Vesta by Anne Massey@astrologyguild.com

Vesta - a Mere asteroid?

Vesta The astrological symbol for Vesta looks like a stylized flame in a hearth, perhaps reminding us of the eternal flame in Rome, which was kept burning permanently as a symbol of the belief that Rome was eternal. The flame was attended by six Vestal[i] Virgins. In Greece she was known as Hestia.

The four major asteroids [ii] were discovered in the first decade of the 19th century when the industrial revolution was in full motion and women were starting to enter the workforce. The asteroids are associated with feminine archetypes, and the role of women in society was rapidly changing. Astrology draws heavily from the Greek and Roman mythology, where each of the asteroids has a personified deity associated with it. We have to assume that synchronicity is at play rather than these asteroids being named by chance.

Vesta was discovered by astronomer Heinrich Olbers in Bremen Germany March 29, 1807. She was in the final degree of Virgo retrograde at the time. The other three major asteroids are Pallas Athena [Minerva], Ceres [Demeter] and Juno [Hera]. Each one of the four goddesses held powerful ruling positions among the gods and goddess of Olympus and among the gods and titans in classical mythology. The Olympian Zodiac [iii] shows Hestia associated with Capricorn due to the fact, perhaps, that she is associated with diligent work with both the affairs of home and state.

In the Who's Who in Classical Mythology [iv] - the statement reads that she was the goddess of home and hearth and could have had Apollo or Poseidon as her husband but refused marriage and further that she has no mythology.

Vesta[v] was virtuous and highly regarded in both Roman and Greek times. She was the protector of home and family, never married and chose to remain a virgin. She was praised as a protector of city and state, and was perhaps the most beloved of all the gods. She was the first child of Cronus [Saturn] and Rhea [vi] and the elder sister of Zeus [Jupiter]. Her genealogy makes her one of the original gods and titans, but we have relegated her to the rank of an asteroid, yet the gods assigned to the Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are a part of her family tree.

In the Astro-Encyclopedia, included with Kepler Astrology program by Cosmic Patterns Software, we find the following statement: "Most astrologers who use asteroids believe that the asteroid Vesta gives self-discipline, self-control, and care and attention to any job undertaken". The keywords given are: self-controlled, disciplined effort, modest, simple, plain, and creative.

There are very few astrology books on the asteroids, and until relatively recently not many astrologers used them in their work. I started including the asteroids in my charts about a decade ago, and paying attention to them in terms of transits or progressions activating these, and listening to the stories of my clients that seemed to echo the bits and pieces of mythology I knew. As an aside, I thought I'd include this little quote: "One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listen to each other's stories." [vii] I believe that listening is as important if not more so than talking.

My first reminder of the role of Vesta in the astrological chart was loud and clear when my progressed Moon crossed over natal Vesta in Virgo at the zenith [viii] of my chart. I actually looked at in hindsight, as at the time I was just too busy working. The days were not long enough, and in addition to working at my job I was studying accounting. I was also finding time to give astrological lectures, write a column and tend to my large family. At no point did I feel anyone was taking advantage of me, or that I was the slave to others. I was just really happy to be doing so much. It was also when it first dawned on me I might be a bit of a workaholic, at my happiest when I was being productive. Learn about your Vesta by looking at what happens when slow moving planets form a conjunction to your natal Vesta.

Since that time, I have read more charts have found that when Vesta is positioned at either the MC or zenith, which is the most apparent position to observe, I have met yet another productive, work-oriented person, who seldom complains about her workload. (We know that rules have exceptions). These individuals are reluctant to be idle, and always busily working on that task list, never erasing the difficult ones.

I have also found the keeper of the flame significant in terms of Vesta in terms of the house Vesta occupies. I look at the zodiacal sign in terms of the kind of energy the planet or asteroid has at its disposal. Gemini for example, is quick, intellectual and inquisitive. I look at the houses as where we use the energy of the planet. The houses naturally represent areas of life. Wherever, we have Vesta situated, is where we want to keep that flame going.

I associate Vesta with Virgo as the natural essence of the asteroid seems to resonate with the service-oriented nature of this zodiacal sign. I look at the cadent houses (3, 6, 9 and 12) as the knowledge and learning houses. The third house is where we collect information, learn about our environment and speak about what we have heard or learned and think about it. In the sixth house we analyze and develop that basic knowledge into skills as well as habits. The 9th house is of higher learning, philosophy, religion, and our convictions and about learning to see the forest from the trees. The 12th house is the house of faith, ideals, and surrender where we learn to believe.

The angular houses, 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th, are about all kinds relationships with self, others, family, parents, authority and of course that significant other. The angles represent our worldly pursuits and activities. The succeedent houses, 2nd, 5th, 8th and 11th, are about a set of values regarding money, time, love, children, creativity, death, reincarnation, commitment and friendships, acquaintances, and about the importance of acquiring material possessions. The cadent set of houses, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th, is about learning the basic ABCs, the coping skills in life, the philosophical and religious knowledge, and to trust the unseen, i.e. to have faith.

Naturally when Vesta is at the angles or in aspect to the angles it is more prominent, and more readily or visibly expressed by us. When Vesta is not in aspect with the balance of the chart she may lack visible expression. I have noted that when Vesta is at an angle in marriage charts, the marriage seems to work well and both partners support each other.

Where Vesta is seems to supply clues to what area in your life are you willing to be the one to take care of things. Looking after the joint finances might be one expression of Vesta in the 8th. In the fourth looking after the home, in the 10th at the zenith or on the MC perhaps being the main breadwinner, never shirking your obligations. Where Vesta is situated shows an area of life that naturally seems to be your responsibility. Look at Vesta in your chart, see how it is linked and if you indeed naturally assume to be responsibility of keeping the issues of that house working smoothly. Oh, and by the way, you don't get credit or praise for doing that particular chore, nor should you expect to.

Vesta moves through the zodiac in about four years. She retrogrades once every 18 months for three months. The cycle length is the same as that of the lunar nodes through the signs, and Venus through her morning and evening star phases. She spends approx. three months travelling through a sign. Vesta is currently in late degrees of Pisces and moves into Aries in January 2005.

I was speaking with a colleague and friend recently about the asteroids. She has Vesta in her third house in Pisces, and was delighted how what we talked about resonated with her recent revelation that she was the Keeper of words and knowledge. My Vesta is in the 9th house in Virgo, and I always find myself sharing philosophical concepts that have the potential to allow others to broaden their horizons armed with a different perspective. I also think that I am an eternal student.

Is this same information expressed through other planets and points in the chart? Absolutely, I think every concept is illustrated numerous times in the horoscope through different planets, signs, houses and aspects, so that we understand the message. [The other asteroids and feminine archetypes will be discussed in future articles.]

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End Notes:

[i] Chaste and pure - back to text

[ii] Meaning star like and also referred to as planetoids, the asteroid belt is between Mars and Jupiter, and the four major asteroids are the largest in size - back to text

[iii] Rupert Gleadow, The Origin of the Zodiac and Mythic Astrology, Archetypal Powers in the Horoscope by Ariel Guttman and Kenneth Johnson - back to text

[iv] Who's Who in Classical Mythology, Michael Grant and John Hazel, Rutledge, 2003- back to text

[v] Marelon Bjorkaes wrote a wonderful ten chapter on-line book about the planetary deities on the Guild website - www.astrologyguild.com - these are all archived and give wonderful insights into the personalities of the asteroids. - back to text

[vi] Rhea is a satellite of Saturn back to text

[vii] Rebecca Falls back to text

[viii] Zenith is the point directly above us and always at a 90° angle from the ASC. Very significant in terms of our work rather than avocation.

"Hestia, in the lofty dwellings of all, both of immortal gods and of men who walk on the earth, you have attained an eternal abode and the highest honor, together with a fair and honorific prize, for without you there can be no feasts of mortals, if at the beginning yours is not the first and last libation (drink, offering) of honey-sweet wine." Homeric Hymn

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Anne Massey, C.A.P. is a certified professional astrologer. For personal consultations with Anne call her assistant Malonie 604-889-4820. Check out www.astrologicallyspeaking.com for other columns and articles.

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Anne Massey, C.A.P.

Vesta - a Mere asteroid?

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