Introduction
In 1977 the discovery of a celestial body orbiting between Saturn and Uranus took all-star gazers by surprise. Chiron, as it became known, is a small world still defying an accurate astronomical label. First it was thought to be an asteroid, then a planetoid and at present is considered as a comet. However astronomers eventually define it, within the discipline of astrology it is a planet. The word planet comes from the Greek word "to wander" and refers to anything that moves against the backdrop of fixed stars.
At first its discovery excited only a few within the astrological community, being seen as little more than an interesting curio. However, very quickly it began to be taken seriously by many astrologers because when marked on individual charts very accurate and insightful interpretations were being produced. Now it stands shoulder to shoulder with Saturn, Uranus and Pluto as a planetary energy that has profound influence upon our character and destiny. However, this article is not so much about Chiron’s effects upon individuals, rather the far-reaching influence it is having upon our collective consciousness.
Uranus and its five satelites
Chiron the Symbol of the Key
The astrological symbol of Chiron resembles a key: this turns out to be very fitting for Chiron is a key energy at this transition time between the old age of Pisces and the new age of Aquarius; this planet unlocks the door between the two ages. It has been in extremely sensitive positions in the zodiac during many of the major accelerations in human consciousness during the previous 40 years. The 1960s awakening commonly referred to as "the flower power movement"; the unforgettable fall of the Berlin Wall back in 1989; that one day of global harmony when the world watched the Sun rise at the start of the Millennium; the recent riots at the G8 in Genoa, are just a few examples of moments in time that have been strongly influenced by Chiron.
It is no coincidence that the discovery of Chiron should happen at this exciting yet difficult time of transition between the two great ages of Pisces and Aquarius. Much of the meaning astrologers assign to this planet comes from the Ancient Greek mythology surrounding Chiron. He was a centaur - half horse, half man. He taught all the famous Greek heroes, Hercules, Jason, and Aesclapius etc. He was also a healer, using the herbs growing around his mountain home on Mt. Pelion in southern Greece. Unfortunately he was accidentally wounded in the leg by a poisoned arrow; this would have killed him but because he was from immortal stock he had to carry his wound with him for the rest of his earthly life. Thus he became known as the Wounded-Healer. This is one of the very powerful archetypes the planet Chiron taps into – we are all wounded and therefore need to heal ourselves. The 1977 discovery of Chiron coincided with the growing popularity of complementary healing therapies. We are also realising that the Earth too is wounded and in need of healing, so likewise we have become familiar with the terms environmentalism and the Green Movement since Chiron’s sighting.
Uranus from Voyager 2
Healing the Wounds of Capricorn
On December 11 2001 Chiron moves out of Sagittarius, where it has been for two and a half years, and into the Earth sign of Capricorn. During the late 1980s and early ‘90s the sign of Capricorn contained a tremendous amount of energy as Saturn, Uranus and Neptune were all bunched together in this sign. Directly opposite, in the sign of Cancer, was Chiron. At the time I was doing many individual readings and observed that all the Capricorns I met were experiencing major changes and upheavals in their lives. Yet it wasn’t just Capricornian individuals who were going through processes of transformation but the sign itself.
Capricorn is a sign traditionally receiving a "bad press". It is portrayed as dark, serious and humourless. The animal totem of Capricorn is used to represent the devil. Within our culture the goat has been vilified, used as an object of blame. We even have a scapegoat, someone who is unfairly blamed when things go wrong, or more accurately, when they don’t go as we would like them to. On numerous occasions people have expressed the wish not to have been born under this particular sign. I have even heard expectant parents hoping their child comes either early or late to avoid being blighted by the sign of the goat. Chiron’s movement into Capricorn is offering an opportunity for us to connect with the goat in a more positive manner, continue the process of transformation that started back in the ‘80s.
The truth is we have a difficult relationship with the energies of Capricorn, rather than there being anything inherently wrong with the sign. Capricorn is the wild and untamed nature found in the mountains, the natural abode of the goat. In the mountains there is the god Pan, the quintessential expression of the raw and fecundant power of nature. For many centuries here in the civilised and sophisticated west we have been moving away from these earthy qualities. Living in cities, often with our feet not even on the ground, we are forgetting the laws of the land, the cycles of the seasons, the organic process of life. Have we not become ensnared by money, motorcars and mobile phones? Chiron into Capricorn is going to give a tremendous impulse to the movement to return to the land, the desire to live more simply in harmony with the Earth. We heal our own dysfunctional patterns by treading more lightly on the Earth.
Saturn from Voyager
Climb Every Mountain….
Mountains symbolise our goals and ambitions, the "Everest" we wish to conquer. Capricorn is by far the most creative and ambitious sign of the zodiac. Capricorn is not a dreamer but a doer, a hard-worker willing to face up to all the obstacles that are placed in its path to the summit. As Chiron reaches the end of Sagittarius, a sign of ideals and visions, we are being confronted with the harsh reality of putting our own visions into physical form. Do we continue to hope and pray for a better world, expecting our leaders to come up with the solutions? Do we reclaim our power and set about living our lives, as we know in our hearts they need to be lived?
There is nothing easier than sitting in our armchairs, putting the world to rights. But to actually go out into the real world and apply those wonderful ideas requires those Capricornian qualities of perseverance, dedication, discipline, patience, pragmatism and abundant energy! Chiron is saying, "You’ve had time to think, now get on and do it!" Climbing a mountain is never easy and frequently dangerous, but the air is pure, the water fresh and the views fantastic. For me to say that we should expect over the coming years to witness a startling increase in projects that strive to create a better and more sustainable lifestyle, is missing the point entirely. We cannot sit around and wait for others to offer salvation, we have to take responsibility and act ourselves.
