In the Asterian system the sky is divided into twenty-seven stars, each a stretch of 13 degrees and 20 minutes along the path of the moon. The moon takes about a day to travel through one star, and a month to go round the whole circle. Every star carries a Greco-Roman deity, an animal and a story of its own. Wherever the sun stood at the moment you were born, there lies your star. About the dates: they follow the real night sky and therefore differ from the familiar sun signs. Born on or near a boundary date? Then your year and time of birth decide which star you fall in. For a reading I work that out exactly.
The dates below follow the position of the sun. If you were born right on the boundary between two stars, your exact time of birth decides which of the two you fall in. In a reading I work that out precisely.
The start of the zodiac, named for the divine twins. People of this star are quick, adventurous and young in spirit. They begin before others dare, and often have healing hands. Their challenge: finishing something is harder than starting it.
The star of endurance and transformation. These people carry what others find too heavy, and hold an enormous creative force. Loyal and protective, sometimes stubborn. Whoever learns to carry without hardening finds here one of the richest stars on the wheel.
The star of the sacred fire. Vesta purifies and burns away what no longer serves. Sharp mind, sharp tongue: these people cut through illusion without effort. Their art is to measure that sharpness, so the fire warms rather than burns.
The most fertile star of the twenty-seven. Everything Pasiphae touches comes into bloom: relationships, projects, art. These people are charming, sensual and often materially blessed. Their pitfall is attachment to comfort and pleasure.
The star of the endless search. Gentle, curious and restless, always looking for something finer. These people are fine communicators with a playful energy. Their challenge: the searching can become a purpose of its own.
The star of the storm. Typhon breaks apart what has seized up and makes room for something new. These people see through what others keep hidden, and grow by moving through crisis. Raw, honest and intense.
The star of the returning light. These people can lose everything and rise again regardless, like a phoenix. Honest to the bone, with a deep bond to family. Good fortune follows them of its own accord.
By tradition the most favourable star of them all. Zeus feeds, protects and confers a regal dignity. In the presence of these people others settle without being asked to. Their challenge: learning to receive what they give so easily.
The star of serpent power. Hydra looks deeper than others dare and senses unerringly what moves below the surface. Hypnotic, intuitive and magnetic. That force can heal or manipulate; the choice belongs to the one who carries it.
The star of queens and kings. Born leaders with a noble bearing and a respect for tradition. Clever and resourceful as the rat, they always come back up. Their pitfall is pride: whoever grows too full of themselves falls hard.
The star of pleasure and creation. Warm, creative and attractive, with a great gift for art and for love. These people bring lightness where things had turned heavy. Their challenge: the balance between enjoying and delivering.
The star of the bond, named for the god of marriage. Dependable, kind and faithful: these are people you can build on. They flourish in partnership and in long relationships. Their challenge: staying faithful to themselves.
The star of the skilled hands. What these people touch comes out better: practical, precise and with humour. They make complicated things simple. Their challenge is letting go: not everything has to pass through their hands.
The star of the divine smith. Vulcan builds and designs beauty that stays standing. These people have charisma and an unerring eye for form. Their pitfall: perfectionism, and the hunger for admiration.
The star of the wind. Independent, mobile and free: these people always find a way through. Diplomatic and commercially gifted, hard to pin down. Their challenge is choosing a direction.
The star of resolve. Dinus fixes on a goal and does not let go again. Driven and persistent, these people reach what others consider out of range. Their challenge lies on the way there: patience, and wishing others well.
The star of friendship and devotion. Loyal, warm and committed: these people bring groups together and keep them together. Success often finds them far from home. Faithful friends for life.
The oldest star, keeper of fate. Wise beyond their years, responsible and protective: often the one everybody else leans on. They remember what the soul has already lived through. Their challenge: learning to share the weight.
The star of the root, sacred to the goddess of Asterian astrology itself. These people dig for the core and will not settle for half an answer. Philosophical, sometimes magical. Their challenge: staying rooted while they turn everything over.
The star of invincibility. Persuasive, optimistic and brave: in a debate these people are at their best. They carry others along into their vision. Their pitfall is overreach: not every fight needs fighting.
The star of the lasting victory. With integrity and patience these people build things that outlive generations. They promise little and do much. Their word is worth gold.
The star of listening. Knowledge flows toward these people because they genuinely hear. Eager to learn and quick to connect, often with an audience. Their challenge: not everything you hear deserves passing on.
The star of music and rhythm. Artistic, prosperous and versatile: success finds these people by itself. They move to a rhythm others cannot hear yet. Their challenge: success without meaning rings hollow.
The star of the hundred healers. Solitary people of great depth, who need time alone to feed their gift. What they know lies outside the ordinary. Their challenge: opening the door now and then.
The star of the spiritual fire. Intense and passionate: these people burn for their ideals and carry others with them. They move between the earthly and the mystical without effort. Their art: aiming the fire, so that it lights rather than consumes.
The star of the deep. Calm, wise and discreet: an anchor in rough water. Others entrust these people with their deepest stories almost without deciding to. Their challenge: moving when it is time to go.
The last star, the companion of the journey. Gentle, caring and artistic, with a large heart for people and for animals. Hermaia completes what has to be finished and guides safely to the next shore. Their challenge: caring for themselves as well.
These short descriptions cover the position of the sun. In a reading I also look at your moon, your ascendant, your animal totem and your personal star, and at how those four relate to one another.