The Chiron Return is a major transit of healing that occurs at approximately age 50 -51. Chiron is the Archetype of the Wounded One/ One Who Wounds/ Wounded Healer. When Chiron returns to its natal position in our birth chart, we return to our initial wounding, or our "soul wound." This wound will be opened up in order to gain the wisdom necessary to help heal ourselves and others of physical or psychic pain.
The Chiron Return is a key life passage involving woundedness and its healing. It is a time where we are forced to revisit ancient patterns. Old ghosts and demons we thought were long gone come back to confront us. We are forced, in that uncomfortable Chironic moment, to face where we are still holding shame.
If you are approaching/ experiencing your Chiron return, a brief look at Chiron's mythology can help you understand how Chiron issues could impact you.
In mythology, Chiron was a centaur -- half horse and half man -- the product of an illicit union between the god Cronos (Saturn) and the nymph Philyra. Cronos, an extremely horny god who chased anything female all over heaven, saw Philyra, decided he had to have her and began pursuing her. In her efforts to escape him, Philyra turned herself into a horse and fled to Earth. That didn't stop Cronos. He followed her, changed himself into a horse and raped her. Nine months later, Chiron was born. When Philyra saw the "monster" she had given birth to, she abandoned him, calling him an abomination. Nonetheless, the little orphan grew up to be a master teacher of many subjects including astrology and medicine. He founded the first healing temple (the Chironium) at least a thousand years before Asclepius, the purported founder of western medicine, founded the Asclepium.
Chiron taught his students how to become "sacred warriors;" how to follow their quests then go to death peacefully when the time comes. He taught his students how to access multidimensionality and balance polarization and duality. Today we might call such a person "shaman" -- someone who has learned to walk in two worlds, work with duality, synthesize male and female, human and animal, mind and body, life and death.
In essence, Chiron's story is about shame, "defectiveness" and the healing of same. According to the myth, Chiron was rejected by his mother simply for being who he was. Chiron's placement in the birth chart indicates where we, too, are carrying some deep shame about who we are. This shame, which can be perceived as an innate "defectiveness," often becomes an incredible cross to bear. No matter how hard we work to hide or deny it, it lurks in the shadows, waiting to erupt. And a Chiron return is bound to trigger it.
Still, Chiron's story also symbolizes our potential for healing and ability to learn and acquire whatever knowledge and skills are necessary to heal despite the pain -- in other words, our potential to become the Wounded Healer. In the myth, Chiron became a master healer through his own intention and efforts. By healing himself and teaching the process, he helped countless others develop their own skills, healing abilities and sacred gifts.
***NOTE*** Mary offers Chiron Return Analysis by email. If you are interested in having Mary help you explore your Chiron Return issues from a healing perspective, please click here for Chiron Return Analysis ordering information.
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