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If you’ve ever looked up your natal chart, you’ve probably seen your planetary placements and major angles, but have you ever noticed your asteroids? While asteroids may seem like tiny specks of dust in the night sky, they actually have a big impact on the makeup of your birth chart. Each asteroid has its own astrological meaning and can be used to understand your astrological profile on a whole new level.
When examining a natal chart, there are a few asteroids that are usually taken into consideration: Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta—collectively known as the asteroid Goddesses—are the four main asteroids of most significance. Other asteroids such as Chiron, Lilith, Hygeia, and Eros are also taken into account because together they have the greatest influence on our growth and makeup.
For example, Ceres is associated with nurturing, Pallas with creativity and wisdom, Juno with commitment and loyalty, and Vesta with spiritual dedication and focus. Chiron is “the wounded healer'” in the birth chart and shows where your wounds are your greatest strength; Lilith is your primal power and dark or wild feminine energy.
It is believed that the asteroid belt contains approximately 200 asteroids that can be studied astrologically, and the solar system contains over 21,000 named asteroids!
By taking into account the placement of these asteroids in your birth chart, you can gain a deeper understanding of your personality, your relationships, and your life goals. Exploring asteroids in astrology is an exciting way to dive deeper into the meaning of your chart, so don’t be afraid to give it a try!
In this cosmic guide, we will explore the meanings of asteroids in astrology, how they impact our lives, and what they reveal about our personalities and fate.
The Meaning of Asteroids in Astrology
In astrology, asteroids are thought to represent the energies of many of the archetypes found in ancient mythos and are frequently named after gods and goddesses from Greek and Roman mythology.
To contrast the more prominent use of the Yang or masculine energies in our solar system, several asteroids are named after Yin or feminine deities.
In contrast to the more dominant forces of the planets, asteroids frequently bring forth a more complex and nuanced (but still significant) expression in one’s life. There are more than a million asteroids in our solar system, but only a small number of them are now taken into consideration by most astrologers in practice.
They are typically only seen as significant when they are within a 1-3 degree orb because they are considered to be less influential than the natal planets, although they can still indicate some intriguing and powerful traits. Below, we’ll examine each of them in greater detail.
What the Asteroids Mean for You
You’ll need to know your exact time of birth, birth date, and location in order to find your asteroids and determine where they were when you were born, just as you would when checking the planets of your birth chart. You can find a free birth chart with asteroids here. Over at Sage & Moon, we prefer the Whole Signs House method because we believe it to be more accurate, and recommend using this house system, especially for beginners!
Asteroids are typically only given major importance if they fall within a 1-3 degree orb of the natal planets or sensitive points, such as the angles (ascendant/descendant and IC/MC), the nodes, etc. If they do not aspect any of your planets or sensitive points in your birth chart, then their sign + house placement can still offer insight into some astrological characteristics of yourself, however, their influence may not be as prominent in your life.
Below, we’ll cover the six main asteroids in astrology and what they mean for you!
Ceres
As the first asteroid to be discovered, Asteroid Ceres comes first on the list. Asteroid Ceres is named after the Roman goddess of crops, fertility, motherly love, and harvests. She is connected to the summertime, and it is thought that her joy caused the season to blossom.
In Greek mythology, she is referred to as Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. She entered a state of mourning after her daughter Persephone was taken by the God of the Underworld, Hades, and released only for six months of the year. As a result, we have the seasons.
Ceres stands for the organic cycles of life (which include our birth, death, and everything in between), our levels of autonomy and interdependence with others, as well as our self-care. The task of figuring out how we may begin to create wellness in our lives—mind, body, and spirit—is assigned to Ceres. The only person who can actually determine whether we succeed or fail in life is ourselves. Ceres can help us care for our inner child and show us how to be our own greatest parents.
In astrology, Ceres is considered to be the asteroid of nourishment.
Much like the archetype of The Empress in tarot, it serves as a sort of cosmic maternal figure for us, modeling for us what it takes to actually feed our soul and to feel secure, cared for, and content.
Ceres rules over the things that nurture you and bring you to balance, your life cycles and seasons, as well as the connections and emotions you have strong attachments to. It also occasionally speaks of things that may be a bit delicate, as well as where your skills lie in trying to heal others, similar to the asteroid Chiron.
Chiron differs from Ceres in that it shows us where our wounds can be alchemized into our greatest strength, whereas Ceres reveals the areas in which we already feel complete. She shows us where we naturally feel most at home, what makes us feel our absolute best, how we prefer to be loved and cherished, and how we nurture others in return.
Pallas
The Pallas asteroid represents our creative intelligence and strategic thinking. It symbolizes our ability to solve problems, make wise decisions, and see patterns and connections.
According to astrologers, the Pallas asteroid’s placement in our birth chart can indicate our approach to problem-solving, our leadership style, and our ability to plan and strategize. It is said to influence our capacity to think analytically, to see beyond the surface level of situations, and to use our intelligence in creative and innovative ways.
The Pallas asteroid is often associated with the sign of Virgo, which is known for its attention to detail and practical approach to problem-solving. However, its influence can be felt in any sign, depending on its placement and aspects in the birth chart.
Pallas is considered to be an important symbol of creative intelligence and strategic thinking in astrology, and its placement in the birth chart can provide valuable insights into our intellectual strengths and the ways we use our intelligence to navigate the world.
Juno
The Asteroid Juno is regarded as the asteroid of soulmates and deep commitment.
It is named after the Roman Goddess, Juno, from whom the month of June likewise derives its name because it has long been connected to marriage and weddings.
Juno was also known as the revered faithful Greek Goddess Hera, the Queen of Gods. She and Venus, who were both lawfully wed to Jupiter (the King of the Gods), were the only other women in all Olympia. Due to this, she has developed a strong association with wealth in astrology as well as relationships, love, passion, weddings, fidelity, and exclusivity.
The placement of Juno in your chart can indicate where/how you might find love, what you look for in a relationship, and how your partner affects your life.
Juno provides us with insight into our relationship needs, reasons for dating, and any attachment issues we may be dealing with. With its positioning, we can also identify what we would need for a lasting relationship as opposed to a passing fancy and how we might honor ourselves in a relationship without sacrificing our sense of self.
The focus of Juno’s work is on how to establish durable, loyal, egalitarian relationships, especially business partnerships. It is said to affect Taurus and Libra more strongly than the other signs. When unbalanced in a chart, Juno can accentuate instances of manipulation, co-dependency, envy, insecurity, and relational conflicts.
Vesta
Next up is the Asteroid Vesta, named after the Roman Goddess of Hearth, Home, and the sacred flame.
The Vesta asteroid represents our inner flame, dedication, and focus. It symbolizes the part of us that is deeply committed to our work, relationships, or causes, and that inspires us to pursue our goals with passion and determination.
In our birth chart, Vesta’s placement can indicate our capacity for concentration, our ability to focus on a task, and our commitment to our values and beliefs. It is said to influence our sense of purpose, our work ethic, and our capacity to maintain a healthy balance between our personal and professional lives.
Vesta is an important symbol of dedication and focus in astrology, and its placement in the birth chart can provide valuable insights into our personal and professional goals, as well as our ability to stay motivated and committed to our aspirations.
Chiron
The famous asteroid Chiron gets its name and meaning from the mythological centaur who was considered to be the wisest of all centaurs and a gifted healer.
Chiron was struck by a poisoned arrow and was unable to heal himself since he was immortal. Thus, Chiron is known as the “wounded healer” in astrology. Despite being subsequently saved and positioned among the stars, his image has come to stand for what is our greatest and most delicate wound in life. This wounding is the one that often takes a lifetime to mend, that we keep returning to and going through cycles with, but that ultimately will bring us the most reward.
Chiron teaches us that by overcoming our struggles and achieving wholeness, we can serve as effective role models for others who are seeking to treat similar wounds. Our wounds can open up the pathway to our deepest healing, as well as the healing of others. Essentially, Chiron is where we have the natural ability to heal others because we first had to heal ourselves.
For example, a person with Chiron in Gemini may continually feel stupid or incapable of expressing themselves freely, or they may alternate between talking openly to hardly talking at all. They may have repeated experiences of feeling misunderstood or unheard by others. However, these people are frequently gifted with Mercury’s talent for writing and speaking – in particular, they can give profound advice and catalyze healing through their words. They have the power to deeply connect with and influence people through verbal or written expression.
Eros
In astrology, the Eros asteroid is associated with passion, sensuality, desire, and attraction. It represents our deepest emotional and physical needs, as well as our ability to express affection.
According to astrologers, the Eros asteroid’s placement in our birth chart can indicate our romantic preferences, our approach to intimacy, and our capacity for pleasure. It is said to influence our level of energy, the types of people we are drawn to, and the intensity of our desires.
The Eros asteroid is often associated with the sign of Scorpio, which is known for its intense and passionate nature. However, its influence can be felt in any sign, depending on its placement and aspects in the birth chart.
Overall, the Eros asteroid is considered to be an important symbol of passion and desire in astrology, and its placement in the birth chart can provide valuable insights into our romantic lives.
Hygeia
The word “hygiene” is derived from Hygeia, which is referred to as the asteroid of health and healing. In both Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Hygeia was the daughter of Asclepius (the God of Medicine) and is referred to as the Goddess of cleanliness, hygiene, and health. Her symbol, a single snake wrapped around a staff, is often confused with the Caduceus and they share a similar meaning. Ambulances are decorated with the symbol of Hygeia and it is also a part of the WHO logo.
Hygeia was one of five sisters who represented various facets of wellness and healing. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this was Her area of expertise. She governs maintaining one’s physical and mental well-being in order to fend off illness, rather than treating it once it struck.
As our culture turns more and more toward holistic medical practices (care that considers the entire component of mind-body-spirit) for better success, Hygeia may play an even bigger role in society. Holistic healers and medical doctors alike often have strong Hygeia placements.
The myriad of aspects that all contribute to our overall well-being, including your diet, exercise, and sleep, are indicated by where Hygeia is positioned in your chart. Depending on her placement in your horoscope, she may indicate how you take care of yourself when you are in need.
What practices do you use to make you feel nice, secure, good, healthy, lively, and whole? What other little but significant ways do you contribute to your health? Are you consuming enough (pure) water, feeding your body nutritious foods? Are you allowing yourself to breathe deeply enough? Hygeia can reveal to us what increases our tension, anxiety, and depressive symptoms when she is out of balance.
Lilith
Last but not least is Asteroid Lilith. In astrology, Lilith represents the primal and unexpressed aspects of femininity. It symbolizes the feminine energy that has been suppressed or rejected by society, and the part of ourselves that we may fear to express.
According to astrologers, the Lilith asteroid’s placement in our birth chart can indicate our relationship with power, creativity, and our ability to assert ourselves. It is said to influence our capacity to stand up for our needs, embrace our untamed nature, and tap into our deeper instincts.
The Lilith asteroid is often associated with the sign of Scorpio, which is known for its transformative and intense energy. However, its influence can be felt in any sign, depending on its placement and aspects in the birth chart.
Lilith is considered to be an important symbol of feminine power and rebellion in astrology, and its placement in the birth chart can provide valuable insights into our relationship with our own femininity and our ability to express ourselves authentically.
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Asteroids have been identified as having a powerful influence on our personalities, our relationships, and our fate. They can provide us with a greater understanding of the universe and our place within it.
By exploring the meanings of asteroids in astrology, we can gain a better understanding of our own lives and the paths we will take. We can also discover how our personalities, relationships, and destinies are being shaped by these influences.
So there you have it—the astrological significance of asteroids. We hope it has added some new insight to your birth chart! For further information, be sure to read our article on how to read your natal chart. You can also read about the stars in our Astrology Basics section or our Beginner’s Guide to Astrology.
DISCLAIMER:
Sage & Moon is a participant in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase through these links. Any product we choose is based on personal recommendations that we love and trust you will too. By using these links you are directly supporting us to keep writing + creating. Thank you!
