Vesta is the brightest asteroid in the sky as well as one of the largest. She was named after the virgin goddess of the hearth and keeper of the flame from Roman mythology. In astrology, the asteroid Vesta represents that "little light" inside you that makes you special. Vesta's primary energy is devotion, sacrifice, commitment, and service.
Vesta's Myth
Vesta, the virgin goddess of domestic life, the hearth, the home and the protectress of Rome, was Zeus/Jupiter's sister. Vesta was so beautiful that both Apollo and Neptune fought for her hand, but Vesta rejected them both and begged Jupiter to allow her to remain a virgin forever. When Jupiter agreed, Vesta was so pleased that she willingly took care of her brother's hearth and home. In doing this, Vesta became identified with domestic tranquility in both the home and the State.
The Keeper of the Flame
In Rome, the hearth was a center of activity, and its fire was most important. The temple fires were always lit so private citizens could rekindle their home hearths. The Vestal Virgins, who were expected to remain chaste throughout their 30-year tenure as servants of Vesta, kept the sacred fire burning in Vesta's temple and tended to her hearth in gratitude for Vesta's charity and care of the people
The Meaning of Vesta in Astrology
Vesta, the keeper of your spiritual flame, represents the sacred feminine creative energy that allows you to dedicate yourself to aspirations, plans, and goals. Vesta shows where you have a nun-like devotion to a cause, project, person, or belief that is sacred to you. She relates to work, devotion, spiritual practices, solitude, sacrifice, and aloneness. Vesta imbues you with the desire to serve a calling. However, your Vesta calling doesn't have to be morally right, or right for anyone but you.
Vesta and Sex
Vesta can indicate celibacy, as well as sterility or deviations in sexuality, as it's perceived by consensus society. Vesta is the "burning desire" that transmutes sexual energy into the energy of a higher order.
Vesta in a Natal Chart
Individuals with a prominent Vesta may deal with issues related to purity, singleness, and sexuality in their lives. Negatively, Vesta can indicate self-absorption as well as sexual alienation, inhibitions, repression, sorrow, and narrow mindedness. Whatever the person's calling might be, they typically have a purity of purpose, motivation, and action. Vesta can indicate your vocation or advocation, but in either case, it's not something you do for recognition or material gain. At her most basic, the sign and house of Vesta in your birth chart, reveals how and where you are called serve yourself, your community, or the world.
Vesta's Glyph
The symbol or glyph of Vesta used in astrology was designed by astronomer Carl Friedrich Gauss. It indicates the altar of Vesta and its sacred fire.
Finding Vesta in You Birth Chart
There are many websites that offer free charts, but few include Vesta. However, you can calculate a chart on Astro.om that will allow you to locate Vesta.
- Visit Astro.com.
- At the top navigation bar click on "Free Horoscopes."
- Under "Horoscope Chart Drawings," click on "Extended Chart Selection."
- Enter your birth data.
- Scroll down to "Additional objects" and select Vesta.
- Click on the "Click here to show chart" button.
Vesta Through the Signs
Vesta's astrological sign is how you to keep your sacred flame burning so you can share it with others.
Vesta in Aries
If Vesta is in Aries, you're devoted to self-expression, self-mobility, self-actualization, and self-empowerment.
Vesta in Taurus
If Vesta is in Taurus, you're devoted to finding comfort and security in the material and physical world.
Vesta in Gemini
If your Vesta is in Gemini, you're devoted to engaging in many varied experiences and learning.
Vesta in Cancer
If your Vesta is in Cancer, you're devoted to creating a home for and then caring for and nurturing yourself.
Vesta in Leo
If your Vesta is in Leo, you're devoted to learning to love yourself and believe in yourself.
Vesta in Virgo
If you have Vesta in Virgo, you're devoted to taking care of yourself, especially in the areas of health or healing.
Vesta in Libra
If you have Vesta in Libra, you're devoted to cooperative interactions and understanding others' perspectives.
Vesta in Scorpio
If your Vesta is in Scorpio, you're devoted to looking deep into your soul and letting go of anything inauthentic.
Vesta in Sagittarius
If your Vesta is in Sagittarius, you're devoted to your principles, ideas, and truths, and understanding your truth is not the only truths.
Vesta in Capricorn
If your Vesta is in Capricorn, you're devoted to being self-sufficient, responsible, and taking care of your own needs.
Vesta in Aquarius
If your Vesta is in Aquarius, you're devoted to honoring your individuality.
Vesta in Pisces
If your Vesta is in Pisces, you're devoted to the sacredness of all things.
Vesta in the Houses
Vesta's sign will color the astrological house Vesta occupies. As an example, imagine the self-confidence of Vesta in Leo in the first house versus the humbleness of Vesta in Virgo in the first house.
Vesta in the First
With Vesta in the first, you tend to emanate innocence and purity and are devoted to defining, transforming, and mastering your physical self. You could find your sacred calling in work that empowers the individual.
Vesta in the Second
When Vesta is in the second house, you're devoted to security and the accumulation of life-sustaining resources. You find your sacred work in fields related to food, money, or protecting the environment.
Vesta in the Third
With Vesta in the third house, you're devoted to generating, purifying, and refining ideas and may be drawn to a work in which you uncover and tell exciting stories or in education.
Vesta in the Fourth
With Vesta in the fourth house, you're devoted to home, family, and heritage. You may be called to a work that relates to home, caregiving, or nurturing.
Vesta in the Fifth
With Vesta in the fifth house, you're devoted to creative self-expression and may find your sacred calling in work related to children, entertainment, or the creative arts.
Vesta in the Sixth
With Vesta in the sixth, your devoted to some form of healing, or learning techniques and skills. You could be called to work related to health management or animal care.
Vesta in the Seventh
With Vesta in the seventh house, you're devoted to relationships and could find your calling in work related to diplomacy, mediation, or negotiation.
Vesta in the Eighth
With Vesta in the eighth house, you're devoted to transformative experiences of an emotional and sexual nature. You could find your sacred calling in working to help those who are going through change and upheaval.
Vesta in the Ninth
With Vesta in the ninth house, you're devoted to the search for truth and wisdom and could be called to a work that's related to philosophy, religion, law, travel, or higher education.
Vesta in the Tenth
With Vesta in the tenth, you're devoted to achieving your goals and attaining success in your professional life and could find your calling in work that aids others in doing the same.
Vesta in the Eleventh
With Vesta in the eleventh house, your devotion is focused on honoring all life and could find your sacred calling in work related to community or social services.
Vesta in the Twelfth
With Vesta in the twelfth, your devotion is spiritual and could find your sacred calling in work related to seclusions, such as hospitals or spiritual retreats.
Mother Teresa Was a Modern-Day Vesta
Mother Teresa left a prestigious position as the principal of a school for wealthy children in Calcutta to pursue her calling to serve the poorest of the poor. She risked everything and worked tirelessly for her calling and in 1979, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her service. Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910, at 2:25 pm in Skopje, Macedonia, with both the Sun and Mars in Virgo, the sign of purposeful service.
Vesta is very prominent in Mother Teresa's birth chart. Her Vesta is part of a Taurus stellium. Vesta is bundled with Saturn, the Moon, and the North Node, also in Taurus. Vesta is also trine her Mars in Virgo and square her Venus in Leo.
- A person with Vesta in Taurus is devoted to creating comfort and security. In Mother Teresa's case, this translated to a calling to bring comfort and security to the poor.
- Saturn in Taurus Conjunct Vesta speaks of the vow she took not to marry or to engage in romantic behavior or sexual acts when she committed her life to the church.
- Venus in Leo square Vesta speaks of her denial of personal happiness in the pursuit of her calling.
- Vesta Conjunct the Moon in Taurus indicates her sincere devotion to home or church.
- Mars in Virgo trine Vesta focused her drive and energy into her sacred calling.
- The Taurus North Node bundled with the other planets indicates working with the poor was to be her fulfillment in life.
What Do You Feel Called to Do?
You might think of a calling as doing something hugely important in the world, like Mother Teresa, but that's not true. Your calling is something you're drawn to do, are passionate about, and through your words, actions, presence, and creations inspire those around you. It could be to create art, raise a family, become a personal trainer, care for animals, urban gardening, etc. Everyone has different personalities, skills, and passions, that can found in a birth chart, but it's Vesta that holds the key to your "sacred calling."
