Astro-Notes on the Discovery of Chiron

On the Discovery of Chiron by Astronomer Charles T. Kowal

by Jude Cowell

If you wish, check out the Horoscope of the Discovery of Chiron by astronomer Charles Kowal (Nov 8, 1940--Nov 28, 2011) when the mysterious body (centaur, asteroid, minor planet, ice body, remnants of a comet?) was positioned @3Tau08 in the Tropical Zodiac and in retrograde (Rx) motion. The true discovery date is Oct 18, 1977 when the photographic plate was actually taken (Chiron 3Tau50 Rx) at Palomar Observatory, San Diego, California though November 1, 1977 is the date often used to calculate Chiron's natal horoscope (awareness dawned--see eclipse info, below). And where is Mr. Kowal's natal Chiron? @1Leo28 squared by Chiron Rx at discovery.

Now as you know, whenever a celestial body is sighted (i.e. humanity becomes aware of its existence), its character description in Astrology is shaped by the events and circumstances that are occurring in society at that time which helps designate the body’s meaning and significance. 1977 was the year NASA's Voyager blasted off to fly by and photograph Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune...Saturn (the knee) and the disciplinarian side of God, Aquarius (the ankle and The Waterbearer), Uranus (the maverick, genius, bolt of electricity/lightening), and Neptune (the foot via Pisces, inspiration, and the Divine Source). The aspects made by Chiron in the Discovery chart are listed below.

For context, see Events of 1977; Chiron (#2060) is listed as a centaur.

Additionally, astrological Chiron is associated with alternative medicine which gained much wider acceptance and use beginning around 1977 and has become part of healthcare today.

Now here is the rounded-up Sabian Symbol for Chiron's discovery degree (Rx @3Tau07/08):

'4 Taurus': “The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow"...rainbows are said to be bridges to the Divine and are archetypes of God's deal with mankind for no more floods that destroy the world. This Symbol speaks of the rewards gained from linking earthly with celestial natures and Chiron is, as you know, the Christ archetype in an astrology chart, aka The Key. And of course, the graphic for Chiron is a symbol resembling a key.

Both charts–-Oct 18 and Nov 1–-are descriptive of Chiron (aka, the blind spot) with themes of 'unawareness morphs into awareness' of the Wounded Healer. See Chiron's Prenatal Eclipse info, below, for related details.

In Greek mythology Chiron is the wise and benevolent centaur, son of Chronos (Saturn–Father Time) and the sea nymph Philyra. Saturn also represents the earth (soil, crust, rocks, tectonic plates). For most of his life Chiron lived in the cave where he was born and there he was taught by Artemis and Apollo, goddess of the Moon and god of the Sun. He passed on knowledge to mythical heroes, abilities such as riding, hunting, music, ethics, philosophy, medicine, astrology...and Chiron IS the Tarot reader, The Hierophant, The Magician, the High Priest/Priestess.

And as you know, there are multiple versions of the myth concerning Chiron’s Wound (he was crippled at birth). One myth tells of how Heracles accidentally wounded him in his left knee, ankle, or heel (Cap = knee, AQ = ankle, Pisces = heel.) In constant pain, he gave up his immortality to die in the place of Prometheus, who was eternally tortured for stealing fire from the gods to give to mankind. Thus self-sacrifice is an attribute of Chiron.

Half-brother Zeus placed Chiron in the heavens as the stars of Sagittarius--or as Centaurus, some say, and both constellations are associated with teaching and the higher mind. Half man/half beast, Chiron symbolizes the duality of our world and indicates in our natal charts where our greatest weakness–-and thus potentially our greatest strength–-may be found.

Wise Chiron teaches us that integrating our higher minds with the lower, our earthly natures with the celestial, the unconsciousness with the conscious will bring the most golden and lasting of rewards, the kind that rust cannot destroy!

As the son of Kronos (Saturn), Chiron was the grandson of Uranus and is considered the ‘the bridge’ between Saturn (the past) and Uranus (the future)-–Chiron is the Present with a capital ‘P' and tells us to be here now in all our experiences on planet Earth.

With an eccentric orbit between Saturn and Uranus, both planets associated with the sign Aquarius (and both linked to Astrology as is Chiron), qualities of Saturn-Uranus are then connected to Chiron, that of the unusual teacher and/or mentor who unites Saturn’s conservatism with the radicalism of Uranus (for best results and as some might say, to achieve self actualization). Chiron is literally “the bridge” between the old and the new, the unite-r of form with the ideal, and a necessary component of all creative endeavors.

Now on the chart in the foundational 4th house and conjunct Venus--is highlighted in yellow the Prenatal Solar Eclipse Saros Series @19Lib24 in which the discovery took place. It's the 16 North, a gentle series with themes of 'the illumination of ideas; deep insights and good hunches. It would be wise to act on them, says Bernadette Brady in her book Predictive Astrology, for the presence of a Uranus-Neptune trine in 16 North's initial eclipse speaks of 'a sudden release of material from the unconscious' into the conscious mind--precisely as discussed, above. Deep intuition is a result for we know that a trine between genius Uranus and inspiring Neptune (the Enlightenment planets) can provide the benefit of being able to see through illusion and dishonesty. 16 North last manifested in 2013 @11Scorpio (conjunct 1977's Uranus!) and will next repeat in 2031 @22Scorpio.

Update May 3, 2024: The recent 8 North Eclipse @19Ari24 conjunct Chiron (19:24) of "dreams and visions" (Brady) is exactly opposite the degree of Chiron's 16 North "Discovery Eclipse" @19Lib24. And curiously, as I type this update, transiting Chiron conjuncts the midpoint between tr Saturn and Uranus, so that Saturn-Uranus = Chiron!

Original post continues here:

And if you're wondering about the trio in deep-thinking Scorpio of Sun, Uranus, and Mercury (ruler of the senses such as sight), the three form a midpoint picture that involves the application of Science and Technology such as the utilization on a dark night of a very large telescope on a mountain top, aimed at the Cosmos.

November 1, 1977: Aspects of Chiron

If you'll refer to the Discovery chart, let's consider the three aspects (angular relationships) made by Chiron @3Tau07 Rx, for symbolically the centaur can move consciousness out of well worn ruts via constant initiation into the higher realms of the outer transpersonal planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto). The chart-ruler Moon's aspects are quite revealing in relation to the deeper meaning of Chiron as the Christ archetype, and yes, you have a Christian writing this post but you don't have to be one in order to read about Chiron! Here are the three aspects:

Sun opposes Chiron indicates that full expression of the self involves life and death choices and critical issues and some form of spiritual practice is required for best results. The opposition is waning which denotes that it operates on an unconscious level unless or until unconscious material is allowed into the conscious mind.

Mars squares Chiron suggests a challenge to develop new and unique ways of living; the Mars-Chiron duo is a signature of the sacred warrior archetype--but remember that motive is everything.

Saturn trine Chiron shows that this Saturn, at a critical 29th degree of Leo and conjoining royal star Regulus (success if revenge is avoided), manifests a different dimension than usual for the planet of reality, authority, authenticity, and the status quo. Saturn's cycle is 28 to 30 years' duration but a trine to Chiron denotes that life patterns don't follow a particular time table and are, in fact, quite unpredictable--more Uranian, we might say. Yet if the aspect is responsibly handled, karmic development is positively supported by contacts with the transpersonal planets once the Saturn Return is experienced when, hopefully, mature judgment is achieved and utilized.

Aspects of and by Chart-ruler Moon

The Chiron Discovery Moon is strong in its own sign of Cancer and forms four aspects--two applying, two separating/waning:

Moon trine Mercury (0A04) describes a warm, compassionate, and sincere nature toward everyone which attracts others--come to Me; the emotions are well-integrated with the intellect and there 's a high degree of understanding in dealings with others. A retentive memory is in evidence (Christ, and our Father's heavenly records?) yet the past isn't allowed to distort reactions in the present. There's always time to make allowances for other people's flaws, foibles, and undesirable traits and assistance is offered to those in need (hate the sin, love the sinner). Dwelling on the positive (as a man thinks, so he becomes) is a fortunate benefit of this aspect.

Moon square Venus (1A38) indicates past ties that are deeply ingrained and as maturity is developed new perspectives allow a wide ranging comprehension of the motives and needs of others.

Moon square Pluto (3S24) an ability to intuitively anticipate danger. Work involves contact with the public as people are helped to restructure their lives in spite of severe limitations; their burdens are generously shouldered; feelings run deep and actions are motivated by a genuine concern for humanity.

Moon trine Uranus (6S30) denotes a willing listener who possesses a wide perspective on life (the widest!) and one who is well-prepared to accept his lot in life. Here is a good teacher, one whose public speaking ability is dramatic and to the point. Well-prepared to accept Universal Truths, profound spiritual wisdom is easily expressed in groups or to individuals. Two fixed stars linked to Uranus: Alphecca (keyword: fruitfulness) and Acrux, The Cross of Matter, which you may agree identifies the Wounded Healer of humanity in the Discovery Horoscope even if no other factor does.

Now if you don't mind a little Art, here's a link to the very first post on Jude Cowell Astrology which includes my fanciful illustration on paper of Chiron's Return to Discovery Degree which will occur three times in the years 2027 and 2028 as Chiron completes its approximately 50-year orbit and the value of linking the celestial and earthly natures is again lifted up before the entire world.

And since Chiron in Taurus has to do with morality and the preservation of positive values, the years 2027 and 2028 represent a critical period for all of humankind.

Don't know where your natal Chiron is? Here's a handy link where you can discover your natal Chiron position.

And for more info see Chiron: Rainbow Bridge Between the Inner and Outer Planets by Barbara Hand Clow, Chiron: The Key to Your Quest by Richard Nolle, and Chiron in the Natal Chart by Julie Demboski.

Above image: Mossy Cave Observatory, a drawing by Jude Cowell.