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Chiron, the wounded healer, was an immortal Greek god who has much to teach us about healing human frailties.  Twice wounded, firstly by the emotional trauma of his birth and subsequent abandonment by his parents, secondly by an unhealable, physical wound.

Cronus, Chiron’s father, changing himself into a stallion to hide from his wife Rhea, mounted the sea sprite, Philyra, and sired Chiron.  The child, conceived and born in great pain, was half man and half horse. His mother, thinking him monstrous, rejected and abandoned him. Fortunately, he was saved and raised by Apollo who taught him the healing arts, music, poetry, and prophesy, whilst Apollo’s sister, Artemis, taught him archery and hunting. He became much sort after as a teacher and mentor and had many students, one of whom was Asclepius, the god of medicine. In Greek, ‘kheir’ means ‘hand’, or ‘skilled with the hands’ and ‘kheir+ergon’, (surgeon), equates with ‘handworker’.

Centaurs were notorious for their violence and excessive lust, but not so Chiron who followed the enlightened path of his adoptive father.  Unfortunately, during a battle between the centaurs and Hercules, Chiron was caught up in the melee and was accidentally struck by one of Hercules arrows which had been tipped with the poison blood of a dead Hydra.

Chiron could not heal the poisoned wound which became unbearably painful, yet he continued to heal others. Being immortal, he could not even escape his pain in death. Finally, he bargained with Zeus exchanging his immortality for Prometheus’s freedom from eternal torture, imposed by Zeus for Prometheus having gifted fire to mankind. Chiron became mortal and was released from his agony by death.

Chiron is seen above holding a flame of fire, symbolizing transformation, and his sacrifice for Prometheus, the fire-giver, also the Caduceus, symbolizing the healing arts.

We are all wounded. How we choose to use, interpret, transform, or integrate our wounds depends on us. The metaphor of Chiron lights the way for those who choose to follow a path offering physical and emotional healing to mankind.