Exploring The Asteroids by Karen Piscitelli

Article by Karen Piscitelli

Asteroid 2 – Pallas

Science

Asteroid 2 Pallas was discovered May 28th, 1802 (a Gemini) by astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Natthaus Olbers. Originally considered a planet like the rest of the goddess asteroids, this was discounted with the discovery of the other asteroids in the main belt.  She is a large asteroid and exhibits a highly unusual orbit, likened to that of Pluto. Pallas takes just over four and a half years to orbit the Sun, spending around four to five months in each sign.

Mythology

Pallas Athene is the Ancient Greek Goddess who was the patron of civilization, wisdom, strength, strength, strategy, craft, justice and skill. She was the companion of heroes and heroic endeavour.  When philosophy was introduced into the societal psyche, Pallas’s

role of wisdom was pivotal. Her weaving skills extended to that of weaponry and she swiftly became the figurehead in tactical warfare. Where Ares was known for his harshness in combat, Pallas Athene was notorious for her cunning intellect.  Visuals of Pallas show her helmeted and wearing a goatskin aegis, often toting an owl by her side, or accompanied by the Goddess of Victory, Nike. She was a virgin Goddess, with no record of her ever marrying or taking on a lover. Even though Pallas was a patron of war, she had no interest in battle without a purpose.  Her endeavour was to utilise the mind over the sword and she would exhaust all avenues before delving into bloodshed.

Astrology

To locate Pallas in your natal chart, head over to astro.com and the extended chart selection. Keep your aspects major – conjunction, square, opposition and your orbs tight, within 1 degree.

In your natal chart, Pallas is the strength of your inner wisdom. Exploring the rulership of Pallas unlocks the key to wisdom expression. For example:- Pallas in Aries will be rapid fire response, Taurus will be instinctive, Gemini will be educated from numerous sources, Cancer will rely on tradition, etc and so forth. Here, you find natural creative talent and heightened intellect. The Pallas individual with planetary aspects, no doubt has extreme talents in one of the artistic of creative fields. For example:- David Bowie has Pallas conjunct his rise, Stephen King has Pallas parallel his Sun and Freud had Pallas conjunct Vesta. One cannot ignore the virginal reference and can safely assume that sexual connection is not of paramount importance to the Pallas individual.

With connection to Pallas, you are far more invigorated by intellectual attraction and pursuits, rather than pleasures of the flesh. Unlike Eris, who is also a tactician in the natal chart, Pallas is not confrontational and approaches problems with an analytical mindset, seeking the peaceful and less disruptive course of action. There is no lingering resentment with Pallas and no desire for retribution. However, she IS a patron warrior, so it is an area of your chart where you do not shy away from battle but it is not even a blip on your radar without just cause. In transition, aspects to Pallas indicate a time where there is heightened talent, especially regarding creativity. But it is also time where the creative mindset and inner tactician are being encouraged or even forced by another’s actions to jump into action.

Possible Keywords:– inner strength, wisdom, sense of conviction, inner warrior but without war, mental strategy, learning by experience, logical reflex, inner knowing, intellect, intellectual attraction, lack of sex drive, crave intellectual stimulation, creative talents.

Asteroid 3 – Juno

Science

 Asteroid 3 Juno is the tenth largest main belt (Mars/Jupiter) asteroid. Once considered a planet, this was discounted due to the discovery of other asteroids and the reclassification of planet actuality by their physical size. She still remains as one of the celestial bodies with the most erratic of orbits.  Discovered on September 1st, 1804 by Karl Ludwig Harding, she takes around four and a half years to orbit the Sun, spending roughly four months in each sign.

Mythology

The patron Roman Goddess Juno is the daughter of Saturn, wife of Jupiter, and mother of Mars, Minerva and and Vulcan. Her Greek equivalent is none other than the extremely fascinating, Hera. In worship, Juno was the ‘one who warns’,  the one who guarded over the finances, and the patron of marriage, which is why many think to marry in the month of June is lucky. Juno was also supportive of her warriors, shown wearing their war garb in many of her representations. In Roman Mythology, one must consider the ‘genius’ when considering Juno. The Genius was the male ancestor who resided in the Underworld, sending messages and intelligence to the oldest living family member who remained in the mortal world.  Juno was considered the female genius equivalent – Women had their own genius, which was called a juno. The juno was the protector of women, marriage and birth. It was worshipped under many names: Virginalis (juno of the virgin), Matronalis (of the married woman), Pronuba (of the bride), Iugalis (of marriage), etc. Juno was also the name for the queen of the gods.

Astrology

To locate asteroid 3 Juno in your natal chart, head over to astro.com and input the number 3 in the additional objects field. Keep your aspects major – conjunction, square, opposition and your orbs tight, within 1 degree.

In your natal chart, Juno symbolises the feminine roles in your life, those of bride, wife and mother. It also indicates your role in the financial, whether you are the controller, or prefer to leave that duty to your partner. One can also lay claim that those who share a tight aspect with Juno, also experience intense connections with the passed over generation within the family. In transit, Juno will hold more significance and be a stronger informational player.

Transits to Juno, especially involving Venus, Mars or Jupiter indicate a time when relationships or childbirth can be a factor with a positive outcome. This can also expand to the career and financial improvement. Transits involving the Moon, Mars or Saturn can indicate a tougher time, where work is needed  for improvement or loss is experienced. Where Neptune is involved, one can expect Juno transits to be difficult and confusing but also a time where their intuitive flow and connection with the other world is extremely strong.

Possible Keywords:– fertility, feminine connections, time, gestation, nine months, birth, marriage, death, mediumship abilities, love, romance, the chosen feminine role, maternal content or discontent, role of the grandmother, mystical leanings, intuition, strong connection with lunar cycles.

Asteroid 4 – Vesta

Science

Asteroid 4 Vesta, is the second largest asteroid in the main Mars/Jupiter belt, and may be classified as a dwarf planet at a later stage. She was discovered on March 29th, 1807 (an Aries) by Heinrich Wilhelm Matthaus Olbers. Asteroid Vesta takes just over three and a half years to orbit the Sun, spending roughly three months in each sign.

Mythology

Vesta was the virgin Goddess of home, hearth and family, worshiped in Rome long before the adoption of Greek religion and the similarities with Hestia.  Vesta was the protector of the sacred flame, a belief the Romans held that fire symbolized the governing center of the Earth. In the rounded temple of Vesta, were her priestesses, the Vestals, and this has to be read for itself. The Vestales were one of the few full-time clergy positions in Roman religion. They were drawn from the patrician class and had to observe absolute chastity for 30 years. It was from this that the Vestales were named the Vestal virgins. They could not show excessive care of their person, and they were not allowed to let the fire go out. The Vestal Virgins lived together in a house near the Forum (Atrium Vestae), supervised by the Pontifex Maximus. On becoming a priestess, a Vestal Virgin was legally emancipated from her father’s authority^[23] and swore a vow of chastity for 30 years.^[24][25] This vow was so sacred that if it were broken, the Vestal was buried alive in the Campus Sceleris (‘Field of Wickedness’). It is likely that this is what happened to Rhea Silvia. They were also very independent and had many privileges that normal women did not have. They could move around the city but had to be in a carriage.^[26][27][28] Vesta was a Goddess particularly worshiped by women. In those days, all they were good for was shagging, breeding, cooking and keeping the house clean. Thankfully, we’ve evolved (and then I wake up) but yes, we have definitely evolved beyond that in most instances.

Astrology

To locate asteroid 4 Vesta in your natal chart, head over to astro.com and input the number 4 in the additional objects field. Keep your aspects major – conjunction, square, opposition and your orbs within 1 degree.

In your natal chart, Vesta symbolises the home and family. But this is the surface level as it runs far deeper than just the sacred flame that is the feminine input into the domestic climate. It is stereotypical, and sacrificial – what one is willing to do to achieve the home visual and the pressure expectation of the male counterpart. You can find with aspects to Vesta, the feminine that is attracted to the wealthy counterpart, who is prepared to move beyond pure love in preference for higher living. You can find the dominating male with extreme expectations about virginity before marriage and a totally traditional role within the home environment. Here there can be harsh punishment if expectations are not met and nothing but pressure on role performance.

In transit, aspects to Vesta indicate a time where focus is on the home and family. There is pressure and expectation here, role performances to be had in a traditional sense. At present, asteroid Vesta sits at 4 degrees Virgo, opposing Jupiter in Pisces. Here, there is external pressure to focus on the home and family. There can be loss involved and a deepening of the emotional experience. You will find that you are being called to step up and take care of someone close to you, heal their pain, if it is not your own. Others can find that this influence plays out in the actual home front, with mortgage stress or the addition there of, or there are considerations of selling/upgrading the abode. Pregnancy can also figure with a Vesta transit, as can times where you question the depths of your marriage, or relationship potential. You will notice any imbalance, especially if it is sexist in nature and if the overall expectation of your partner far outweighs your personal moral standing.

About Author: Karen Piscitelli is devoted to exploring the energy of the Dark, New and Full Moon cycles, the asteroids and karmic astrology. Each lunar cycle comes complete with a detailed article, delving into the intricate depths of the luminary, planetary and asteroid influences. Moonlit Serenity also provides a wealth of information regards the asteroids, their mythology and astrological possibility in your natal chart, with the ever-growing asteroid database.