Alwaid, Rastaban (Beta Draco) – Fixed Star

	Alwaid (Rastaban)
Period:	18011802180318041805180618071808180918101811181218131814181518161817181818191820182118221823182418251826182718281829183018311832183318341835183618371838183918401841184218431844184518461847184818491850185118521853185418551856185718581859186018611862186318641865186618671868186918701871187218731874187518761877187818791880188118821883188418851886188718881889189018911892189318941895189618971898189919001901190219031904190519061907190819091910191119121913191419151916191719181919192019211922192319241925192619271928192919301931193219331934193519361937193819391940194119421943194419451946194719481949195019511952195319541955195619571958195919601961196219631964196519661967196819691970197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027202820292030203120322033203420352036203720382039204020412042204320442045204620472048204920502051205220532054205520562057205820592060206120622063206420652066206720682069207020712072207320742075207620772078207920802081208220832084208520862087208820892090209120922093209420952096209720982099
Sign (longitude):	l Sagittarius 12°18
Constellation:	Beta - Draco
Declination:	52°16'42
Right Ascension:	17h30'58
Latitude:	75.2709
Spectral class:	G2
Magnitude:	3.0

Rastaban, meaning “The Head of the Serpent/Dragon” (from the Arabic Ra’s ath-Thu?ban), is one of the “Eyes of the Dragon,” paired with Eltanin (Gamma Draconis). In mythology, dragons are ancient symbols of power, wisdom, danger, and guardianship. In the celestial sphere, Draco guards the celestial pole — timeless, vigilant, and potentially vengeful. As part of Draco, Rastaban taps into themes of ancient knowledge, hidden instincts, and the danger or wisdom that can come from confronting inner “monsters.”

Positive Influence (when well-aspected or integrated)

• Sharp intelligence and an ability to perceive what is hidden.
• Keen observation, especially of people’s motives and power dynamics.
• Strategic power — the native may possess leadership or command ability, particularly behind the scenes.
• Magnetic or hypnotic charm, especially when conjunct inner planets like Venus or Mercury.
• Persistence and strong survival instincts, often granting resilience in difficult environments.

Negative Influence (when afflicted or misused)

• Tendencies toward manipulation, control, or coercion, especially when combined with Mars, Pluto, or Saturn.
• Vindictiveness or holding grudges.
• Potential involvement in dark or taboo matters, whether through fascination or direct experience (psychological depth, shadow work, or even obsession).
• Hidden enemies or being perceived as a threat due to intensity or secrecy.
• Emotional repression or fear of vulnerability.

Behavior Tactics

To work positively with this star in the natal chart:

• Own your power consciously. Acknowledge your strategic mind without letting it lead to manipulation.
• Do shadow work. This star rewards those who confront their own darkness, not repress it.
• Maintain ethical boundaries in leadership or influence — don’t succumb to “power for power’s sake.”
• Use observation skills to help or protect others, rather than dominate them.
• Avoid secrecy for secrecy’s sake. Transparency builds trust when the natural impulse is to conceal.

Summary

Conjunction with Alwaid (Rastaban) in the natal chart marks a soul connected to deep instincts, hidden power, and ancient wisdom. The energy of the dragon can be noble and protective or vengeful and cunning — it depends on how the native channels it. Planets conjunct this star may act with magnetism, strategic insight, and intense psychological depth, but they may also wrestle with inner demons or power struggles.