The "Big Four" Asteroids

One client had a mother who was overly invested in her success and her life. Among other things, the mother told the client she ought to divorce her husband because he "wasn't good enough" for her. The client's Ceres was in Gemini in the 10th exactly square Saturn in Pisces in the 7th (partners). Also, the Moon in Taurus in the 9th was opposite (two degrees) Neptune, ruler of the 7th) in Scorpio in the 3rd.

Another client was trying hard to be the "perfect mother of perfect children" and brought in the chart of her small son who has Moon conjunct Ceres conjunct Neptune in Capricorn in the 2nd/3rd. They square into her Mercury/Nodes/Jupiter across Aries/Libra and quincunx her Mars in Gemini. She's feeling the overwhelm of trying to always do the idealistic approach with four children.

Another client who is very involved with animals' rights and interested in counseling and therapy has Ceres conjunct Sun and North Node in Pisces in 8th.

Another client who works with AIDS patients has Ceres in Taurus in 2nd (widely conjunct Vesta) forming a close grand trine with Pluto in Virgo and Mars, Venus, Ascendant, Sun in Capricorn.

Another individual who loves to garden and has four children has Ceres conjunct the Sun in Virgo in the 5th house.

Ceres is often activated in current patterns when people get pregnant, have children, or family matters are in focus. This can include cases of family "expansion" through grandchildren or a child becoming married so the in-law adds to the family.

When separative aspects (oppositions and quincunxes) are formed to Ceres in the current patterns, it can indicate giving up, separating from, or leaving a job, a home, a family, or a nurturing figure. I've seen changes of residence, a child going away to college, changes of job, health concerns, loss of a parent, and other family changes with those sorts of aspects.