posted March 23, 2009 10:31 AM
In synastry, I would look at aspects between asteroids 763 Cupido and 16 Psyche - they are the Roman counterparts of the Greek lovers, 433 Eros and 16 Psyche (the two couples have the exact same story but one is Roman myth and one is Greek myth). I'd also look up your natal Cupido/Psyche midpoint and Eros/Psyche midpoint (A good midpoint calculator: http://www.noendpress.com/pvachier/midpoints/index.php ). Here's what I have on them:
________________________________________
16 Psyche (Roman):
Wife of Cupido, the Roman God of Love.
Perseverance of love, connection of a psychic nature, awakening of intuition, soul seeking completion. The physical expression for desire is strong here, yet of a more spiritual nature, which often relates to sexual interplay. This desire instigates relationships, and once connected continues to drive insights and growth throughout the sexual relationship. Personal feelings are strongly felt and expressed physically and therefore important to have some kind of committment. Tantric sex, or sharing personal growth training or therapy could be stimulating and life transforming.
(Also, can represent recognition of childhood trauma; raw wounds psychologically; vulnerability; memories; insight; psychic impressionability; psychological recovery; the state of your “mental health;” head wounds; brain states.)
Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, was widely considered the most beautiful woman in the world, mortal or divine. When the goddess caught a glimpse of the overwhelming beauty of the mortal maiden Psyche, she was overcome with jealousy (proof that immortal and all-knowing does not equal perfect and without flaw). So, she sent her son, Cupid, to find Psyche and punish her.
But a problem arose: Cupid saw the maiden and fell deeply in love with her. He would visit her under the cover of night, and he eventually took her as his bride, forbidding her to never look at him (mortals were never supposed to look at the gods directly). But, her curiosity got the better of her, and she stole a glance of him one night as he lay sleeping. A drop of lamp oil dripped on the god, and he awoke in a fury. To punish Psyche for ignoring his demand, Cupid left her forever, taking their lovely little garden castle with him. She was left standing alone in an empty field with a broken heart.
Psyche traveled to the temple of Venus, looking for her missing husband. Still jealous of the girl as ever, Venus wanted her dead, and assigned her a set of dangerous taskes that grew harder as she fulfilled the one before. For her final task, Psyche was to take a small chest into the Underworld, not a fun place to be if you are still among the living (or dead, for that matter). She was to steal some of the beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, and hide it in the chest.
Psyche had been warned not to open the chest. But, her curiosity got the better of her yet again, and she opened it (apparently having learned nothing). It instantly put her into an eternal sleep. Cupid found his love, lying lifeless on the ground. He took the sleep from her body, put it back into the chest, and the maiden awoke. Cupid and Venus forgave her curiousity and the gods made Psyche a goddess, so that the two could be together eternally.
Cupid has come to represent the heart of love, and Psyche the mind and soul.
Psyche, Goddess of the Soul:
The Goddess Psyche started life as a beautiful mortal and became a Goddess wife of Cupid, the God of love, who was the son of Venus.
In a legend that later became the basis for "Beauty and the Beast, the Goddess Psyche, unlike most of the other Roman Goddesses, acquired her status as a Goddess by "marrying up," when the loving Psyche proved herself worthy of the honor.
Psyche had to prove her worth to her mother-in-law, Venus, by accomplishing a series of dangerous feats that were seemingly impossible.
By successfully learning the lessons these tasks required, the Goddess Psyche embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and personal growth that earned her the respect of all the Gods and Goddesses, not to mention the respect and undying love of her husband.
Having learned to confront all the dark and mysterious places of the soul, Psyche was well-prepared for her eventual union with her beloved.
The myths of the Greek Goddess Psyche remind us that the integration of our experiences, however sad or frightening they may be, mature and transform us, like her symbol, the butterfly, emerging into the light from the darkness of the cocoon.
Psyche in the signs:
PSYCHE IN ARIES: Like the thrill of someone falling madly in love with and pursuing them. They enjoy feeling valued by someone and they find security in hearing this from their lover.
PSYCHE IN TAURUS: Are the embodiment of sexuality. They like for people to find them attractive. They are also attracted to people who give gifts of love.
PSYCHE IN GEMINI: Are drawn to powerful personalities that are able to switch between staying home and painting the town. They also enjoy mates who challenge their intellect.
PSYCHE IN CANCER: Tend to take on nurturing roles, not necessarily with everyone, but definitely with their lover. They will go out of their way to make partner happy.
PSYCHE IN LEO: Able to discern the best in people and bring that out. They are attracted to charming, good-looking people. They also have a tendency to project onto their partner the way they themselves want to be.
PSYCHE IN VIRGO: Show their affection to someone who accepts them unconditionally. They are usually concerned about what the lover can bring to the table. Once smitten, they are very generous of their time and resources.
PSYCHE IN LIBRA: Fascinated by partners with striking looks, possibly to the detriment of other aspects, in order to indulge the fantasy of the relationship. Usually they get wise to this tendency in due time. They treat everyone around them lavishly.
PSYCHE IN SCORPIO: Tend to be secretive about their true feelings, including sexual feelings. They also tend to be reserved when expressing themselves until they feel absolutely comfortable. Once committed, they take the relationship very seriously and will do anything to keep it going.
PSYCHE IN SAGITTARIUS: Attracted to someone worldly, ethnically diverse, philosophically-oriented, and free-spirited. They are able to give others the freedom to be who they really are.
PSYCHE IN CAPRICORN: Attracted to emotionally mature and stable individuals who can also provide an outlet for their romantic fantasy. Sexual intimacy is a longing, and once fulfilled, they feel like they’ve won the prize.
PSYCHE IN AQUARIUS: Like to put a little bubble around themselves and their lover and bask in the fulfillment of their hopes, wishes, and dreams. They like to be acknowledged for their unique and special qualities and do not like to compete for affection.
PSYCHE IN PISCES: Seek partners who can express the utmost love and adoration and partners who can help them escape a routine life. They tend to attract attention through illnesses if their needs are not being met to their expectation.
________________________________________
763 Cupido (Roman):
Roman counterpart of Eros. A Super-Venus.
In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin Cupido) is the God of erotic love and beauty. He is equated with the Greek God Eros, and another one of his Latin names is Amor (cognate with Kama). Cupid is a personification of love, and in particular sexual love. Cupid's cult was closely associated with that of Venus, with Cupid being worshipped as devotedly as she. Additionally, Cupid's power was supposed to be even greater than his mother's, since he had dominion over the dead in Hades, the creatures of the sea and the Gods in Olympus.
Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, was widely considered the most beautiful woman in the world, mortal or divine. When the goddess caught a glimpse of the overwhelming beauty of the mortal maiden Psyche, she was overcome with jealousy (proof that immortal and all-knowing does not equal perfect and without flaw!). So, she sent her son, Cupid, to find Psyche and punish her.
But a problem arose: Cupid saw the maiden and fell deeply in love with her. He would visit her under the cover of night, and he eventually took her as his bride, forbidding her to never look at him (mortals were never supposed to look at the gods directly). But, her curiosity got the better of her, and she stole a glance of him one night as he lay sleeping. A drop of lamp oil dripped on the god, and he awoke in a fury. To punish Psyche for ignoring his demand, Cupid left her forever, taking their lovely little garden castle with him. She was left standing alone in an empty field with a broken heart.
Psyche traveled to the temple of Venus, looking for her missing husband. Still jealous of the girl as ever, Venus wanted her dead, and assigned her a set of dangerous taskes that grew harder as she fulfilled the one before. For her final task, Psyche was to take a small chest into the Underworld, not a fun place to be if you are still among the living (or dead, for that matter). She was to steal some of the beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, and hide it in the chest.
Psyche had been warned not to open the chest. But, her curiosity got the better of her yet again, and she opened it (apparently having learned nothing). It instantly put her into an eternal sleep. Cupid found his love, lying lifeless on the ground. He took the sleep from her body, put it back into the chest, and the maiden awoke. Cupid and Venus forgave her curiousity and the gods made Psyche a goddess, so that the two could be together eternally.
Cupid has come to represent the heart of love, and Psyche the mind and soul.
In synastry or composite: The look of love. Matchmaker, vain, romantic. Indicator of sexual attraction. Highly charged sexual tension in one or between two - the drive and attraction so strong that it may be uncontrollable. If not tempered with softer, more loving connections, it could drive one or two to disaster. Overall intense feelings, great, fullfilling sex. Be careful about jealousy or envy and a disregard for partner's feelings.
****************************
433 Eros (Greek):
The Greek God of Love.
Erotic love. Represents what turns you on, sexual attraction. Intense sexual heat and vitality. Anything which stimulates desire or touches on fantasy is easily integrated, such as erotica or other sex aids. This is a regenerating asteroid, when playing the relating game. Overindulgence is possible though, as the drive of desire can put satisfaction before other priorities.
quote:
Eros – The God of Love
(By Maria Shaw)
Asteroid Number 433 Eros, is one of the near-earth asteroids. Eros orbits between Venus and Mars and takes 1.76 years to complete a full cycle. Orbiting between the planet of love and beauty and the sexual, passionate Mars, Eros is also called the God of love. But it's not the type of love that one would expect. Eros creates passion that isn't always comfortable. It's the type of love that doesnt make us feel safe and secure. Forget peace and harmony. Its all about erotic love, obsessive behavior that you can't let go of. It clings to the very depths of your being. Your heart aches when you cant get enough. In some cases, youre very aware this type of love is not a healthy thing. It's not in your best interest, but you cant help feeling the way you do.
The ancient Greek word for erotic love is Eros. To the Greeks, it means a merging of the souls. It creates a lasting transformation. Youll never be the same again! Eros will leave it's mark on you.
Do you recall that old relationship that was so intense? The one that put you on a wild emotional rollercoaster ride? It was unhealthy but you couldnt seem to let go? Perhaps now its physically over but your emotionally still intertwined....forever. That relationship changed you. Thank Eros for bringing you two together.
This type of passion doesnt have to occur between two people or in a relationship to be Eros created. It can be created in situations too. It can happen in any circumstance where you find highly charged emotional feelings, risk, taboo, passion, creativity and sex. For Eros can bring out passionate inspiration in a person. It can be a good thing if its channeled correctly. If not, Eros brings dangerous desires, obsessions and betrayal. Ah, the things soap operas are made of!
When I do compatibility astrology charts for people, I now look for Eros and see how it affects them. Or if the relationship itself is Eros induced. When transiting, Eros always unleashes a potent energy.
In a natal chart, whatever house Eros shows up in, you may find too much passion and obsession. That can be dangerous.
Like the planets, Eros is connected to the individual signs. For example, my sun sign is in Cancer but my Eros is in Capricorn. I was once involved in a heavy relationship that I hung onto for years with a guy that had venus, moon, mars and mercury in Capricorn. My Eros conjuncted all of his planets. He felt it too. It was hard to let go emotionally. That Eros based relationship was one of the most intense Ill never know and still affects me today.
A friend of mine had transiting Eros hit her chart in the area of home and real estate. She went on a vacation to New Orleans and fell in love with the city. Her heart hurt when she returned home to the East. She sold all of her belongings, uprooted herself, quit her job and moved to The Cresant City, knowing not a soul. She brought a business and successfully ran it for years. Her obsesssion eventually grew into a choked trapped feeling. The city she had felt so passionately about, was stifling her very existence. She moved out of the area twelve years later. Actually she moved right out of the country!
Eros brings us compulsion and intensity. These Eros relationships usually start out of the blue; a crazy chance meeting. Like fate brings people together. You feel immediate passion and desire. Eros will make your world come alive. You must watch when tranisitng Eros hits a certain area of your chart every 1.76 years to see what it may bring. Will it bring in a new person? An affair? A passion for something? A talent? An obsession? Its crazy love. It makes no sense. Theres no logic to it.
I know one couple that Eros drew together. The union was mind-boggling; always breaking up and coming back together. They couldnt live with each another but couldnt live without one another either. It took almost 30 years to break the spell and it was only after one lover died that it was completely over.
In synastry or composite: The look of love. Matchmaker, vain, romantic. Indicator of sexual attraction. Highly charged sexual tension in one or between two - the drive and attraction so strong that it may be uncontrollable. If not tempered with softer, more loving connections, it could drive one or two to disaster. Overall intense feelings, great, fullfilling sex. Be careful about jealousy or envy and a disregard for partner's feelings.
________________________________________
16 Psyche (Greek):
Greek mythology: Wife of Eros, the Greek God of Love.
Perseverance of love, connection of a psychic nature, awakening of intuition, soul seeking completion. The physical expression for desire is strong here, yet of a more spiritual nature, which often relates to sexual interplay. This desire instigates relationships, and once connected continues to drive insights and growth throughout the sexual relationship. Personal feelings are strongly felt and expressed physically and therefore important to have some kind of committment. Tantric sex, or sharing personal growth training or therapy could be stimulating and life transforming.
(Also, can represent recognition of childhood trauma; raw wounds psychologically; vulnerability; memories; insight; psychic impressionability; psychological recovery; the state of your “mental health;” head wounds; brain states.)
Psyche, Greek Goddess of the Soul:
The Greek Goddess Psyche started life as a beautiful mortal and became a Goddess when Zeus, the ruler of the Olympians, ordained her marriage to Eros, the God of love who was the son of Aphrodite.
In a legend that later became the basis for "Beauty and the Beast, the Goddess Psyche, unlike most of the other Greek Goddesses, acquired her status as a Goddess by "marrying up". Then the loving Psyche then proved herself worthy of the honor.
Psyche had to prove her worth to her mother-in-law, the Goddess Aphrodite, by accomplishing a series of dangerous feats that were seemingly impossible.
By successfully learning the lessons these tasks required, the Goddess Psyche embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and personal growth that earned her the respect of all the Gods and Goddesses on Mount Olympus, not to mention the respect and undying love of her husband.
Having learned to confront all the dark and mysterious places of the soul, Psyche was well-prepared for her eventual union with her beloved.
The myths of the Greek Goddess Psyche remind us that the integration of our experiences, however sad or frightening they may be, mature and transform us, like her symbol, the butterfly, emerging into the light from the darkness of the cocoon.
Psyche in the signs:
PSYCHE IN ARIES: Like the thrill of someone falling madly in love with and pursuing them. They enjoy feeling valued by someone and they find security in hearing this from their lover.
PSYCHE IN TAURUS: Are the embodiment of sexuality. They like for people to find them attractive. They are also attracted to people who give gifts of love.
PSYCHE IN GEMINI: Are drawn to powerful personalities that are able to switch between staying home and painting the town. They also enjoy mates who challenge their intellect.
PSYCHE IN CANCER: Tend to take on nurturing roles, not necessarily with everyone, but definitely with their lover. They will go out of their way to make partner happy.
PSYCHE IN LEO: Able to discern the best in people and bring that out. They are attracted to charming, good-looking people. They also have a tendency to project onto their partner the way they themselves want to be.
PSYCHE IN VIRGO: Show their affection to someone who accepts them unconditionally. They are usually concerned about what the lover can bring to the table. Once smitten, they are very generous of their time and resources.
PSYCHE IN LIBRA: Fascinated by partners with striking looks, possibly to the detriment of other aspects, in order to indulge the fantasy of the relationship. Usually they get wise to this tendency in due time. They treat everyone around them lavishly.
PSYCHE IN SCORPIO: Tend to be secretive about their true feelings, including sexual feelings. They also tend to be reserved when expressing themselves until they feel absolutely comfortable. Once committed, they take the relationship very seriously and will do anything to keep it going.
PSYCHE IN SAGITTARIUS: Attracted to someone worldly, ethnically diverse, philosophically-oriented, and free-spirited. They are able to give others the freedom to be who they really are.
PSYCHE IN CAPRICORN: Attracted to emotionally mature and stable individuals who can also provide an outlet for their romantic fantasy. Sexual intimacy is a longing, and once fulfilled, they feel like they’ve won the prize.
PSYCHE IN AQUARIUS: Like to put a little bubble around themselves and their lover and bask in the fulfillment of their hopes, wishes, and dreams. They like to be acknowledged for their unique and special qualities and do not like to compete for affection.
PSYCHE IN PISCES: Seek partners who can express the utmost love and adoration and partners who can help them escape a routine life. They tend to attract attention through illnesses if their needs are not being met to their expectation.
________________________________________
Check out the Draconic positions of all the mentioned asteroids and midpoints as well (the Draconic chart is now available at astro.com in the pull down extended chart selection).
Test it out - look at the positions of those asteroids and midpoints in the natal and synastry charts of those with whom you've been in serious or powerful relationships as well as couples you know with a strong relationship/marriage.