Juno in Astrology
A Mythological Informed Perspective
Juno as an asteroid in astrology is often confined to marriage, and called the “marriage asteroid”. Which is a very limiting view on her true fullness. Juno and Feronia as her more archaic form represent much deeper aspects of sovereignty, relationships, and the integration of the psyche, encompassing both individual and also our collective experiences. Their mythological backgrounds and symbolic roles provide rich layers of meaning, particularly in relation to partnerships, and the deeper psychological dimensions of human existence and the balance of personal sovereignty in relationships.
The Lupercalia festival that took place within Roman cultured, involved Juno as Juno Lucina, associated with purification and fertility. Juno Lucina was a multifaceted deity, embodying sovereignty, martial prowess, and fertility. A temple dedicated to Juno Lucina was erected in 375 BC in the sacred grove dedicated to the goddess from ancient times. She would oversee this cave ritual and be an important guiding figure. Being the figure that rejuvenates them and guides them through this purification ritual. Facing what is within the underworld. When the community was in a dire situation, since the king (divine or human) had failed to appear or had fled, she would intervene as sovereign goddess.
Juno: Sovereignty Goddess and Protector of Relationships
Juno, as a multifaceted Roman goddess, is intimately linked to themes of sovereignty, love, and partnership. Associated with Hera from Greek mythology, she embodies the protective aspects of relationships, not only in the context of romantic unions but also in broader connections within communities and the natural world. Her festivals, such as Lupercalia, emphasize purification and fertility, signalling a time of renewal and rebirth. She thus encourages individuals to seek harmony and interdependence not only in relationships but also in their interactions with the environment and the greater collective. This broader perspective aligns with her protective role, showing that nurturing the Earth and engaging with its energies is as vital as nurturing personal relationships.
Sovereignty and Protection
Juno's role as a sovereign goddess who intervenes during crises underscores her importance in maintaining balance and order within both individual lives and communities. When leaders fail, Juno steps in to ensure the well-being of her people, reminding us that true sovereignty is not merely about power but also about nurturing and protecting those in need. This aspect of Juno invites individuals to consider their own authority in relationships, emphasizing the importance of healthy boundaries, mutual respect, and emotional support. The role which she played is one of the interdependence of the civil and natural life. Juno was also associated with the Curitis, and thus also with Quirinus, and the admission into the curia (assembly of warriors).
Feronia: Fertility, Rights, and Nature’s Vital Forces
Feronia, a more obscure yet equally significant figure in Roman mythology, shares Juno's themes of sovereignty and protection but emphasizes the connection to the underworld and the wilderness. Feronia holds sway over various domains, serving as a deity associated with the underworld, wilderness, fertility, springs, water, nature's vital forces, health, and abundance. Feronia was a Triune Goddess (mother, virgin and elderly woman) associated with the three worlds (earth, underworld and sky).
Fertility, Abundance and Civil Rights
Feronia’s dominion over fertility, springs, and nature's vital forces highlights her role in nurturing both the land and its inhabitants. Feronia also played a crucial role in conferring civil rights upon the people of her tribe and protecting the outcasts, establishing her as a sovereign within her designated realms. This giving of rights also then made her a figure that guided both outcasts, those living in the wilderness and later also freedmen, back into society and thus part of the tribe. This aspect of Feronia invites individuals to consider how they can contribute to the well-being of marginalized communities and advocate for the rights of others, echoing her influence on the collective consciousness.
Varro identified Feronia with Libertas, the goddess who personified Liberty. The name Lībertās ('freedom') is a derivation from Latin Līber ('free'), stemming from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning ('belonging to the people'). Enslaved people who would sit on the sacred stone in her grove would also be freed. In this capacity, she guided individuals away from peril and facilitated advantageous circumstances, though she could also be obstructing and dangerous. Like a story of when she smites buildings that Romans build, which where encroaching onto her groves, with thunder. Showing her confident and protective side. She protects what is marginalized, and cast out, and the sanctity of her domain. Next to playing an important role for outcasts and scapegoats to reclaim their individuality and personal power.
Healing and Psychological Space
The rituals overseen by Feronia, particularly those conducted by the Hirpi Sorani priests, symbolize journeys into the underworld and the transformative power of fire. These rites serve as a metaphor for the psychological healing that arises from confronting one’s fears and traumas. The embers symbolize the light that emerges from darkness, illustrating the process of integration and the cyclical nature of life. Engaging in rituals or practices that facilitate deep introspection can help individuals align with Feronia’s energy, fostering personal growth and healing. For Juno and Feronia the right to rule, and all abundance that comes with it is also an important aspect. Because the true power comes from the unconscious, the earth, the goddess.
A Sovereignty Goddess like Juno being a key balancing force which both sends the snake, but also is the figure that really is trying to bring back that which has been marginalised and repressed. This repressed cultural content is being projected on those in society that are marginalised, who might or might not even have those repressed qualities. Yet what is key is that this repressed cultural or personal content is understood from the lens of understanding and compassion, not the lens of fear and hate. As the latter leads to the destructive outcomes one wishes to stay clear from. This is similarly true for the unconscious, as the goddess can withhold the vitality but also rejuvenate. As her name Juno means to rejuvenate.
Through her association with purification rituals and the caves symbolizing journeys into the underworld, Juno facilitates deep psychological processes. From a Jungian perspective, her presence acts as a guide through the unconscious, encouraging individuals to confront their inner shadows regarding relationships to cultivate self-sovereignty and interdependence. Engaging in these practices fosters rebirth and revitalization, enabling a deeper connection to oneself and to the community. She urges people to look at the patterns of relating to what we see as other, may it be the other gender, what is marginalised or the environment. To transform our relationship to these aspects to one of mutual sovereignty. Instead of just seeking something externally from the lens of dependency or self-sacrifice, honour our wholeness.