The 17th-century English astrologer William Lilly regarded any planet to be afflicted when within five degrees of conjunction. It may be connected to the periodic lucky prognosis in an ancient Egyptian calendar for lucky and unlucky days composed about 3200 years ago. Medieval Arabic commanders tried to ensure that no important battle began whilst the light of Algol was weak.

Historically, it has received a strong association with violence across a wide variety of cultures. Ptolemy referred to it as “the Gorgon of Perseus” and associated it with death by decapitation: mirroring the myth of the hero Perseus’ victory over the snake-headed Gorgon Medusa. In astrology, Algol is one of the most unfortunate stars. This gave her so fearful an appearance that everyone who looked at her was changed into stone. Medusa, who was the only mortal one of the three Gorgon sisters, was originally a beautiful maiden, but her hair was changed into hissing serpents by Minerva in consequence of her having become by Neptune the mother of Chrysaor and Pegasus in one of Minerva’s temples. Algol Star Algol represents the head of the Gorgon Medusa who was slain by Perseus.

Transiting moon trine ascendant