Tag: iris

Minor Planetary Bodies – Asteroids

Asteroids

Larger asteroids will sometimes be referred to as ‘planetoids’. They are composed of mineral and rock. Asteroids are different from meteors as asteroids have a diameter greater than one meter. There are over 21,000 named asteroids. The main asteroids used in astrology are the first four that were discovered, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta. Traditionally, only Venus and the Moon represent ‘femininity’. In modern astrology, these asteroids presented a way to add the feminine balance into traditional astrological dialogue– that is to level out the playing field in terms of assertive and passive energies when reading a chart.

Ceres

Represents: The process of nurturing and motherhood. The ability to take on parental responsibility. Also a close relationship to earth as a gardener or grower of food. Where it is placed in the chart can indicate the way parenthood manifests in the life of the individual. It can also represent a sense of being nurtured and potential issues to that end. It is also one’s relationship to abundance and fertility.

  • Discovered: January, 1, 1801
  • Designation: 1 Ceres
  • Type:  Asteroid/Dwarf planet.  
  • Orbit Cycle: 4.6 years
  • Retrograde Cycle: ???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

Pallas

Represents: Pallas short for “Pallas Athene”, is the Wisdom of the female spirit. Independence, creative intelligence, and strategic war. Strong warrior spirit. Creative use of mental faculty in combo with ageless wisdom. Involved with the arts such as pottery, sculptures, and medicinal remedies. Its position in the chart indicates where the divine spark of creative intelligence and higher wisdom may spring forth. It can also represent the complexities of a child-parent relationship.

  • Discovered: March 28, 1802
  • Designation: 2 Pallas
  • Type:  Asteroid.  
  • Orbit Cycle:  4.6 years.
  • Retrograde Cycle: ???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

Juno

Represents: The partnering of intimate relationships. This can include partnerships in both love and business.  Its position in the chart indicates where one needs to deal with issues that may arise. Such as issues of boundaries, sharing versus holding back, bitterness and jealousy, and/or projected control or authority onto another. The representational need of bringing the relationship into a new light and intimacy needs in general.

  • Discovered: September 1, 1804
  • Designation: 3 Juno
  • Type:  Asteroid.  
  • Orbit Cycle: 4.37 years
  • Retrograde Cycle: ???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

Vesta

Represents: Hearth/Sacred fire. Sacred union. Concerning issues of sexuality and completeness unto oneself. Associations with person’s who choose not to mate, to take on a higher purpose than normal family life. Where this is located in the chart there may be issues of purity, singleness, and sexuality by either abstinence or by involving one’s self with multiple partners which yet leave the individual untouched by the relationship. The principle of devotion and dedication.  

  • Discovered: March 29, 1807
  • Designation: 4 Vesta
  • Type:  Asteroid.  
  • Orbit Cycle: 3.6 years
  • Retrograde Cycle: ???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

Additional Asteroids:

These asteroids are listed here because they are part of the first 10 asteroid discovered. I have heard of Astraea but the others I have just discovered myself for the first time in. So in terms of astrological significance I am not yet sure of their function. Meaning, I personally haven’t studied them well enough to expand further than I have here at this time.

  • (5) Astraea – Discovered on December 8, 1845
  • (6) Hebe – Discovered on July 1, 1847
  • (7) Iris – Discovered on August 13, 1847
  • (8) Flora – Discovered on October 18, 1847
  • (9) Metis – Discovered on April 25, 1848

Hygiea

Is a symbol for health, cleanliness and sanitation. Awareness of importance and fitness. Careful choice of diet, looking after the integrity of the body and its organs. Stability and sustainability, for the individual.

  • Discovered: April 12, 1849
  • Designation: 10 Hygiea (10th asteroid discovered)
  • Type:  Asteroid.  
  • Orbit Cycle: 5.6 years
  • Retrograde Cycle: ???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

Lilith

Symbolizes human potential. The polarity between one being gifted and the manifestation or incarnation of the gift in the physical reality. Natural talents. Rebellion. Authentic self-expression. Eternal youthful drive within oneself. (Not to be confused with the lunar apogee named “Black Moon Lilith” , “Dark Moon Lilith “, or “True Black or Oscillating Lilith “, which are not asteroids or but theoretical points).

  • Discovered: February 11, 1927
  • Designation: 1181 Lilith
  • Type:  Asteroid.  
  • Orbit Cycle:  4.35 years.
  • Retrograde Cycle:???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

Icarus

Icarus is closer to the Sun than Mercury. Symbolizes conflict between individuality and arrogance. Originality and ambition that has the potential to take one far – versus blind pursuit of extremes that results in a certain downfall.

  • Discovered: June 27, 1949
  • Designation: 1566 Icarus
  • Type:  Asteroid.  
  • Orbit Cycle: 409 days or 1.12 years.
  • Retrograde Cycle: ???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

Eris

or

NASA initially described it as the solar system’s 10th planet. The 2nd largest dwarf planet/plutoid.

Represents: Struggles against injustice and oppression. Defending the weak and standing up for one’s self. The underdog warrior. Speaking truth to power, with the willingness to resort to violence if necessary. The struggle for survival. Where this is located in your chart there is the capability to make powerful and perhaps a ruthless stand for yourself and to battle against all odds.

  • Discovered: January 5, 2005
  • Designation: 136199 Eris Dwarf Planet
  • Type:  Asteroid/Dwarf Planet/TNO*.  
  • Orbit Cycle:  558.04 years.
  • Retrograde Cycle: ???*
  • Tarot Correspondences: N/A

*Retrograde cycles: I need to conduct further research to check the retrograde cycles of the minor planetary bodies. Updates will be provided at a later time.  

*TNO = Trans-Neptunian Object