Peirithoos


Asteroid 26763, Peirithoos, was discovered on September 24, 1960 by Dutch astronomers C. J. van Houten and Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld on photographic plates taken by Tom Gehrels at Palomar Observatory near Pauma Valley, California. It has a period of 12 years, 96 days.

Peirithoos (or Pirithous), King of the Lapithae, was a friend of Theseus. The Centaurs rioted during his wedding to Hippodamia and tried to abduct her and other women, resulting in a legendary battle, the Centauromachy. Later Pirithous and Theseus decided to abduct other women; they abducted the 13-year-old Helen, but her brothers Castor and Polydeuces (Pollux) rescued her, and then they attempted to abduct the goddess Persephone. Hades, her husband, invited them to sit down in a magical chair that held them imprisoned. Heracles (Hercules) eventually extricated Theseus from it when he journeyed to the underworld for something else, but Pirithous stayed stuck on the chair for all eternity as punishment for his hubris. Polypoites, Pirithous' and Hippodamiaa's son, led the armies of Thessaly with the Greeks against Troy.

Theseus and Perithous Playing Dice With Helen of Troy ,an 1831 painting by Odorcio Politi


Astrologically, Peirithoos seems to indicate losing or leaving behind loved ones, going to hell and staying there, possibly need to learn to be content with what one has, or not covet or attempt to take what one has no right to.

The glyph for Peirithoos is mine.



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