An explanation of some technical terms
Chiron
Chiron is a small body which orbits between Saturn and Uranus. It has been
variously classified as a comet and planetoid and I have lost count which verdict
is currently in vogue. It was discovered in 1977 and has received with much
enthusiasm by the astrological community.
Its highly eccentric orbit actually takes it within Saturn's orbit
so it is nearer to the Sun than Saturn and beyond the orbit of Uranus
at various points in its orbit. It completes its journey around
the zodiac in 50 years, but between Taurus and Scorpio passes through
at about a sign a year, so acting like a social planet with a similar
weight to Jupiter, between Scorpio and Taurus it takes much longer
so acting like an outer planet. Passing both the orbit of Saturn
and of Uranus, it links the visible planets and the outer planets.
 Common
interpretations talk about the wounded healer as represented by Chiron in myth.
He was the teacher of the heroes but was wounded by Hercules with a poison arrow
in mock combat and the wound never healed. Another theme of this energy is the
ability to hold two ends of a paradox at one time i.e. he was wounded but was
a healer - these two factors should be mutually exclusive but are not. He is
also referred to as the rainbow bridge.
 The
idea of overcoming something to succeed is also part of this energy. Dennis
Ellwell in The Cosmic Loom likens Chiron's energy to audacity and the
ability to face down authority and obstacles. You can see the fusing of Saturn
and Uranus in each of these ideas.
Some astrologers have also started to use other comet/planetoids - the Centaurs
- in their work. If you wish to follow up these ideas I can recommend the work
of Melanie Rheinhart and Zane Stein. Steve
Judd has a marvellous lecture of this material which is available on tape.
Saturn,
Chiron and the Centaurs: To the...
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