Asclepius: Asteroid 4581
Background
Asclepius is smaller than a kilometer in diameter and about one AU from the Sun, so its orbital period is only 13 days longer than Earth’s own. These tight quarters mean that Asclepius has come very close to Earth in the past, and is expected to do so again in the future.
Etymology
This asteroid bears the name of the Greek demigod of medicine and healing. Asclepius’ etymology is unclear, and thus still a matter of debate today. Some interpret it as a combination of “mole” and “hero.” This is believed to be in reference to the Thymele, also known as the Tholas of Epidaurus, a structure involved in the worship of Asclepius. The connection being that the building resembled a mole’s tunnels. This explanation is not considered reliable, however.
Mythology
Asclepius was the son of Apollo and a mortal woman – who this mortal woman was and the events surrounding Asclepius’ birth vary from account to account. His mother may have been Koronis (or Coronis), who is said to have abandoned Asclepius near Epidaurus, ashamed that he was an illegitimate child. In another version of events, Apollo killed her for being unfaithful to him. In this version of events, she was placed on a funeral pyre to be burned, and Asclepius had to be rescued from his mother’s womb by his father. In other accounts, it is a woman named Arsinoe who gave birth to Asclepius.
Apollo took his child to Chiron to be taught, and between the two of them Asclepius learned the art of medicine. Asclepius’ skill with medicine was considered a threat to the delicate line separating mortal from god, or at least mortal from immortal, as he could both avoid his own death and bring others back from the dead. There are multiple accounts of Asclepius’ death, but they are united by the concept of Asclepius’ ability to bring humans back from the dead being a threat to the gods. In one story, Zeus kills Asclepius with lightning after he brought someone back from the dead, or after Hades began to feel threatened by the number of people Asclepius was resurrecting.
In one version of events, Zeus used Asclepius’ body to make the constellation Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer. Snakes are an important aspect of Asclepius’ story, as a snake licked Asclepius’ ears clean and carried a rod on which a snake was wound, the symbol now used on the Star of Life and to represent the World Health Organization. In relation to the licking of his ears, this is a common theme in Greek mythology: Cassandra’s ears were licked by snakes, as were those of Melampus. It is said that Asclepius learned how to resurrect humans from snakes; this likely stems from the connection between serpents and immortality in not only Greek culture but multiple others.
Astrology
In astrology, Asclepius is related to all areas of medicine and healing. In the natal chart, this asteroid may indicate the state of the native’s health, skills in relation to healing the self and others, and their capacity to influence the art of medicine.
There is also a connection between Asclepius and ethical practices in medicine. For one, this may relate to the ethics of resurrection or immortality, but also to the Hippocratic Oath.
“I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygieia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses as my witnesses, that, according to my ability and judgement, I will keep this Oath and this contract…”
Asclepius can also represent where we are driven to “survive” but also where we may be “unhealthy” in some sense. In this sense, Asclepius may point to both problems with our personal health, but also in what areas of life we are determined to continue on despite all odds.
There are obvious ties between this asteroid and length of life, resurrection, and immortality. This is, of course, not always literal. Asclepius may show themes or problems which come back again and again in one’s lifetime, as if they are resurrected.
Snakes and the concept of working with them have important meaning, as well. In society, snakes have represented everything from resurrection, temptation, fertility, creativity, and healing. In this sense, Asclepius may indicate how we use these powers of renewal, taking control of our inner healing and creativity, for good or for bad. This ties back in to the use of snakes in healing in Greek times, and how they were both seen as bringers of death and life, as their venom could both hurt and heal. Where and how we use this power depends on placement and aspect.
Resources
Asclepius Mythology
Snakes: A Natural History by Roland Bauchot