Pisces New Moon 2025: Minor Planet Report

Basic details and main features

Pisces New Moon: 28th February 2025, 00:44 UTC, 9+ Pisces

As the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces symbolically represents the last stage in the journey from individual to collective, from mortal to divine; though in practice it is virtually never that simple. Multiple cycles must pass, numerous quests undertaken, before we susceptible humans are ready to shrug off our material attachments and don the cloak of eternal light and wisdom.

Like all the signs, Pisces contains its own supports and pitfalls. At its best, it facilitates our connection to the best of ourselves, of life, spirit and the sacred, putting aside the demands of ego to clear the path to enlightenment. In its less exalted forms, it can sow confusion, substituting the artificial and simplistic for the real and complex, lies for fundamental truths.

There is a large selection of bodies in Pisces at this lunation, which implies we need to take extra care when trying to discern what is real. As when Mercury is retrograde, now is likely a good time to double-check our information and keep the facts close at hand. This New Moon also occurs in a tight semi-square to Eris, reminding us that self-knowledge and following our inner truth may help clear up any mist in our line of vision. Meanwhile, Venus in Aries is perhaps a reminder that love and vulnerability too are forms of courage.

Aquarius New Moon 2025: Minor Planet Report

First thing: a brief note

Dear friends: Apologies that this month's report does not contain specific sign readings. In part this is due to some developments I've been working on, including the Focus On project, which I've finally been able to integrate with this report.

Instead of the usual list of references below, each minor planet featured here has its own Focus On post; you can access these by clicking the links on the individual names. Full lists of interpretations, data I've collected and any references can be found on those posts.

Focus On is the result of an information gathering project that has existed for several years, and is intended to host a thorough collation of astronomical and astrological data on various minor planets. Building it is rapidly becoming my life's work: an endeavour I am grateful and proud to undertake.

I do also intend to continue working on these reports, and to recommence sign-specific entries on the next one. (There might not be a Focus On link for these, but I will include the usual information.)

Thank you for reading this far. Now to the matter at hand...

With love
Theano

Scorpio New Moon 2024: Minor Planet Report

Basic details and main features

Scorpio New Moon, 1st November 2024, 12:47 UTC

Let's face it: the forthcoming U.S. presidential election is – to put it mildly – causing some tension. This lunation chart reflects the uncertainty and unease many of us are feeling, in large part thanks to a configuration between Mars, Pluto and Juno, known as a T-square, in the often fraught final (anaretic) degrees of Cancer, Capricorn and Libra respectively. It seems to me this aspect pattern represents in vivid colour our collective sense of urgency, our anxiety for it all to be over with, and our dread of the worst case scenario.

I will hazard one prediction. I think the regressive side of this particular fence is finally running out of footholds in society writ large, and a defeat at the polls will signal its downfall amid the ascent of a kinder, more egalitarian culture. The very close sextile between Jupiter (which might naturally stand for the Harris-Walz team, being the god of joy) and Chiron suggests potential for deep healing.

As a Brit, I recognise that I'm on the sidelines here and can have no idea what it's like actually on the ground. I feel for anyone who is scared, under threat or already hurt by the Christofascist horror show. But in case it helps: the trine between Mercury and Mars suggests a release valve for anyone feeling desperate or forlorn: namely, take courage, be clear and speak your truth.

I am convinced that good will prevail; it's just a question of when. I think there's at least a fighting chance for a victory on Tuesday. Much love to you all.

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Capricorn Full Moon July 2024: Minor Planet Report

Basic details and main features

Full Moon in Capricorn (Moon opposite Sun), 21st July 2024 at 10:17 UTC, 29+ Capricorn/Cancer

Here we are with the second of two Capricorn Full Moons, in the final (anaretic) degree of the respective signs, with the Moon also sextile Neptune at the end of Pisces. The energy in this area can feel unsettling and somewhat volatile, as we are in the process of shifting from one sign to the next. That said, it can be useful for tying up loose ends, and bringing matters to a satisfactory conclusion. If Neptune makes you feel rather off-balance or confused, take as much time as you need to find and/or ground yourself. The important things in life are rarely instantaneous.

One other configuration stands out in this chart: a Finger of the World (see this page for an in-depth discussion of this and other aspect patterns) between Mercury, Uranus and Ceres. This aspect pattern contrasts with the Finger of God, or Yod, in that the latter indicates a sense of fatedness or unavoidable events, whereas the former relates to what we can do for ourselves. Potentially, the combination of these planets is suggestive of how we can use our minds, intellect and/or inventive means to nourish and nurture our wellbeing.

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Capricorn Full Moon June 2024: Minor Planet Report

Basic details and main features

Capricorn Full Moon (Moon opposite Sun), 22nd June 2024, 01:07:40 UTC, 1+ Capricorn-1+ Cancer. (Note: this is the first of two Full Moons in Capricorn this year; the second will be on 21st July, in the final degrees of the respective signs.)
Lunation takes place close to cardinal points; Sun conjunct the centaur (8405) Asbolus within 3', and other minors

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Some minor planets involved

Conjunct Sun

• (127) Johanna – Large main-belt asteroid named for Jeanne d'Arc, the young Frenchwoman who became a national hero defending her country against the English. The asteroid shares its discovery degree with Chiron, and its correspondences involve numerous similarly honourable and pivotal figures, apparently serving to associate it more closely to its namesake.
• (968) Petunia – Main-belt asteroid named after the flower genus, which is related to tobacco, tomatoes and chilli peppers, among others. These and other connections are suggestive of a Martial or combative aspect; there is also a fertility element expressed through the discovery degree.
• (8405) Asbolus – Centaur crossing the orbits of Saturn and Uranus; the mythical creature was a seer who predicted the critical battle with the Lapiths but, once intoxicated by the smell of Herakles' wine, also led the other centaurs towards it and thus helped cause the fight. The name Asbolos means 'sooty' or 'carbon dust'. Various sources^[1] offer indications including: intuition, psychic ability, seriousness, intensity, mysteries, difficulty receiving compliments or advice, pessimism, heaviness, solidity and consistency.
• (19521) Chaos – Kuiper belt object, possibly a dwarf planet, named for the Greek concept of the primordial void. Themes may include unlimited potential^[2], anarchy, disarray^[3], "spiritual laws that support personal freedom and free will"^[4], Robin Hood style figures^[5], orderliness amid confusion, and mellowness^[6].

Gemini New Moon 2024: Minor Planet Report

Basic details and main features

Gemini New Moon (Moon conjunct Sun), 6th June 2024 at 12:37:31 UTC, 16+ Gemini
Venus is conjunct the New Moon at 16+ Gemini
New Moon is sesquiquadrate Pluto at 1+ Aquarius

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Some minor planets involved

Conjunct Moon and Sun

• (29) Amphitrite – Large, stony asteroid named for the Greek sea goddess and wife of Poseidon; when she at first refused his advances he sent the dolphin god Delphin as his messenger, who persuaded her to agree to the marriage. Waves/being washed away^[1], "tides of fate and fortune"^[2] or "the evaluation phase of a relationship"^[3] – in addition, the discovery degree Sabian draws attention to the life-giving property of water, possibly both to quench thirst and as the necessary ingredient for most living things to survive and procreate.
• (227) Philosophia – Named for the subject of study. May relate simply to philosophy itself, or (broadly) spiritual practices^[4]; the Sabian and other associations imply the act of cognitive exploration as a form of preparatory skill or foresight, as well as the importance of joy to our existence.
• (413) Edburga – Exact name origin is unknown, but there were a number of Saxon women by this name alive between the 7th and 10th centuries, some of whom became saints^[5]. Two themes stand out from the correspondences: the Sabian speaks of the will and its role in shaping character; the closest resonance match is with (14) Irene, one of the Horai, goddess of peace and the season of spring, who is also connected to abundance. Potentially the reconciliation of these lies in making the best of what one is given.
• (639) Latona – Roman name for Leto, the mother of Artemis and Apollo; member of the Eos family of asteroids in the outer main belt. Associations are indicative of the aura of nobility, blessedness and dignity characteristic of Leto in myth. The discovery Sabian likewise speaks of beatitude. Her very nature seems to command respect and reverence.

Sagittarius Full Moon 2024: Minor Planet Report

Basic details and main features

Sagittarius Full Moon (Moon opposite Sun), 23rd May 2024 at 13:53 UTC, 2+ Sagittarius-2+ Gemini
Moon is sextile Pluto at 2+ Aquarius
Venus-Jupiter conjunction at 29+ Taurus sextile Neptune at 29+ Pisces

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Some minor planets involved

Conjunct Sun

• (28) Bellona – Roman war goddess, said to be sister or wife of Mars, whose temple was the official decision-making centre in regards to war. Fight or flight/instinctive reaction and also safe practices^[1].
• (81) Terpsichore – Greek muse of dance. Body image; exercise; dance; agility^[2]; body movement as communication^[3].
• (204) Kallisto – Greek nymph, follower of Artemis beguiled by Zeus, to whom she bore her son Arcas. After her pregnancy was discovered, Hera transformed her into a bear. She was eventually set among the stars as Ursa Major. Through Arcas, she was the mother of the Arcadians. Sabian of discovery degree 2+ Taurus refers to fecundity and is shared with, among others, Siwa (fertility goddess) and Petunia (named for a genus of flower).
• (420) Bertholda – named for a historical Duke of Carinthia, Berthold II (c. 1000-6 November 1078). Considered a foreign ruler, he was never really accepted by his nobles and faced continual battles for his throne. Sabian of discovery degree refers to intelligence as a protection against "storms and trials".

Focus On: (136199) Eris

Basics

Class: Dwarf planet
Location: Scattered disk
Orbit length (approx): 562.03 years
Discovered: 21st October 2003, 06:25 UTC, from Palomar Observatory, California, by Michael E. Brown, Chad A. Trujillo and David Rabinowitz
Notes: Most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet (ninth known most massive object orbiting the Sun) in the Solar System. High-eccentricity orbit; has one large moon, Dysnomia.
Events at time of discovery:

• October 21 – War on Terrorism: US officials state that they believe Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was killed by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
• – Scientists call for a total ban on fishing for cod in the North Sea to allow stocks to recover from near extinction.
• – The commander of United Nations forces in Afghanistan warns that the security of Kabul is at risk if security is not achieved in the Afghan countryside.
• – Occupation of Iraq: Human Rights Watch (HRW) accuses US troops of using excessive force against civilians in Iraq.
• – Iran's Supreme Council agrees to comply with the IAEA, allow inspections of its nuclear facilities, and suspend its uranium enrichment program.
• – Outbreaks of locusts are reported in Mauritania, Niger and Sudan.
• – The British Government confirms that elections to Northern Ireland's devolved administration will be held on November 26. The Provisional IRA announces a further act of weapons decommissioning. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams declares "the end to physical force republicanism".
• – Israeli-Palestinian conflict: The UN General Assembly approves a resolution demanding that Israel remove a security fence in the West Bank by an overwhelming majority of 144 to 4, with the US voting against the motion.
• – Ecuador: US oil company ChevronTexaco is charged in court with polluting a once-pristine swath of the Amazon rainforest. The plaintiffs' lawyers have put a US$1 billion price tag on clean up and medical care for the region's inhabitants.
• – Death of Fred Berry, 52, American actor
• – Death of Alfred Rose, 71, Indian Konkani singer, composer, and actor
• – Death of Elliott Smith, 34, American musician
• – Death of Arturo Warman, 66, Mexican anthropologist, author, and politician

Focus On: (136108) Haumea

Basics

Class: BB-type dwarf planet/plutoid
Location: Trans-Neptunian Object (TNO)
Orbit length (approx): 281.07 years
Discovered: 7th March 2003, 00:40 UTC, from Sierra Nevada Observatory in Spain
Notes: Third-largest known trans-Neptunian object, after Eris and Pluto.
Events at time of discovery:

• March 7 – Death of José Márcio Ayres, 49, Brazilian conservationist and zoologist, founded Brazilian rain forest reserves
• – Death of Manfred Durniok, 68, German film producer, director and screenwriter
• – Death of Monica Hughes, 77, Canadian SF author
• March 8 – Malta approves joining the European Union in a referendum.

Focus On: (38083) Rhadamanthus

Basics

Class: TNO
Location: Kuiper belt
Orbit length (approx): 241.61 years
Discovered: 17th April 1999, 03:19 UTC, from National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) in Arizona, by the Deep Ecliptic Survey.
Notes: Was originally thought to be a plutino but it turns out this is not the case.
Events at time of discovery:

• April 14 – Kosovo War: NATO warplanes repeatedly bomb ethnic Albanian refugee convoys for 2 hours over a 12-mile stretch of road, after mistaking them for Yugoslav military trucks, between Đakovica and Dečani in western Kosovo, killing at least 73 refugees.
• April 17 – Death of Julian Cole, 74, American mathematician
• – Death of Ahmad bin Mohamed Ibrahim, 82, Singaporean lawyer and law professor
• April 20 – Columbine High School massacre.

Focus On: (20000) Varuna

Basics

Class: IR-type cubewano, probably a dwarf planet
Location: Kuiper belt
Orbit length (approx): 280.76 years
Discovered: 28th November 2000 at 09:51 UTC, from Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona by Spacewatch (Robert McMillan)
Events at time of discovery:

• November 20 – Alberto Fujimori, President of Peru, faxes his resignation from a hotel room in Japan, having fled Peru after facing corruption charges. Fujimori would be officially removed from office by Congress on the 22nd.
• November 28 – Death of Gregg Barton, 88, American actor
• – Death of Robert Bentley, 93, American animator
• – Death of Liane Haid, 105, Austrian actress

Focus On: (6235) Burney

Basics

Class: Asteroid
Location: Main belt
Orbit length (approx): 3.36 years
Discovered: 14th November 1987 at 10:29 UTC, from the Kushiro Observatory, Hokkaido, Japan, by Seiji Ueda and Hiroshi Kaneda
Events at time of discovery:

• November 14 – Birth of Sofia Assefa, Ethiopian middle-distance runner
• November 15 – In Braşov, Romania, workers rebel against the communist regime led by Nicolae Ceauşescu.

Focus On: (5143) Heracles

Basics

Class: O-type asteroid
Location: NEO, Apollo group
Orbit length (approx): 2.49 years
Discovered: 7th November 1991, 06:54 UTC, from Palomar Observatory, San Diego, California, by Carolyn Shoemaker
Notes: Approx 4.8km diameter, rare spectral type and binary.
Events at time of discovery:

• November 7 – The first report on carbon nanotubes is published by Sumio Iijima in Nature.
• – Birth of Felix Rosenqvist, Swedish race car driver
• – Death of Valery Aleksyev, 62, Soviet and Russian anthropologist
• – Death of Tom of Finland, 71, Finnish artist
• – Death of Ishak Haji Muhammad, 81, Malaysian writer
• – Death of Guillermo "Willy" Oddó, 48, Chilean musician

Focus On: (4580) Child

Basics

Class: Asteroid
Location: Main belt
Orbit length (approx): 4.28 years
Discovered: 4th March 1989, 11:50 UTC, from Palomar Observatory, California, by Eleanor Francis Helin
Events at time of discovery:

• March 4 – Time Inc. and Warner Communications announce plans for a merger, forming Time Warner.
• – The Purley station rail crash in London leaves five people dead and 94 injured.
• – The first Australian Capital Territory elections are held.
• – Death of Tiny Grimes, 72, American jazz and R&B guitarist
• – Death of Viktor Nikiforov, 57, Soviet ice hockey player and Olympic gold medalist
• – Death of Edward Makuka Nkoloso, 69–70, member of Zambian resistance movement, created space programme

Focus On: (3811) Karma

Basics

Class: Asteroid
Location: Main belt, Karma family
Orbit length (approx): 4.14 years
Discovered: 13th October 1953, 22:19 UTC, Iso-Heikkilä Observatory, Turku, Finland, by Liisi Oterma
Events at time of discovery:

• October 12 – Birth of Les Dennis, British comedian and television presenter
• October 13 – Herman Wouk's play The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial premièred at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara, California (at Plymouth Theatre, New York, the previous day).
• October 14 – Birth of Greg Evigan, American actor
• – Birth of Shelley Ackerman, American astrologer, actress, writer

Focus On: (3361) Orpheus

Basics

Class: Asteroid
Location: Near Earth, Apollo group
Orbit length (approx): 1.33 years
Discovered: 24th April 1982, 07:12 UTC, from Cerro El Roble Astronomical Station, Chile, by Carlos Torres
Events at time of discovery:

• April 24 – German singer Nicole wins the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 (held in Britain) with the song Ein Bisschen Frieden.
• – Death of Ville Ritola, Finnish Olympic athlete
• – Birth of Kelly Clarkson, American singer-songwriter, talk show host
• – Birth of David Oliver, American hurdler

Focus On: (1923) Osiris

Basics

Class: C-type asteroid
Location: Inner main belt
Orbit length (approx): 3.80 years
Discovered: 24th September 1960, 09:01 UTC, from Leiden, Netherlands, by Ingrid and Cornelis Johannes van Houten (on photographic plates taken by Tom Gehrels at Palomar Observatory)
Events at time of discovery:

• September 22 – Birth of Scott Baio, American actor
• September 24 – The Howdy Doody Show presented its 2,343rd and final episode, after a run that started on NBC on December 27, 1947. After the marionette Howdy Doody, and host Buffalo Bob Smith, gave their farewells, Clarabell the Clown – who had never spoken – surprised his audience by saying, "Goodbye, kids."
• – USS Enterprise, the first atomic-powered aircraft carrier in history, and the largest ship ever built up to that time, was launched at Newport News, Virginia.
• September 25 – Birth of Eduardo Yáñez, Mexican film and television actor

Focus On: (1566) Icarus

Basics

Class: S-type/Q-type asteroid
Location: Near Earth, Apollo group
Orbit length (approx): 1.12 years
Discovered: 27th June 1949, 05:44 UTC, from Palomar Observatory, CA, by Walter Baade.
Notes: Icarus has an extremely eccentric orbit (0.83) and measures approximately 1.4 km in diameter. In 1968, it became the first asteroid ever observed by radar. Lowest numbered potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA).
Events at time of discovery:

• June 27 – The 1949 Australian coal strike began.
• – The Liberal Party of Canada led by Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent was easily returned to power in the Canadian federal election.
• – Czechoslovakia banned pastoral letters and meetings of Catholic church officials that were not approved by the government.
• – The science fiction TV series Captain Video and His Video Rangers premiered.
• – Birth of Vera Wang, American fashion designer
• – Birth of Stephen Rucker, television and film composer

Focus On: (1388) Aphrodite

Basics

Class: K-type asteroid
Location: Outer main belt, Eos family
Orbit length (approx): 5.25 years
Discovered: 24th September 1935, 00:11 UTC, from Uccle Observatory, Belgium, by Eugène Delporte
Notes: Likely elongated, approximately 22km in diameter.
Events at time of discovery:

• September 24 – The five-power committee drafted a report admitting its efforts at mediation in the Abyssinia Crisis had failed and turned the matter back over to the League of Nations.
• – Earl W. Bascom and his brother Weldon produce the first night rodeo held outdoors under electric lights, at Columbia, Mississippi.
• September 29 – The London and North Eastern Railway's first A4 Class streamlined steam locomotive A4 2509 Silver Link makes her inaugural journey.
• – Birth of Mylène Demongeot, French actress
• – Birth of Jerry Lee Lewis, American rock & roll musician
• – Birth of Johnny Mathis, African-American singer

Focus On: (831) Stateira

Basics

Class: Asteroid
Location: Main belt, Baptistina family
Orbit length (approx): 3.29 years
Discovered: 20th September 1916, 22:08 UTC, from Heidelberg, Germany, by Max Wolf
Events at time of discovery:

• September 16 – Birth of Frank Leslie Walcott, Barbadian labour leader
• September 17 – Birth of Mary Stewart, English-born fantasy and mystery writer
• September 20 – Brusilov Offensive: the most successful Russian military operation during the war.
• – Battle of Flers-Courcelette: New Zealand forces occupied Flers Trench where they repulsed a German counterattack.
• – New Zealand aviation pioneer Henry Wigram established the Canterbury Aviation Company in Christchurch to train pilots for service in World War I, promote local aviation defence and pioneer commercial aviation.
• – The Grand Theatre in Perth, Australia, opened to the public to showcase movies and live performances.
• – Birth of Malik Meraj Khalid, Pakistani politician
• September 21 – Birth of Zinovy Gerdt, Russian actor