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The use of asteroids in astrology has become a hot bed of research and discussion amongst astrologers in the past few years. From the biggest (Ceres) to the furthest away (Eris) to tiny rocks with obscure names. These solar system bodies are used to hone chart interpretation giving it a richer and fuller meaning. It’s rather like the difference between a violin solo and a full orchestra playing. Asteroids give depth to the chart – each with their own song that connects to the rest of the choir. Asteroids and other bodies tend to have very specific meanings which can often help you to tease out the story behind a chart. Whilst the planets, lights, angles and houses will give you a wonderful overall picture, the asteroids help you to connect with very specific chart themes that may otherwise be missed and they can serve to accentuate themes already highlighted.
Working with Asteroids
Because there are many thousands of asteroids, I personally use a very tight orb of 1 degree and only tend to take into account the conjunction, sextile, square, trine, opposition and quincunx. Occasionally, with larger bodies such as Ceres or Eris, I will extend the orb a little if the body is near a sensitive point or angle but only to about 3 degrees at most. The reason for this is that with so many asteroids available to use in interpretation, it is very easy to get completely overwhelmed by so much information! Working with very tight orbs ensures that you only take into account those bodies which affect the chart most strongly.
Understanding Asteroids
Asteroids are still very young astrologically speaking and in many ways we are still formulating our understanding of them. Some have yet to be written about at all. The best way to get to grips with them is to read as much as you can. Read the mythology, asteroid based books, read about the physical aspects of the asteroid, find out why an asteroid was given a specific name – was it named after someone? What qualities and skills do they have? Check the numerology – each asteroid is given a number. Investigate the discovery chart and what was happening in the world around the time of discovery. Eris certainly made an impression in the mundane world! You can also play a little, for example, there are lots of asteroids named after places in the world. If you are drawn to somewhere and there’s a named asteroid for it, see where it falls in your chart and consider what it might mean. You will also find asteroids named after people and it can be interesting to pick those that have names of people you know to see again their placements in your birth chart.
List of asteroids named after places
List of asteroids named after people
List of asteroids named after mythological characters
Minor Planets
Just to clear up some confusion – the term ‘minor planet’ covers dwarf planets and asteroids but not comets.
The Different Types
Dwarf Planets
This category first came into being in 2006 when Eris put the cat amongst the pigeons and shook up the whole classification system resulting in Pluto being ‘downgraded’ to dwarf planet status. The dwarf planets currently recognised are :-
Ceres
Pluto
Haumea
Makemake
Eris
Trans-Neptunians
These are classed as any object in the Solar System that orbits the Sun at a greater average distance than Neptune. As you’ll see, both Pluto and Eris are in this category too.
Chaos
Varuna
Ixion
Rhadamanthus
Huya
Typhon
Quaoar
Deucalion
Logos
Ceto
Borasisi
Sila-Nunam
Teharonhiawako
Sedna
Orcus
Salacia
Pluto
Haumea
Eris
Makemake
Altjira
The Centaurs
This class of minor planets have characteristics of both asteroids and comets. For example it’s been discovered that Chiron has a halo around it (called a coma) which is generally made of dust and ice. It’s what gives typical comets their tail as the solar winds push the coma away. Centaurs are known to be unstable and have orbits that cross those of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune although there is some discrepancy between astronomical organisations as to the exact definition. What is fascinating about this group is that if they move closer to the Sun in their unstable orbit, they will most likely become a comet. Centaurs are rather like heralds in the making.
Chiron
Pholus
Nessus
Hylonome
Asbolus
Chariklo
Pelion
Ocyrhoe
Cyllarus
Elatus
Echeclus
Bienor
Thereus
Amycus
Crantor
Finding Asteroids in Your Chart
If you have your own astrology program, you will probably find that it will include at least a few of the minor planets. Matrix Win*Star Express for example has Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta as well as Chiron. Solar Fire has a fabulous range of asteroids and this can be added to via the Solar Fire website.
If you don’t have your own program, you can check positions of various bodies freely through Astro.com. Once you have created an account, go to the ‘Extended Chart Selection’ under ‘Free Horoscopes’. At the bottom of the page you can either select a variety of the more commonly known bodies or you can enter the minor planet number under ‘Additional Asteroids’.
Another excellent site you can use is Serennu
On this page you can enter your birth details and get a huge list of asteroid positions. Do make sure you enter the time as Universal Time as instructed.
Ceres (Patreon)
Chariklo (Patreon)
Epona (Patreon)
Hygeia (Patreon)
Pest (Patreon)
Sphinx (Patreon)
The Fates – Klotho, Lachesis and Atropos (Patreon)
How to add asteroids to your natal chart (Patreon)
Getting Started With Asteroids (Patreon)
A categorised List of Asteroids (Patreon)
Working with asteroids in empty houses (Q&A) (Patreon)
How to add asteroids into Solar Fire (advanced and technical) (Patreon)
Hello my friend,
I was curious to know what Orcus 7 degrees in Cancer in my 6th house in my Natal Chart means to me as far as health and wellness or other.
Thank you, I am a 6 degree Libra with an Aries moon at 27 degrees and 26 degrees Capricorn rising!!
Thank you!
Do you have a basic meaning for the asteroid Astraea?
Hi Roxana
Astraea – Her name means star maiden. She was the last of the Gods/Goddesses to leave Earth. She is the blindfolded justice figure we see in court houses. I think of her as an amped up Virgo essence. On the plus side, her energy can indicate where we keep trying to make it right. There is a persistence to her that can be helpful. But also sometimes Astraea doesn’t know when to give up and let it go. She may be blind to what is really happening or choose not to see it.
I haven’t worked with her a lot. I need to do some more research 🙂
Roxana, Asterea usually shows up when there is justice, court, or legal issues involved. The first time I ever had to go to court, transiting Asterea was conjunct my natal Mars.
I love this site. Really got me interested in the asteroids, particularly the health and love asteroids. They ad sooo much dimension to the interpretation.
Now, I’ve been searching high and low for information on the effect of Psyche going retrograde. Especially as it will happen at a conjunction with my friend’s Sappho and Venus. Sappho is at 23 Gemini and Venus at 22.
This, after waiting for Amor, Chiron and Vesta to go direct.
Since Psyche is in Gemini, I’m sure it will affect Mercury, so not looking forward to the fact that it will go direct as Mercury then goes retro, YIKES!
Can you help us understand?
Thanks, Teresa
Psyche is about vulnerability. Direct means energy is paid attention to. Retro means it gets to state of awareness. Retro condition often means more work, times(X) required to get into the groove and feel such. Asteroids are very interesting and add detail, but can become unwieldy. Best to observe and try out your own take for a while(use unless shown otherwise). read Psyche goddess legend to expand research.
I’ve found that the asteroid Valentine 447 has an amazing correlation to my past and present love relationships. In synastry my ex-wife and I shared conjunctions of our Valentine(s) with major planets. The same holds true for my present girlfriend and me. You may want to experiment with it if you are comparing couples.
Thanks for sharing your experience of Valentine Greg. That’s one I haven’t got in my program so I will add it now 🙂
Can you advise on what the Asteroid DNA represents in ones Natal Chart plz? I have it conjunction my DC. I’m learning Astrology on my own and would appreciate any insight you could give me.
Thank you ?