Chiron the Mysterious Centaur

Chiron is enigmatic because it defies easy labels and straight-forward significations. Astrologer Zane Stein suggested the name to Charles Kowal, the astronomer who discovered it on October 18, 1977, as well as defining the preliminary astrological implications of Chiron in natal charts and transits. It takes a long time to grasp the full implications of a new celestial body, especially since it hasn't yet made a full orbit of the Sun since its discovery.

Chiron has unusual characteristics. It orbits between Saturn and Uranus, not in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Astronomers theorize that it was a comet that was caught in the solar system and eventually established an irregular orbit around the Sun. Since Chiron is a comet that behaves like an asteroid, astronomers added a new orbiting-object category called “centaurs”. There are similar celestial objects orbiting between Saturn and Uranus, but Chiron is the first discovered, the largest Centauroid, and most well-known in astrology.

To astrologers, Chiron initially meant “wounds that are difficult to heal.” This is drawn from the myth in which Chiron was shot in the ankle with a poisoned arrow. Although Chiron was a noted healer, he couldn't heal himself. Eventually Zeus (Jupiter) allowed Chiron to ascend and become a constellation (either Sagittarius or Kentaurus, the jury is still out on that issue).

Chiron's origins differ significantly from other mythic Centaurs, man-horse creatures known for their fierce war-like nature and wild drinking orgies. Chiron was the son of Saturn in the shape of a horse. Wife Demeter caught Saturn in the act of mating with Philyra and he galloped away. When Chiron was born as a man-horse, his mother was so horrified that she in turn abandoned the infant. Chiron was raised by Apollo and Artemis, the Sun and Moon. He lived in a cave on Mount Pelion and was a foster-father to several heroes who he instructed in the arts of astrology, war, music, and healing.

Since Chiron is the son of Saturn, he shares some characteristics with this planet. He is a responsible parent and foster-parent, a master of his arts, and a sober community leader. Chiron fares well in the signs Saturn enjoys: Capricorn, Aquarius, and Libra. It struggles in signs inimical to Saturn: Leo, Cancer, and Aries. It has an irregular, elliptical 51-year orbit. It makes nine-year visits in Pisces, Aries and Taurus when it is close to the orbital path of Uranus, but requires only a single year to transit Libra and Scorpio when it’s closer to the orbital path of Saturn.

Chiron's traits include a focus on health and healing. Difficult aspects to natal Chiron can result in injuries, especially to legs, knees, or ankles. People with a prominent natal Chiron may be involved in fostering children and pets, inter-species communication, language translation, mystical and/or divinatory abilities that include a knack for interpreting symbols (like tarot cards). Chiron's name is the root of “chiropractor” and “chiromancy” (palmistry) – skills that involve healing hands and divining the future by reading hands. Chiron has a judicial side that's most prominent when it transits Libra and Scorpio, moving at top speed and more noticeable in current events.

Chiron entered Pisces in June 2010 and is currently in the middle degrees of the sign. He's near the orbital path of Uranus where he's remote and less accessible. Pisces emphasizes his spiritual and mystical facets, alternative healing techniques, and natural herbal remedies. Chiron will enter Aries in March 2019 and remain in this sign until May 2027.