Hylonome, her name means “browser of the wood”, wife of Cyllarus, was with him at the wedding of Pirithous to Hippodemia when the fight broke out. Cyllarus was killed by a spear thrown from an unknown hand. Hylonome was beside herself with grief and could not bear to be without her beloved and threw herself upon the same spear that killed him. The ultimate act of self-sacrifice (or suicide), in order to be at one with ‘The Source’.

Astronomically, Hylonome was the fifth Centaur to be discovered. Its orbit lies between Uranus and Neptune, crossing this planet’s orbit as it does so and takes 124 years to complete its cycle.

Astrologically, all Centaurs have a transformational influence. They partake of the energy of the planets they orbit. Here, the Uranian energy indicates the unexpected, disruptive, innovative and high-voltage influence in our life while Neptune is indicative of dreams, confusion, sacrifice and altruism.

When Hylonome makes an aspect to a planet in the natal chart there is a deep longing connected to issues relating to that planet. For instance if in aspect to Mars it could mean that the person has had to make sacrifices in connection with his/her desire nature. Perhaps from an early age the way in which he/she wanted to assert the self and express their uniqueness had to be sacrificed in order to please the parents or parental figures. Or it may be that one’s energy is being sacrificed due to chronic ill health. Whatever the issue, it will present itself as a deep longing that has to be acknowledged and let go off. How easy or difficult this will be depends on the aspects to the planet involved.

When there is a transit from Hylonome to personal planets or angles in the natal chart we may be confronted with issues relating to these planets. We may become aware that the dream, the vision we so long for is not going to materialise and to let go or ‘sacrifice’ this ideal. This can be either an internal or external manifestation but it is only after acceptance of this realisation that we can be transformed and move on.

One good (or rather bad) example of Hylonome’s influence is the terrible events of 11 September in New York when terrorists hijacked passenger planes and flew into the towers of the Western Trade Centre, killing over 6000 innocent people. Mohammed Atta, the pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, was the first to hit the North tower at 08:45 (EST). His date of birth is believed to be 1 September 1968. ( according to the Sunday Times 16 September).

In his natal chart Hylonome is conjunct the Mars/Saturn midpoint at 21 degrees Gemini, indicating that here is someone who is able to communicate and act in a controlled and disciplined manner, even to the point of death, by making the ultimate sacrifice - the giving (or taking) of his own life, believing it to be in the interest of the people who share his Faith.

The Jupiter/Uranus midpoint is conjunct Pluto and Pylenor and makes a square aspect to Hylonome indicating the intense conflict regarding one’s philosophy of life, to the point where the life may be sacrificed.

Hylonome is also conjunct the Sun/Chiron midpoint at 20 degrees 45’ Gemini. As the Sun in the chart indicates the life force and Chiron is the wounding, then Hylonome here once again indicates the sudden dissolution of this force. Unfortunately, natal Pluto at 22 degrees Virgo squares all these planets and this aspect indicates the intensity and fanaticism with which he pursued his religious and political ‘dream’, to the point of not only giving his own life but taking the lives of over 6000 innocent people too.

Liz Seddon.