With this week’s blog, we pick-up where we left off last week (The Wounds That Make Us Wiser) in our examination of the story of Chiron and his significance in natal astrology. First, it is important to realize there are several versions of the Chiron story. For purposes of this blog, the version I am choosing to use is as follows.
The story goes that Hercules was visiting the cave of the centaur Pholus. During the visit, Pholus decided to open a jar of wine, of which it had been strictly forbidden to be opened. Upon smelling the scent of this wine, wild centaurs from the area, attacked the cave igniting a fight. In the heat of this battle, Hercules fired off an arrow poisoned with the blood of a hydra which accidently hit Chiron in his thigh. Because Chiron was a demigod (immortal), he could not die, but neither could he find a way to heal this wound. A key factor to make note of in this story is the wound Chiron received was not his fault. Also, noteworthy, is the fact Chiron was wounded by one of his students.
One fact is certain, this wound is said to have caused continuous pain throughout Chiron’s life, and he was in a continual search for relief. Quoting from Melanie Reinhart’s book “Chiron and The Healing Journey”, she says:
“This ‘unhealing wound’ is also a picture of the repeating patterns that never seem to resolve, although one continually tries to ‘make it better’, searching for healing and change. However skilled we might be, it is necessary to recognize that all healing, release, benefit, reconciliation and redemption occur through the Divine Source. Although we cannot make this happen, we are not helpless, and we can participate in our own healing, inviting it by cultivating the appropriate life conditions and developing spiritual practices that support the process. Grace often arrives in ways not expected, and always in its own time.”
As the story of Chiron progresses it takes an interesting turn through a twist of fate in which Chiron volunteers to take on the suffering of another. Prometheus had been chained to a rock as punishment from Zeus. His crime, mocking Zeus and his theft of fire. Daily a griffon (a huge bird) would come and peck out Prometheus’ liver, but each time it would grow back. This went on day after day creating endless suffering on Prometheus part. After Hercules pleaded Chiron’s case to Zeus, he was permitted to step in on behalf of Prometheus. Chiron later died and was released from his immortality. This too is significant in that the one who wounded Chiron, ended up facilitating his healing. Again, quoting from Melanie:
“It is often when our suffering is ‘seen’ by someone who can truly put himself or herself in our place, or vice versa, that transformation and release occurs. When we are able to go with awareness to the place we hurt, or where others hurt, healing happens.”
I often receive feedback from you, the readers. Well, right on cue, I received some excellent feedback from Jerry, who reads this blog weekly. He suggested that he saw an interesting parallel between the Chiron story, and our wounds and the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi. It is from this story the title of today’s blog is derived. Kintsugi, also known as Kintsukuroi, is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, a method similar to the maki-e technique. As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Quoting from a book called “Flickwerk: The Aesthetics of Mended Japanese Ceramics” by Christy Barlett:
“Not only is there no attempt to hide the damage, but the repair is literally illuminated... a kind of physical expression of the spirit of mushin....Mushin is often literally translated as "no mind," but carries connotations of fully existing within the moment, of non-attachment, of equanimity amid changing conditions. ...The vicissitudes of existence over time, to which all humans are susceptible, could not be clearer than in the breaks, the knocks, and the shattering to which ceramic ware too is subject. This poignancy or aesthetic of existence has been known in Japan as mono no aware, a compassionate sensitivity, or perhaps identification with, [things] outside oneself.”
To Jerry, I say, a strong parallel indeed. We, like ceramic ware, can become cracked and broken in many places throughout our individual journeys. It is in learning to acknowledge, embrace, and heal these cracks (read wounds) that we can truly become beautiful. And how appropriate that the material used would be highly valued precious metals. Ironically, throughout history, those who have been known as the great healers, the enlightened ones, are said to have glowed with brilliant auras, many depicted as golden in nature.
If you are cracked, broken or wounded, I invite you to consider a Chiron reading. Let’s explore the source of this wounding and work together to fill those cracks with gold; so that you can shine again.
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