Eris, a recently discovered dwarf planet, has sparked considerable interest among astrologers due to its potent influence and association with discord, change, and personal revolution. Its discovery in 2005 challenged the established order of the solar system, mirroring its astrological role as an agent of change that disrupts conventional understanding and heralds a new era of cosmic consciousness.
Eris and its moon Dysnomia.
Discovery and Naming of Eris
Eris (minor-planet designation: 136199 Eris) is the most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System. It is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) in the scattered disk and has a high-eccentricity orbit. Eris was discovered in January 2005 by a Palomar Observatory-based team led by Mike Brown and verified later that year. It was named in September 2006 after the Greco-Roman goddess of strife and discord.
Eris was discovered by the team of Mike Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz on January 5, 2005, from images taken on October 21, 2003. The discovery was announced on July 29, 2005, the same day as Makemake and two days after Haumea, due in part to events that would later lead to controversy about Haumea.
Due to uncertainty over whether the object would be classified as a planet or a minor planet, because varying nomenclature procedures apply to these classes of objects, the decision on what to name the object had to wait until after the August 24, 2006, IAU ruling.
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The discovery team proposed Eris on September 6, 2006. Brown decided that, because the object had been considered a planet for so long, it deserved a name from Greek or Roman mythology like the other planets.
Orbital Characteristics
Eris is a trans-Neptunian dwarf planet. Its orbital characteristics more specifically categorize it as a scattered-disk object (SDO), or a TNO that has been "scattered" from the Kuiper belt into more-distant and unusual orbits following gravitational interactions with Neptune as the Solar System was forming.
Eris has an orbital period of 561 years. Its maximum possible distance from the Sun (aphelion) is 97.7 astronomical units (AU), and its closest (perihelion) is 38.4 AU.
The orbit of Eris (blue) compared to those of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (white/gray).
Physical Characteristics
This makes Eris a little smaller than Pluto, which is 2376.6±1.6 km across, although Eris is more massive. It also indicates a geometric albedo of 0.96. The mass of Eris can be calculated with much greater precision.
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The infrared spectrum of Eris, compared to that of Pluto, shows the marked similarities between the two bodies. Unlike the somewhat reddish and variegated surfaces of Pluto and Triton, the surface of Eris appears almost white and uniform.
Due to the distant and eccentric orbit of Eris, its surface temperature is estimated to vary from about 30 to 56 K (−243.2 to −217.2 °C; −405.7 to −358.9 °F). Even though Eris can be up to three times farther from the Sun than Pluto, it approaches close enough that some of the ices on the surface might warm enough to sublime to form an atmosphere.
Precise long-term monitoring of Eris's brightness indicates that it is tidally locked to its moon Dysnomia, with a rotation period synchronous with the moon's orbital period of 15.78 Earth days. In keeping with the "Xena" nickname already in use for Eris, Brown's team nicknamed the moon "Gabrielle", after the television warrior princess's sidekick. When Eris received its official name from the IAU, the moon received the name Dysnomia, after the Greek goddess of lawlessness who was Eris's daughter.
Mythological Roots
To comprehend Eris's role in astrology, we must delve into the mythology of the Greek goddess Eris, known for her penchant for stirring up trouble. It was Eris who, not invited to a divine wedding, rolled a golden apple inscribed with 'to the fairest' among the gods, sparking a vanity-fueled dispute that ultimately led to the Trojan War. This myth encapsulates the essence of Eris in astrology: a catalyst for events that bring about transformation through turmoil.
She was not just a goddess of discord but also the sister of Ares, the god of war. Being Ares' sister, Eris embodies a combative spirit, albeit one that operates on the psychological or strategic plane rather than the straightforward aggression of Ares. Her actions in mythology-provoking the Trojan War through cunning rather than brute force-highlight a capacity for causing significant shifts in human affairs through subtlety and the sowing of seeds of discord. This aspect of her mythology provides valuable insight into understanding the complex, often indirect ways in which Eris can influence personal and collective narratives.
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In modern times, members of the Discordian movement have claimed Eris as their patron goddess, but few take this view of Eris seriously, which is probably fine, since taking things seriously is exactly not the point of the Discordian movement.
Eris in the Natal Chart
In the natal chart, Eris's position points to where we may experience discord and how we can harness it for personal revolution. It challenges us to confront inequalities and injustices. Eris asks us to tear down the walls we've built around our hearts and minds, urging us to fight for a life that resonates with our deepest truths.
But my suggestion is to look around the areas of life ruled by the house where you find Eris. What things in that area of your life are really dysfunctional and deserve to end? What can you do to bring about that end?
Eris in Pisces
Currently, Eris resides in the mystical waters of Pisces, a placement that envelops us in a deep, collective introspection about our shared humanity and spiritual connections. In Pisces, Eris's energies are diffused through the lens of compassion and empathy, stirring a movement toward healing societal wounds through understanding and unity. This placement beckons us to dissolve the barriers that separate us, advocating for action that heals and bridges, rather than divides.
The Pluto-Eris Square
The square aspect between Pluto and Eris, which was exact 5 times in 2021 and will continue to make its presence felt through 2024, marks a period of intense transformation on a global scale. Pluto, representing transformation, death, and rebirth, clashes with Eris's energy of strife and discord, creating a volatile mix that can lead to both destructive and constructive outcomes.
This aspect is a call to action for deep systemic change, revealing the shadow side of societies and institutions. It demands that individuals and collectives alike confront the underlying power dynamics and injustices that have been festering beneath the surface, encouraging a thorough purge, and restructuring of what no longer serves the greater good.
Following the exact Pluto-Eris squares, we have witnessed a wave of societal changes that seem to ripple from the post-Covid era. The societal shifts are not merely Covid-related but are indicative of deeper, underlying currents that have been brought to the surface.
Eris Square Pluto Dates 2020-2024:
| Date |
|---|
| January 26 2020 |
| June 14 2020 |
| December 10 2020 |
| August 28 2021 |
| October 9 2021 |
| In orb October 10 ~ Feb 11 2023 |
| In orb April 8 2023 ~ December 26 2023 |
| In orb July 27 2024 ~ November 2 2024 |
| Leaves November 3 2024 |
Eris and Social Upheaval
When analyzing Eris's influence on the collective, we see its signature in times of upheaval and the rise of countercultures. Eris reflects the voice of the marginalized, those whom society has overlooked or oppressed. It's the spark behind movements that seek to dismantle the status quo and institute reform. In the collective consciousness, Eris's placement can indicate periods of significant social change and the themes that will ignite collective action.
Eris is the perfect whistle blower, but there is a touch of the joker in Batman to her. When she eventually dishes out her revenge she does it with such style! Eris is about poetic justice, the scene in the Godfather when the gangster wakes up in bed with the head of his favourite racehorse seems so very Eris to me.
Dwarf Planet Eris - Astrology, Mythology & Astronomy
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