User:IdLoveOne/centaurs

Centaurs are trans-Saturnian objects that have only been discovered in the last half century & are one of the newest additions to modern astrology. Because they are so much farther than the asteroids, they take significantly longer to orbit the Sun.

They have highly irregular & unstable orbits over time. They are relatively common compared to the "true" planets, there are more than 50 known to date, but as far as the awareness of modern science, they are more rare and unique than the asteroids and the trans-Neptunian planetoids in that those groups number in the hundreds to hundreds of thousands.

All are smaller than the four largest asteroids: Ceres (now a dwarf planet), Pallas, Vesta & Hygiea. Some appear to have atmospheres. This is usually because they show cometary aspects, such as occasionally forming a tail when they approach the Sun.

The above might be the whole reason for the category, because mythologically the centaurs were crude, unintelligent & unrefined. In the same respect, many of the astrological community approaches them with less dignity than the celestial bodies now considered planets, in particular the first five planets known to man aside from the Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn. However, many astrologers do think the centaurs are of major significance, recognizing one or more as rulers of Zodiac signs. For some in the astrological community, the fact that the Centaurs take longer to orbit the Sun (and therefore, the zodiac itself) than the traditional planets is irrefutable proof that they are as important as the planets.

List of Centaurs
Below is a list of Centaurs & interpretations of their astrological significance.

Chiron
This was the first Centaur to be discovered (in 1977); the next wouldn't be known for 15 years. Mythologically, Chiron was the superlative centaur; He was more intelligent than most of the others, and also much kinder (he had different biological lineage than the other Centaurs). Whereas most of the other centaurs were savage warriors, Chiron was a teacher and a doctor. He ended up sacrificing his immortality so humanity could have fire & Prometheus could be freed from his eternal punishment of having his liver eaten by eagles every day.

It's is popularly called "The Wounded Healer," and from this it's understandable to see how some astrologers would consider it the ruler of Virgo. In a chart interpreted by traditional astrologers, Chiron is said to represent where you have much a constant burden and pain that becomes wisdom, experience & a capacity to help others. In transit Chiron gives these things and aids in group and interpersonal associations. This could be because Chiron crosses the orbit of Saturn (experience) and at time resides within the regions of Jupiter (education) and Uranus' (change) orbits.

Pholus
This was the second Centaur to be found, & because of is discovery the category "Centaur" was created. Pholus was an intelligent Centaur who one day was admiring Chiron's arrows, but accidentally dropped one, cutting his leg and killing himself. It is said that Pholus represents "Small cause, big effect."