Bacchus, Dionysis, and Pan

Scene from Animal House

Asteroids Bacchus #2063, Dionysis #3671 and Pan #4450 are all known as the "asteroids of the partier!" These dudes were known for their physical appetites and indulging in their sensuality to the hilt. Satisfaction was a key component to the mythology of these rambunctious boys. Excess was the order of the day(s) and too much of a good thing was never enough for this lot. 

Bacchus was specifically known for his sexual appetites and love of drink and was also voted most likely to swing by his fourth grade class. This asteroid is known to show where we indulge thoughtlessly and too much. Bacchus on the ascendant or Sun or Mars can show a dedicated party animal and/or one who enjoys stimulants and other such powders, herbs and brews. Bacchus on the descendant can show one who attracts a promiscuous or wildish partner or who does not own or acknowledge their own inner rebel.

Dionysis was the Greek God of ecstasy and is not often well understood in astrology. The placement of this asteroid denotes where we should let pleasure and excess in, where we can enjoy safely the things our mothers told us not to do. Righteous pleasure is an element here and letting ourselves enjoy that Calgon moment or that extra piece of pie are key to his proper expression. When we deny ourselves the things of Dionysis, we become a crabby bitch who needs to hook up with a boyfriend masseuse. Dionysis in aspect to Saturn can show someone who is apt to deny themselves enough or appropriate forms of pleasure or self spoiling. Pluto in aspect to Dionysis can show one who is abusive to themselves in their self denial or one who experiences all the pleasures of the world in secret or in shady ways. Dionysis with Jupiter is off the charts pleasure seeking. Dionysis with Venus is gorging oneself on beauty or art, Mars and Dionysis usually points to the ready ability to indulge in physical laments of this asteroid and can lend to selfishness.

Pan is very much about honoring the realm of the senses. This was the natural man, the untamed human before rules or expectations were placed upon him to limit his expression. An earthy, wild, woodsy kind of energy flows with this asteroid and it has a hippyish vibe. Spontaneous, youthful, innocent and well meaning, there is an idealistic side to Pan. Pan asks us to just be ourselves in the birth chart and can point to where we want to throw off the chains of societal expectations and cultural conditioning. This is the energy of Woodstock. Where Pan shows up is where we need to be free to be authentic, honest and run with the wolves if the urge grabs us.