Astrology, a practice steeped in history, remains surprisingly relevant in modern Western society. From casual icebreakers like asking “what’s your sign?” to dedicated followers consulting daily horoscopes, astrology permeates our culture. While roughly 70% of Americans express some belief in astrology, it’s still largely considered a pseudoscience, despite its roots stretching back millennia. Ancient civilizations worldwide turned to the stars, seeking explanations for earthly phenomena and hoping to understand ourselves and predict the future.
Before modern science, Hellenistic astrology primarily focused on the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. It also incorporated the twelve Zodiac signs, each represented by constellations: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
Our understanding of the universe has grown exponentially since the ancient Greeks first mapped the stars. The discovery of new planets, comets, and asteroids might seem to challenge astrology. However, astrologers have adapted, integrating almost every astronomical discovery since Hellenistic times into natal charts, giving them meaning and influence.
Here are ten celestial bodies and phenomena that have been incorporated into astrology long after its initial development.
10. Supermoon
Supermoons, while not physical celestial bodies, have found their place in astrology since Johannes Kepler’s discovery of elliptical orbits in 1605. Given astrology’s ancient roots dating back to the third millennium BC, this lunar addition is relatively recent.
Kepler’s first law states that celestial objects orbit in ellipses, not perfect circles. This applies to the Moon, meaning its distance from Earth varies. The apogee is the Moon’s farthest point, while the perigee is its closest, commonly known as a supermoon.
A supermoon is essentially a supercharged full moon, appearing “extra bright.” In astrology, full moons traditionally represent the end of cycles, clarity, illumination, and emotional release. A supermoon amplifies these qualities, boosting the energy of the sign it occupies.[1]
9. Black Moon Lilith
While supermoons often grab headlines, the apogee of the Moon, also known as Black Moon Lilith, receives less attention.
The inclusion of this placement in modern astrology is intriguing, not only because of its relatively recent astronomical discovery but also because of its name. Unlike most celestial bodies named after figures from Greek or Roman mythology, Lilith’s name comes from Abrahamic mythology.
In Jewish myth, Lilith was Adam’s first wife, created by God from the same earth, making them equals. Lilith refused to submit to Adam, leading to her exile from the Garden of Eden. In astrology, she symbolizes the parts of ourselves that have been exiled or shamed.
The Black Moon Lilith represents the “dark feminine.” It offers a relatively new perspective through which to understand one’s personality.[2]
8. Ceres
Ceres is one of four major asteroids discovered in the 19th century. Giuseppe Piazzi discovered Ceres in 1801 and named it after the goddess Ceres, explaining that “the symbol of Saturn… represents a scythe, so the symbol of ceres… may be a sickle, as Ceres is the goddess of corn and tillage.”
Although NASA reclassified Ceres as a dwarf planet in 2006, astrologers have ensured it retains its status in charts, despite its lack of ancient origins.
In modern astrology, Ceres represents how one nurtures themselves and others, embodying motherhood, life transitions, food, nourishment, and overall well-being.[3]
7. Pallas
The asteroid Pallas was the second asteroid discovered in the 19th century by Wilhelm Olbers, who named it Pallas Athena. Pallas is a name taken by the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, in Greek mythology, after defeating a giant of the same name.
In astrology, Pallas represents wisdom, justice, drive, and natural talent – all qualities associated with Athena.
It’s plausible that if Olbers had chosen a different name for his discovery, this asteroid would affect our personalities differently than it has since 1802.[4]
6. Juno
The asteroid Juno, discovered in 1804 by Karl Ludwig Harding, was the third asteroid found orbiting in the asteroid belt.
Named for Juno, the Roman mythological wife of Jupiter, this asteroid embodies the qualities of a protector, especially of women. She presided over marriage and fidelity, similar to the Greek goddess Hera.
In astrology, Juno is associated with women’s lives, marriage, and unions. For over two centuries, this asteroid has been said to govern these themes, potentially overshadowing the influence of traditional planets in these areas.[5]
5. Vesta
Vesta, the second-largest asteroid in the Asteroid Belt, was the fourth to be discovered in the early 19th century. Wilhelm Olbers, who also discovered Pallas, allowed his colleague Carl Friedrich Gauss to name it. Gauss chose Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth.
His choice was based on tradition; since the previous three asteroids (or dwarf planets at the time) were named after Roman deities, so would this one.
Astrologers associate Vesta with that which lights you up, representing devotion to oneself, sexuality, and creative potential. Much like the goddess Vesta, who ruled over the hearth, which warms the home.[6]
4. Chiron
Chiron is a unique celestial body, classified as a “centaur,” which means it possesses the composition of a comet but the size of an asteroid.
In Greek mythology, Chiron was the wisest of all centaurs, the teacher of heroes like Jason, Hercules, Asklepios, and Achilles. Raised and educated by Apollo and Artemis, Chiron was skilled in medicine, music, prophecy, and hunting.
In astrology, Chiron is known as “the wounded healer.” Its placement in your chart signifies the areas where you struggle most but also where you will eventually help others. For example, someone who overcomes addiction might become a sponsor for others facing similar challenges.
Some astrologers claim that Chiron is as impactful as your sun, moon, or rising sign, which is quite a statement considering it wasn’t discovered until 1977.[7]
3. Uranus
Continuing the theme of naming planets after gods, Uranus joined our birth charts after its discovery. For thousands of years, astrology relied on the major planetary bodies visible to the naked eye: the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
As technology advanced, humans identified more celestial bodies, expanding our knowledge of the solar system.
In 1781, William Herschel, a German astronomer and musician, spotted a small body moving slowly among the stars in Gemini. Identifying it as a planet, it became the first to be discovered since ancient times. Herschel named it Uranus, after the Greek personification of the heavens, who was born of Gaea and the forebear of the Titans, ancestors of the Olympian gods. Uranus is essentially the grandfather of Zeus (or Jupiter in Roman mythology).
In astrology, Uranus represents rebellion, disruption, breakthrough, innovation, social change, and revolution. Its energy is considered potent despite its slow transit through the Zodiac. It makes you wonder, though: would astrologers attribute such significance to it if Herschel hadn’t discovered it, or if he had named it after the King of England, as he originally intended?[8]
2. Neptune
Following the discovery of Uranus and several asteroids, Johann Gottfried Galle discovered Neptune in 1846. This ocean-blue planet was named after the Roman god of the sea, maintaining the tradition of naming planets after deities.
Astrologers continued this practice by attributing Neptune with influences similar to its namesake. In a natal chart, Neptune governs dreams, illusion, creativity (music and poetry), trances, delusion, rose-colored glasses, and enlightenment.
Neptune is said to influence entire generations, spending about 14 years in each Zodiac sign. How generations defined themselves before 1846 remains a mystery.[9]
1. Pluto
Although now classified as a dwarf planet, Pluto is described as having “subtle” energy with results that “hit you like a ton of bricks.” Clyde Tombaugh discovered this powerful planet in 1930.
The discovery was major news, but the planet lacked a name. An eleven-year-old British girl, Venetia Burney, suggested “Pluto” while having breakfast with her grandparents. She later explained, “For some reason… I said, ‘Why not call it Pluto?’ I did know I was fairly familiar with Greek and Roman legends… and of course, I did know about the solar system and the names the other planets have… I just thought that this was a name that hadn’t been used.”
That ominous, highly impactful planet, named for the god of the underworld, got its astrological traits from an eleven-year-old girl. These traits, which “hit you like a ton of bricks,” encompass death, rebirth, obsession, vice, transformation, secrets, and the darker aspects of life.
Imagine if she had suggested another name entirely. Our birth charts would certainly look very different.[10]
Astrology continues to evolve, incorporating new discoveries and adapting ancient wisdom to our modern world. These recent additions demonstrate astrology’s flexibility and enduring appeal.
What are your thoughts on these astrological newcomers? Leave your comment below!
