The Little “Comet” That Could

Every personal horoscope is unique, and what is also unique is the way in which each astrologer interprets an astrological chart by taking into account how the planets, zodiac signs, houses, and aspects synthesize to form the person’s character traits and shape his or her destiny. Chiron, originally considered to be an asteroid, and now designated by astronomers as both a minor planet and a comet, plays a unique part in understanding the horoscope. Astrologers like to view this interesting celestial object as the “wounded healer,” based on the mythology associated with the centaur for which it is named. A centaur, of course, has the body of a horse and the upper torso, arms, and head of a human, so as a result of his mother’s disgust with his physical appearance, she rejected Chiron and abandoned him at birth.

Feeling sorry for him, the Greek god Apollo took Chiron in as a foster child, teaching him the arts and sciences, and instructing him in the ways of healing. He became a physician and teacher, admired by many, but he had a flaw that ruined what otherwise might have been a perfect life: he had been incurably wounded when he was injured with an arrow tip that had been dipped in the poisonous blood of the Hydra by Hercules. Chiron was an immortal, so a painful wound that might have killed a mortal simply did