The Asteroid Vesta

Size Among Asteroids:   2nd largest
Keyword:   Self-containment
Orbital Period:   3.6 yrs
Discovered:   3/29/1807
House Affiliation:   1st House (Ascendant) 
Feminine Role Affiliation:   Sister
Element Affiliation:   Fire
Glyph:

The asteroid Vesta symbolizes the urge for containing one's emotions, as one needs to do in adolescence when facing rejection and disappointment. Vesta has a special connection to the lessons of early adulthood. The Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome, with their dedication to keeping hearth fire available and their personal chastity, were early symbols of the need for fulfillment through service.

Vesta is associated with the first stage of womanhood where the difficult issues of youth need to be dealt with and discipline needs to be understood as a means to developing to the next stage. There is always a sense of the innocence of youth with Vesta. Demetra George, author of the book Asteroid Goddesses, sees Vesta as the first stage of a personal transformation process in which the emotions are initially suppressed. Select the tab for the asteroid Juno on this page for the second stage of this transformation.