Dejanira is asteroid #157 and was discovered by the French astronomer Alphonse Louis Nicolas Borrelly at Marseille in 1875. Dejanira’s orbit is characterized by a semi-major axis of 2.58 Astronomical Units, an eccentricity of 0.20, a period of revolution of 1 516 days, and an inclination of 12.2 degrees. A so early discovered asteroid should be an ordinary asteroid. Dejanira’s eccentricity and Dejanira’s inclination are quite high for this, but besides this she is an ordinary asteroid of the intermediate section of the Asteroid Main Belt. Dejinara is the head and namesake of a very tiny asteroid-family of five members. The existence of this asteroid-family or whether the members are all background asteroids is still disputed.

Dejanira is named after Dēiáneira (Δηιάνειρα), who is a princess from Greek mythology. Dēiáneira (Δηιάνειρα) was one of seven children of king Oineús (Οἰνεύς) and his wife Althaía (Ἀλθαία). King Oineús (Οἰνεύς) is depicted differently in different tales. Some people believe only three of his children would be from Althaía (Ἀλθαία) and Dēiáneira (Δηιάνειρα) would be among these three children. Dionysos (Διόνυσος) also is believed to be the father of Dēiáneira (Δηιάνειρα). The motherhood of Althaía (Ἀλθαία) isn’t doubted in this version. King Oineús (Οἰνεύς) would have raised the child of Dionysos (Διόνυσος), hence Dionysos (Διόνυσος) rewarded him with the first wine plant.

Many men wanted to marry Dēiáneira (Δηιάνειρα). So her father Oineús (Οἰνεύς) decided that the men should fight in duels versus each other. Herakles (Ἡρακλῆς) won finally.

Dēiáneira (Δηιάνειρα) is a translatable name and means hostile to men. Because she most likely isn’t a historical person, so there should be a reason for this name. She is the same Dēiáneira (Δηιάνειρα), who also plays a major role in the tale of Néssos (Νέσσος) or Nessus. So her name already wants to put clear that she isn’t a victim of any man, but a hazard for men! If you need an astrological force representing a victim, then take a look at An-Eefje and at Julie-Mélissa and maybe also at Loubna! Dejanira could serve you if you need an astrological force representing an accomplice, especially a female accomplice in a plot aiming at a male victim.