Also called Cheiron.
Their story
Chiron was the son of Kronos and the Oceanid Philyra, unlike the other centaurs, and the most just of them. In his cave on Mount Pelion he raised Achilles, Asclepius, Jason and others, teaching them medicine, hunting and music. Accidentally wounded by a poisoned arrow of Heracles, he could not die and could not heal, until he gave up his immortality, in some tellings to free Prometheus.
Best times to give to them
- At the start of a course of study
- When you are healing others while hurting yourself
- When Sagittarius or Centaurus is visible
What they like being given
- Fresh herbs
- A lesson taught to someone
- Fresh water from the hills
How to honour them
- Honour a teacher who shaped you.
- Care for your own wounds as well as others'.
- Learn about local wild plants from reliable guides.
How they can help you
- Teaching and mentoring
- Healing
- Living with chronic pain
Symbols
- bow
- herbs
- lyre
- the constellation Centaurus or Sagittarius
The idea of Chiron as the wounded healer is partly modern, from psychology and astrology.
Sources
- Homer, Iliad 11.830-832
- Pindar, Pythian 3.1-7, 4.101-115
- Apollodorus, Library 2.5.4