Sexuality
The Asteroid Eros can shed some light on some of our erotic turn-ons. In mythology, Eros was the god of sexual love and desire. He was considered irresistible. In Roman mythology, Eros was known as Cupid. “In Greek art Eros was depicted as a winged youth, slight but beautiful, often with eyes covered to symbolize the blindness of love. Sometimes he carried a flower, but more commonly the silver bow and arrows, with which he shot darts of desire into the bosoms of gods and men.” Eros overpowers the mind with love and sex. Eros represents sexual objectification, passion and desire, and creativity. Note that Eros is not always sexual, per se, as Eros represents creative passion as well. In the chart, it can point to areas into which we pour a lot of passion.
Eros in Astrology
How can we interpret a person’s sexual nature using their natal chart? Because sexuality is complex, there isn’t a simple formula for determining an individual’s sexual preferences, fantasies, and styles of sexual expression. Although instinct certainly plays a role, human sexuality is made complex by our intelligence and the role of society, as sexuality is primarily a social behavior. Reproduction is certainly a function of our sexuality, but humans do not engage in sexual behavior to reproduce alone. A major element of our sexuality comes under the domain of Mars. The sign and house position of Mars in our natal charts, as well as the aspects Mars makes with other planets and points, gives us some insight into our personal sexual style. However, Venus, the planet of love, romance, and pleasure, plays a role as well. The Moon, representing our emotional nature, affects our sexuality. In fact, as sexuality is a powerful motivator and is part of our identities, we can safely say that all of our planets and points have something to do with our sexuality in some way.
When exploring the astrology of sexuality, I keep in mind that the entire chart of an individual is involved, but there are some factors that tend to play a larger role than others. Namely:
Mars. The sign of Mars shows us the style in which we express our sexual nature.
Venus. The sign of Venus shows us some of the important “trappings” and foreplay that helps us get in the mood for sex.
Moon. The sign of our Moon shows us some of our underlying emotional needs that may express themselves as sexual fantasies and needs.
Eros. The sign position of the Asteroid, Eros, can reveal some of our erotic turn-ons, as well as the level of our erotic nature.
Eros in Aspect
When Eros is prominent in the chart (for example, if Eros is conjunct the Ascendant, or if it conjuncts the Sun, Moon, Venus, or Mars), Eros themes are strong in the individual’s life. Often, the individual oozes sexuality in some way. The mind is often focused on sex and infatuation.
Famous people examples: Justin Timberlake has Venus conjunct Eros () within a 2 degree orb (in Capricorn) and square to Pluto. Elizabeth Taylor has a particularly powerful Eros: her Eros is in Pisces, conjunct both Sun and Mars, and opposing Neptune! Pamela Lee Anderson has Eros conjunct Moon (in Aries) opposite Mars, square Mercury, and trine Venus. O.J. Simpson has Eros in Sagittarius opposite Mars. Marilyn Monroe had Eros (in Capricorn) square Venus. Prince has Eros in Pisces square Sun and Saturn.
Eros in Love
Eros represents our awareness of our mortality. Because we know we are going to die, we continually recreate feelings (confirmation, if you will) of our own vitality. We can so do in a Leonine way—for example, through romance, bearing children, and creativity. Eros love is very self-centered. Eros is, indeed, turned on by the idea that they are arousing someone else, but this kind of “feedback” is very much used to feed our own need to feel alive and vital.
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