Welcome Goddesses - The Characteristics And Functions Of Asteroids In Astrology

When observing birth charts and the movements in the sky that mark the astral climate, we rely mainly on the zodiac signs, the planets, the angular relationships between them, the ascendant and the house layout.

This time, we are going to introduce other very useful elements that help to understand and have more information about the movements and interpretations of the sky; these are asteroids.

Delving into asteroids expands our field of information, as they provide us with functions, energies, and elements that we add when interpreting a natal chart and astrological season.

Also read: Effect of Neptune in Different Houses in Astrology

Asteroids, like planets, change signs, occupy astrological houses, and form aspects . And, as we will see, their influence on us is very pronounced. Next, we will explain the most commonly used ones.

The main asteroids used in astrological interpretation are Chiron, Juno, Vesta, Pallas, and Ceres. The latter four are called “the four goddesses of the zodiac” because they hold great importance in Greco-Roman mythology.

Except for Chiron, the other asteroids are in each sign for 3 or 4 months and move back every 14 to 16 months, from 90 to 120 days.

Chiron: The Wounded Healer

Associated with the signs Virgo and Sagittarius, Chiron usually spends between 1.5 and 8 years in each sign due to its elliptical path; and goes backward once a year for 4-5 months.

In mythology, Chiron is depicted as a centaur who was abandoned by his mother and rejected for his appearance after suffering greatly. However, by becoming a teacher and healer, he achieved fame for his knowledge of medicine.

Within the birth chart, its position by sign, house, and aspect reveals the deepest wound we carry within, the place where we experience the most pain—an existential pain. This wound has no definitive cure, but when we focus on healing others with these same painful issues, our own wound begins to heal.

An example of this would be a coordinator of an Alcoholics Anonymous group who, after experiencing the disease firsthand and overcoming it, dedicates himself to helping people in treatment. The irony here is that, in order to heal, Chiron first had to be wounded.

The magic of knowing Chiron in our chart is its help in achieving a beautiful communion with others where mutual healing flourishes.

Juno: Our Commitment

Associated with the signs Taurus and Libra, Juno is an asteroid widely used in couple charts (synastry), as it speaks a lot about the relationship between two people and marriage.

Mythologically, Juno is the goddess of marriage who occupied an important role as a deity within the Roman religion and as the wife of Jupiter.

Its position in our birth chart indicates the area where we make a heartfelt commitment to something or someone—not a commitment born of obligation, but of desire. It also defines the type of platonic love that attracts us, and the idealizations we form upon meeting someone.

Understanding Juno’s influence in a birth chart is fascinating, as it indicates the type of partner we seek. And to better understand our interpersonal relationships, examining its connection to Venus, the planet of love, is very helpful.

Vesta: Our Sacred Fire

Related to the sign of Scorpio, Vesta is the goddess of fire who lived in a palace on the outskirts and was guarded by the Vestal Virgins who were responsible for keeping the flames of the altar lit.

Its position by sign and house indicates where our talents lie, those that we often don’t put into practice because we’re unaware of them. It also speaks to our sexual expression in all aspects and the area where we direct our libido and passion.

In an astrological consultation, this asteroid is vital to identify gifts we were born with that we are unaware of.

Shovels: Our Higher Mind

Associated with the sign Virgo, the one also called Pallas-Athena was a goddess who was devoted to just war and used the mind and strategy as her main weapon.

This asteroid has a resonance with the planet Mercury, but its difference lies in the fact that Pallas does not intervene in learning or communication processes. By relating to lateral thinking, the higher intelligence that Pallas governs is connected to our dexterity, our cognitive abilities, and our problem-solving skills.

Identifying our Pallas opens the door to understanding how to solve and escape mazes; as well as knowing where to focus our intelligence.

Ceres: Our Productivity

Related to the earth signs Taurus and Virgo, Ceres is the goddess of agriculture and is in charge of cultivating the land, harvesting wheat and making bread.

This asteroid is closely linked to the moon, as it speaks to our unconditional love and the way we protect without expecting anything in return. The moon, among its many functions, nurtures us emotionally. In contrast, Ceres is the channel through which emotions are expressed, marking the aspects of our lives we cherish most and in which we are most productive.

Understanding our Ceres also helps us to understand our moon, since the functions of both are complementary.