Chiron was discovered by James Kowal on November 1, 1977. It was initially thought to be an asteroid, but according to NASA, it is now classified as a cometary body. Chiron, along with the other Centaurs, is believed to be an escaped member from the Kuiper belt, which is a hypothetical disk-shaped reservoir of objects of sizes ranging from tiny particles to Pluto or larger sized bodies. Chiron orbits between Saturn and Uranus, having a 50.7 year orbit.
In Greek mythology, Chiron was the eldest and wisest of the legendary Centaurs. Chiron, born apart from the other notoriously untamed Centaurs, and he was revered for his intelligence. It is noteworthy to say that Saturn was the father of Chiron, although Saturn rejected his son. Instead, Apollo raised the Centaur, teaching him many things.
As he grew, Chiron was adept at medicine, and renowned as both a great healer and teacher. As a teacher, his students were many, including Achilles and Hercules.
Chiron was accidentally wounded from one of Hercules' poison arrows. Although immortal, Chiron would end by gifting his immortality to Prometheus. Thus, eventually, he died, taking his place amongst the stars.
In astrology, Chiron is known as The Wounded Healer. He is karmic and he brings awareness through crises. Chiron's liminal nature is still present and felt through his dichotomous wounding and healing nature. Chiron possesses the ability to teach beneficial lessons, however painful. There is no way around this. The Chirotic experience will be felt differently for each of us, depending on sign and house placement.
The Saturn, Uranus, Sun and Chiron Connection by Cara Rungo
According to Greek mythology, it is important to mention that Chiron is born from Saturn, the stern and rejecting father. Saturn, in fact, dealt the first wound unto Chiron--the deep wound of rejection. This impacted a son as anyone could imagine, affecting his identity and sense most basic sense of belonging. Chiron, unlike the other wanton and lusty Centaurs, became an intelligent just creature with many talents. He was adept as a hunter, a musician, a gymnast, a teacher, a student, a healer, a man of medicine and surgeon--loftier goals than the others within the Centaurian tribe. One could argue that this was an attempt to win the approval of the Saturnian father.
Saturn is the teacher and the student. Chiron learned many things from Olympian god of the Sun and the light, Apollo, whom essentially adopted the orphaned Chiron. In return, Chiron not only taught many, but he also reared many children, serving as a father figure (Saturn) in the ways of music, weaponry, hunting and healing. Amongst his students were Achilles, Actaeon, Aristaeus, Asclepius, Jason, Medus, Patroclus and Peleus.
Chiron was also believed to be just and fair as is Saturn, who often represents the father, the judge, the stern right one with the heavy hand. In many ways, Chiron emulates Saturn. Therefore, lessons will be learned, only in a different way. The losses of Saturn are not the same as the wounds of Chiron.
Just in the way that Saturn abandoned Chiron, Apollo picked him up, giving him another life (the giver of life, Sun). Apollo was the god of the life-giving Sun, light and truth, music, poetry, plague, medicine, healing. Apollo was considered a god of prophecy. In astrology, the Sun also rules the father. So, essentially Chiron is wounded by the rejection of Saturn, but given a great useful gift and essentially healed by the Sun. In many ways, Chiron emulates the Sun. Chiron possesses a healing ability much like the healing light of the Sun. Chiron has the ability to teach much like father Sun.
A third connection is noteworthy--the Uranus connection. This is evidenced by Chiron's final deadly wound. Hercules unintentionally dealt the final deadly blow when he accidentally shot Chiron with a poison arrow. The accidental nature of Uranus is prominent in the accidental death of Chiron. Moreover, Chiron was adept at music, a talent learned from Apollo. Music is also Uranian in nature. In many ways, Chiron emulates Uranus, ruling accidents.
Lastly, we revisit the Sun connection with Prometheus and the gifting of life. Although immortal, Chiron could not bear his eternal wound, and to resign from living was a relief. However, he did not just die. He gifted his immortality to Prometheus, freeing and healing him. Another example of the Sun's trait of giving life and light, lending purpose.
Chiron orbits between both Saturn and Uranus. Therefore, astrologically, he inherits several traits from both planets. Mythologically, Chiron inherits several traits from the Sun.
In essence, what occurs is that we are rejected, then healed through enlightenment. In turn, we teach others what we know, yet we are then accidentally or intentionally injured by the very people in our lives whom we trust. And, finally, our wound gnaws away at us until we are compelled to act. That act is to bestow a healing gift. This seems to be the chirotic cycle.
Aries Chiron
"Physician, heal thyself" Luke 4:23
The
self is wounded. The self also possesses the capability to heal,
especially using the hands. In this particular sign, healing others is
easier than healing the self. This native harbors a powerful healing
ability that can actually manifest as a physical ritual of taking other
peoples' illnesses into their own bodies and dumping the negative energy
out through the hands or fingertips. Building and forming a lasting
meaningful relationship with the self and loving thy self can heal.
Aries is a fire sign, ruling spirituality. Wounds will be spiritual in
nature.
According to author Barbara Hand Clow in her book titled, "Chiron: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner and Outer Planets:
"This position causes quick action to breakthrough Saturn barriers and
act idealistically with Uranus. But unless there are other factors in
the chart which foster mysticism, these natives may not activate the
subtlety of Chiron. The warrior energy is the most powerful
manifestation for these natives. They need to be encouraged to
systematically develop a discipline which will enable them to empower
Chiron and get in touch with the potential power of the etheric plane." (pp. 83-84, Hand Clow)
Self-awareness
and self value is the chirotic experience. Seeking true
identity and self-actualization are of great importance to this placement. These Divine Warriors learn to know, love and become themselves. Only after this
has been established can these natives truly contribute their inborn
healing gift.
Taurus Chiron
"For
I can raise no money by vile means." William Shakespeare
Finances
are wounded. Accepting that tangible objects are just
that--objects--can heal. Placing value on the wrong things seems to be a
real danger. Taurus is an earth sign, ruling physicality. Wounds will
be physical in nature.
One female client having
this position was stabbed multiple times in the neck. This physical
wounding to the Taurus-ruled part of the body embodies both the
Saturnian energy and Uranus energy. The perpetrator of such a heinous
crime was her third husband, who was a Capricorn with Aquarius rising.
The crime stemmed from an unexpected sudden upheaval that eventually led
to his long-term restriction of 30 years in prison.
This
same woman experienced the Taurus Chiron with her first husband. In
adolescence, her father (Saturn) arranged and forced her to marry his
friend (Uranus). However, her first husband was an elderly (Saturn
again) lecherous man whom she eventually divorced. However, the very
next day after the divorce was final, her ex-husband became a
millionaire when he won the lottery.
In her
particular case, she was married four times and divorced four times.
All of her husbands either had money or real estate, which she never
gained from, but was motivated to marry them perhaps for that exact
reasons. Her story exemplifies the Taurus Chirotic experience.
Another
important thing to note is her money-making capability or career as a
stripper and prostitute. Her lifestyle again exemplifies the Taurus
chirotic experience as Taurus is the polarity of Scorpio, ruling sex and
power. The client utilizes the Scorpionic power, attaching monetary
value to lower base instincts in order to achieve financial gain.
Awareness
of sexual prowess seems pronounced with this particular placement.
These natives seem to fall victim to the misconception that mistakenly
places too much emphasis and value on lower earthly pleasures. However,
it could also work the opposite way, transmuting the sexual energy into
the intended gift to teach and heal. Either way, the sexuality will be
marked.
Gemini Chiron
"I'll
see it when I believe it."
Communication and
education is wounded. Experiencing some sort of learning blockage early
on or unorthodox learning methods seem likely. Crystallizing the mental
energy into a long lasting tangible form, or reforming thought patterns
based on real experiences is indicated. Catharsis can heal. Gemini is
an air sign, ruling the mental plane. Wounds will be mental in nature.
A male client with Chiron in Gemini never learned
to read, and he suffered from dyslexia during childhood. He was wounded
by early educators who took a disliking to him. His behavior in school
was quite rebellious and problematic (Uranus), causing the school board
to eventually expel him in the sixth grade. His parents shunned the
responsibility of educating him. His father (Saturn) rejected him and
threw him out of the house. By age 13, he was homeless and committing
crimes with like-minded friends (Uranus) and addicted heavily to drugs.
His lack of schooling led to lifelong reading problems. He was
educated on the streets. This embodies the chirotic experience in
Gemini.
Another client with Chiron in Gemini is a
documented genius that was offered membership into Mensa during high
school with his exceptionally high IQ. According to Mensa:
"Membership
of Mensa is open to persons who have attained a score within the upper
two percent of the general population on an approved intelligence test
that has been properly administered and supervised."
However,
he dropped out of high school and obtained his GED. He continues to
intermittently go to community college, but life obstacles keep forcing
him to quit.
Awareness and value are placed on
academia and education. The native might experience real fear and
crises when presented with the thought of overcoming his or her
educational barriers. Continued learning is borne from humanity and a
variety of cultures. As Gemini is mutable, crises will force the need
to be adaptable to different cultural surroundings, exposing the native
to many different thinking patterns and systems. Saturnian energy of
structure and form manifests through more physical channels, and this
native is adept at building long-lasting structures with the hands.
As
Sagittarius is the polar opposite of Gemini, crises may also arise from
what is not only learned and taught, but what is believed or
practiced. Religious persecution is possible as Chiron was in Gemini
during the entire course of the Salem Witch Trials from 1692 to 1693..
Historically, people who were not really witches were murdered during
these trials because of vicious gossip, which shows the darker side of
Chiron in Gemini.
Criminality (Uranus) and the
law (Saturn) can lead to crises with this particular placement. This is
especially true during youth.
Cancer Chiron
"Only the insecure strive for security." Wayne Dyer
Motherhood
and the early childhood are wounded. Building and forming a lasting
meaningful relationship with the inner child and the mother and small
children can heal. Striking a balance between the playful inner child
and the outer adult who accepts responsibilities and duties can heal.
Cancer is a water sign, ruling emotions. Wounds will be emotional in
nature.
Security issues are highlighted with this
Chiron placement; crises will be experienced through safety vs. freedom,
the known and the unknown, the old and the new, youth and old age.
Early
childhood was probably pretty difficult for these natives. They may
have experienced some sort of chirotic event early on that they are
having difficulty with as they mature. Some may be late bloomers as
Saturn lived up to its name here and served as the Universal Playpen
that kept these people restricted. The parents, especially the father,
may have been rather stern. They may long to venture out from their
inner selves and their safety nets that they have built around
themselves, but Saturnian fear may have them heavily in his grasp. They
experience real fear or phobia about stepping out into the unknown
(Uranus). Any change proves frightening for those with Chiron in
Cancer, even when that change allows them to enjoy independence and
freedom. Letting go of the painful past and early engrams will prove to
be a real challenge. This person feels safe in the cage. This person
may be accused of being antisocial or some sort of hermit.
There
is a great awareness of the inner self and much inner reflection, but
these people are naive when it comes to dealing with the big bad world
and their sensitive emotional nature is easily wounded by the deeds of
other people. Forgiveness for past actions does not come easily for
this placement. Chiron in Cancer natives may have no desire to venture
into the outside world and take on grown-up responsibilities, gripping
tightly to the past and the childhood. This thwarts growth and they
become stuck. These people place much value their family roots and home
base. Crises comes through change. Only after being forced to leave
their safe cocoon and experience adult life filled with duties and
responsibilities and change, can a much-needed transformation occur.
They heal through learning and interacting with their outer world. This
builds confidence in their abilities, helping to alleviate some of
their feelings of insecurity.
Leo Chiron
“There is no place for grief in a house which serves the
Muse." Sappho
The artistic expression and the
children are wounded. Building and forming lasting relationships with
children can heal. Any outer extension of the self or release through
artistic expression can heal. Leo is a fire sign, ruling
spirituality. Wounds will be spiritual in nature.
With
this position, super stardom can be achieved. One of the most renowned
artists in history responsible for thousands of oil paintings and a
forerunner of the impressionist movement, Pierre-Auguste Renoir also had
this placement. Renoir changed the face of art with the impressionist
movement (Uranus), changing the face of creative form (Saturn). It is
well known that Renoir suffered an affliction of rheumatoid arthritis in
his hands in later years. The hands are ruled by Chiron, and it is
through the hands that the chirotic gift often emerges. Although, his
crippling wound affected the very part of him responsible for producing
his greatest contribution to humanity, he remained a prolific artist up
until his death.
Most of Renoir's artwork depicted
realistic scenes of women and romantic scenes and children. These are
all things ruled by the sign of Leo. He often painted his own
extensions of the self, including his own children and other artists he
knew. Moreover, his mistresses and romantic interests are often
portrayed in the nude. According to an online article by author Milan
Jaukovic:
"It seems that
his painting and his desire for the company of women were symptomatic
of a more general attitude towards them. Women, and to a lesser extent
children, might serve as muses."
Awareness
of the self and ego exists with Chiron in Leo. Renoir painted many self
portraits. According to author Barbara Hand Clow in her book titled,
"Chiron: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner and Outer Planets:
"When
they [Chiron in Leo natives] are ready to let the ego go and release
their gift through creativity, they fuse with the higher will or Uranian
dynamic. Any identification of purpose is very helpful to them, and
resonation with their struggle relieves their anxiety." (pp. 90, Hand Clow)
Virgo Chiron
"A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main
problem."
~Albert Einstein
Health is wounded. Medicine and physical labor may work through and heal. There will healing through the hands--the physician and the surgeon. There will be astounding healing powers with this position. Virgo is an earth sign, ruling physicality. Wounds will be physical in nature.
This position often brings wounding through vehicular accidents.
The ability to work may be impaired by either the self or the partner.
Rulership remains a debatable subject in the astrological community. Barbara Hand Clow writes that Chiron rules the sign of Virgo. Authority on the astrological Chiron, Melanie Reinhart, feels Sagittarius is the ruler of Chiron, and that it is exalted in Virgo. Either way, Chiron feels quite at home in the zodiac sign of Virgo.
According to author Barbara Hand Clow in her book titled, "Chiron: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner and Outer Planets:
"The low form of the Virgo dynamic is compulsive and Saturnian....The high energetics of Virgo develops a keen understanding of the positive use of Saturn which is to bring matter into form, but not to hold it. The ability to allow Uranian transformation matures with time and evolves into a deep intuition about perfect timing." (Hand Clow, pp. 91-92)
Hand Clow continues that sixth-house Chiron natives are destined to teach perfection of form here on Earth in order to achieve higher consciousness.
Women with this particular placement suffer a dichotomous complex--wavering back and forth between the two archetypes: the Virgin Mary vs Eve.
Twelfth house matters may be the avenue through which sixth-house Chiron natives expresses themselves. Time alone is beneficial to healing. However, this can also lead to negative compulsions, fears, guilt, depression and substance abuse. A twelfth house expression of the Chiron energy also lead one to occultism and spiritual pursuits.
Libra Chiron
"We can only learn to love by loving." Iris Murdoch
Novelist, Philosopher
Relationships are wounded.
Building and forming lasting relationships can heal. Libra is an air
sign, ruling the mental plane. Wounds will be mental in nature.
Relationships
prove karmic with this placement. Drama and changeable nature make a
relationship with this individual difficult and stormy. Domestic
violence is likely. Obstacles to achieving a true, lasting union will
be the chirotic experience. This placement signifies that the Chiron in
Libra individual has much to learn from the chosen mate, and all
lessons will not be pleasant.
Awareness of the need
for another half is indicated. The identity might somehow be tied to
another person. Too much value might be placed on other people instead
of the self. Self neglect causes this native to always look outward,
never within. They can only seem to know the self through mental
interaction with others. A mirroring takes place that makes them
eventually aware of themselves. Without this exchange, they cannot
receive the healing gift. Reaching a perfected highly evolved union and
ultimate healing comes through gifting another with unconditional love
without the Saturnian fear or worry of whether that love is
reciprocated.
William Shakespeare, the author of
the most famous tragic love story, "Romeo and Juliet," had Chiron in the
seventh house, which shares similarities with Chiron in Libra. It was
also Shakespeare whose quote captures both tragic love and the chirotic
experience in Libra:
"I'll follow you and make a heaven out of hell, and I'll die by your hand which I love so well."
Scorpio Chiron
The sexual energy is wounded. Psychological insight can heal. Scorpio is a water sign, ruling emotions. Wounds will be emotional in nature. The experience of Chiron in Scorpio is one of erupting energy that must find a positive outlet, lest it become deadly to its host or those surrounding its host. Crisis will emerge through the life and death experience. People with this placement know a lot about death, and from them others may learn about death."To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others." Buddha
Hand-Clow, Barbara. Chaos: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner and Outer Planets. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn, 2008. Print.
Reinhart, Melanie. Chiron and The Healing Journey. London: Penguin Books, 1989. Print.
Aspects between these two celestial bodies bring soul awareness. We ultimately become conscious of our consciousness. Natives are keenly aware of the ego self. Connections between Chiron and the Sun compel one to first delve inward before the identity can emerge.
This aspect produces a natural teacher of divine knowledge. The fiery Sun inspires truth seekers along the path to enlightenment. Individuals with a Chiron/ Sun connection provide and receive guidance.
According to astrologer and author Alan Oken:
"The Sun has a triple function. On the physical level, the Sun energizes the life potential within each cell and atom; it is the “Breath of Life”. On the spiritual level, the Sun is Life Itself, the divine expression of the “Will to Be”. On the soul level, the Sun is the source of consciousness. In esoteric terminology, this facet of the Sun´s function is called the “Heart of the Sun”. It is through the Heart (both in human and solar expressions), that soul awareness and the consciousness of love is stimulated."
Whether the journey to the "Heart of the Sun," is attained easily
or with great difficulty will partially depend on whether the aspect between
the Wounded Healer and the Life Giver is soft or hard.
However, any aspect between these two celestial bodies can lead to healing.
Chiron conjunct Sun is a powerful aspect that bestows highly individualistic creativity. This individual possesses a keen awareness of the soul purpose, and his or her consciousness. The internal and the external fuse as these two celestial energies join forces. However, subjectivity forms a blind spot that needs to be overcome to prevent self-healing. This aspect could prevent natives from seeing beyond the pain or wound with which they have suffered. The wound becomes a major part of one's identity.
Chiron square Sun natives have internalized their pain and wounds. The square reveals that inner turmoil plagues the individual, and the lesser ego self and the higher soul self are naturally at odds. Natives encounter conflicting knowledge and guidance. They should avoid blindly accepting advice that descends them into chirotic crises. Affected individuals struggle to find their own unique identities, and highly individualized creativity becomes hindered when they attempt to externalize their creative energy. Stunting creativity is unconducive to healing. The journey to higher consciousness and healing for them is a lonely one. Much pain comes through healing, and the path to enlightenment will become darkest before the dawn.
Chiron square Sun is the most difficult to overcome because natives encounter internal dynamic challenges. Overcoming internal conflict is harder than grappling with the outer world. However, no other Chiron/Sun aspect will grow and reach its true soul potential like the square. When the human spirit overcomes adversity, it makes the rewards attained that much more glorious. These individuals outshine all others in the "Heart of the Sun."
The inharmonious Chiron quincunx Sun is probably one of the most difficult aspects to overcome as individuals struggle to blend Chiron and Sun energies, which both occupy incongruent signs that share no affinity with one another. What results is an unpleasant blend of jerky stop and start energy that cannot seem to merge. With this aspect, sometimes things flow well; sometimes things don't. Unlike the conjunction, where two planets join forces and work together, the inconjuncting bodies are just the opposite, incapable of teamwork. For example, if one utilizes Chiron's energy, the Sun's energy will remain inaccessible during that moment and vice versa.
Lilith through the Houses
Lilith through the Signs
Chiron through the Houses
Chiron through the Signs
Fixed Stars