The Myth Of Chiron, The Healer

The myth of Chiron, unlike other myths, tells us about a wise, noble and able centaur, very different from the other centaurs. You may know that in Greek mythology centaurs were creatures with a human head and torso and with the body of a horse. In general, they were impulsive and basically wild creatures.

The myth of Chiron is said to be closely related to the professions of doctor and psychologist. The word ‘Cheiron’ etymologically means ‘skilled with the hands’ or ‘the one who heals with the hands’. The word “operating room” is derived from the name of this character in many Latin languages.

However, he is also known as ‘the wounded centaur’. A symbol of someone who knows how to give help, but also how to ask for it at the right time. In the myth of Chiron we come across a lot about humanity. It emphasizes the importance of mutual recognition of our vulnerabilities as a source of compassion.

The Myth of Chiron

The story of Chiron begins when the Titan Cronus, son of Uranus, came to Earth in search of Zeus. During his journey he came across an oceanid (sea nymph) named Filiria. Cronus fell obsessively in love with her and did not want to leave her alone.

Troubled by this intimidation, Filiria asked Zeus to turn her into a mare. This way, the troublesome titan would leave her alone. Cronus discovered the oceanide’s plans and turned himself into a horse to try to possess her. Tormented by the situation, Filiria escaped and went into the Pelasgian Mountains.

In that remote place she gave birth to a son. It was a difficult birth and as soon as she saw her child she cried out in horror. Her son was half boy and half horse and she immediately rejected him.

So she went back to Zeus and asked him to turn her into a tree so she wouldn’t have to breastfeed her child. Zeus agreed to her request and turned her into a lime tree.

A noble centaur

Chiron was left next to the tree, but the god Apollo and the goddess Athena took pity on him and adopted him. Under their guidance, he grew up as a kind and wise being.

He was interested in many different arts, but especially in medicine. It filled him with joy to be able to bring relief to those who suffered and spiritual strength to those near death. He was highly skilled in medicine and soon became famous. Many asked for his help and advice.

Legend has it that Chiron rescued a hero named Peleus. The latter had been given a beautiful sword as a gift from Hephaestus, the god of fire. He then seduced the wife of a man known as Akasha. He then set a trap for him to take revenge.

He convinced him to go hunting and while he was gone stole his sword and left it at the mercy of the centaurs, who were generally quite violent. However, Chiron managed to save him and from then on they became good friends.

Peleus had a son named Achilles. His mother, Thetis, burned his entire body and then covered him with ragweed, believing that this would make him immortal. Horrified by this ritual, Peleus snatched Thetis’ son away before she had a chance to cover his heel with the elixir.

He then handed it over to Chiron to be raised and educated. The centaur noticed that the child’s heel was burned and the first thing he did was take the heel bone of a giant. He then put it in the wound. This is how we got our famous expression ‘Achilles’ heel’.

An injured centaur

The myth of Chiron says that on one occasion he was accidentally injured by Hercules, or Heracles, who was one of his great friends. The hero fought with other centaurs and inadvertently shot one of his arrows at him, wounding his knee.

The centaur began to writhe in pain. But he had been given immortality, which allowed him to suffer but not die. The wound never healed and he was in constant pain. As a result, he begged the gods to help him take away his immortality so that he could die and escape so much suffering.

The gods listened to him and agreed. Therefore, Chiron eventually gave up his immortality to Prometheus, a titan who was saved from suffering by this important gift.

Because of his goodness and his exemplary life, the gods decided to turn him into a constellation, which we now know as Centaurus, so that he would shine in the sky forever.