Asteroids Some asteroids have been found to have astrological value, especially with relation to women's issues and the development of influences more related to the feminine side and the power of the goddess. These tiny planetoids are generally found orbiting the Sun in a belt between Mars and Jupiter comprising thousands of cosmic boulders, some as little as a few meters across and some reasonably large. However, their orbits are variable and those described in this article have been found to be useful in modern astrology. Speculation has it that the asteroid belt is made up of the remnants of a large disintegrated planet, or it might be that these are the pieces from which a planet will one day coalesce. Science is unsure. Chiron, on the other hand, orbits much further out, between Saturn and Uranus, so is not usually called an asteroid ("starlet"), because it is not in the "belt" between Mars and Jupiter. The names of these asteroids are based today on those of the ancient greco-roman goddesses, but not consistently using the Greek, or the Roman system. The accepted name is given first, with the corresponding name in the mythology of the other culture in brackets. Ceres (Demeter): The great mother, or the principle of unconditional love. Ceres is the goddess of fertility, of the crops (we get the word "cereal" from Ceres). The myth of Ceres and her daughter Persephone explains the cyclic rhythms of nature. Ceres rules the cyclic structure of the natural world and the rhythms of womanhood and fertility, parenting and reproduction. "Astrologically, Ceres describes the ways in which we face the issues of self-worth and self-esteem, relationships to our parents and children, attachment, dependency, loss, separation, rejection, grief, sharing, work and productivity." (62)  Juno (Hera): The divine consort, or the principle of relatedness. Juno, the wife of Jupiter (the Lord of the Gods) governs wifely relationships, the role of woman as covenanter and partner. In this way she governs such things as contracts and binding agreements, through her association with marriage. Juno's rule was overthrown by the victory of Jupiter, which introduced the custom of marriage and a patriarchial social system. Juno can be fierce and is bound by a sense of duty and social obligation. Her dark side also rules such things as divorce, and separation, infidelity and open conflict between partners. "Astrologically Juno describes the ways in which we face the issues of compatibility, receptivity to others, mutual sharing, trust, jealousy, possessiveness and power struggles." (168) Pallas Athene (Minerva): The warrior queen, the principle of creative intelligence and wisdom. Athene was born from the head of Zeus (Jupiter), thus being the only Olympian to have been born without a mother. Representing divine knowledge, or wisdom, she stands for feminine expression of the divine nous, or perfect understanding. She also rules the relations between fathers and daughters, and all incestuous and abusive relationships, where an imbalance of power must be righted. Pallas, the wise, female warrior, gives meaning and direction to the struggles of women to be free from the oppressive domination of the masculine forces."Astrologically Pallas Athene describes how we face the issues of learning, creativity, the arts, politics, healing, alienation from relationships, competition, and the fears of success." (99) Vesta (Hestia): The eternal flame, which burns forever in the hearth. As the principle of focus and commitment, Vesta was one of the most revered of the goddesses. In ancient times, she was the burning energy at the heart of life and society. Her call to purification is the rallying cry of truth. "Astrologically Vesta describes the ways in which we face the issues of personal integration, work, devotion, commitment, sacrifice, alienation from personal relationships, and a range of sexual complexes based on denial and fear of intimacy."