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2000-2003. All Rights Reserved
The Chiron Return poses the question:
What am I going to do with this last part of my life?
- Astrologer Melanie Reinhart
After the Saturn Return at 30, and the midlife crisis
at 40, one of the lesser known, but most significant rites of passage,
at 50, is the formidable Chiron Return. It is, perhaps, due to
the relatively new discovery of Chiron, in November 1977, that
so little is known about this profound period of transformation,
that reveals so much about the secrets of the human psyche.
Neither planet nor asteroid, Chiron has been determined to be
a comet or planetoid (minor planet). Found between the orbit of
Saturn (representing tradition) and Uranus (representing progress),
Chiron forms a bridge between the old and the new; historical origins
and individual expression. Chiron mediates between the conscious
awareness and reality-basis of the practical personal and social
planets (Sun through Saturn) and the multi-dimensional cosmic consciousness
of the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). It provides a
gateway forward or back, whichever is deemed essential for growth,
forming our own link between the natural and the supernatural;
the physical and the metaphysical.
Part
horse and part human; part mortal and part immortal, Chiron,
a Centaur, is associated with the archetype
of the "wounded
healer." Mythically, Chiron, born a mutant, was rejected at
birth by his mother, who thought him an abomination. Chiron was
forced to raise himself. Facing many rejections and trials, ultimately,
his accomplishments as a great teacher and healer (he was personally
trained by Apollo), self-sacrifices (he relinquished his immortality
to Prometheus who was imprisonment in the underworld for bringing
fire to earth), and wisdom (tutored personally by Athena), brought
him the respect of Zeus, who gave him his own constellation.
In our own charts, Chiron represents (and is given definition,
by sign, house placement and aspect) where we feel fundamentally
wounded. He also embodies our dualities and inner contradictions:
where we have the potential to be both godlike and human; instinctive
and reasoning; where we feel most rejected and ashamed, but where,
too, we have the capacity to heal.
The fact that Chiron has been so difficult to categorize is emblematic
of the Wounded Healer's dilemma: that of feeling unable to find
one's niche or place in the world. Hence Chiron in our charts also
represents where we feel disenfranchised and where we can contribute
most to those who themselves feel to be outcasts.
Chiron, himself an accomplished teacher and healer, is thought
to be prominent in the charts of healers, astrologers and spiritual
teachers. The glyph or symbol of Chiron is both, the key and the
key-hole; so many consider that Chiron provides both the key and
the access to the kingdom, the pathway of our magical quest or
to our ultimate purpose. The symbolism goes further to say that
embodied in the primal wounding of a being, either physically,
spiritually or incarnationally, is the secret to their healing.
Once mastered, this healing can be taught, through practical application
or example, as a powerful antidote to others to transform their
wounds into profound sources of healing.
Perhaps
the most universally acknowledged image of Chironic consciousness
is the image and person of Christ.
Other famous Chironic figures
in our culture include Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born with
Chiron direct and stationery, inspiring many future generations
with his "dream."
Another
Chironic theme is the conversion of the "ugly duckling" types
who metamorphsize at 50, just as Chiron returns to the position
it was at birth. Some of these include Henry Kissinger who became
Secretary of State and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; William
Faulkner who won the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature and Henry
Ford, who introduced assembly line into his factory - all these
accomplishments happened after 50.
Turning
50, or thereabouts (for some, it is 49; others's 51) marks a
new paradigm, as Chiron returns to its natal
position. This momentous
watershed delineates the end of the heroic youth, as we enter the
realm of "elder. Like the Chinese character for crisis, the
Chiron Return represents a "dangerous opportunity." Here,
we revisit ancient patterns; have the opportunity to go back to
the source of our deepest, unresolved wounds; to heal them, once
and for all, so that we can live the remainder of our lives in
keeping with our true soul purpose.
During this critical time, we may relinquish that which is misshapen
or inauthentic; we may re-order our priorities; or liberate the
unlived passionate expression of our spirit, living a life which
is intimately creative and restorative to our true selves. By accomplishing
this, we can congruently contribute to the fundamental healing
of ourselves, our family or soul group; our society, and our planet.
Some say, however, that it may not be possible to fully understand
the repercussions of this passage, until Chiron itself has completed
an entire cycle, in the year 2028, 51 years after its discovery.
Cathy H. Burroughs, former VP, Metropolitan Atlanta Astrological
Society, has a successful astrology, private psychic practice
and teaches astrology (all levels), psychic development, tarot
and more. Her articles on astrology have appeared in The Review/Journal,
The Aquarius newspaper, The Oracle. She has published nationally
in major arts publications, as well. A twenty-five year practicing
astrologer; Cathy teaches extensively and formerly was on the
faculty of the Atlantean Mystery School Faculty. She has been
seen on national cable NYC; Good Morning, Atlanta; Your Health
Today and recently, on The Lucky Yates Talk show at Dad's Garage
Theatre. For more information, she can be reached at (404) 292-2000
or cathyb108@aol.com.
For more about Chiron, check out:
**the web page of Chiron's foremost expert Zane Stein:(www.SelfNet.com/Zane
Stein/)
**anything by previous Atlanta resident and Chironian Dale O'Brien
**Erminie Lantero's highly-recommended bookThe Continuing Discovery
of Chiron
**Melanie Reinharts's book Chiron and the Healing Journey
**Barbara Hand Clow's book Chiron: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner & Outer
Planets
Thanks to them for their contribution to our journey.
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