Ras Algethi (Alpha Herculis) – Fixed Star

	Ras Algethi
Period:	18011802180318041805180618071808180918101811181218131814181518161817181818191820182118221823182418251826182718281829183018311832183318341835183618371838183918401841184218431844184518461847184818491850185118521853185418551856185718581859186018611862186318641865186618671868186918701871187218731874187518761877187818791880188118821883188418851886188718881889189018911892189318941895189618971898189919001901190219031904190519061907190819091910191119121913191419151916191719181919192019211922192319241925192619271928192919301931193219331934193519361937193819391940194119421943194419451946194719481949195019511952195319541955195619571958195919601961196219631964196519661967196819691970197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027202820292030203120322033203420352036203720382039204020412042204320442045204620472048204920502051205220532054205520562057205820592060206120622063206420652066206720682069207020712072207320742075207620772078207920802081208220832084208520862087208820892090209120922093209420952096209720982099
Sign (longitude):	l Sagittarius 16°30
Constellation:	Alpha - Hercules
Declination:
Right Ascension:
Latitude:	0.0000
Spectral class:	M5
Magnitude:	3.5

Mythology of the Star

Ras Algethi (Alpha Herculis) is located in the constellation Hercules, specifically marking the head of the kneeling figure of the mythological hero. Hercules (Herakles in Greek myth) is renowned for his strength, courage, and suffering—a figure who overcomes great challenges and performs heroic deeds, often enduring inner turmoil and sacrifice.
The name “Ras Algethi” derives from Arabic, meaning “The Kneeler’s Head.” In classical depictions, Hercules kneels in supplication or pain, suggesting a duality between power and submission, might and vulnerability. This star is also associated with sacrifice for a higher purpose and has occasional ties to themes of redemption, spiritual warfare, and inner transformation.

Positive Influence

When Ras Algethi is conjunct a planet in a natal chart, it may manifest in the following strengths:

• Heroic endurance: The native can possess extraordinary persistence and strength of character, able to withstand hardship in pursuit of a noble aim.
• Protective power: There’s a natural capacity to act as a guardian or champion, especially in defense of others or righteous causes.
• Spiritual gravitas: Often there is a deep, even mystical sense of duty or purpose; the native may be drawn to paths involving spiritual leadership, healing, or sacrifice.
• Wisdom through trial: Life may forge resilience, maturity, and insight—turning pain into power.

Negative Influence

The shadow side of Ras Algethi emerges when its intense energies are not well integrated:

• Excessive self-sacrifice: The person may take on martyr roles unnecessarily, leading to burnout or being exploited by others.
• Pride in suffering: A tendency to identify with one’s pain or hardships, sometimes wielding them as proof of superiority.
• Hidden rage or frustration: Suppressed anger or resentment may build up due to perceived injustices or chronic burdens.
• Tyrannical tendencies: In darker expressions, especially with malefics, the heroic force can become domineering or cruel under the guise of leadership or “knowing best.”

Behavior Tactics

To integrate Ras Algethi’s energy positively:

• Balance strength with humility: True power is in controlled force and wise action, not brute strength or ego-driven dominance.
• Honor your sacrifices—but set limits: Learn when giving is empowering versus self-eroding. Recognize your worth outside of suffering.
• Transmute pain into purpose: Use past wounds to fuel healing work, advocacy, or artistic expression.
• Engage in conscious leadership: If you are in a position of influence, seek to uplift and protect rather than control.

Summary

Ras Algethi bestows Herculean strength, both physical and moral, but often places the individual on a path of challenge, requiring courage, sacrifice, and perseverance. It marks those who may be tested repeatedly in life, yet also have the potential to become deeply transformative figures—healers, warriors, protectors, or wise elders. The key lies in how they respond to their trials: with grace and insight, or with bitterness and tyranny.