Last night I got hit by longing. My grandmother’s death under a February full moon this year still sticks with me. When I think of her, it’s often Venusian themes: the feeling of real love, appreciation of beauty, caring for loved ones, jewellery, makeup, food, creams with a strong artificial rose smell, walks in nature, collecting berries, singing in the kitchen, enjoying the garden with a large sunshade and knitted handicrafts between her old caring hands, flower patterns in every textile you could think of and the feeling of being adored and wanted.
My mind was scattered with a squirrel’s speed as I thought about which asteroids would indicate Venusian themes or represent the same energy. So I searched for Aphrodite and then my grandma’s nickname “Amy” appeared.
“Wow… of course,” I thought. I used to put this name for her on all the gifts because it was easier than her real name “Anne-Marie”. Funny enough the same day I finished creating four major presents for the children in my family with handwritten name-cards. I was still holding my grandmother’s necklace in my hand to remember and honour her when my heart blew up filled with love and a deep pain for all that she had been through. I remembered how she thought it was okay to love pink and not be a masculine, practical woman which there was an emphasis on in my family.
I forgot about my search for Aphrodite and plunged into the name-astroids instead. I kept “Amy” and started to search for the first name my grandmother used for me: “Tamara”.
The respected and very inspiring astrologer Demetra George says in the Astrology Podcast episode 242 that:
“There’s about a little bit over 20.000 asteroids now that have been named and numbered which astrologers can obtain positions for their charts”.
So I only use them if they are prominent or remarkable somehow. She also talks about the importance of the asteroids to be close to luminaries, the axis points or placements of other significance.
Chris Brennan has made an overview of the content in the podcast with Demetra and here are the different levels of importance that she points out:
- High: conjunct of opposite luminaries, conjunct ruler of ASC or four angles.
- Moderate: Square luminaries or conjunct/opposite inner planet.
- Low: asteroid completes an aspect pattern, or trine/sextile luminary or ASC ruler.
The Asteroids in Astrology, with Demetra George (theastrologypodcast.com)
Both my grandmother’s Venus and mine have significance in our birth charts.
Jaw-droppingly, our name-astroids were conjunct each other’s Venuses!
| Grandmother’s Venus 25° with my name 28° of Cancer | My Venus 28° with grandmother’s name 27° of Gemini |
|---|---|
 |  |
If you look at grandmother’s chart I know that 3 degrees is the widest orb for the use of the name asteroids, but Demetra George uses up to 3 degrees for minor asteroids if it seems to be relevant. So I would definitely use this as a valuable interpretational tool.
For me, this discovery is very relevant and mindblowing and it made me smile. It felt like a little “hi” and a hug from the stars and grandmother in the middle of the first Christmas without her warmth. Coincidence? I don’t believe so. It gave me MEANING! Which is the same as longevity, which is the same as the purpose of life.
I know I’m now almost arguing as if an atheist is sitting in front of me trying to minimize my experience. I try to get rid of that habit, but I grew up with atheists, so it might take some time for me to feel free to believe without shame.
I always thought of Grandmother as a Venusian figure. She has represented those archetypical traits in my life. This is a very precious syncronistic moment.
Using asteroids in my astrology seems to grow into huge importance. But maybe using name-asteroids can be so personal that it might be difficult to use in a reading. I know Demetra George has been able to do so and she gives some brilliant examples in this podcast. For example a reading with the asteroid called “Beer”. It had significance for the client who had alcoholism in her life. Maybe I should get the birth data from my alcoholic x-boyfriends and the one brewer I was with. just to see how the themes turn up in their chart. I might as well include “Bachhus” and see if there’s a “Barley” as well.
The Astrology Podcast, episode 242 The Asteroids in Astrology, with Demetra George:
The Asteroids in Astrology, with Demetra George (theastrologypodcast.com)
Demetra George is a great well of inspiration if we want to learn more about how to use the asteroids.
There are some treats about the asteroids to buy on her website:
Asteroid Resources – Demetra George (demetra-george.com)
The latest news I could find with her for free was this work:
EA Online Conference Interviews: Kristin Fontana & Demetra George ~ Asteroid Goddesses Conversation (youtube.com)