To understand the meaning of asteroid Hygieia in our natal chart we must look at her myth, archetype, and correspondences to understand how we can work with her as a deity for healing. Hygieia is the Greek Goddess of health. She gives her name to the concept of hygiene and cleanliness, which is, of course, next to godliness! Her father was the famous healer Asclepius, the god of medicine. Worship of Hygieia was in tandem with her father until after the Delphic oracle recognised her. She gained popularity after the Plague of Athens in 430-427 BC and again in Rome after the plague in 293 BC.
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Depictions of Hygieia usually show her as a young woman feeding a giant snake that is coiled around her body or drinking from a jar. There are few written accounts of Hygieia’s life, but she is a significant goddess when sickness prevails. Who doesn’t know someone who suffers from ailments and would require her grace?
Hygieia In Greek Myth
One story in the myth about her comes down from Plutarch, which is that of Hygieia working with Pallas Athena. The two goddesses oversaw the building of the Parthenon, the famous temple in Athens dedicated to Athena. Hygieia’s job was to tend to the manual worker’s health as they carried out this demanding job. Athena was there to keep the peace. So, Hygieia is a great goddess to call upon when doing physically demanding or stressful tasks. She works well with other more administrative or strategic goddesses. Hygieia has a more empathic lunar energy.
Hygieia did not have any children, nor did she have a consort either. All her relatives are healers. Hygieia’s mother is Epione, which means “soothing”. Her sisters are Iaso, the Goddess of recuperation; Panacea, the Goddess of universal remedy; Aceso, the Goddess of well-being and the healing process; and Aegie, the Goddess of brightness. Hygieia is a virgin goddess, which means her patients will become her children. She is 100% devoted to helping and healing others.
Hygieia grew up in a family of healers and doctors, so medicine is truly in her blood. If her myth speaks to you, you need healing or are a natural-born healer who must rise to the call to serve others. It can even be both where you have to learn to heal yourself and, in doing so, can heal others. All modalities of healing are possible. It can be conventional or alternative, as long as you are helping others. You may also be less of a hands-on healer or more about making herbal remedies. Another possibility with Hygieia is her hygiene trait, which means you could have a career in toiletries, soap or cleansing products.
Hygieia in your horoscope
You may resonate with Hygieia if you have two or more of the following:
Your Moon is conjunct with Mercury or Ceres.
Asteroid Hygieia is conjunct with your Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun or Moon. *
You have many personal planets in the 6th house.
Fixed star Ras Alhague is conjunct with your Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun or Moon. *
Asteroid Pallas Athena is trine or sextile to your Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun, Moon or Venus. *
You have many personal planets in the sign of Virgo.
To find Hygieia in your chart: Go to Astrodienst to draw up a free birthchart. Click ‘Additional objects’ and add in the number 10 followed by a comma in the manual entry box.
