Welcome to the first of 5 articles exploring the asteroids of astrology.
Recently, the asteroids have gained more prominence in astrology. These are objects that lie in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. There are millions of asteroids here so we cannot refer to them all. We use the four main asteroid: Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta. Technically, these are not all asteroids. Some were but have been reclassified while the classification of some is still under debate. However, in Astrology, we call them all asteroids in the same way we call the Sun and Moon planets.
The asteroids are named after female mythological figures so I like to think of them as bringing an abundance of feminine energy traits that balance to the mainly masculine energy exerted by the planets. This allows for well-rounded understanding of the birth chart.
This article will explore the key meanings behind the asteroid called Ceres and will help you to locate it on your birth chart.
The Astronomy
Ceres was first spotted in 1801 and was the first asteroid to be discovered in the main asteroid belt. In 2006, it was reclassified as a dwarf planet. It takes more than 4 years to orbit the Sun and just over 9 hours to turn once on its axis.
The Mythology
Ceres was the Roman Goddess of agriculture and nourishment.Her daughter, Proserpina (Greek: Persephone), was abducted by Pluto (Hades) Ceres searched for her daughter, full of grief and anger. She neglected the Earth and it became barren.
Ceres learned that her daughter was trapped in the underworld. She demanded the help of Jupiter to bring Proserpina back. However, the young woman had eaten six pomegranate seeds. Eating food in the underworld meant you had to remain here. A compromise was made: Proserpina would spend six months on Earth and six in the underworld. Ceres would delight when her daughter returned, causing the Earth to flourish. She grieved when Proserpina returned to Pluto, making the Earth barren once again. This is reflected in the seasons of the year.
The Astrology
In Astrology, the sign where Ceres resides indicates how we were nurtured as children and how we nurture others. It also indicates what we need to feel loved. Ceres brings the desire to procreate and look after offspring until they are self-sufficient. Ceres also influences love and acceptance of ourselves and others. It fosters possible irrational responses when needs are not met. Ceres can also point to areas of grief, loss and rejection in our lives.However, Ceres is the bringer of productivity and growth. It rules food and farming, and encourages us to care for Earth’s resources. Ceres influences our relationship with food, both positively and negatively, as well as encouraging us to nourish others.
Finding Ceres on Your Chart
To find Ceres on your chart, visiting the following link. You will need your date, time and place of birth:
· Enter your birth details.
· You can leave the house system as Placidus or change it. I use whole Sign.
· Leave the zodiac as Tropical
· There is no need to select any asteroids as Ceres is already selected.
· Click CALCULATE
· Ceres is shown on the chart as CERE
· Look at the glyph of the sign that it is in. These are shown below:
On this chart, Ceres is in Aries.
You can check the meaning of your placement below.
Ceres in the Signs
These descriptions show how you may approach nurturing others, what you may need to feel nurtured and the drawbacks of your nurturing style. Remember that these are general interpretations and that the influence of your personal Ceres will depend on many factors, including house placements and interactions with other planets.
Sign Interpretations
Aries
Ceres in Aries suggests that you nurture by encouraging independence and embracing bravery. You support others by inspiring confidence in them and pushing them to take bold actions outwith their comfort zone . You also thrive when you feel free to pursue your goals and passions without restraint. Self-care for your skis likely to involve having the space to assert your autonomy and engage in physical activity or challenges. However, you may struggle to slow down and it maybe difficult for you to recognise when others need emotional or empathetic care rather than practical solutions. In terms of food, you view it as fuel for action. You may opt for quick energising meals over elaborate, multi course feasts.
Taurus
Ceres in Taurus would suggest that you show your nurturing side through bringing material comfort, stability and physical touch. You are deeply caring and aim to create safe, serene environments filled with sensory pleasures like good food, soft textures, pleasing aesthetics and beauty. You are likely to also offer financial support where required or where appropriate. You feel cared for when you experience consistency and indulgence in life’s simple joys such as those you like to give others. However, your attachment to material security could sometimes lead to possessiveness or overlooking emotional needs, either your own or those of others. For you, food is a sensory please and you like to indulge in rich, comforting meals.
Gemini
Ceres in Gemini brings nurture through communication, sharing ideas and fostering a sense of curiosity. You are likely to offer support by being an attentive listener and providing intellectual stimulation to others. To feel that your own needs are being met, you need engaging conversations, variety in your daily life and regular mental stimulation. Your caregiving style can be lively and flexible but you may struggle to go deeper when it comes to emotions or to commit to a consistent way of supporting others. You have a varied relationship with food, ranging from quick snacks to light meals, perhaps eating while working or on the go.
Cancer
Ceres in Cancer would suggest that you are deeply intuitive, protective and emotionally nurturing. You likely excel at creating warm, comforting spaces where people feel “at home”. You also excel at offering empathetic support when it is needed. You feel nurtured when you are surrounded by family or when you have formed close bonds with others that provide a sense of security and belonging. While your caregiving is heartfelt, you may risk over-nurturing or becoming too emotionally attached with those they care for. You may find it difficult to let go. Nostalgia plays a part in your relationship with food and you may enjoy family recipes and comfort food.
Leo
Ceres in Leo brings nurturing through a warm personality, encouragement and making others feel special. You can uplift others by recognising their unique qualities and inspiring confidence in them. You probably need appreciation to feel cared for and you feel nurtured through creative outlets and receiving attention from others. Your passionate caregiving can sometimes lead you to neglect your own needs. You may also look for external validation for nurture and care that you provide. You enjoy celebratory meals e.g birthdays and anniversaries. You may also enjoy elaborate and dramatic dining experiences.
Virgo
Ceres in Virgo nurtures by offering practical support, bringing a sense of organisation and by showing attention to detail. You care deeply about helping others improve their lives, often through acts of service or solving problems that they face. You feel most nurtured when you have routines in place and when given opportunities for self-improvement. However, your caregiving may sometimes become overly critical or focused on perfection, which may create tension in your relationships. You are likely to be health-conscious and detail-oriented so prefer meals that are nutritious, clean, and carefully prepared.
Libra
Ceres in Libra nurtures through fostering harmony, building a sense of fairness and through positive relationships. You are likely skilled at creating balanced environments where everyone feels included and valued. To feel cared for, you probably look for companionship, seek a refined style and peace in your own relationships. However, your desire for harmony can lead you to neglect their own needs or avoid addressing conflicts directly. Social or romantic dining experiences please you and you are likely to enjoy aesthetically pleasing plates.
Scorpio
Ceres in Scorpio suggests that you nurture others through your emotional depth, loyalty and transformative change. You provide support by helping others to confront their fears and embrace change, leading to transformative experiences in their lives. You feel most nurtured in relationships that allow for deep emotional intimacy and showing your vulnerability. However, your caregiving style can come across as quite intense and can sometimes lead to controlling behaviour or difficulty letting go when relationships or situations change. Food with rich and intense flavours is likely to satisfy you.
Sagittarius
Ceres in Sagittarius indicates that you nurture by encouraging exploration, building a sense of optimism, and allowing for personal freedom. You care for others by inspiring a sense of adventure through trying new things and pushing people out of their comfort zone. You foster growth in others through opportunities for learning or travel. To feel cared for, you also need opportunities to expand your horizons and connect with higher ideals. Your focus on big-picture goals may sometimes cause you to overlook the emotional needs of those close to you. When it comes to food, you may be adventurous and experimental, trying exotic ingredients and international cuisines.
Capricorn
Ceres in Capricorn nurtures by providing structure, discipline and practical resources. You support others by keeping them focused, bringing accountability, helping them achieve long-term goals and offering stability in their lives. To feel nurtured themselves, you may require respect from others, a sense of accomplishment and a clear, established routines and rules… However, your emphasis on giving and taking responsibility can sometimes seem like an emotionally distant or overly rigid form of caregiving. For you, food is practical and purposeful and you may favour meals that are simple, nourishing, and aligned with long-term health goals.
Aquarius
Ceres in Aquarius provides nurture through out of the box thinking, acceptance of others and community support. You care for others by encouraging their individuality and fostering a sense of belonging within groups. To feel cared for yourself, you may need intellectual freedom and to be accepted for your true self . While your approach to nurturing is unique and forward-thinking, you may struggle with personal emotional closeness or appear detached. In terms of food, you may be more inclined to eat socially conscious foods e.g. organic or plant based. You may be unconventional in your eating habits e.g. eating on the go or skipping meals when you are engrossed in other tasks.
Pisces
Ceres in Pisces is deeply compassionate, intuitive and spiritually nurturing. You provide care through showing deep emotional understanding and a willingness to help others heal. To feel nurtured, you need quiet time for reflection, creative outlets and strong emotional bonds. You can become overly self-sacrificing or may struggle with maintaining healthy boundaries in your caregiving efforts. Food may be your go-to to reduce stress and anxiety through comfort eating. You may also use food as a means of bringing comfort to others.
Next week, I will post a similar article exploring the asteroid Pallas.
Blessed be
Alan
Thanks for another wonderfully educational astrology post!
), and they’re less comfortable than you’d guess from the name 
I love to see expansion in others 
Interestingly this could also be connected to how I’m drawn to long distance relationships, as long as we aren’t too different we’re both / all going to get a deep dive into each others’ cultures 
I have so much water in my chart that it probably compensates for the overlooking emotional needs part.
but as long as I’m listening to my child, honoring my own boundaries about safety, and explaining my decisions to my child, it seems to be okay – at least for now! She’s almost a teenager 
so I’m sure it’ll get more complicated in a couple of years lol