Abell: Asteroid 3449
The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Genesis 4:4
General
Key Concepts
Where and how we sacrifice in a religious or spiritual sense.
Where and how we possess ability or success without loss of humility.
Where and how we are recognized.
Where and how our ability, recognition, or success may incite jealousy.
Where and how we may rub others the wrong way.
Extreme and intense religious beliefs.
Religious or spiritual conflict.
Familial conflict.
This post contains an examination of Abell’s discovery chart, the Biblical background, etymology, and a conclusion on the astrological influence exhibited by this asteroid.
Overview
Abell is a main belt asteroid, orbiting at about 3.1 AU from the sun. It was discovered November 7th, 1978.
Discovery Chart
In the discovery chart, we find a very tight conjunction between the Sun and Venus, placing Venus in the space of combustion. Here we see the first signs of Ego and Love’s conflict. Venus is also in the sign of its detriment, Scorpio. We can see love being inhibited or altered negatively by pride and jealousy, which truly sets the tone for this asteroid overall. “Taking things personally” is a general descriptor that can be applied to both the aspect and the placement, especially when combined.
We see further conflict between the Ego, or Conscious mind, and the Unconscious mind with Sun square Moon. The placement of the Moon in Aquarius can indicate that there is sympathy here, but that sympathy conflicts with the ego and drives. The square formed between the Moon and Venus and the Sun can drag all of these issues of power and struggle into the home, as we see in the case of Cain and Abel.
In Leo, Jupiter provides a remarkable deal of self-confidence, generosity, and optimism. There is a desire for influence, respect, and importance that often comes with this placement. This can certainly be met with very extreme reactions from others, positive or negative. To some, this confidence is magnetic, and to others it is repulsive. This is because this confidence may very well slip into egotism.
Sun square Jupiter is characterized by a unique case of lack of forethought in areas relating to excess and giving. There is a hint of negative extravagance that can be seen here, especially considering Leo’s influence.
Saturn’s placement in Virgo indicates a drive to work hard, but to a point that it is off-putting to others; it’s a very strict, if not harsh, placement.
The sextile between the Sun and Saturn may discount the idea of lack of forethought, and it adds a sign of loyalty. This loyalty is strengthened by Saturn sextile Uranus.
When in opposition to the Sun, Chiron can have the interesting effect of driving one to need recognition, but also avoiding it, on some level. Oppositions of the Sun specifically can indicate where ego can create feelings of contempt in others. When Chiron is involved, it can add into the mix issues of confidence and respect. This is only drawn out by Taurus, in which Chiron indicates issues of self-worth and self-love. There may be a tendency to overcompensate as a result, which only serves to rub others the wrong way. There is a constant struggle between taking the spotlight and giving it up to others.
Again, we see the Moon bringing in familial issues with Jupiter. We can specifically see how religion comes into play, conflicting with the family in some sense.
Moon square Uranus can indicate difficulties in getting along with others in general, or simple impatience.
In Sagittarius, Neptune expresses intense and positive faith in religion and spirituality. Neptune’s sextile with the Moon brings in a strong connection to the family, despite the other indicators. We can also see that there is compassion here, despite the indicators of coming off negatively to others. This throws in a passivity, which may, at times, translate as humbleness.
We could translate the trine between the Moon and Pluto, quite stiffly, as a connection between family and death. This is where a sense of respect can be drawn upon. Confidence, courage, and power are all often expressed through this aspect, and often draw intense responses from others, for better or for worse.
Mercury conjunct Mars again throws in more characteristics associated with creating intense responses, such as brutal honesty, aggressive communication, and overall directness, all of which are strengthened by Sagittarius’s influence. In Sagittarius, Mars can indicate an unyielding drive to convince others to share the same beliefs as oneself. In general, the beliefs are dogmatic and severe in nature, as well. Mercury’s placement here, too, can be associated with being driven to obtain knowledge for the sake of authority, and then use that authority to spread one’s “truth” to others, which, yet again, can simply rub others the wrong way, particularly when we consider the influence of Mars.
Generosity can be seen through Mercury trine Jupiter. Confidence and positivity characterize this aspect. To counteract this, Mercury square Saturn can be somewhat hindering to honesty and the like.
There are multiple aspects which may indicated indulgence in some sense, including Venus square Jupiter.
Venus sextile Saturn also indicates serious loyalty to the family and loved ones, along with intense generosity and, in a sense, congeniality. This chart is full of contradictions between “dislike” and “like.”
Venus conjunct Uranus may indicate a tendency towards individualism. This brings out the already indicated sense of service and devotion to others, despite the individualism. Again, we find contradicting droves.
Venus opposed Chiron may indicate a fear of not being enough and attempts to counteract this. This is extremely stressed by Saturn square Neptune. Inferiority complexes can very much be seen in both aspects here.
Mars trine Jupiter connects violence and anger with religion, in some sense. One can translate this as religion in action, as well; Abell’s sacrifice specifically is an example of religion in action. Again, this is an aspect which can relate to confidence and admiration, as well.
Another aspect which can relate to coming off negatively or rubbing people wrong is Mars square Saturn. This is generally associated with a sour disposition. Ironically, it is an aspect associated with danger in business or duty, and if we see Abell’s relation to God as a duty we can then continue the connection to the violence experienced due to his worship.
Jupiter square Uranus can indicate odd or extreme religious beliefs, and extreme idealism.
Religion and spirituality, again, are present in Jupiter trine Neptune. This aspect is associated with “losing” oneself in their religion, for better or for worse.
The placements of the North Node in Virgo and the South Node in Pisces speak to martyrdom, selflessness, sacrifice, compassion, and manipulation. We can apply these interpretations to the story of Abell quite easily.
Etymology
Abell comes from Hebrew, Hevel (הבל). Hevel, as a noun, means steam, vapor, breath, or foolishness. As an adverb, it means “for nothing.” Many scholars, however, believe Abell to stem from another source, and thus not be connected to this concept of breath at all.
Another interpretation is that Abell comes from Arabic, and means “herdsman,” as that is Abell’s occupation.
The Story of Cain and Abell
Abell comes from the Book of Genesis, where he is described as the second son of Adam and Eve, while Cain was their firstborn.
Abel was a shepherd while his brother was a farmer, so when it came time to make a sacrifice to God, Abel gave “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock” and Cain gave “some of the fruits of the soil.” Abel’s offering was favored while Cain’s was not.
When God saw how angry Cain was, he said, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Cain did not, however, “rule over it.” Instead, he took his brother to the fields and killed him.
The interpretation is that Cain did not provide the best he could, while Abell made a point of giving God his most valuable meat.
Abell is seen as the first martyr. For this reason, there are times when the death of Jesus is compared to that of Abell, but their deaths meant very different things.
“… and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:24
According to the Book of Enoch, Abell is the chief of martyrs, and someone who seeks justice for the wrongs committed against him.
"That is the spirit that proceeded from Abell, whom his brother Cain slew; and it laments on his account till his seed be destroyed from the face of the earth and his seed disappear from among the seed of men." Book of Enoch 22:7
The Book of Enoch also adds onto the original depiction of Cain and Abell, suggesting that Cain acted out because Satan suggested to him that Abell was loved more by their parents, and that they were going to marry Abell to the more beautiful sister. We see, in this depiction, that jealousy between them is compounded.
Astrological Influence
Abell reveals where and how an individual may inspire jealousy and contempt from others, even when the individual has the best intentions. This may simply be a place in life where we excel and thus draw envy, but it can reveal how we rub others the wrong way in general. This is, again, an unintentional effect, but it is there nonetheless. Abell also shows us that this may be both unintentional and unconscious.
You may find it helpful to investigate this asteroid because awareness of where and how we make others feel envious or simply uncomfortable is the first step in altering the behavior. The pride, or wounds to the pride or healthy sense of self-worth, can get in the way of love. Love, in this sense, can apply to a multitude of expressions, including self-love and love in a more religious or spiritual sense.
Abell’s placements also can reveal where we may struggle with our egos, lack of self-awareness, and self-worth. It reveals a point where we struggle between feelings of intense confidence and an equally intense lack thereof. This is where we need recognition but also feel the need to avoid it, as if torn between two extremes. The overcompensation seen here, too, can come off negatively to others.
There are obviously very intense religious and spiritual influences at work here. Sacrifice and martyrdom, particularly in this context, are stressed by this asteroid. How we make sacrifices and how we are martyred, not necessarily with our own consent or intent, is revealed by Abell’s placement. This sacrifice is, ironically, not necessarily entirely selfless. As the discovery chart shows, there’s a huge drive to do these things for approval, authority, and general influence.
The religious and spiritual beliefs may create tension with others, as well. This placement can reveal where and how others attempt to get others to share their beliefs, spiritual and otherwise. This placement can also reveal where and how we may express somewhat extreme beliefs in general, at least in relation to religious and spiritual beliefs.
A post detailing the influence of Abel in the Signs, Houses, and in aspects is coming soon.
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