THE BIG FOUR ASTEROIDS: Ceres, Pallas, Juno & Vesta IASTERX An Information Special from Astro Communications Services, Inc. by Maritha Pottenger Pallas seems to represent the fighting side of Libra: the For more detailed information, positions, example willingness to compete as well as cooperate. There may be delineations, mythology and astronomical background, subtle overtones of Aquarius or Sagittarius to symbolize the please see The Asteroid Ephemeris by Zipporah Dobyns with independent approach to relationships. Pallas is prominent Rique Pottenger and Neil Michelsen, or The Asteroid Goddesses often in therapists, counselors, business consultants and all by Demetra George. kinds of people who relate to others on a more impersonal level, not a committed marriage or living together situation. Ceres z: Mythologically, she was Demeter, the Earth She may also be a key to political action, fighting for social Mother. Goddess of green growing things, she was devoted causes and the entire struggle for equality in the Women’s to her daughter Persephone. One day, Persephone was Movement and other groups. stolen away by Pluto and imprisoned in the underworld. She is also associated with artistic talent (particularly Ceres went into mourning and neglected her duties. Earth visual and graphic arts) and may be a factor to watch in began to die. Zeus had to intervene. Since Persephone had learning disabilities such as dyslexia. eaten six pomegranate seeds while in the underworld, Zeus Pallas denotes a strong desire to relate, but on an equal decreed that she must spend six months a year underground basis. (during which Ceres mourns and we have Fall and Winter) v and six months above ground (at which point Ceres rejoices Juno : or Hera was one of the few married goddesses on and we have Spring and Summer). Mount Olympus. She is remembered largely in our male- Astrologically, we are assigning a mixture of Virgo and biased myths for her jealousy and possessiveness (hence the Cancer to Ceres. She does relate to the ethic of the craftsperson: suggestion of Scorpio overtones). She does seem to operate doing something well for its own sake. She seems to symbolize as an asteroid of marriage—a key to that relationship and to the personal, fertile side of Virgo, involved with gardening, the kind of marriage partner(s) we tend to choose. Often growing things, the Earth and fertility. She also operates as prominent in synastry between two people romantically another key to the mother or mother figure (along with the involved, especially when marriage has been the farthest Moon) as well as the individual’s own capacity to mother from their minds in the past or seems unlikely due to major others. The sense is someone who does a good job for the sake differences. She shares the Libran focus on beauty and of the people involved. An integration of home and family enjoyment of the luxuries of life. Artistic talent is likely needs with work needs when positively expressed. when she is prominent. She is more inclined to seek the legal bond of marriage, some kind of firm commitment. Libra Vesta c: The vestal virgins dedicated their lives to the with Scorpio overtones is suggested. temple, where they kept a hearth fire burning continually. Any household could come to the temple of Vesta (Hestia) In general, Ceres and Vesta are more true to their own and get a torch to replenish their hearth at home, if it had nature. Pallas and Juno (as would be expected with their gone out. The vestal virgins did not have committed Libran focus) are more chameleon-like. They may blend and relationships with men, nor did they have children while adapt, depending on their context. Thus, Pallas in serving the temple. After their term of service, they could— relationship-oriented houses and signs (5, 6, 7 & 8) may be and did—marry and have children. very interested in marriage, home and family, and Juno in Vesta seems to operate as a super Virgo: single-mindedly transpersonal arenas (9-12) may be quite freedom-oriented, focusing on the work—the job for its own sake. There is often political, into social causes, etc. tunnel vision. The total dedication can lead to great success On the back of this information special is a table from in the world, but sometimes the price is alienation from Asteroid Goddesses by Demetra George, reprinted here with personal relationships. When found in personal areas of the kind permission of the author. The table helps to distinguish chart (Letters 4, 5, 7, & 8), Vesta indicates the need for extra between: care and balance lest one set the work and career in opposition to the personal home, family and love life. A sense of almost (1) feminine functions; = spiritual dedication to work ( ) or obsessive-compulsive (2) woman’s relationships; 8 6 ( ) overtones to the basic theme. (3) stereotyped roles into which these feminine Pallas x: Pallas Athena was the goddess of wisdom, who functions were locked; sprang from Zeus’ forehead, fully clothed with armor and (4) alternative ways for women to express this shield. She was a warrior goddess, noted for choosing the feminine energy; winning (or “righteous”) side. Her relationships with men (5) how men can develop and use the feminine more were on her own terms. She taught weaving and other arts to fully in their lives. mortals. Astro Communications Services, Inc. • 5521 Ruffin Rd, San Diego, CA 92123 • 858 492-9919 Ceres Pallas Athene Vesta Juno

Feminine creating, supporting, creating mental prog- self-renewal & regen- relationship renewal & Function sustaining physical eny, mental nurturing— eration, inner union regeneration, outer progeny, physical visions with self union with other nurturing—food

Woman’s mother daughter sister wife Relation- ship

Woman’s “Mom” at home asexual comrade/friend, old maid/spinster/ wife as woman who Stereo- cooking in kitchen, Amazon: “mannish,” workaholic/fanatic gives economic respon- type cleaning the house, tomboy, professional priest/nun sibility and decision nursing the family, career woman; puella: making to husband, 1:1 living for and through behind-the-scene solo, monogamous, children supporter of a man’s heterosexual relation- success, “Daddy’s girl” ship, husband as sole/ major source of iden- tity, fulfillment

Alternate teachers and educator development of talents, commitment to a cause, dissolving illusion of Modes of of children, children’s artistic creativity, idea, belief system (for ego separateness, “I Expres- services, issues of pro- intelligence, educational women apart from and don’t need anyone else” sion for choice/pro-life, mid- & career potential, in addition to family attitude, advocate for Women wifery and humane political and social responsibilities as wife women’s rights in and Men childbirth, farming, awareness, depolarizing and mother), spiritual/ economic/political/ gardening, food-related male/female role typing, devotional paths, educational/sports services, nutrition, integrating love and acknowledging value arenas, enlarged scope health awareness, creativity and active practice of of intimate relation- single parenting as a periodic retreat from ships, gay/lesbian, conscious choice, world outer world, liberation cutting through jeal- hunger & relief organi- from sexual inhibitions ousy & attachments in zations, death, dying, and complexes, work relationships, creating hospice work on “self”—health/ new forms of relating fitness integration

Practice rituals for transforma- creative visualization, creative visualization, tantric sexual practices of the tion & dying, women’s ceremony and ritual, ceremony and ritual, Magical blood mysteries— psychic development psychic development life menstruation, meno- pause, menarche

Espe- increased participa- development of imagi- learning to recognize house husband, ability cially for tion in childbirth/ nation/creativity, that sexuality belongs and willingness to Men in child rearing/child integrating values of only to oneself and no adapt to changing Order to sharing, developing emotional concerns with one else has rights of women and rules of Activate active role of nurturer worldly success, devel- ownership over it, relationships, accepting and (as opposed to oping holistic under- acknowledgments of idea of equality/work/ Utilize nurturee), developing standing in education, “inner life,” develop- values of women’s Their attitudes of compas- health and all areas ing non-judgmental input (apart from sex/ Centers/ sion/acceptance/ attitudes and morality food/physical comfort), Powers empathy, single father concerning sexuality, development of sexual issues and responsi- development of sexual sensitivity and skill in bilities sensitivity and skill in pleasing partner pleasing partner

Astro Communications Services, Inc. • 5521 Ruffin Rd, San Diego, CA 92123 • 858 492-9919