Asteroid Alert! Sun Conjunct Chiron

by Karen A. Kay

Heavens to Murgatroyd! Our master astrologers are excited to report that the Sun is conjunct Chiron this Friday, Feb. 24, an aspect that happens just once a year and which opens a door to healing. This is going to be a time of much internal soul searching, and it's also a great opportunity to discuss how asteroids impact our lives.

In our continuing series of Astrology vs. Astronomy articles, we take a look at how astrologers and astronomers each study asteroids in very different ways -- and how they disagree.

To scientists, asteroids are just a class of small celestial bodies that fall into orbit around the Sun. Big ol’ rocks that Hollywood likes to envision colliding with Earth, wiping out entire species and knocking over the Statue of Liberty.

But to some astrologers, asteroids can have as much impact on our emotional lives as if one had slammed right into our house.

Not all astrologers use Asteroids when interpreting their charts, but it's becoming more and more common in Western Astrology for sure. Master Astrologer Rick Levine explained that he does most of his work with only the major planets simply because there are far too many named asteroids to incorporate them all. But he does add in some of the larger asteroids from time to time.

"There are 10,000 named asteroids that are carefully tracked by NASA," Levine said. "If, as quantum physics suggests, everything in the universe is connected with everything else, then even obscure asteroids could enrich the astrological symbolism. But, obviously, it’s not feasible to plot all these points in every horoscope."

Master Astrologer Jeff Jawer adds that most of the astrologers who do work with asteroids therefore focus on five key asteroids or planetoids.

"The four principle asteroids introduced into modern astrological practice are Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta," Jawer said. "Chiron is considered either an asteroid or planetoid, but differs from the others because it's not part of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter."

Jawer says it was astrologer Eleanor Bach who brought these four principle asteroids into Astrology in the 1970s. "They all have feminine principles, which reflected the desire to balance traditional Astrology's assignment of gender characteristics to the planets," Jawer said.

Here’s a look at the most studied asteroids in Astrology, and how they might be influencing people and events.

Chiron

Known to astrologers as "the wounded healer," Chiron is associated with wounds and has the healing power to transform our deepest hurts into something positive. Chiron has an erratic orbit, and it can point the way to where our greatest source of healing power lies.

Ceres

Ceres is the largest and roundest Asteroid, resembling the Moon, and its placement in the birth chart indicates what you need to feel loved and nurtured. In mythology, Ceres was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Demeter, goddess of agriculture.

Pallas

Pallas was the God of Wisdom, and many astrologers interpret Pallas as an indicator of intelligence and healing through wisdom. It leds intuitiveness, and it can often point to strength in women overcoming abuse at he hands of men.

Juno

Juno is about compatibility, relationships and marriage, and its position in your birth chart can show what kind of parter you need and what kind of mate you'll attract. Her dark side also rules conflict, jealousy, infidelity, separation and divorce.

Vesta

Vesta is the fastest Asteroid to travel the zodiac, and some astrologers say it has special influence over the signs of Virgo and Scorpio. Vesta is said to determine what things you will be most devoted to, and your sexuality. It is about spirituality and cultural values.