Astrology of the Asteroids
Centaurs & Dwarf Planets

Nick Anthony Fiorenza

Copyright © 2001-2008 Nick Anthony Fiorenza, All Rights Reserved

The Primary Asteroids
JUNO - PALLAS - CERES - VESTA

The Centaurs
including CHIRON, PHOLUS & NESSUS

Asteroids of the Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud
including Eris, Quaoar, Ixion, Varuna, Orcus & Sedna

Ceres (the largest of the four primary asteroids), Pluto, and Eris (UB313)
are the only formal members of the "Dwarf Planet" category (as of Aug 2006),
although there are several more expected.

INTRODUCTION

The Primary Asteroids

There are more than 100,000 asteroids that lie in a belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Several thousand have been given names. The four primary asteroids are Juno, Pallas, Ceres and Vesta. Because there should be a planet in an orbit between Mars and Jupiter based on the harmonic distribution of the planetary orbits, it is believed the asteroids are either formative material that did not coalesce into a planet or they are the fragmented pieces of a destroyed planetary body once situated between Mars and Jupiter. Either way, astrologically, the primary asteroids generally reveal the need for integration of their corresponding fragmented aspects within our selves.

The primary asteroids are associated primarily with the 2nd Splenic Chakra of "Interpersonal Relationship," and of how we interrelate in the world, although with tie-ins to other areas within self. The 2nd chakra (bio-energy, neurological centre) is generally the most fragmented and disintegrated bio-energy centre of humans. The energy pattern radiating from this chakra attracts and filters the type of relations drawn into our lives. The asteroids significantly fill in the missing pieces to the astrological chart, particularly when creating aspects with other planetary geometries.

Asteroids always reveal issues at some level that need to be integrated "within" us all. Disintegrated asteroid issues fragment and scatter our energy outward in dysfunctional ways in the world. Integration of the issues embodied by the asteroids leads to the ability to interrelate in the world from wholeness, integrity and wisdom.

The lower three chakras are our "Chakras of Materiality." Because the asteroids are primarily associated with the second splenic chakra--liver/spleen balance, intestines, etc., asteroid issues require physical (nutritional) and emotional work to clear, not mind over (above) matter.

The Centaurs

In a category of their own, the Centaurs have wide eccentric orbits and tend to lie between the orbits of Saturn and Neptune.

The primary Centaurs are:

(2060) Chiron, discovered in 1977
(5145) Pholus, discovered in 1992
(7066) Nessus, discovered in 1993
(8405) Asbolus, discovered in 1995
(10199) Chariklo, discovered in 1997
(10370) Hylonome, discovered in 1995

Asteroids of the Kuiper Belt

A large number of planetary bodies are also found outside the orbit of Neptune, in an area of our solar system known as the Kuiper Belt. The largest of these asteroids so far discovered is Eris ( (pronounced ee-ris), which is larger than Pluto; next is Quaoar (pronounced kwah-wahr). Quaoar is about 1/2 the size of Pluto and is larger than the four primary asteroids combined. Next is Ixion, with a diameter larger than Ceres, and the next is Varuna. Due to the more recent discovery of these bodies, their location and size being in the same family as Pluto, many of these bodies are being considered to be "dwarf planets," a new category in our solar system to which Pluto now belongs.

Like all planetary bodies, when discussing the asteroids and dwarf planets in astrology, we are exploring the synthesized mental, emotional, and physical facets of self--our "astrology."

Juno Astrology

Juno, goddess of love, is the asteroid of covenant relationships, soul colleagues, and true lovers. In the astrological chart, Juno indicates the nature of the issues and opportunities in significant relations of all sorts: those that are of a personal nature to those of political leaders and nations of the world. Mature Juno is diplomatic, tactful, cooperative, and mutually trusting. Mature Juno expresses with a sense of equality within self that provides the ability to draw true partners and those of equality into one's life. There is an acceptance of another's truth or opinion without need to challenge or debate. There is an ability to honor and support others in their own choices and decisions. Mature Juno expresses self-confidence in humbleness and without defense.

Potential issues are: Superiority / inferiority complexes - competitiveness, defensiveness, lack of self confidence, arrogance and judgment of others; unconscious manipulation of others - power struggles seeking contention; betrayal, bitterness, spitefulness and standoffs; jealousy and possessiveness; one-up-man-ship--validating self by invalidating others (or reverse); dictating behavior--telling others what they should or should not do--minding others' business instead of one's own. A form of denial of Juno issues within self can express as needing to fix others or have them change or leave, instead of working on the issues within that surface while in partnership. Mature Juno expresses in mutual support and unconditional love to allow each other to grow and change through whatever issues surface. Other Juno issues are meddling; fear of abandonment, rejection or betrayal; inability to draw or participate with equals and true colleagues; hiding behind teacher-student relationship (on either side) or in any relationship of inequality or non-compatibility; partners drawn are those providing intense lessons only for both parties, rather than providing true, mutually supportive growth in equality and participation together in life purpose.

Juno's placement in the astrological chart is one of several points that determine the types of significant relations drawn into our lives. Juno specifically is involved with drawing our true soul-mates or twin-hearts--those truly compatible.

Because Juno is where we deal with our inferiority / superiority complexes, and if this issue is prominent, partnerships drawn in earlier life can be full of lessons regarding such issues and not much else. Once a certain level of clarity is attained within self regarding the asteroid issues, true soul level covenant relations begin to show up. This does not mean we still do not grow regarding Juno issues, but there are those individuals with which we may also have a mutual soul bond and mission to pursue together.

Juno's day is Feb 14, our Valentine's Day, during which ceremony and celebrations are performed for the those of pure (true) love. February means " to make pure," "to purify," and Juno is our goddess of pure love.

Juno was discovered on 1 Sept. 1804 in Germany by Karl L. Harding in early sidereal Aquarius. Juno is 244 km in diameter, and has an orbital period of 4.36 years.

Pallas Astrology

Artful expression of creative intelligence and soul wisdom that has been claimed from the integration of past experience in duality--from having been on both sides of the fence at one time or another in our incarnational experience. This experiential wisdom provides a foundation to express non-judgment in courageous solution. Mature Pallas expresses artistic creative intelligence from the integration of the masculine and feminine principles, from unification beyond the judgments of one side verses the other. Pallas is the applier and defender of wisdom and truth; the expression of intellect in craft--inventiveness. Mature Pallas accepts personal responsibility for having co-created all of one's experience; i.e. resolution of victim consciousness. Pallas has the capacity to link, unify and bring together, and has wonderful perceptual skills for planning and public relations. Pallas significantly effects emotional and physical equilibrium.

Potential Pallas issues are: "spiteful withdrawal" that can manifest as self-sabotage due to judgments about use of power and awry creative / sexual (masculine) energy. Other symptoms are righteousness and self-importance; judgement and invalidation of opposite or alternative views; arrogance, fear of success, cowardice, inability to discern; rejection of honor or credit; denial of sexuality and all that it creates in experience. Un-integrated Pallas yields perceptual problems: dyslexia, vertigo, colour blindness, etc., and can also manifest as rape, incest, or physical abuse situations created by sexuality imbalances held at soul level. This can result in confused masculine / feminine principles at the incarnate level. Pallas governs the Liver / Spleen balance (violet / red) reflexed to the equilibrium and dizziness centre of the brain. The color Turquoise can be used as a sexual polarity balancer.

Pallas asks us to participate beyond judgment of this side verses that; beyond victim consciousness. Pallas asks us to honor that we co-create all of life's experience, and that we have been on both sides of the fence at on time or another in our greater soul’s incarnational experience. Pallas asks us to claim our personal power from our past experience in duality, no matter what it was. Pallas asks us to claim the wisdom from the experience and to use that experiential wisdom as a foundation of strength to express from, much like a solid Ti Chi stance; i.e., equally balanced on the left and right (spleen / liver). Pallas asks for artistic expression of our creative intelligence for solution beyond duality’s paradox.

Pallas was discovered on March 28, 1802 in Germany by Heinrich W. Olbers on the cusp of sidereal Virgo/Libra and in Bootes, lying between Archturus (of Bootes) and Spica of the Virgin. (To learn about the significance of these stars see The Astronomical Truth of the Virgin. Pallas is oblong in shape, and is 522 km in its average diameter, Pallas has an orbital period of 4.61 years.

Ceres Astrology

Ceres brings awareness to how we nurture and to that which is truly nurturing to us. Ceres embodies mothering and agricultural qualities and brings attention to our relation with the Earth, the land, and the seasons. Ceres reveals our ability to be in universal flow--the unification of giving and receiving as one flow of energy through ourselves. Ceres asks for acknowledgment of our inner needs, to have self love and self worth. Ceres is of concern and caring for others as well as for the Earth. Ceres is associated with the womb and stomach.

Potential Ceres issues are: fear of abundance, lack and material struggle; low self esteem; unworthiness; abandonment / rejection issues expressing as attachment to people and things, manipulation of loved ones, over-attachment to siblings, possessiveness, and control of siblings or of one's creations; mother-child complexes; barrenness.

Ceres was discovered on Jan 1, 1801 by the Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi (1746-1826) on the cusp of sidereal Taurus. "Piazzi was a Theatine priest from 1769. He became (1781) professor of mathematics at the Univ. of Palermo, supervised construction of a government observatory (opened 1791) at Palermo, and was its first director. He also established a government observatory at Naples (1817). He was the first to discover (Jan. 1, 1801) an asteroid and named it Ceres. In 1803 he published a catalog of the fixed stars, and in 1814 he enlarged it to include 7,646 stars. He wrote Lezioni elementari di astronomia (1817)." (The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press.) Ceres, the largest of the four, is 918 km in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.61 years.

Ceres was reclassified as a "dwarf planet" in Aug 2006, along with Pluto and Eris--perhpas sugesting Ceres to be the mother of the asteroids.

Vesta Astrology

Vesta is the asteroid of focus, dedication & commitment; of physical, emotional, and mental clarity; and of self-respect. Vesta brings a capacity to be pure within self at all levels for the expression of one's highest potential and true Essence. Vesta is of strength, purity, and perfection--of total dedication to purpose. Vesta brings attention to that which is of true importance and will ignite and burn away that which is not so we can become clear.

Potential Vesta issues are: scatteredness, with an inability to focus, commit or carry through; and avoidance of one's true purpose. Vesta can express as denials to address the mental, emotional and physical purification to support being a pure bio-logical vessel for the expression of Spirit--the requirements to express our true soul intent and purpose. This can manifest as fear of commitment, fear of sex and intimacy in all of its forms, and an invalidation of the emotional and physical aspects of self.

Vesta was discovered on 29 March 1807 by the German physician Heinrich Wilhelm Matthaus Olbers (1758-1840), He named the asteroid for the Roman goddess of virtue at the suggestion of Carl Friedrich Gauss. Vesta was near the Super Galactic Center, the spiritual mother center of the Heavens, which lies between Denebola of Leo and Vindemiatrix of Virgo. Vesta is 500 km in diameter, and has an orbital period of 3.63 years. There is a huge crater on Vesta (recently discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope). The crater is 285 miles across, which is massive when compared to the Vesta's size. A good percentage of meteorites that are found on Earth have a similar composition to that of Vesta. This suggests the impact that caused the crater on Vesta may be the source of these meteorites. The complex astrophysical parameters of a planet or asteroid are part of that which creates its astrological characteristic. This recently discovered crater certainly lends insight into the "clear vessel" quality of this asteroid.

Goddess of the Eternal Flame

In mythical language, Vesta, revered goddess of the Vestal Virgins, is daughter of Rhea and Saturn, the eldest sister of Jupiter, and is keeper of the sacred fire on Mt. Olympus--meaning keeper of the eternal flame (truth) of the soul. Fire, the element of Vesta, is purifying for the soul--serving to enlighten. Vesta and the Vestal Virgins were highly valued and trusted for speaking the truth. They kept and protected all important documents and records.

The Centaurs

(2060) Chiron, discovered in 1977
(5145) Pholus, discovered in 1992
(7066) Nessus, discovered in 1993
(8405) Asbolus, discovered in 1995
(10199) Chariklo, discovered in 1997
(10370) Hylonome, discovered in 1995

There are about 30 unnamed Centaurs

CHIRON Astrology

Mythologically, unlike the other Centaur's, Chiron comes from a different breed / stream of consciousness than the other Centaurs. Chiron was born of the union between Saturn (Cronus) and the beautiful sea-nymph Phylira who disguised herself as a mare to escape Cronus' pursuit. Cronus, disguising himself as well, as a horse, ultimately seduces Phylira to produce Chiron. Repulsed by the whole affair, but appropriately, Phylira (love chords, pure honey, elixir of the gods, protein of the future) abandons Chiron in a cave on Mount Pelion where he, destined to is unique fate, studies with wise and knowledgeable Apollo where he learned the art-sciences of music, healing, and other Zen arts of self mastery. More on Apollo and associated art-sciences can be found at Lore of the Lyre.

The rest of the family of Centaurs ultimately comes from Ixion who mated with a cloud (disguised by Zeus to be Hera due to Ixion's attempted pursuit of Zeus' wife) mixing an element of illusion back upon the manipulative nature of Ixion (discussed below). Centaurus was the offspring of Ixion and his illusory mate, who then mated with the mares of Mt. Pelion creating the race of the Centaurs.

Chiron, characteristic of both a comet and an asteroid, is generally called a "planetoid," although in early 1995 it was reclassified to a comet status due to a March '94 observation of two discrete ice-jets emanating from its surface, actually, in my mind, acknowledging Chiron's unique and fortuitous black-sheep nature. Classically, Chiron is "the wounded healer" (Barbara Hand Clow; et. al.). Chiron is said to be the bridge from the old to the new regarding all forms of healing work and with new discoveries in the health field and medicinal arts. Chiron works at the cellular and DNA level and supports the establishment of new neurological circuitry. Chiron is believed to not be native to our solar system but is a welcomed and needed visitor. In the astrological chart, Chiron indicates where personal healing is required, it may indicate where a bridge is to be created and crossed, one of a transmutational quality. If prominently placed, Chiron can indicate involvement in the health-care field, or involvement with discoveries, inventions, and new technologies or modalities applied in this arena.

Chiron was discovered on November 1, 1977 by Charles Kowal. Chiron was close to our ecliptic plane at 8° 29' sidereal Aries conjoining Tyl of Draco; Fornax A; Mesartim of Aries (the mouth of the ram); and Shartan, Beta Aries. These stars nicely articulate Chiron's role for humanity--answering the human cry for help:

Tyl is the human cry--not that of grief, but of anguish, of the pain of the human plight. Tyl is the scream of our human struggle. Tyl's cry is for fulfillment at a very fundamental human level (personal cellular healing). Tyl is the cry of desire for one's physical needs to be met, for one's truth to be heard, and for one's dreams to be realized. Tyl is the burning cry in the initiatory fires of life.

Tyl asks us to honor that life's fire can hurt like Hell; to hear the cry; to not deny, squelch or pretend all is well in either denial or uppity arrogance. Tyl asks us to be real, to honor the pain we feel, to honor our humanness, and to have compassion for the struggle of others. Only unconditional acceptance of all emotion--especially pain--not the suppression of it, opens the transmutative process within to allow the searing, burning, digestive juices of Cetus to truly transform our lives and to set us free.

Chiron is 246 km in diameter with an orbit of 50.8 years. Chiron's orbit is highly eccentric. At its perihelion (closest point to the Sun), it lies just inside the orbit of Saturn. At its aphelion (farthest point from the Sun), it lies close to the orbit of Uranus--hence why it is said to act as a bridge / or messenger between Uranus and Saturn. Astrologically, Chiron is often involved in the manifestation of radical new discoveries regarding health and healing.

A Chiron-Earth harmonic synchronization occurred from 1994 through 1997 centered near the Chiron perihelion of Feb. 14, 1996. Chiron's perihelion harmonic (raised 15 octaves to 7.747 Hz) is very close to Earth's primary resonances which are between 7 Hz and 8 Hz. This is also resonant to the alpha / theta brain-wave region--the crossover point from relaxed attentive state to the creative intuitive dream state. This cross-resonance was indicative of strong Chironic themes accentuating at that time on Earth. This provided impetus to pursue a greater level of personal healing, and it seems to have brought that theme into vogue for mass consciousness. Prior to this time, alternative healing was not as popular in the press. This Chiron-Earth resonance helped humanity realize the need to find a way to create and cross a bridge from the old paradigm to a new one.

As Chiron approached its perihelion in 1996, Chiron moved from the orbit of Uranus, inward in our solar system, toward the orbit of Saturn. In this process, Chiron brought radical new discoveries (from Uranus) to our manifest concretized world (Saturn). From Chiron's perihelion, as Chiron moves outward in our solar system toward the orbit of Uranus, and to its aphelion in 2021 (Chiron's furthest point from the Sun), Chiron brings us from the bounds of our past structures in consciousness to the refined neurological functioning of Uranus--leaving the Saturnian bounds and limitations of our manifest world. In doing so, Chiron serves to heal the past by leading us into a refined neurological resonance.

PHOLUS Astrology

Pholus was discovered on Jan 9, 1992 by David Rabinowitz. After this time a number of other asteroids were discover in this area of our solar system--bringing the realization that Chiron was just one Centaur. Pholus is the second most important of the Centuars after Chiron, hence the name given to the second Centaur discovered.

Just as Chiron embraces the orbits of Saturn and Uranus and is consider a key or bridge between the two planets, Pholus creates a significant cross-resonance with Saturn and Pluto, thus creating a link between the realms of Saturn and Pluto.

In myth, Pholus guards the centaurs' vineyards, and like Chiron, was mortally wounded by an unexpected coincidence. It is suggested by some astrological research, that Pholus brings an unusual ability, or an unexpected experience or gift catalyzing profound or radical change (Robert v. Heeren und Dieter Koch, Pholus -in German).

Fitting with the above, I have recently found strong indication during a Sun-Pholus conjunction and the death of a loved one that Pholus gently and compassionately helped one "mortally wounded" make passage in a seemingly mysterious or shrouded way, obscured to most except to the mystic or seer, in a way that might not otherwise have occured without an introduced "apparent" mystery or confusion surrounding a medicinal agent. I find this interesting considering Pholus crosses Neptune's orbit and creates a Saturn-Pluto cross-resonance.

Pholus' Saturn-Neptune-Pluto orbital relation may also suggest seemingly fated events, but with reasons obscured until after they occur, one's that may yield a greater revelation, ideal, dream, vision or dissolution. Pholus may help us cross from the concretized world of Saturn and cross the veiled / hypnogogic dream world of Neptune to enter the realm of death and transcendence of Pluto. In this light Pholus may also help us see through the illusions we have concretized in the incarnational realm to and underlying truth--certainly a healing theme.

Pholus as an orbital period of 92.36 Earth Years, almost twice that of Chiron. Pholus reaches Perihelion (its furthest point from the Sun, reaching out to the orbit of Pluto, in 1938 and 2030. Pholus reaches Aphelion (periapse) (its closest point to the Sun, reaching inward to the orbit of Saturn, on Sept 27, 1991.

Pholus was discovered in 1992 at 5° 42' sidereal Cancer conjoining magical Alpha Monoceros of the Unicorn, and Aludra, the pure one of the breed, of Canis Major. Pholus was discovered just as it was passing its north node; i.e., crossing the ecliptic plane and moving north of it. Pholus has an orbital inclination of 24.687°. This means that Pholus' most northern point above the ecliptic is ~24.5°. Pholus arrives to this point in 1999, in the constellation Bootes, just past the longitude of Archturus (& Spica), entering the first few degrees of sidereal Libra.

NESSUS Astrology

Nessus, the third Centaur, was discovered on April 25, 1993 also by David Rabinowitz. Nessus has an orbital period of 121.7 years with a 15.6° orbital incline. Its eccentric orbit causes Nessus to embrace the orbits of Uranus and Neptune. Like all of the Centaurs, which are a bit rebellious or unconventional in their approaches are also healers and teachers, aids, or liaisons for those willing to awaken to a greater path of self-mastery in harmony. Nessus, also new on the scene, is just beginning to reveal its astrological nature.

Melanie Reinhart relates Nessus to sexuality, death, revenge and jealousy--said to be Pluto themes. Although Nessus may appear to have a disrespect for morality, it also seems to teach us about embracing our sensual and sexual nature, to enjoy this abundance in life, rather than denying it or shutting ourselves down to it due to righteous or erroneous beliefs and emotions of unworthiness.

Nessus appeared (was discovered) at 9° 57' sidereal Libra conjoining Syrma of Virgo, which I dub the "Star of Atlantis," and which lies "under the skirt of the Virgin." To learn more about this part of the heavens, see the "Astronomical Truth of the Virgin." Here we find suppressed secrets about the intimacies and harmonies of life, actually secrets totally severed, covered by religious dogmatic belief structures. Nessus' appearance here seems to support us to unlock our frozen coding, freeing up belief structures and assumed griefs or guilts that limit uninhibited palpitation of life in all of its abundance.

Syrma, star of Atlantis, is the knee of the Virgin. Syrma inspires our transmutation by unlocking what has been frozen in the past so we can move onward. Syrma brings emotional patterining / suppressed grief to surface awareness so we may clear it. Syrma inspires use of the artsciences to unlock crystallized patterns held within our cellular makeup, freeing ourselves from biological conditions and behavioral patterns that keep us frozen in past time so we may step forth into our evolutionary fulfillment. Conjoining Syrma is Quasar OQ 172 of Bootes, lying just over the feet of the Virgin. This quasar inspires the artistic vision, imagination, and drive to create a portal of beauty and purity to reach our highest attainment--the purpose of art combined with the erotic passion of love.

In this stellar light, Nessus, in its own raw way, may serve to free up and and promote healing regarding issues of sexual abuse and sexuality in general that had been locked, frozen, held in denial, or suppressed.

The Trans-Neptunians
Asteroids / Dwarf Planets of the Kuiper Belt - Contents

Introduction to the Kuiper Belt & Pluto
Identifying the Astrology of New Objects

Quaoar - 2002 LM60 (June 5)
Ixion - 2001 KX76 (July, 2001)
Varuna - 2000 (Nov 28, 2000)
Orcus - 2004DW (Feb 17-19, 2004)
Eris - 2003 UB313 - (Larger than Pluto - member of "Dwarf Planets"
Comparison of Pluto & Kuiper Belt Objects by Size

Asteroids / Dwarf Planets of the Oort Cloud - Contents

Introduction to the Oort Cloud
Sedna - 2003 BV12 (March 2004)

Kuiper Belt Introduction

The Kuiper Belt is a vast circumstellar disk of dust that extends about 7 billion miles beyond the orbit of Neptune. Dust disks like this are also seen around other stars. This disc of dust is considered to be the formative material of our solar system. As such, it is of a primordial nature, giving a clue to the astrological character of the objects within the belt.

The Kuiper Belt contains tens of thousands of asteroidal sized, frozen, fossil remnant objects that orbit our Sun. It contains as many as 10 billion objects at least one mile across. More than 400 of these objects have been classified. The Kuiper Belt is also the source of many comets. Pluto and Charon were once the only known objects in the Kuiper Belt. There are many Kuiper binary objects being discovered with the Hubble space telescope that have a barry-center (orbit around a common center of gravity)--much like the Pluto-Charon dwarf-planetary system.

Although the Kuiper Belt was theorized in 1951 by Gerard Kuiper after seing that comet orbits indicated a vast nesting ground for origin just beyond the orbit of Neptune, the first Kuiper belt objects were not discovered until the early 1990s.

Pluto

Pluto, discovered by Clyde Tombaugh of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona on January 23, 1930, is now recognized to be one of the Kuiper belt objects and was reclassified on Aug 24, 2006 into the new "dwarf planet" classification along with Eris (which is larger than Pluto, and the asteroid Ceres. Astronomers are now finding several of these objects to be similar to the size of Pluto.

Pluto's orbital period is 248 earth years. Pluto's most recent close approach to the Sun was in 1989. Between 1979 and 1999, Pluto's highly elliptical orbit brought it closer to the Sun than Neptune.

Much like the astrological character of the Pluto-Charon system, which expresses in the interest of the soul and functions within our primordial cellular makeup, the asteroids of the Kuiper Belt may express in the same realm. Being of formative material, their bi-logical resonance may have to do with behavioral patterns defined when we were formulating our Earthian experience, not only genetic, but also including our formative childhood years.

The discovery of Kuiper Belt objects indicates our conscious development and recognition of more fundamental aspects about the nature of our origins--and of the formative nature of the evolutionary platform (our solar system) in which we, as durative souls, incarnate. Much like the outer planets, which embody more trans-personality aspects of our selves, Kuiper Belt discoveries may also serve as a bridging platform of exploration in realms of consciousness beyond the bounds of (transcending) incarnate experience. Like Pluto has revealed, the Kuipers may also have to do with matters of dissolution of the human form, of life endings, the return to non-corporeal form.

Two additional moons were discovered orbiting Pluto in 2005 and named Nix and Hydra in June of 2006--expounding upon Pluto's astrological influence. Pluto of course rules the underworld, while Charon, Pluto's primary companion, is the boatman carrying the souls of the dead to the underworld. Pluto and Charon are locked into a "mutually" synchronous orbit. This means that the same hemisphere of one always faces the other. This astrophysical dynamic may explaine the reflective astrological nature of the Pluto planetary system--demanding we look at self--without much escape. (Our Moon is in a synchronous orbit with Earth, thus always showing Earth its same face, but the Earth is not in a synchronous orbit with our Moon, unlike the Pluto-Charon system.

Pluto - Charon - Nix - Hydra

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, H Weaver, (JHU/APL), A. Stern (SwRI), and
the HST Pluto Companion Search Team / Feb 15, 2006 Hubble Space Telescope

Nix, the mother of Charon, is the goddess of darkness, of the night, the unseen. Hydra, the nine-head serpent, (also the name of our souther constellation extending from sidereal Cancer through Virgo), suggests a multifarious undermining force of destruction implying we must deal with the real underlying issues Pluto may bring to our awareness lest the symptoms from that denial will continually manifest in another guise.

Identifying the Astrology of Newly Discovered Planets and Asteroids

A newly discover astronomical body is a statement that the facet of consciousness the body articulates has become consciously available for humanity to acknowledge, work with, and be responsible for--as we have extended our perception to embrace it.

The astrology of a newly discovered planet, comet, or asteroid can be divined by several factors: Primarily the object's astrophysical parameters reveal a great deal about the nature of its psychophysiological character (see Planetary Harmonics). This includes its orbital period and eccentricity, its inclination to the ecliptic, its orbital and rotational velocity, its axial inclination, its mass and atmosphere, just to name a few. Unfortunately, only some of these parameters are known at the time of a discovery. The factors of most Kuiper Belt Objects that are common with Pluto are their origin in the primordial circumstellar formative material of our soular system; their highly tilted orbital planes, which radically cut through Earth's ecliptic (incarnational plane); and their eccentric orbits, which allow them to enter and exit the orbits of other objects and planets--in is the case with 2004DW, crossing the orbits of Pluto and Neptune. From this, we may deduce the objects to have some similarities with the character of Pluto--but let us not be too assuming, and this certainly does not mean destructive, perhaps more with re-establishing integrity and order on Earth.

A great deal of insight can also be gained from the object's path and location in the heavens at the time of discovery; the astrological configuration at the time of the discovery, including the current lunar theme; aspects in the astrological chart at the time of discovery and corresponding global events; the name bestowed upon the body--honoring that the naming of an astronomical body is not happen-chance no more than it is when naming a person; but most importantly, its prominence as seen in event-based astrological charts studied over long time-tested periods.

By exploring the astrology of an object's sidereal path and location at the time of its discovery, we gain insight into what the object is doing at the time of discovery.

When we examine the object's location in the heavens, two primary things to consider are: its actual location and path of movement through the constellations and stars; and the conjoining stars in all other constellations; i.e., the stars lying in the same ecliptical longitude.

When exploring new objects in your personal chart, consider that the time of their discovery marked the time their forces became consciously available to work with and integrate.

The New Kuiper Belt Objects - The Astrology

Quaoar (2002 LM60) Astrology

Quaoar (pronounced kwah-whar) was the name given to the "creation force" by the Native American Tongva tribe who were the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles basin in Southern California. According to legend, Quaoar, "came down from heaven; and, after reducing chaos to order, laid out the world on the back of seven giants. He then created the lower animals, and then (or from them) humankind."

Quaoar was discovered by Mike Brown, a professor of planetary science at the California Institute of Technology and colleague Chad Trujillo in a digital image taken June 4, 2002, 05:41:40 UT from the Palomar Observatory 48-inch Oschin telescope in California. Quaoar was identified in the image on June 5. 10:48:08 PDT.

Upon examining archival photographs, they found Quaoar in images taken as early as 1982. Quaoar's discovery was announced Monday Oct 7, 2002, at a meeting of the Division of Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society in Birmingham, Alabama. The Hubble Space Telescope was then used to measure Quaoar. Chad Trujillo on Quaoar

Quaoar is 1,200 ±200 kilometers across--about one-tenth the diameter of Earth, about half the size of Pluto, and larger than the four primary asteroids combined.

Quaoar has an orbital period of 288 years, orbiting the sun in a near perfect circle (Pluto orbits the sun in 248 years at an average distance of 6 billion kilometers). Quaoar lies at a distance of 4 billion miles, 1 billion miles farther out than Pluto. Quaoar's orbit is remarkably circular compared to Pluto's, which is highly elliptical (Because of Pluto's elliptical orbit, Pluto is actually closer to the sun than Neptune is during a small part of each orbit.) Quaoar's orbit is tilted 7.9 degrees to the ecliptic plane, whereas Pluto's orbit is tilted by 17 degrees. Quaoar is believed to be a rotating system and reflects about 10 percent of the light that falls on it.

The following is of course presented acknowledging we are just beginning to apprehend Quaoar's astrological theme (being a very new discovery-2002). Considering its naming, Quaoar may have relation to native people's perceptual abilities, those who live attuned to Earth and nature's natural cycles (i.e., with natural world, animal kingdom, and shaman type perceptions). Discovered in Ophiuchus, Quaoar's first visible expression was thus through the Ophiuchus theme--standing in self-responsible mastery over the creative serpent forces of life and death. It was also conjoined Antares, lying between Ixion (which was conjoined Sco X-1 and Herc X-1, and over the head of the Scorpion, which theme is taking responsiblity for our perpetual entrapments) and Pluto (which was conjoined Ras Algethi, the head (wisdom) of our Godman Hercules who inspires people to claim their own self empowerment rather than deferring their power to dogmatic beliefs based from a helpless-victim consciousness). In classical astrology, Antares is the star of war and weaponry, (meaning anti-Mars), and with further meaning, to challenge the established opposing politics (common to the Aldebaran-Antares axis) with a tenacious and vicious willingness to fight and even destroy. Adding to the Antares theme however is that of Zeta Ophiuchus and Pulsar 1642-03 in the body of Ophiuchus. And let us note, Quaoar is north of the ecliptic in Ophiuchus, not south in the Scorpion. This stellar positioning suggests its appearance may be motivating the willingness to challenge existing political structural systems to re-align with the laws of the natural world--but not to fall into battle from mere malevolence, hatred, vengeance, or undermining spite but to take a stand for a greater attainment of evolutionary freedom--the message of conjoining Zeta Ophiuchus and the pulsar (pulsar's, generally which lie along the galactic plane are beacons for the soul). Quaoar's near circular orbit and mild orbital inclination of 8° (as compared to Pluto's highly elliptical orbit and severing 17° inclination) indicates a more gentle and harmonious nature, perhaps one inspiring the need to bring into a centered harmony and balance that which is chaotically scattered. Like Pluto and these new outer solar-system planets, Quaoar must resonate more with a higher (more transcendent) power or will, demanding we surrender egoic consciousness and align to divine intent. Doing so is a natural process as we begin to expand our perceptual capacity into Galactic Awareness--as begins now in the precessional Cycle of the Holy Cross. If this is a part of Quaoar's theme, perhaps we will see this character of "harmonious revolution" in suport of natural order in charts where Quaoar is prominent.

Some of my initial findings about Quaoar's influence:

Conjoined Venus Antares Nov 29 - release and surrender to the natural order of creation's life and death process, in this case with (Venus) peace, harmony, beauty and love. In addition, Quasar supports a return to the "sacredness of life"; to realize all things in life are sacred; that it is our responsibility to have respect for natural order and to live in harmony with nature; without this we do not have respect for our selves.

Quaoar's 2006-2007 alignment with Ras Algethi, the head of Hercules:

See the snippet: The Sacredness of Life: Quaoar, The Force of Creation...

Ixion (2001 KX76 / 28978 Ixion) Astrology

IIxion, in Greek mythology, was a descendent of (the firey god) Ares and was king of the Lapiths (a race) in Thessaly (late 14th Century B.C. ). Ixion deliberately renigged on his agreement to pay King Eioneus of Thrace for his daughter, the princess Dia's hand in marriage. In lieu of payment, Eioneus stole Ixion's mares. Ixion, in his rage and retaliation, plotted against his father-in-law, King Eioneus, inviting him to a feast at Larissa and killing him by pushing him into a pit of burning coals. From this, it is said that Ixion was the first human to shed kindred blood. Ixion was then exiled for his deed.

Thrace (Balkan Peninsula)evolved into a nation with a powerful military and an advanced governmental system led by King Rhesus, son of King Eioneus, which fought with the Trojans. Due to the rich mineral deposits in Balkan mountains, the Thracians were responsible for trade's transition from barter into coin-based commercialism.

Zeus later invits exiled Ixion to Olympus as his guest, but with Ixion only pursued Hera, the wife of his host. To deliberately deceive and divert Ixion, Zeus disguised a cloud to look like Hera (or the cloud-goddess Nephele / Greek: nephos means "cloud"), leaving Ixion, in his delusion, to have intercourse with the nephos instead. Centaurus was the result of this delusory union. Centaurus later mated with the mares of Mt. Pelion creating the race of the Centaurs, excluding Chiron.) And from Pindar's Pythian Odes: In punishment, Zeus then bound Ixion to a winged or flailing or flaming spinning wheel upon which Ixion was forced to continuously repent: "show gratitude to your benefactor." I would take this to mean bound to the zodiakal karmic wheel of reincarnational life.

I find the theme here diverse, with twists of deceit, delusion, and karmic retribution: First it is one of uncontrolled righteous rage carried from a long standing waring and arrogant time-stream of consciousness (Ixion being a descendent of Ares). It is of deliberate deception and retaliation between two authoritarian figures (King Ixion of the Lapiths verses King Eioneus of Thrace). It has an element of causing death through fire; and also an element of the feminine principle (princess Dia) being treated as property, owned and stolen. It reveals a long drawn-out karmic scenario: Ixion takes Eioneus' daughter Dia and then decieves and kills Eioneus with the karmic payback provided by Zeus after Ixion once again demonstrates his deliberately deceptive intent. But this time Ixion is lost in his own deception to pursue only an illusory image of Hera.

It is also interesting to note that the Lapiths are kindred with the Centaurs through Ixion's genealogy, yet the two were often at battle with one another. The most famous account being the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs at the wedding feast of Pirithous (the Centauromachy.). So here again is the underlying theme of a battle with those of kindred blood. More specifically this may indicate a battle within the genealogical stream of the ruling "civilized" mortal ways (of the Lapiths) with the wild ways (of the Centaurs).

In this light, the Lapith-Centuar relationship is suggested by some to embody themes of this inner struggle--between the tamed and civilized verses the wild and natural (Wikipedia; et, al.). Thus, Ixion may bring to surface issues and experiences reflecting this inner conflict--to do that which is considered civilized (dictated by man's laws) or that which is more natural to the wild and free (renegade). In either case the paradox may arise for the civilized patriarch, now quite at odds with the wilder natural world, to take responsibility for doing that which is natural (whether for good or bad) especially when matters of fatality are involved.

We can certainly see this theme quite prominent in the medical community: the allopathic verses the naturopathic; prolonging life through artificial means despite the lost of the quality of life, verses letting things take their natural course and using natural cures. This theme is quite fitting to Ixion's discovery in and current passage through Ophiuchus in sidereal Scorpio.

Ixion was originally discovered on July 2, 2001, by a group of American astronomers lead by Robert L. Millis of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. (M. Buie (Lowell), E. Chiang (IAS), J. Elliot (MIT), S. Kern (MIT), D. Trilling (U. Penn.), R. M. Wagner (LBT Obs.), L. H. Wasserman (Lowell)]. Furthering this work, Finnish and Swedish astronomers, using the La Silla Observatory in Chile, calculate Ixion to have a diameter of about 1065 ±165 kilometers. Thus, Ixion is similar in size to Ceres (the largest of the four primary asteroids) and is the brightest of the Kuiper objects to date (as of 2001). Ixion's orbital period is 249.09 years and it has a 19.601° orbital inclination.

Ixion was discovered in sidereal Scorpio, on the left foot of Ophiuchus and over the head of the Scorpion, conjoining Dschuba of Scorpio. The discovery of Ixion while conjoining Dschuba is significant in revealing the nature of Ixion's role in our lives. Dschuba's theme: taking responsibility for one's life scenario rather than perpetuating entrapment on the karmic wheel as if victim to a self-created history of deception--perhaps a lesson of Ixion in astrology. More direct is the theme of deceit and attempted annihilation between authoritarian figureheads--whether in the world or within--and control and ownership of the feminine principle.

Some of my initial findings about Ixion's influence:

Conjoined Venus Dschuba Nov 26 - taking responsibility for life and death situations involving kindred blood and the ramifications involved, in this case (with Venus), and a battle in the heart, but ultimately creating a greater peace and harmony for all involved.

This is not to suggest Ixion alignments would always be beneficent (as is the case with the Venus conjunction)--I would expect otherwise. There may be degrees of the Ixion theme regarding taking kindred blood (life). This may range from scenarios like removing a family member from life support, to covertly or unconsciously hurting a family member in any variety of ways (spitefully in word or deed, etc), to deliberately doing one in through deception and / or a violent act. Ixion may reveal our need to take responsibility for our life situations, and life and death scenarios. In a longer term exploration, it seems Ixion may lend insight into malicious and deceptive power[plays between authoritarian figureheads. This is all speculative, again, as research about Ixion's role is just beginning in the astrological community. Myth and astrological placements at the time of discovery only lend insight into the true nature of a newly discovered planet or asteroid. Only time-tested research will reveal Ixion's true astrological influence.

See "The Path of Pluto, Ixion & Quaoar: An Astrologer's Reference" to learn more.

Varuna (KBO 2000) Astrology

Varuna is the all-knowing creator god in the mythology of India: "He knows the pathway of the wind" (Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedas and the oldest book in Sanskrit). Varuna is the merciful, supportive, and heavenly king of both the gods and humans who controls the physical order of the universe. He expresses physical power in battle and pro-creative vigor as he upholds cosmic law (not man's law) and a path of order. Varuna is considered to be the protector of people, keeping them from evil.

There are traits similar to Quaoar, who supports our return to natural law and the sacredness of life; and also of our more familiar Jupiter, who is also of higher (not man's) law.

Varuna has an estimated diameter of 900 (+125/-145) kilometers, which makes it slightly smaller than Charon (Pluto's companion). Its orbtial period is 282.04 years and its orbital plane is inclined to the ecliptic by 17.181°. Varuna was detected on November 28. 2000 by Arizona-based astronomers in the Spacewatch Project. The discovery team was led by David Jewitt of the Institute of Astronomy in Honolulu.

Varuna was discovered when it was making passage in sidereal Gemini, near the foot of Castor but conjoining the principal star Alhena, the foot of Pollux, (and Mebsuta). "The Twins" are marked by the two principal stars: Pollux, the immortal extraterrestrial one, and Castor the mortal terrestrial one, the extraterrestrial incarnate. These two stars mark the last few degrees of sidereal Gemini. The Twins stand upon the galactic equator at a 60° angle to the ecliptic plane, with the "Feet of the Twins" lying in earlier Gemini, upon the "galactic node" of the Holy Cross--the "Gate of Man." Thus, Gemini is a galactic constellation, one common to our solar plane (ecliptic), and so with sol / soul purpose expressing in the daily activity of humankind. (Our feet are associated with our longer term / sole / sole / soul purpose.)

The Twins are ambassadors. The role of the Twins is one of linking and uniting the mission of the soul (galactic plane) into and through our incarnate daily affairs and mode of participating in the world. The Twins work hand-in-hand for the betterment and evolutionary fulfillment of humankind. And of course, Gemini is of communication, commerce, and activity.

Alhena is the mark or brand--here indicating Varuna's arrival to be marking the time to re-essablish order out of the chaos on Earth. Alhena is of commencement and indicates a turning point has been reached, a separating of the ways is at hand, that it is time to get off the fence of indecision and take action, to go forth, to act on our greater soul truth and purpose.

Orcus (2004 DW) Astrology

Orcus was discovered on Feb 19, 2004 by Mike Brown, a professor of planetary science at the California Institute of Technology, and colleagues Chad Trujillo and David Rabinowitz. It was confirmed by a team based at the Starkenburg Observatory in Germany and other sightings from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Table Mountain Observatory in southern California. Originally estimated to be near the size of Quaoar, Charon (Pluto's moon) or even larger. 2004 DW was named Orcus on Nov 22, 2004. The name Orcus was choosen because it shares a simlar size, orbit, and orbital inclination to that of Pluto.

The sky chart below shows the location of 2004DW at the time of its discovery on Feb 19, 2004. It lies south of the ecliptic in Hydra, in later sidereal Cancer, and under the auspices of the Head of the Lion. The projected path of 2004DW shows it was just under the head of Hydra in 1992 and will align with Gamma Sextans in sidereal Leo by 2014. (2004DW crossed the "Gate of Man" of the Holy Cross (5° sidereal Gemini) from July 1953 through March 1955.)

The Discovery of Orcus (2004DW)

The sidereal signs (not tropical signs) are shown in the above illustration.
To learn of the difference between the sidereal and tropical zodiaks, and their
intimate relationship, please explore the Sidereal Astrology WEB page.

The Sidereal Astrology Surrounding the Discovery of Orcus (2004 DW)

At the time of its discovery, Orcus was moving (over a many year period) from the head of Hydra, across the Earth's celestial equator, across the cusp of sidereal Leo / Cancer, over the Hydra's heart (Alphard, the primary star of Hydra), and then into Sextans in sidereal Leo.

Astrologically, the stars of the Hydra, the water serpent, embody elusive sub-conscious forces stiring within. When we examine the stellar themes of the stars conjoining the head of the Hydra (specifically Zeta Hydra), including Acubens of Cancer and Dubhe of Ursa Major (not shown), we gain context for the theme of this few-degree band of the zodiak where Hydra's head resides. This is background context through which the asteroid recently traveled and made its emergence in to humanity's awareness, it is not the theme of Orcus, but provides significant insight into Orcus' current expression and role in our lives.

Acubens, Alpha Cancer, indicates entrapment in dogma. This can be the dogma of the times, the current political /religious belief, as well as that created by our personal belief structures, the ideas and ideals about our lives and experiences we have in our lives. Acubens indicates a tenacious hold and stubborn resistance to release our dogmatic propensity.

Zeta Hydra lies immediately south of Acubens. Delta through Zeta Hydra & Pulsar CP0834 (which conjoins Gianfar of Draco, the poisoned heart) create Hydra's head. Zeta Hydra and surrounding stars indicate a multifarious undermining source of destruction (every time Hercules took off one the Hydra's heads, it immediately grew another). The conjunction of Acubens and Zeta Hydra reveals the repetitive undermining experiences in our lives are manifest from our own tenacious belief structures.

Associated Quasar 3C206 of Hydra, one of the brightest & closest quasars, suggest that although our dogmatic beliefs can take rather strange and unexplainable forms, they are not outside the realm of our own creation. They are however laser-like in their power to create. Quasar 3C206 reminds us to not be naïve to the powerful momentum of our beliefs and the undermining behavioral patterns they can create. This quasar tells us to not turn our backs on that momentum, to know it make take more than one attempt to overcome our dogma's hideous tenacity.

Conjoing, but in the northern heavens lies Dubhe, Alpha Ursa Major, Dubhe and Merak, Beta Ursa Major, are the two brightest stars of the Great Bear. At this time in Earth's precessional cycle, a line drawn from Dubhe through Merak leads directly to Earth's current North Celestial Pole (and the star, Polaris, of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor). Merak and Dubhe represent the alignment of personal will and divine will in allegiance to the evolutionary fulfillment of Earth's polar precessional cycle--to the fulfillment of evolutionary cycle of the soul.

The stars of the Great Bear also represent the world powers. The theme of the great Bear is torn. Part of the Bear is of the fallen world powers, those of a totalitarian, controlling oppressive rule. Dubhe and Merak are of the integrous part of the Great Bear, that which is oriented toward a greater vision, for that which is truly nourishing for humanity, for that which is focused toward our evolutionary fulfillment.

Dubhe embodies the "willingness to fight for a greater vision" beyond the accepted political-religious dogmas of the human world that keep humanity in darkness and delusion; and against the controlling global forces perpetuating that dogmatic rule.

At the personal level, Dubhe asks us to fight for the greater vision that we hold for the unfoldment of our lives--for the true nourishment, fulfillment, and freedom we seek. Dubhe asks us to emerge from our own personal dogmas (belief structures) that hold us bound in lives that are less than we truly want. Dubhe supports us to create a new and better future rather than merely react to the past we have already created and reinforce with our beliefs.

Dubhe is the star of the "Hor-she-shu," the worshipers of Horus--referring to the moving vernal point in the ~25,000 year precessional cycle of the Holy Cross (See the Holy Cross WEB page). The vernal point is also called the Birthplace (of the Sun-Sol-Soul), the Christ Point, and Office of the Christ because it governs the evolutionary cycle of the soul--the re-awakening of soul (Christ) consciousness on Earth. The precessional movement of Earth's pole, the God Head, governs the movement of the Birthplace (the vernal point) of the soul consciousness. Thus in this context, Dubhe holds the vision for when Earth's pole aligns with Dubhe and Merak--for when our reawakening begins, for the return of the Christ Consciousness (soul awareness) within, for the epistemological illumination beyond our mentalized concepts of God and self.

Dubhe, conjoining Zeta Hydra, a multifarious undermining source of destruction, and Acubens of Cancer, the tenacious hold of our psycho-dogma, indicates that to overcome the undermining and relentless manifestations created by the very sticky and tenacious belief patterns requires perseverance to destroy, cut off heads of Hydra, the very beliefs we hold that crystallize our monstrous reality and to fight to achieve a greater vision for the evolutionary freedom and fulfillment of humanity.

The above theme can be thought of as from where Orcus has recently come, a stream of energy it has been expressing. Let us also remember sidereal Cancer, in general, embodies the theme of the Egyptian Scarabaeous--emergence from darkness, dogma, and delusion, and the re-awakenined to light--at a time which no-one truly knows.

As Orcus continues its sojourn through Hydra, it will cross the Cancer / Leo cusp and transit over Alphard, Alpha Hydra from late 2006 through early 2009, the Heart of the Water Serpent.

Alphard, Alpha Hydra, is the "Solitary One." Alphard is of those who have self-exiled themselves due to feelings of unworthiness. The lonely heart of Hydra reveals how our judgments keep us from our destination, separate, and alone, while at the same time, serve us by forcing us to strive to discover new paths that we would not otherwise pursue. Thus, Alphard inspires us to step away from the comfort and security of the accepted and agreed upon consensus defining our known reality. It asks us to risk our reputations, our work, our lives, and our beliefs to delve deep within our hearts to find new answers to the challenges that we face as we struggle to evolve.

At the time of discovery, Orcus was (retrograde form Earth's perspective) in the last few degrees of sidereal Cancer, under the auspices of the the Head of the Lion. The front of the Lion--defined by the stars Algenubi, Epsilon Leo, the eye of the Lion; Rasalas, Mu Leo, the head; and Subra, Omi Leo, the paws of the Lion--reaches into the last few degrees of sidereal Cancer. The actual constellation of Cancer ends a bit before the end of the sign, leaving an open area in the desert sand which leads from the Scarab to de Leon.

The primary conjoing stars are Subra of Leo and Alpha Pictoris--revealing a signifacnt part of the theme of this discovery. Adjoining stars adding context to the themes of Subra and Alpha Pictoris are: Algenubi and Rasalas of Leo; the Owl Nebula of Ursa Major; Alpha Pyxidis of Argo Navis; and Alphard of Hydra.

Subra, marking the end of sidereal Cancer, is the paw of the Lion impressed in the desert sand. Subra is of prints, tracks, plans, codices and ancient maps--clues to hidden trails and paths obscured by the sands of time. Subra indicates a discovery process is at hand, one leading to the secret chambers, entryways, even to liftoff sites of the gods--places hidden from ordinary view. Simply, Subra asks that we dig, uncover, and find the way to navigate the passage of our Heart’s true desire.

Synthesizing with the theme of Subra is the primary star of the very southern constellation Pictoris, the Painter's Easel. Alpha Pictoris indicates a picture or scenario is emerging from the æthers. This is a picture assembling itself as we break trail in our discovery process. Alpha Pictoris asks us to see the pathway or entryway emerging out of the mist covering an abyss, in the rock of a mountain side, in the billowing clouds blown by the wind, in the leaves fallen upon the ground, or simply in our mind's inner eye. Alpha Pictoris asks us to creatively assemble the signs, to read the message, to see the coalescing spirit substance yet to become.

Algenubi, Eye of the Lion, best embodies the theme of this few degree band of the ecliptic. Algenubi is of "breaking trail." These are the explorers and adventurers with interest beyond mere egoic importance to fit in with those performing on the worldly stage. Algenubi provides an opening into inner-dimensional chambers of the "Heart of the Lion"--embodied by Regulus. To enter this entrance to the inner sanctuary of the Lion Path, and to find the hidden, golden treasures within, we must have integrity within--to live true to our hearts, to our soul purpose on Earth.

Pyxidis, a sub-constellation of the Argo, is the Crow's Nest (or compass) of the galactic ship. Alpha Pyxidis, just into sidereal Leo, conjoines Subra, the paw of the Lion, and Alpha Pictoris. The stellar qualities of Alpha Pyxidis ask us to peer far beyond the common world to navigate through potential problems or obstacles upon our exploration. Pyxidis inspires us to find the map obscured in the sand, to see the picture waiting to emerge from the obscuring fog into visible sight, and to take an abode, place, vantage, or perspective from which we can see and find distant lands. Pyxidis indicates a process, one that requires patience, foresight, and perceptual attentiveness. Although this often is a lonely process, it is one serving our greater evolutionary journey, and as well, the journeys of our colleagues and companions. Pyxidis has little interest in the superfluous pursuits of the common world, always seeking new ground, looking forward, gazing ahead through time, to see through the present limitations into the depths of what can yet become.

North in the heavens, in Ursa Major, lies the Owl Nebula M97. The Owl Nebula is one of the largest planetary nebulas. It has a faint central star and two dark recessed regions that give the nebula its name. Nebulas in general create a type of facade or fog that colors the surrounding theme. The Owl Nebula requires we use wisdom and night vision to see that which is obscured by the dogmatic veils that we uphold with our existing belief structures, or those created by prominent ego-based individuals and world powers. Here lies the need to see through the existing picture of our reality, and to use creative (third-eye) vision to allow alternative realms to emerge into our awareness. Only then can we step into an abyss where a hidden bridge awaits--to step out upon the Path of the Lion.

The proclamation of Orcus' discovery occurred immediately prior to the New Moon of Feb 20, 2004, conjoined Uranus in sidereal Aquarius. The time immediately before a New Moon is one of surrender, of becoming empty so that a new theme could emerge as the new lunar cycle begins. Here again we find indication of a relinquishment process and a new picture to emerge--and in this case, we are leaving the conformity and restriction of a past lunar cycle (in sidereal Capricorn); and more significantly with Uranus combust on the Feb 20 New Moon, entering a cycle that inspires a radical break from the conformity of the past--with an explosion of higher mind supportive of a humaniatrian-based society, which some might say, speaks beyond bio-logic, and instead, in behalf of the illumined Heart.

Astrological Considerations

Mythological Orcus, being similar to the Greek underworld god Hyades, would seem to have a Pluto like character; and in addition, being associated with water. The Roman Orcus is said to be the god of oaths and the punisher of perjurers, apparently an extremist, being either terribly harsh or extremely gentle. I tend to take "punisher of perjurers" as referring to those who are not living or honoring their soul oaths--in essence living a lie. Is Orcus a revealer, challenging or coercing us to get in touch with our deeper soul essence and purpose? Perhaps this is something to consider when exploring Orcus in astrological charts.

Pluto & Orcus orbital planes and their
inclination to the ecliptic plane.

Pluto's orbital inclination = 17.2°
Orcus' orbital inclination = 20.574°

Pluto & Orcus have identical orbital sizes and orbital periods.

Pluto's orbital period = 248.03 years
Orcus' orbital period = 247.51 years

Is Orcus a counterpart to Pluto, or in cahoots with Pluto? Although a bit smaller than Pluto, Orcus has a nearly identical orbital size, orbital period (year) and inclination. However, its orbital plane's orientation in our solar system is tilted in the opposite direction from Pluto's.

The orientation of Orcus's orbital plane is such that its North Node (where in its orbit, Orcus moves from south to north of the ecliptic plane) conjoins the Gate of God at 5° sidereal Sag. Its South Node conjoins the Gate of Man at 5° sidereal Gemini. These two points mark the intersection of the galactic plane and the ecliptic plane--the galactic equatorial axis, which is the fixed and primary axis in Earth's precessional cycle of the Holy Cross. This is an additional and significant clue as to Orcus' role in our lives--here suggesting direct involvement with evolutionary matters of the soul collective on Earth. And, making its presence know in Hydra, the underwater snake, suggests powerful transcendent currents may be stirring, perhaps even in the oceans of the world.

Although the astrology of Orcus is just starting to be explored, from the stellar alignments at the time of its discovery on Feb 19, 2004 in late sidereal Cancer, and its path deep through Hydra and passing under the auspices of the Head of the Lion, we can see that Orcus is working with the theme of exploration, of uncovering a blueprint or map that leads to a new picture, a new reality; to emerge from the belief structures and constructs of mind that are merely based upon the convenience of our collective consensus. In doing so, Orcus may force us to confront the fear and loneliness encountered when leaving the apparent safety of our past consensus of reality. Orcus may be helping us to uncover secret paths obscured by the sands of time, perhaps even oaths we made long ago to enter into the depths of unexplored territory, into new realms of consciousness, that lead us to a new law of life--eventually to a law or orientation that is in integrity to Heart. Orcus, although Pluto like, seems to express a quiet profundity, almost unnoticed as it serves us to get in touch with our deeper soul essence and purpose--the oath of the soul.

We will gain more insight into the astrological role of Orcus as the astrology of Orcus plays out over the years ahead.

A very significant new 32-year Saturn-Orcus synodic cycle begins on Aug 20, 2007 along with a new Earth-Venus synodic cycle.

Eris (2003 UB313) Astrology

2003 UB313 was formally named Eris on Sept 13, 2006 (it was informally called Xena for a while). Eris was discovered on Jan 5, 2005 by Mike Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz (Caltech) from images taken on October 21, 2003. The discovery was announced on July 29, 2005. http://www.gps.caltech.edu

Eris was discovered in Cetus, the Technobureaucratic Monster of Collective Human Consciousness (~25° sidereal Pisces / 15° south ecliptical latitude). Eris is larger than Pluto. It also shows Methane on its surface as does Pluto. It has and extreme orbital inclination as well as a greater eccentric orbit and is slower moving than Pluto--suggesting it may cut through our consciousness in an even sharper, more intense, and dramatic way than Pluto, but in a longer process. Eris's year is equivalent to 560 Earth years, whereas Pluto's is 248.03.

Eris is currently south of the ecliptic. Its south node (when it cross the ecliptic) will occur in 2075. Pluto is currently north of the ecliptic. Pluto's north node will occur in 2018.

The very eccentric orbits of Eris and Pluto.
As Pluto's orbit enters that of Neptune,so too does Eris' orbit enter Pluto's.

The Astrology begins:

Eris (pronounced "ee-ris") is the Greek god of strife. Due to her exclusion from the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, a sea-goddess, spiteful Eris, aroused lust and conflict amongst the goddesses (Hera/power, Athena/wealth, and Aphrodite/love, beauty and rapture) which led to the Trojan war by offering a "golden apple" to the fairest of the three. In short, Zeus proclaimed Paris, the handsome prince of Troy, to act as judge. Paris choose Aphrodite with her promise that Helen, the wife of Menelaus, would become his wife. This ultimately led to the abduction of Helen by Paris and subsequently the 10-year long Trojan war (1194 to 1184 BC.) and its ramifications. (Ref: Iliad & Odyssey)

Also interesting is that at this time (circa 1190 BC), the vernal point (of the moving vernal axis of the precessional cycle of the Holy Cross, which reveals where we are in the "evolutionary cycle of the soul" [See the Holy Cross] ) conjoined Menkar, the jaws of Cetus, the techno bureaucratic monster of collective human consciousness; and the anti-vernal point conjoined Zubenelgenubi, the southern chelae of the Scorpion, the karmic seat for incarnating souls. You can learn more of my take on these stars by using the search feature on the lunar planner home page.

Eris' daughter, Dysnomia, is the name given to the moon of Eris. Dysnomia is said to be the "spirit of lawlessness"--disrupter of civil order. Eris, however, had two daughters, Dysnomia and the opposite and peaceable one, Eunomia, who ends strife.

Dysnomia is also the name given to a nominal recall (dys) disorder--a memory problem associated with naming (nouns); the inability to retrieve names when needed--the "its on the tip of my tongue" syndrome.

It is interesting that the formal naming of UB313 as Eris occurred a few weeks after witnessing its disrupting effects in the astronomical community. Eris catalyzed the demotion of Pluto and the creation of the new classification to which Pluto and Eris now belong--the family of "Dwarf Planets." See: Pluto Demoted. Finding an appropriate name for UB313 also took a long time, curiously fitting to the Dysnomia memory disorder.

Although the discovery of Eris created disorder at first, a new order followed with the new classification of Dwarf Planets (fitting to the theme of daughter Eunomia).

Is Eris arousing strife and conflict in (Cetus) the Technobureaucratic Monster of Collective Human Consciousness--perhaps preceding a greater order to follow (emergence from the belly of the whale). We will learn more of the astrological role of Eris as time unfolds and studies reveal.

My personal observations - the Astrology of Eris: Eris creates a disrupting commotion, but which leads to a new clarity of understanding with a new order to follow--sort of shaking up what is stagnant in consciousness which subsequently allows a greater clarity to emerge and a reorganization or new expression of what we are doing in our lives.

See also The Path of Eris & The Eris Synodic Cycles 2003 - 2016.

Kuiper Belt & Oort Cloud Objects by Size

Only three asteroids/planets are now classified as "dwarf planets (Eris, Ceres, & Pluto). Other canidates are: 2005 FY9, Orcus, Sedna, 2003 EL61, Quaoar, Charon, 2002 TC302, Varuna, 2002 UX25, 2002 TX300, Ixion, and 2002 AW197.

Image courtesy European Southern Observatory (ESO)
This illustration preceded the discovery of Quaoar
(not shown) which is half the size of Pluto

Image courtesy NASA

NAME	DIAMETER kilometers	ORBIAL INCLINATION	ORBIAL PERIOD years	NOTES
Eris 2003 UB313	2400 ±100	43.993°	557	Eris is 5% larger than Pluto. It also shows Methane on its surface as does Pluto. Note its extreme orbital inclination. It also has a greater eccentric orbit and is slower moving than Pluto.
Pluto	2,320	17.2°	248.03	Pluto, discovered by Clyde Tombaugh of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona on January 23, 1930, is now recognized to be one of the Kuiper belt objects and was reclassified on Aug 24, 2006 into the new "dwarf planet" classification.
Charon	1,207.2 July 2005	17.2°	248.03	Charon is called Pluto's Moon (but actually is a dual planetary system) - Pluto and Charon orbit around a common (barry) center. Ptuto and Charon are also in "spin orbit synchronicity" - just as we never see the back side of our Moon, Charon always shows the same face to Pluto.
Sedna 2003 VB12	1,700	11.932°	11249.05	Sedna, nearly the size of Pluto, lies beyond the KBO objects
Orcus 2004DW	~1600	20.574°	247.51	Discovered on Feb 19, 2004. Orcus has a nearly identical orbital size, orbital period (year) and inclination as Pluto, although its orbital plane's orientation in our solar system is distinct from Pluto's.
Quaoar 2002 LM60	1260 ±190	7.982°	286.93	Quaoar is about one-tenth the diameter of Earth, about half the size of Pluto, and larger than the four primary asteroids combined.
Ixion 2001 KX76	822	19.601°	249.09	Ixion is near the size of Ceres.
Ceres	975 x 909	10.587°	4.603	Ceres is the largest of the four primary asteroids.
Varuna 20000	900 ±140	17.181°	282.04	Varuna is close to the size of Ceres.
Pallas	522	34.812°	4.617
Vesta	500	7.135°	3.628
Juno	244	12.992°	4.357

The Oort Cloud

Lying beyond the Kuiper Belt is the Oort Cloud. When we think of our solar system and the planets in it, we generally think of it as a disc, the the primary planets orbiting the sun with a few orbits (like those of Pluto, the asteroids, and Dwarf planets) somewhat inclined (tilted) to that disc. The Oort cloud, however, is an immense spherical cloud surrounding our solar system. The Oort cloud is considered to be the outer limits of our solar system. The existence of the Oort Cloud was first hypothesized in 1950 by Dutch astronomer Jan Oort.

Composed of billions of cold icy objects, this is where long-term comets come from, those entering the inner reaches of our solar system only once. They enter the solar system plane from any angle, whereas those coming from the Kuiper belt are short-term comets, which generally come in toward the sun from the plane of the Kuiper Belt.

Sedna

A quote from NASA: "In March 2004, a team of astronomers announced the discovery of a planet-like object, or planetoid, orbiting the Sun at an extreme distance, in the coldest known region of our solar system. Mike Brown, along with Doctors Chad Trujillo of the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii and David Rabinowitz of Yale University, New Haven, Conn., originally found the "planetoid" on November 14, 2003, using the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope at Caltech's Palomar Observatory near San Diego. Within days, the object was observed by telescopes in Chile, Spain, Arizona and Hawaii, and soon after, NASA's new Spitzer Space Telescope looked for it.

The planetoid (2003 VB12), since named Sedna for an Inuit goddess who lives at the bottom of the frigid Arctic ocean, approaches the Sun only briefly during its 10,500-year solar orbit. Sedna is about one-quarter to three-eighths the size of the planet Pluto. At the farthest point in its long, elliptical orbit, Sedna is 130 billion kilometers (84 billion miles) from the Sun - that's about 86 AU, compared with the mean distances of Neptune (about 30 AU) and Pluto (about 39 AU)."

Cold and removed, Sedna, shows her self rarely, only once in her 10,500-year orbit, but never travels inside the Kuiper Belt. Sedna curiously has a peculiar reddish color, like that of Mars.

Sedna was discovered south of the ecliptic in Cetus, just past the jaws of ole' Cetus (Menkar) in late sidereal Aries. Sedna past (conjoining) Menkar in the late 1990's, residing less than a degree north of Menkar in eclipitcal latitude. I would consider Menkar's theme to be significant when exploring Sedna's message in our lives.

The astrological character of Sedna, being a relatively new discovery, is still being explored by astrologers. Mythically, Inuit Sedna refuses several potential husbands due to pride, arrogance and judgement and chooses a dog (or birdman) instead, but Sedona eventually drowns in dramatic scenario of deceit and betrayal. Sedna may exemplify a female as a self-created perpetual victim, one who does not want to commit, or even be here on Earth, due to fear of being hurt--an unresolved issue or molding from her unfortunate upbringing, one that only perpetuates a miserable drama of loneliness.

In opposition to a potent Mars "T-square, I have found Sedna's mythical image fitting to the woman who perpetually refuses to commit for one reason or another, a refusal that only hurts the unfoldment of her own future, creating further entrapment (Menkar) of the feminine principle. The theme here seems to be about the withdrawal and self-exile of the feminine principle, the refusal to commit to any participation what-so-ever, a deep fear due to the awry or deceptive use of creative power (Mars, in its less-matured character) she had experienced in the distant past (perhaps due to previous life time experience).

A few Sedna aspects for astrologers to consider:

1952 (Dec) - 1953 (Aug) - Sedna (cuspal sidereal Aries) opposite Saturn (cuspal sidereal Libra)
1953 - 1954 - Sedna (cuspal sidereal Aries) opposite Neptune (cuspal sidereal Libra)
1963 - 1967 - Ixion-Sedna opposition (the realization point in the Ixion-Sedna synodic cycle): withdrawn and exiled feminine re-emergence to confront the tyrannical leaders of the world - fitting to the hippie movement of the sixties.
From Wikipedia: "Hippie, often spelled hippy, refers to a subgroup of the counterculture that began in the United States during the early 1960s, becoming an established social group by 1965, and expanding to other countries before declining in the mid-1970s."

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