The Greek poetess Sappho epitomizes the essence of romantic and artistic sensitivity. Residing on the island of Lesbos in the 6th century BC, Sappho led an academy for young women in the fine arts, composing love poetry and lyrical verses. Her love poetry captures the intimate emotions of longing, desolation, jealousy, and ecstasy. In astrology, Sappho acts as a bridge in the octave progression connecting Venus and Neptune, refining the Venusian vibration and heightening individuals’ awareness of the emotions tied to their sexuality.

Stressful placements of Sappho may indicate challenges in comprehending or articulating love and sexuality, as one learns to harmonize the need for intimacy with other aspects of their nature.

The asteroid was named after Sappho, one of the greatest poets ever known. Sappho was a brilliant poet who was also gay, and she had a daughter named Cleis, to whom she dedicated a poem: “I have a fair daughter… her form is that of a golden flower…”

Much of her work was destroyed by zealous Christians, leaving only fragments. Papal edicts reportedly ordered the destruction of her work—was it because of her sexuality, her efforts to educate women, or her candid poems praising Aphrodite? Regarded by the Greeks as Homer’s equal, she likely had an impact on Ovid. In essence, she represents poetry, wit, the brilliance of femininity, and the eloquent assertion of one’s sensual freedoms.