A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but it just wouldn't be the same if it were called a turnip.

If you've ever sought a name for anything, whether it was a child, a pet, a character in a story, or even a boat, you know how much time and effort it took to find exactly the right one; once you did, you didn't know why, only that it felt right.  Then, as time passed, it became more and more apparent that it fit.  Did you ever wonder if the person or object had been predestined to have that name?  Or did they simply absorb its essence?

Giving something a name has a mystical quality that defies explanation.  As the Baal Shem Tov taught, it is through a name that one can grasp the spiritual essence of a person or object.  The Old Testament tells us that God created the Earth through the power of his word.  Names truly have a power that mere humans cannot entirely grasp.  This is demonstrated by the fact that as planets and asteroids are discovered and named, usually after a mythological figure, astrologers find that the character and associated myths of its namesake provide new insights via astrological information that had previously been lacking. 

Introducing a new planet, asteroid, or other heavenly body into the Zodiac deposits a new archetype into the collective consciousness.  It fulfills a gap or need, highlights new thoughts or attitudes, and sheds new light on mankind.  Even if the object has been there all along, which is most likely the case, once you're aware of its presence, and particularly once it's given a name, it provides astrological meaning that was previously inaccessible.  How many times have you thought, "I never knew that!" or noticed something that had a transformational effect on you that had been there all along?

As planets have been discovered, named, and established as astrological icons, they've affected our lives and society as a whole.  For example, the discovery of Uranus occurred in 1690, even though it fooled astronomers into thinking it was a star until 1781.  After it was determined to be a planet and properly named it was assigned to rule Aquarius, the 11th House of groups, associations, friends, hopes and wishes.  Before then, Saturn had the honor.  Saturn, of course, is obedient to authority, solemn natured, and responsible.  Once Uranus took over, however, it was a different story.  If you look at history during this time period, you can see that Uranus' propensity for surprises, upsets, rebellion, original thought, and the unexpected abounded as demonstrated by such events as the French Revolution and other uprisings that occurred at that time.  Uranus' archetype had been let loose on an unsuspecting world, regardless of whether or not they understood, followed, or believed in astrology.  It was just there.  Someone had found it and given it a name.

Neptune was discovered in 1823, named after the god of the sea and assigned to rule Pisces, the 12th House of dreams, inspiration and hidden enemies, which had previously been ruled by Jupiter.  This was followed by a surge of inspiration reflected in the inventions at that time which included typical 12th House elements that were far from the usual realm of reality, such as photography by Henry F. Talbot in 1835; Morse Code by Samuel Morse in 1838; use of anesthesia in dentistry by Dr. William Morton in 1846; and pasteurization by Louis Pasteur in 1856.  There was also a new religious awakening during that time as beliefs and philosophies became more mystical.  Andrew Jackson Davis, dubbed the "1st American prophet and clairvoyant of the 19th Century" was born in Blooming Grove, New York on August 11, 1826.  He was a seer and clairvoyant who was able to enter a higher state of consciousness from which he would make profound predictions about everything from astronomy, physics and chemistry to psychology.  Edgar Cayce, another well-known prophet, was born in 1877.  Mormonism was also introduced about this same time.

Pluto was discovered in 1930, named after the god of the Underworld, and assigned to rule Scorpio, whose prior ruler had been Mars.  It was shortly after that when the world saw fascism like it had never seen before.  Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler all got on the power bandwagon during that time.

See what I mean?

The four main asteroids, Ceres, Juno, Pallas Athene and Vesta, all released a dimension of feminine energy that had been held captive for centuries, thus remaining dormant in humankind.  Chiron brought a psychological release and means for channeling pain and disappointment.  Sedna promises to remind us how to treat each other as well as Mother Earth.  Lilith has been around in one form or another for centuries.  Her energy and influence is so intense that to capture it adequately takes four entirely different celestial entities: one a main belt asteroid; one a mere point of energy; one so elusive there are doubts regarding its existence; and one a star that's had a sordid reputation for millennia.

When you look at the heavens through a telescope or a pair of binoculars the first things you see are the biggest and brightest.  When you get comfortable with them, you keep fine tuning the focus until you eventually see various other objects you didn't initially know were there, or see them in a different way.  I remember the wonder I saw in one of my granddaughter's eyes the first time she looked at the Moon through a telescope, something she'd seen hundreds, maybe even thousands, of times.  Seeing the real thing with your own eyes can be a transformational experience, no matter how many times you've seen it in pictures or from a distance.  Seeing them as they are brings a new dimension of understanding.

Thus it is with heavenly bodies in the sky.  Their place in the horoscope is similarly enlightening.  The planets give us the basics of a horoscope, but such things as asteroids and fixed stars provide more detail, much like stepping up the power on a telescope used to view the heavens.  Astrology opens the door to understanding: of yourself, relationships, events, and even world political movements.  As these heavenly objects transit your Natal Chart, they touch all areas of our life.  Understanding their influence increases our understanding and thus our humanity, little by little, as we get to know ourselves better through myths and stories that have stood the test of time.  Human nature doesn't change.   Myths were used to teach life lessons for millennia and are still effective today.   All possible simply by seeing things we didn't know were there before.

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