logical Uranus as its complementary polarity: The Greek Uranus was a tyrant who
opposed change, which represents characteristics that must be in place before
Prometheus can express his rebellious, freedom-seeking, change-at-any-cost nature.
Other planets embody such polar characteristics. Thus, the astrological Saturn,
for example, expresses both security-seeking and insecurity. And Mars indicates both
courage and fear, although traditionally astrologers noted only the courageous, assertive
nature of Mars and not the corresponding Martian anxiety. In eccentric Uranus, it is
the polar opposite principle that is expressed by the planet’s namesake. Thus, to
acknowledge both Tarnas and the tradition of synchronistic meanings, one could assert
that the area of the natal chart where a native feels rebellious (as indicated by the
placement of natal Uranus) is also the area where she or he feels most oppressed.
Sources:
Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.
Tarnas, Richard. “Uranus and Prometheus.” Journal of the British Astrological Association
(July–August 1989): 187–96.
———. “The Western Mind at the Threshold.” Astrotherapy Newsletter3, no. 4 (November
1990): 2–5.
PROMITTER
Promitter (from the Latin promittere,meaning “to promise”) is an older term that
refers to the things “promised” by the sign, house, and aspects of a particular planet.
The related term significator refers to another planet or important point that, by tran-
sit or progression, activates the first planet’s “promise.” These terms are rarely used in
modern natal astrology, although they are common in horary astrology.
PROPERMOTION
Proper motion refers to the motion of a planet or other celestial body in space as
opposed to apparent motion caused by such factors as the axial rotation of Earth.
PROSERPINA
Proserpina, asteroid 26 (the 26th asteroid to be discovered, on May 5, 1853), is
approximately 88 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.3 years. Proser-
pina was the Roman name for the Greek Persephone, who was kidnapped by Hades
and taken to the underworld to become his queen. According to Martha Lang-
Wescott, Proserpina represents rites of passage—infant awareness of separateness, ado-
lescent crisis, leaving home for school, marriage, job change, or personal growth. This
asteroid’s key word is “transition.”
Sources:
Lang-Wescott, Martha. Asteroids-Mechanics: Ephemerides II.Conway, MA: Treehouse Moun-
tain, 1990.
———. Mechanics of the Future: Asteroids.Rev. ed. Conway, MA: Treehouse Mountain, 1991.
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [547]
Proserpina