For example, it was pointed out to me that the myth of Icarus who flew too high to the sun in his escape where the wax of his man-made wings melted causing him to tumble to his death – showing us the folly and downfall of being carried away by the excitement of overachievement. Also, that the tragic relationship between Echo and Narcissus (the muse who lacked any self-opinion with the beautiful self-absorbed human) which highlights the pain of an imbalanced empath/narcissist dynamic. And all the multiple stories of tortures in Tartarus of Hades (the Greek mythology of hell) – highlighting the sufferings possible in the human condition.
It begs the question – are these stories a reflection of a human collective consciousness or are we just living out these age-old myths in our everyday lives? Which came first?
Chiron's Story
A very potent and powerful story is that of Chiron, the wounded healer. Although the term ‘wounded healer’ was coined by Carl Jung, referring to counsellors or psychotherapists who adopt their role due to their own wounding, the story of Chiron (pronounced as ‘Kye-ron’) was a symbolic representation many centuries prior.
Unfortunately, this eventuated as an unhealable wound, causing him unbearable pain. He continued his selfless service with his wound, able to heal others but not himself.
Chiron highlights the dichotomy of the wound and the gift.
In our deepest wounds, we experience the perceptions of our limitations. However, through the same vessel, we have the opportunity also to experience and express our greatest gifts.
Our essence is encapsulated in an egoic vehicle, made up of physical, energetic, emotional and mental aspects ~ providing an experience of orientation and separation. Creating a reality of self-limitation and contrast.
The shift between the vehicle and the vessel is subtle, as both realities exist simultaneously. Chiron himself, is a symbology of the wound and the gift, both existing within.
To continue on with Chiron’s story… Chiron longed for the day to die, rather than carry out immortality with the unhealable wound. Chiron learnt of the titan Prometheus, held in Greek hell, chained to a rock where an eagle would eat out his liver daily ~ and that his freedom from torture could only be attained by swapping with an immortal.
And so, he chose to take Prometheus’ place on the rock. Zeus, the god of gods, took pity on Chiron and freed him from the torture, to become immortalised in the stars as Centaurus.
It might seem like Chiron’s selfless attitude came to his benefit, or that he had a twist of fated luck. But it goes deeper than this.
Lessons from Chiron
There are 2 key points I want to highlight here in Chiron’s story:
· The act of surrendering the way he knew
· The act of transformation is painful
Often not talked about in the realm of healing and health, people keep believing in the magic pill that will save them from all ill. But, true change, even change in health, requires surrendering some form of how we were and undergoing the transformation process.
The pain of transformation can be uncomfortable through to deeply agonising. But the wise Chiron knew what he needed to do, and was willing to face any consequences that came with that. He had a deeper vision and mission.
In contrast, when I talk with most potential clients looking for a medical intuition session, there are 2 things evident which they fail to see:
- That they have a way of being (or series of behaviour) contributing to maintaining their current state of health
- By holding onto those behaviours (& way of being) they are avoiding the inherent pain of transformation.
And that is one key that is often overlooked – most of the spiritually conscious have accepted the mind-body connection, however they rarely add in the behavioural aspects and its inherent consequences. It is through your behavioural change that transformation is most effective and accessible.
In the law of cause and effect, certain behaviours will inherently lead to highly probable outcomes. Likewise, if you change those behaviours fundamentally, new outcomes are inherent.
What we forget most of all is that what is truly wanted – what will bring freedom, relief, true satisfaction, joy… is outside the sphere currently operated within a health condition.
And that shift may be extremely simple. Most likely, it will be uncomfortable.
It’s the same with any transformation process.
Chiron, in his wisdom, knew that the wound was unhealable not because of the Hydra’s poison but because of his immortality. Some may argue that he had to give up a huge sacrifice, but his gift was not in his immortality. Not at all. His gift was his contribution of wisdom and healing.
Likewise, just remember, that in your apparent sacrifices that you may need to make in order to attain the health you desire – you will not actually be sacrificing your deepest treasures: your innate gifts and talents.
Your real gifts cannot be sacrificed.