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The territory of change has knowable and recognizable features. Her contours are at once alluring and terrifying. A pulsation of inevitability pulls at us, and a presence grows. Astrology might view this as a significant outer planet transit: Saturn, Pluto, Uranus, or Neptune. Somatic Polarity terms it as a shift in polarity or charge; a new cycle beginning itself. Myth calls is the hero’s journey. Spiritual direction refers to it as the journey of descent.

As a self-professed lover of astrology, I must admit that I am first and foremost a lover of astronomy. The night sky has a way of whispering unlike any other. In its womb-like stillness, one can hear the collected echos of millennia of girlhood wishes, lover’s pleas, tears of the departed, musings of seekers. The stars can fill even the hardest of hearts with wonder. Our youngest has always referred to his time before this incarnation as “when I was stardust”. I hear that on many holiday wishlists, telescopes appear. The night sky captivates our imaginations indeed. As an avid stargazer, I understand and appreciate the movement of planets and other astral bodies; all of which inform my reading style. Classically, the practice of astrology has focused on the major planets in our solar system; seeking to understand the human condition and give meaning to life. Yet, astronomy reveals that there are many more heavenly bodies sharing their light, energy, and vibrancy with us on a consistent basis. There are dwarf planets, spiral galaxies, centaurs, comets, and asteroids to name a few! Among these, asteroids hold a special place within our solar system; and therefore, a prominent place within our understanding of personal astrology and individual chart interpretations. Theories abound regarding the formation of the asteroid belt. It is situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This fact alone has powerful implications in a personal healing reading. Mars is the last personal planet before we enter the territory of the societal planets, led by Jupiter. In archetypal interpretation, Mars is an indicator of personal will and action. Jupiter on the other hand, is benevolence and cosmic will, a guiding will beyond the ego. Asteroids lay between these two polarities of will. In a transit chart or natal chart reading, asteroid interpretation offers a way to turn these astral bodies into stepping stones between ego drives and a larger movement guiding our lives. These “stepping stones”, the asteroids, illuminate a healing path through the discomfort and disorientation that accompanies a journey of transition and growth. Issues of fear, loss, and grief often present themselves in these moments. I find the wisdom the asteroids share to have profound impact on our way through. It is for this reason that asteroids love to make an appearance in my readings. In one such appearance, a client was struggling with her Saturn return cycle. The big challenges she faced were next steps after a devastating break-up. Yet, she was paralyzed by fear. Consulting the asteroid Medusa was ideal in her circumstance because of it’s insight into moving through fear. Transiting her chart through Aries and conjunct her natal Venus, Medusa was able to offer her validation to continue to focus on her photography and meet her fear of rejection by connecting to expressions of beauty in her life. When asteroid aspects are strong, healing pathways are frequently illuminated. A testament to the power astrological bodies have on our lives!