Asteroid Vesta: Finding, Remembering, and Committing to True Soul Priorities

10 hours ago

14 min read

This article is all about the astrological asteroid Vesta and how it reveals our true priorities in life – and how we can (and why we should) work with that.

In astrology, Vesta is a prominent asteroid that signifies many things, including but not limited to priorities, the sacred, sacrifice, sisterhood, cycles, and the return to our true self. In this article, we just talk about priorities, but that is one of its most practically applicable and important themes. So, let’s dive right in!

But before that real quickly: If this article helps you, please consider supporting my work directly, if you can. I'm so grateful for your generosity! Also, if you'd like more personalized support, consider getting a reading. You can subscribe for access to prime booking slots and other exclusive bonuses, such as a guide on pulling up your Vesta, bi-monthly astrology breakdowns, and Year Ahead advice for each sign, each year. See you there!

Shortcuts: Why Priorities, Vesta: Asteroid of Soul Priorities, Vesta in the Signs, Further Reading.

Why Priorities?

Much of our lives nowadays on Earth is a constant renegotiation of our time and energy. There are simply too many demands and expectations handed to us to fulfill them all, especially because many of those demands and expectations aren’t for us, specifically, but things we take on because “someone” ought to do it or society tells us “it would be good” to do it. Status is connected to some of them, or the elusive promise of being “more desirable” or “more respectable” or “a better mother/spouse/worker/son/etc.”. Sometimes, those demands and expectations are more than reasonable; they’re wise and necessary. Then there are times when the demands and expectations are not essential and, given how much we have to invest to fulfil them, in their own ways, wasteful. And at other times, they are elusive ideals incompatible with our realities, our temperaments, or our capacities. So, they are distractions. But because of the constant barrage of tasks we “ought” to do, life ends up becoming a list – actually, two lists – of priorities. A.k.a., those things which are prior to other tasks, demands, responsibilities, hobbies, interests, and distractions.

So, why two lists? The first list is the set of priorities you claim you have. “My family is my priority” or “I prioritize building a financial cushion for stability” or “I prioritize setting time aside each day to be with God” are common examples of this. If you were to write down what priorities are on your heart, this would be the list that came out. And that’s the list we most need to pay attention to.

Where, then, does the second list come in? In summary, it’s the list of the priorities you actually live. “Show me your calendar, and I’ll show you your priorities” is the sentiment behind that statement, but it goes beyond your calendar. If I look at all the small decisions you make each day, will I see you setting aside enough time, energy, and resources for the Top 3 priorities you put on your first list? If your priority is family, will I actually see you giving the best you have to give for your family? Or will I see that you pour so much into work and, perhaps, a hobby you share with friends that your family mostly just gets the scraps that are left over? What about if there are two crises happening at the same time in two different areas of your life: which will you prioritize solving? If you have to drop a ball, which ball will you actually sacrifice? – That’s the list of priorities you actually have.

And please know: most people’s second list and first list do not align.

This isn’t shaming, nor is it judging anyone. It’s a natural byproduct of today’s world in which everyone has to be everything all at once, and no one gets to truly pick one area, or niche, of life to fully focus on, even if they want to do that (though there are currently lifestyles that attempt to create that option once again, with varying results). Because we’re having so much on our plates, an issue in one area of life that’s not your priority can take over all your attention, time, and energy – including taking it away from the areas of life that are your real priorities. This is especially hard to navigate when the issue affects the people you’re responsible for or don’t want to let down. This then gets heightened when life crises hit, and things such as health concerns or caretaking duties come on top of the usual job/home/primary relationship/kids/other family/social obligations carousel of regular workload: it often becomes almost impossible to truly remember what our priorities are because one just rushes from one crisis to the next, trying to stay above water.

So, how do we remember? Where do we have to stand our ground no matter the fallout, and where do we have to bite the bullet and make sacrifices to honor priorities? What even is a true priority for us, from our souls, rather than something we were handed and told that this ought to be our priority? Looking at the astrological asteroid Vesta can help us find that answer.

Vesta: Asteroid of Soul Priorities

In astrology, Vesta is the symbol of never-changing soul-level priorities, as well as the true priority beneath other, surface-level priorities. The core of why we care about certain things, and the reason why we keep fighting even when life drags us down.

This point in astrology symbolizes the heart of the matter for us – of our lives, our actions, our relationships, and everything in between. It shows us the things that matter to us on the deepest level, not because someone told us that they matter, but because it resonates deep in our soul that it does. Here, we are not affected by current trends or mainstream ideals, nor by changing life circumstances (though we may adapt, we never compromise). Vesta also shows us the areas of our lives we can not afford to sacrifice or deprioritize for anything else, either because bad things start to happen, or because we implode psychologically speaking – which is also bad.

So, understanding the blueprint of your Vesta provides you with a map of what in your life is worth sacrificing, worth keeping, and what the root of your priorities truly are so you can honor what truly matters to you, rather than get distracted by the fluff attached to it. Vesta is the asteroid of the Sacred, so it illuminates what’s sacred to you as an individual.

Okay, so how do we analyze Vesta to find that out? First and foremost, Vesta is a fairly complex point (which is not surprising, with such a complex topic that it signifies), so a whole chart analysis is key for full understanding and full clarity for decision-making (you can get one with me here). However, that option isn’t accessible to everyone, and I’m not about to leave you hanging high-and-dry, so we are going to cover some generalized pieces of advice per your Vesta’s sign. Though, please note that this information, although accurate, remains incomplete, so keep some room for common sense, wisdom, and more nuance to come.

For those of you who don’t know your Vesta’s sign, you can become a subscriber to get access to the guide, or go back to the last newsletter you received from me for the link to said guide (as it’s linked in every newsletter for your convenience).

Vesta in the Signs:

This section is specific but still generalized for the specific signs. In some of the interpretations, the generalizable part of the explanation requires more explanation than in others; and in some of the in-the-signs, other factors of the chart shape the tangible expressions a lot more than Vesta’s sign does, with the sign then influencing the other astrological factors rather than the reverse order. Because of that, the interpretations are not always equal in length, but they are equal in importance, worth, and beauty. In all cases, other chart factors will come in and provide more important information, but in some cases, this has been specifically noted for clarity’s sake.

For a more tailored-to-you, comprehensive, nuanced, and complete interpretation, please book a reading. Also, please only read your Vesta’s sign here, not your Sun, Moon, or Rising sign, as they don’t apply.

Shortcuts: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Further Reading.

Aries

Priorities for people with this combination are never not concrete and always action-based. You have a strong drive to fight for your priorities, either in form of effort or of actual forms of conflict, and having something to fight for (and then to do right by that fight) is a priority for you. Retaining or building your agency, identity, and independence, as well as walking a path less trodden, are major priorities-beneath-priorities for you.

If this information helped you, please consider supporting my work directly - thank you so much in advance! You can also book a reading on all your asteroids for a deeper analysis on YOUR priorities and how to live them in today's world, and subscribe for more cool content, including exclusive Year Ahead advice, a guide on Vesta and how to 'hack' your creative processes, and more. Don't forget to also send this to a friend you think may enjoy it! Thanks for being here!

Taurus

The top priority for someone with this combination is stability and creating a life that feels solid (which can include prioritizing building/right use of material resources). Reliability, including being reliable yourself, and removing unneeded complications to keep things simple, are all priorities-beneath-priorities for people with this combination. You need a life that feels natural, where you don’t go against your instincts and where you match your words with your actions, and your resources with your values. Priority, for you, is investment-based.

Gemini

The top priorities for people with this combination are flexibility and freedom, especially freedom of opinion and freedom of speech. Communication and exploration of the world and concepts, of learning and exchanging of ideas, are often sacred, so are specific ideas and ideals you hold (which ones depend on the individual). Siblings, teaching, and science can also be fields that are prioritized.

Cancer

Priorities for people with this combination are home, family, safety, protection, and love. Protecting the vulnerable (in yourself or in the form of protecting others), nurturing those who need nurturance, and creating a good and safe home (via provision or on-the-ground investments of work and energy) and spending time there are priorities for you, as is pouring into the people you consider yours (family, friends, spouses, etc.).

Leo

Priorities for people with this combination are to live out their gifts and to be generous towards others, to live from the heart and with courage, and in some cases, to be creative in some way or another. Having fun is a major priority, and for many, so is uplifting others and shining yourself. Beyond this, there are more individualized priorities more specific to people’s overall birth charts.

Virgo

The top priority for someone with this combination is the quality of your work (regardless of whether your work is paid or unpaid), as well as the ethical integrity of what you do in all aspects of your life, including the impact on others and long-term effects. It’s more about how you do something than what you do, though serving others is often a massive priority in and of itself as well. You believe in aligning each action and part of your daily life with your true priorities and other sacred beliefs, as well as in honoring responsibilities and stewarding whatever you have been given.

Libra

The top priorities for people with this combination are building a life that’s, overall, peaceful and harmonious, and investing in the right relationships. Love, harmony, and fairness are major priorities, as is the sense of finding the right balance between important life areas: that, in and of itself, is a priority rather than a means to an end. Equality and finding the middle ground or unifying factor within divisions is also often a priority.

Scorpio

The top priorities for people with this combination are truth and depth. You both want a life where you don’t just scratch the surface of things, and you want to go deep on everything that truly matters to you, subject to subject, relationship to relationship. Similarly, truth is your number one priority, especially with yourself and from others. Other priorities are agency and right use of power.

Sagittarius

The top priorities for someone with this combination are faith and vision. You need a vision or ideal to follow and want to see come to fruition that matches your values and ethics. Similarly, faith – whether that is in the world at large, or the religious/related sense (not everyone with this combination is religious) – is both necessary and a top priority for you. While creating a broader understanding of the world is also often a priority, it’s not always lived through traditional means, such as education or travel.

Capricorn

The top priorities of someone with this combination are legacy, reputation, responsibility, and the consequences attached to your actions. Essentially, your priority isn’t necessarily what you do; it’s the ripple effect on others, yourself, and life in 20+ years. Being responsible for yourself and others and reaching mastery over yourself or a specific skill are also very often top priorities. So are handling authority and being respected as you do so. However, this combination often also has what you do be a top priority, including but not limited to roles you fill (such as parent or elder) and jobs you do or hold (career).

Aquarius

The top priority of someone with this combination is doing what’s right even if everyone else around you disagrees. Creating necessary changes and walking to the beat of your own drum, as well as being free enough to do so, are massive priorities, so independence and flexibility are often important topics. Mental clarity, information, freedom of speech, and the right balance between social life and time alone are also often priorities, as are whatever it is you believe in philosophically.

Pisces

The top priorities of someone with this combination are generally compassionately helping others and centered around spiritual topics (as that person understands them, which can but doesn’t need to include intuitive topics or religion). Being kind, gentle, and merciful are major priorities, as are preserving sensitivity and creative endeavors. Having enough time alone and away from the world to decompress is and needs to be a priority.