Thereus is the Hunter-Stalker of the Skies. In mythology, Thereus, the hunter, stalks bears and watches them till he chooses to strike. He rushes into the cave, hits the bear on the head, and drags it out, kicking and screaming. He is eventually killed by the hero Theseus.
There’s a second mythological figure of King Tereus who again engages in covert stalking and ultimately inflicts sexual violence on his sister-in-law and cuts off her tongue. His wife and her sister cook Tereus’ son and feed him to his father, who eats him unknowingly. He then tries to murder both women, and all are ultimately transformed into birds.
A third Thereus in mythology is driven mad by the aroma of the wine Pholus offers to his guests and is eventually killed by Heracles. Interestingly, a genus of a gossamer-winged butterfly was also named Thereus.
Thereus brings up themes of hidden or covert predation, parasitism, energy loss, violence, and the like. Others see it as an ability to dominate, control, and separate personal and public life – which can easily occur together.
Bear in mind that we all have Thereus somewhere in our charts. It’s asteroid number 32532. So that doesn’t mean that we’re all going to be serial killers, cannibals, violent maniacs, and the like. However, such individuals and the astrology of violent events that terrify the collective tend to have significant aspects to Thereus. I’ve been researching all this for my book, and it is a consistent pattern.
In short:
Thereus can highlight abusive, controlling tendencies and also our propensity and vulnerability to such tendencies. By facing these vulnerabilities and the fear that comes with them, you can learn how to better protect yourself and others.
But getting to that point of revelation is an initiatory test in itself, as Thereus tends to push you to face what you fear first. Personally, and with clients, I’ve seen Thereus be more violent than Pluto in its targeted intensity and depth.
In Virgo, Thereus focuses on matters of health, the little details that make up daily routines, ritual implements, vows of service, the gut, and how we manage our daily lives and work. The Thereus in Virgo transit began on 31 December 2020 and continues till 12 July 2025.
Expect fears and a greater collective focus surrounding gut, mental and other aspects of health, daily workplace culture, ideas of sacrifice and service, judgement towards sexual attitudes, understanding the global supply chain and its impact on the environment, and so on.
The good news about Thereus is that the more we are aware of it, the more we can mitigate its effects.
I’m bringing this up because Thereus is particularly prominent this month (February 2023).
One of the reasons why this February is going to be so intense is that Thereus opposes Nessus in Pisces and squares Mars in Gemini and The Great Attractor in Sagittarius. There are other alignments present throughout the month, but this is what I’m focusing on here.
So there’s going to be a lot of focus on your actions, movements, breath, lungs, travel, astrological choices, philosophical and religious decisions, political rhetorics, and so on. Mars makes this alignment particularly tricky this time, as it is so tied to health, agency, and key aspects of relationships.
But let’s talk about Nessus.
Nessus (asteroid number 7066) is a different kind of abuser. He doesn’t bother stalking his victims. He inflicts violence as he pleases. Astrologically, Nessus is linked to control, lust, abuse, violence, manipulation, rape, etc.
In mythology, Nessus seeks to rape Deianeira, the wife of Heracles. He kills him with an arrow tipped with the blood of the Hydra. In his final moments, Nessus manipulates Deianeira, telling her to make his (unbeknownst to her Hydra-poison-steeped) blood into a love charm and apply it on Heracles’ clothes will make him hers forever. She then gives them to wear to her husband, leading to the hero’s death.
In Pisces, the focus of potential abuse is in the most profound domain of the subconscious, and hidden aspects of self knowable only through deep spiritual meditation. Pisces also addresses the dream state and succession of incarnations that make up our soul’s journeys.
Obsessive and escapist behavior, suicidal tendencies, the martyr complex, substance abuse, and delusions are also associated with the sign. So are inspiration, music, art, miracles, prayer, and transcendent experiences. (Pisces is a mixed bag, to say the least).
Having Nessus transiting Pisces (01 April 2014-12 January 2034) is essentially two decades of needing to learn how to navigate karma, spirituality, and energy in ways that do not perpetuate cycles of abuse. And those who want to feed off others in this way have an easy time doing so if their target is unaware of the extent of potential manipulation. It explains the great vulnerability the spiritual community is starting to acknowledge and the need to protect the self when seeking.
(It’s generally a hard time in incarnation; these are just some of the little layers).
NESSUS THEREUS OPPOSITION
As Nessus and Thereus oppose each other, they open up mutually reinforcing pathways of potential abuse, predation, and violation. It is imperative to focus on physical and energetic safety at this time. And where you may be letting in what drains you, especially if it has excellent PR or tugs your deeper sympathies. Or if it draws you in with beautiful, fantastic visions of transcendence and enlightenment. It can also be the constant drain of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues that make you lose your focus where you need it the most.
Nessus and Thereus oppose each other once every four decades; however, the opposition lasts for a few years. Here are the dates of the exact opposition:
– 14 October 2022 (I was far too ill even to type this, it tracks)
– 18 February 2023
– 27 August 2023
– 26 May 2024
– 06 June 2024
It would be wise to pay close attention and not take unwarranted risks in October 2022, February & August 2023, and May & June 2024 – especially – if you have heavy aspects to 14-19 Virgo/Pisces.
And again – Thereus is lit up by other bodies throughout February. In my T-23 monthly membership group, I referred to February as a red-flag month. No joke.
SO WHAT DOES ONE DO?
Thereus and Nessus aren’t pleasant bodies – and often bring up fear and anxiety. Knowing what they’re about doesn’t change anything unless you change your actions.
Let me share something I found helpful.
When thinking about Thereus, I often think about a scene in the movie ‘The Conjuring 2’. The spook itself was rather meh, but there’s a scene where the protagonist explains the different stages of possession.
(Don’t panic. There’s a reason I’m bringing this up).
Effectively, several things have to happen for a person’s will to be severely compromised to the extent that they are no longer in command of themselves. They have to start obsessing with some pattern of recurrent, intense disturbances they cannot always see or understand. That obsession becomes fear, which effectively leaves a person vulnerable to control.
Whilst I’m not suggesting an all-out psychic war or interdimensional rift that will ruin us all, there was something about that explanation that always sat true. The source material is from the chief exorcist of Rome, Father Gabriele Amorth, and is helpfully summarized here: https://www.newportri.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/25/4-degrees-demonic-possession/985256007/
You don’t have to look to the occult to see this same pattern at play with abused, tortured, oppressed people. Whatever the oppressive person seeks to do can only have an effect if the person they target begins to put more weight and focus on the fear surrounding the actions designed to bring them under control in some way. This shifts your focus away from yourself and something external – the opposite of a power move.
And do we not see that oppression in so many lives all over the world? Whether it’s a war, a creepy ex, or an over-controlling parent who demands to control your every movement … the same process comes into play.
The way to subvert Thereus and Nessus is not to give into their power play (through whoever is playing that role in your life) or to seek to control others. It is in returning to Faith and living a life that reflects your knowledge of the truth of who you are and that Spark of Divinity that continues to exist despite what life has thrown at us.
Again, it will be a more dramatic trial for some.
It comes down to your soul’s journey, chart, and spiritual awareness you bring to a situation.
With Nessus in Pisces, a lot is likely to be tied up in old soul contracts. With Mars in Gemini aspecting it all, expect much of this to come up through connections with masculine energy, siblings, and what you literally choose to do with your will.
Not everyone will have the worse possible outcome – as some will be able to find greater transparency, protection, and integrity – as they are willing to look at what needs to be done.
Denial is the gateway to unprocessed trauma and unacknowledged fear that does nothing but weigh you down.
This is not a good month to open your energy up to others or perform spiritual ceremonies and facilitations. The exception is if you know and trust the people and energies involved and all parties have the proper awareness and protection to do whatever is needed safely and cleanly. There is psychic and spiritual baggage to every tool of divination and every reader who exists.
Some will be able to handle the intensity implied by the opposition and show people ways of finding greater protection, balance, and peace in their lives. Others will not.
So choose who you open yourselves to, very, very carefully.
Whatever you are or will be experiencing later this month – look back to October 2022 to see the roots of it or clues as to what you need to do to improve your experience.
Practice greater self-care, especially if you have suicidal tendencies, substance abuse issues, health concerns, etc.
Examine potential backdoors to your energy, seal the cracks, and make things a little more secure for yourself and others. At a practical level, it’s also looking at things like faulty wiring, mold, uneven surfaces, rotting food, and slippery floors in the home.
Working with greater protection as you sleep is also a good idea. Calling on spiritual guides and angels you trust can work wonders. Crystal grids of selenite can help immensely with this.
Replenishing your daily energy with taichi, good nutrition, and meditation (without the need to get too intense about it) is a healthy approach to this opposition. Vitamin C comes up strongly for me when thinking about revitalizing focus.
Keep the center of focus on yourself and your Faith in Spirit. More than anything else, this can help you endure and successfully navigate what comes up.
SESSIONS IN FEBRUARY & SPECIAL CODE
Knowing what’s coming up, I have carefully chosen my days of work for February, as there will be some people I can help at this time. Naturally, if I know of someone who can better facilitate your needs, I’ll point you to where you need to go.
Sessions are open, but please take the time to feel into whether it’s the right time for us to work together – or if you’re ready to see what needs to be faced.
I am also doing a special discount on the 45-minute session, knowing that some people will need the time and have a limited budget.
Booking Link: 45-Minute Session
Coupon code: FEB2023 , valid till 15 February 2023
Blessings,
Dr. Bairavee, The Sky Priestess
Contributions can be made to paypal.me/skypriestess
General Sessions & T-23 Monthly Programme: www.theskypriestess.as.me
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As the author of this work, I do not accept any liability arising from any and all potential effects of issuing or reading this work in any way. Anything communicated here is not intended to replace professional legal, medical, psychological, psychiatric, or financial counsel. How you choose to act on this information is up to your own free will, and you agree to be responsible for whatever consequences arise from your actions. Use your common sense first. I will assert my legal right over my work should these clauses be violated in any way for any reason. Always use common sense first and reach out if in doubt.
© Bairavee Balasubramaniam, 2023. All rights reserved.
Image is from the Public Domain. Pieter Cramer (1721 – 1776) and Caspar Stoll (between 1725 and 1730 – 1791) – This file comes from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (via Wikipedia). The image depicts Thereus lausus butterflies.
Dr. Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD: The Sky Priestess 