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Eris

Eris was only recently designated a planet. It was given the status 'dwarf planet' in 2006, when Pluto was also officially designated by that term. Pluto is unchanged in its astrological usage, and presumably, by extension, Eris will also become important in chart interpretation. Already there is strong evidence of an astrological archetypal meaning. Among the astrological meanings that can be attributed to Eris is one who struggles against injustice and oppression. She has her war-like and even blood-thirsty side, with the higher manifestation of defending the weak and standing up for oneself. Her placement and aspects to other planets correlate to the archetype of the underdog warrior, speaking truth to power, and with also a willingness to resort to violence if necessary. Many manifestations of this archetype exist in the present culture, and the discovery period is also coincident with the onset of the Iraq war. This archetype represents a dire motif of the struggle for survival that is inherent in the natural world, and in humankind also, and which represents once again, as with Pluto and Chiron, a darker side of our common humanity that must be acknowledged and faced in our time.

Chiron

Chiron is a small planet, or �planetoid� that was only discovered in 1977, and which has already shown itself to be quite powerful in an individual�s chart. Occupying an eccentric orbit between Saturn and Uranus, and named for the centaur physician of Greek myth who taught ancient wisdom to mankind, Chiron represents the archetype of the 'Wounded Healer' and is associated with shamanism and going within to heal oneself. Its discovery is synchronous with the rise of the holistic health movement. Chiron�s position in the chart reveals where one has been wounded, and where also there is the opportunity for discovering healing from within and sharing this discovery with other people, since from our wounds arises our compassion for the suffering of others. The position of Chiron, by house and sign, can also show where we have talent and access to ancient wisdom, as well as where we may depart from the mainstream in service to a higher practicality. Those with prominent Chiron are likely to be educators and spiritual healers.

Ceres

Ceres is the first asteroid that was discovered, on New Year�s Day, 1801, and also the largest. It was named for the Roman earth goddess of grain and the harvest. The Greek name for this earth goddess is Demeter. As goddess of the harvest and the natural process of fertility and renewal, Ceres represents the process of nurturing and motherhood in an individual chart, and has been attributed to the sign Cancer as a co-ruler with the Moon, as well as to the signs of Taurus, Scorpio and Virgo. All four major asteroids seem to represent different aspects of the feminine, and can be thought of as further refinements of the lunar principle. An afflicted Ceres, by planetary aspect may indicate problems with being able to nurture, or to be nurtured by others, perhaps manifesting in food complexes, or a feeling of rejection by parental figures. When strongly placed, it symbolizes the ability to take on parental responsibilities, especially in a female subject, and also may indicate someone who has a close relationship with the earth, as gardener or grower of food. Also the position of Ceres by house and sign, and its planetary connections, is likely to indicate the way in which motherhood (or parenthood) manifests in the individual life.

Pallas

The asteroid Pallas (short for Pallas Athene) was the second of the four major asteroids to be discovered, in 1802. The four major asteroids, Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta, were discovered within a few years of each other at the beginning of the 19th century, and named for female goddesses in the Roman pantheon. Their discovery has been synchronous with the rise of the women�s movement in the West. These four asteroids seem to symbolize four different facets of the feminine and represent a fresh way of regarding the feminine principle in astrology, going beyond the relatively simple categories of wife and mother, as represented by Venus and the Moon. Pallas represents the wisdom of the female spirit, as the mythology of Pallas Athene would indicate: born from the head of Zeus, and symbolized by the Owl and the snake, Pallas Athene was a powerful symbol for independence and wisdom in the ancient mythology. She did not ally herself with any man, but rather was a strong and warrior-like figure who aided men of good will and whose advice was prized for its intelligence. The astrology of the asteroid Pallas indicates such a feminine spirit of independence and cool mental judgment in either a man�s or a woman�s chart. In an individual chart, Pallas represents the creative use of the mental faculty in combination with ageless wisdom, and is also involved with the arts, especially the plastic arts such as sculpture and pottery, and with medicinal remedies. Its position by house and sign indicates where in one�s life the divine spark of creative intelligence and higher wisdom may spring forth.

Juno

The asteroid Juno was the third of the four major asteroids to be discovered, in 1805. These four asteroids, which came on the scene as the 19th century began, seem to represent different aspects of the feminine spirit. In mythology Juno (or the Greek Hera) was wife and consort to Jupiter, and therefore the astrology of Juno represents the partnering energy of intimate relationship. This is also the territory of Venus and the Moon, but where Juno seems to differ is in representing the partnership energy in a new light, as in the more modern issues of where the boundaries are with another person, how much sharing is appropriate, versus holding back, are there issues of bitterness and jealousy, or projected authority and control onto another person, and intimacy needs in general. When Juno is prominent in a natal chart, all these type of issues are important to the individual. If Juno is aspected by another planet, these issues may be colored by the energy of that planet. Juno�s position by house and sign is an indication of the area of life in which these issues will be most important.

Vesta

The asteroid Vesta was the last of the four major asteroids to be discovered, in 1807. The mythology of Vesta (or Greek Hestia) is as follows: one of the sisters of Jupiter and Juno, Vesta chose to remain a virgin and not marry. She was the goddess of the hearth fire, which was of utmost importance in ancient times, connoting hospitality and the basic vitality of the home or city-state, and her astrological symbol is the flame. It is interesting to note that Vesta is the brightest of the four asteroids. Her symbolism also suggests the 'vestal virgin' temple priestesses of the ancient Greek world, and their commitment to no man, but to their own inner flame of service to the goddess. Their service might even be of a sexual nature, but they remained untouched by any sexual intimacy with another person. In accordance with its mythology, the asteroid Vesta is involved with both the signs Virgo and Scorpio. In the astrology of Vesta in an individual chart, these issues of sexuality and completeness unto oneself predominate. Possible associations are the woman (or man) who chooses not to mate, but as a nun or monk takes on a higher purpose than normal family life, also issues of sexuality and who is ultimately served in the process, self or other. Thus when Vesta is prominent in the chart, there may be issues with purity, singleness and sexuality either by abstinence or by one involving oneself with multiple partners which yet leave the individual untouched by relationship. The placement of Vesta by house and sign also indicate the area of life where these issues may

Lilith.

An astronomical point representing the rejected and scorned feminine archetype of wild unbridled sexuality and rebellious passion older than the story of the Garden, Black Moon Lilith represents the apogee of the lunar orbit, where it lies farthest from the earth. This mystical astrological point cycles once around the chart every nine years, and is quite different from the asteroid named Lilith having a much faster cycle of about four years, and also differs from the hypothetical "Dark Moon" second satellite of the Earth, studied since the midnineteenth century but never confirmed. Presumably these other astrological factors also share in the Lilith archetype, but Black Moon Lilith has been the most typically used in modern Western Astrology. Several books on Lilith have been published recently

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