Asteroid Mythology

Four goddesses, four archetypes

The first four large bodies in the belt between Mars and Jupiter were found between 1801 and 1807, and all four were named after Roman goddesses. Ceres is the goddess of grain and motherhood, Pallas is a war name of Athena, Juno is the goddess of marriage and Vesta keeps the hearth. These pages tell the myths behind those names.

Asteroids entered astrological practice only in the second half of the twentieth century. Eleanor Bach published the first asteroid ephemeris in 1973, and Demetra George and Zipporah Dobyns built the interpretive tradition. In classical astrology these bodies have no rulership, exaltation, sect or joy. In this school they may be observed in the chart, but they rule no sign.

The four asteroid goddesses

⚳

Ceres

From Demeter's search to Piazzi's discovery

Demeter, goddess of grain and motherhood. The abduction of her daughter, the Eleusinian Mysteries and the birth of the seasons.
⚴

Pallas

From the goddess born of Zeus's head to Olbers's discovery

The war name of Athena. Birth from the father, the aegis, the loom and war as strategy.
⚵

Juno

From Hera's throne to Harding's discovery

Hera, goddess of marriage. The sacred marriage, the flight of Io, the peacock and queenship.
⚶

Vesta

From the fire on the hearth to Olbers's discovery

Hestia, goddess of the hearth. The first and last offering, the fire that must not go out and the priestesses of Rome.

Family trees of the mythologies

You can see the families of these goddesses on the family tree pages. Each figure is listed with parents, partners and children.

GreekMesopotamianEgyptianNorseJapanese