson*).

With Saturn: Secret insanity, drug taker, secret crime and poisoning often for no reason, shrewd, cunning, intelligent, studious, often physician or nurse, usually unmarried, may commit suicide or be confined in an asylum or prison. (Robson*).

With Uranus: Spasmodic insanity, wealthy and luxurious environment, often fails to obtain inheritance, bad for marriage, may commit crime, sudden death often by suicide. (Robson*).

With Neptune: Shrewd, ingenious, courageous, persistent, intuitive, evil environment, often criminal, trouble through opposite sex, bad for gain and marriage, violent death. (Robson*).

References

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