Arachne

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

Arachne, asteroid 407 (the 407th asteroid to be discovered, on October 13, 1895), is approximately 104 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4¼ years. Arachne was named after a Greek dyer and weaver who, after a competition with Athena, hanged herself and changed into a spider. This asteroid’s key words are “entangled” and “network.” According to Martha Lang-Wescott, Arachne indicates “reactions to people and situations that are very involved.” Jacob Schwartz gives this asteroid’s astrological significance as “pride in the ability to handle intricate detail, creation of intrigue.” It also represents webs (both actual and psychological), intrigue, entanglement, and perceptions of intricacy.

Sources:

Lang-Wescott, Martha. Asteroids-Mechanics: Ephemerides II. Conway, MA: Treehouse Mountain, 1990.

Lang-Wescott, Martha. Mechanics of the Future: Asteroids. Rev. ed. Conway, MA: Treehouse Mountain, 1991.

Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.

Arachne

presumptuously challenges Athena to weaving contest; transformed into spider. [Gk. Myth.: Leach, 69]

See: Arrogance

Arachne

skilled weaver; changed into spider for challenging Athena to weaving contest. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 27]

See: Sewing and Weaving

Arachne

won weaving contest against Athena, who then changed her into a spider. [Gk. Myth.: Jobes, 116]

See: Transformation