Of all the traditional points in astrology, only the Moon and Venus are feminine. Including the minor planets helps to balance the Earth and the Heavens. Perhaps this is part of the emerging "new heaven and new earth" that has been prophesied.

The 24 Asteroid Goddesses are the main belt asteroids that measure at least 144 miles (in one of the 3 triaxial dimensions) or have a large satellite that extends effective size. Mass is also taken into account so Hebe is included.

(Hebe may also have a moonlet nicknamed Jeebee but this is uncertain.)

These 24 asteroids embody the most significant archetypes emerging in our time. While these may rightly be called “feminine archetypes,” these bodies actually represent attributes and “powers” of our common Psychic Nature. Our psyche is feminine so the nature and mythologies of these astrological points apply to both sexes and can reveal important hidden talents

An asteroid or minor planet is effectual for an individual when joined by degree to the Sun, Moon or other significant natal point. An asteroid is also highlighted or “turned on” when it appears closely on a natal angle or is located in its own sign. Then the special opportunities (and challenges) symbolized will be in evidence.

The nature of an asteroid is interpreted by its name mythology, its number,  (discovery order), physical properties and discovery time.

The “Big Four” Asteroids represent elemental forces in the order “Earth, Wind, Water and Fire": 1 Ceres  - 1/1/1801;  2 Pallas - 3/28/1802; 3 Juno  - 9/1/1804; 4 Vesta - 3/29/1807

* CERES, “the all giver” Mother Gaia, with Horn of Plenty, rules EARTH

* Spiritual warrior PALLAS (ATHENA) wields the Sword of Truth, AIR

* VESTA is goddess of sacred tradition and the keeper of primal Will FIRE

* JUNO is goddess of sexual nature, marital union, romantic Love, WATER

Ceres rules Earth signs, Pallas rules Air signs, Vesta rules Fire signs, Juno rules Water signs. These Big Four are to be considered in all charts, the additional asteroid goddesses become important when highlighted.

The next 12 largest Asteroids co-rule the 12 signs. In discovery order these are: 10 Hygiea 4/12/1849; 15 Eunomia 7/29/1851; 16 Psyche 3/17/1851; 31 Euphrosyne 9/1/1854; 45 Eugenia  6/27/1857; 48 Doris 11/19/1857; 52 Europa 2/4/1858; 65 Cybele 3/8/1861; 87 Sylvia 5/16/1866; 107 Camilla 11/17/1868; 121 Hermione 5/12/1872; 511 Davida 5/30/1903; and 704 Interamnia 10/2/1910.

* SYLVIA, the 1st fire Priestess of Rome, partners with Mars, ARIES

*Princess EUROPA masters the material world, the White Bull/TAURUS

*PSYCHE is key to psychic union joining souls as one, the Lovers, GEMINI

*EUPHROSYNE with her Graces opens the way between worlds, CANCER

*Musical DAVIDA tunes the soul, opens the Heart and makes whole, LEO

*CYBELE trains and purifies Dionysus, perfecting psychic Nature, VIRGO

*EUNOMIA leads the Horae artfully adorning a New Creation, LIBRA

*Goddess HYGEIA heals through sublimating Primal Energy, SCORPIO

*CAMILLA, miller of souls, is the goddess of Archery, SAGITTARIUS

*Empress EUGENIA is mother of Petit-Prince, the Aeon, CAPRICORN

*Whirling Rainbow INTERAMNIA joins the Rivers of Gaia in AQUARIUS

*Ocean goddess DORIS, is the all giving mother of the Nereids, PISCES

Because the zodiac is fractal in time and space, each succeeding set of 12 reflects the zodiacal whole. The 12 largest asteroids (following the classical "big four" plus Hygeia) share rulership of the signs. Each asteroid reflects in name myth and physical features the nature of its element or zodiacal sign. The next set of 12 completes the circle of the Horae or “24 Elders” of myth.

ASTEROIDS IN ASTROLOGY

The larger asteroids represent the archetypal forces of Nature that are most vital to the world today. Pallas/Athena rules the US government, her statue is on the Capitol Dome. Ceres rules the nation's soul, she is the torch bearing statue of Liberty, the mother goddess who descends into the underworld in search of her daughter Persephone. Ceres as Demeter is also the revealer of Nature’s mysteries. Ceres with her torch has special rulership of New York City. As the Goddess Gaia, Ceres ultimately has rulership of the world.

Europa rules Europe, as goes Europa so goes Europe. French voters turned down the new European Union Constitution May '05 just as Europa began its transit of France. The goddess speaks!

Joseph Campbell singled out Cybele as the goddess archetype that needs most to be integrated into the western world. Cybele governs primal energy training, something our culture dearly needs. Where are our dragon training schools? These need to be created, Cybele guides the way.

Ceres is a guide to healing depression and other psychological problems, Juno gives insight into marriage, Vesta is guide to investment, Hygeia teaches holistic healthcare and natural healing. Hygeia is a principle of psychic integration and wholeness. Hygeia is 4th largest of all the asteroids, bigger than Juno which is considered one of the "Big 4."

Interestingly, the first 4 asteroids to be discovered were Ceres, Pallas Athena, Juno and Vesta in that order. These asteroids correspond to the elements earth, air, water and fire. This order of the elements is the same as a Native American creation chant:  "The earth, the wind, the water, the fire return return return."

Symbolically the asteroid belt is like the magic girdle of Aphrodite / Venus / Andromeda / Persephone, the all inclusive archetype of feminine soul. This girdle protects by warding away undesirable influences (including unsuitable suitors) while attracting whatever / whomever one chooses.

The Asteroid Belt with its brightest / biggest asteroids can be likened to the magic Girdle of Venus with its jewels. These represent different modes of expression or primary mythological archetypes of the one "Great Goddess" Ceres or Demeter which is America's Liberty. The 25 gems in the tiara of Liberty may ultimately represent this set of asteroid goddess archetypes.