There is an astrological signature for the place in each of us where we are most wounded, and where ultimately we do our greatest healing, and teaching. It is the placement o an Asteroid called ‘Chiron,’ named for the Greek God who was blacksmith, teacher, and healer to the Gods, and their offspring on Mt Olympus.
I am reminded of Chiron through my Yoga Practice, for it surfaces in poses that fmost rustrate me, and where my body feels inept/misshapen. Ultimately these are the Asanas offering the greatest knowledge, and profound understanding not only of my body but my attitude toward it. In my growing consciousness healing begins.
The ‘Chironic wound’ is a reminder not only of what we think we don’t do well, but where we hold back, where we allow fear to squelch effort, then disdain ourselves for taking the risk. Psychologically, it is the interior space where we cannot, or do not support ourselves, selling our talents short, diminishing our true gifts, or worse, not even recognizing them.
Just as our Practice over time opens consciousness, and elevates desire, Chiron’s healing comes through the same practice of awareness, loving kindness, forgiveness. In both, the deep bell tones of a well lived life emerge out of rock-hard struggles. The Chironic wound often appears as the ‘Zen-Master:’ The unfair boss who drives you crazy, the lover who abandons you, the child who flagrantly disobeys. Each of these demonic conflicts has something important to tell us/teach us, then heal us.
Are we listening? Are we willing to bring our ‘misshapen hearts’ into light?
Asanas: Natarajasana or Lord of the Dance. Begin in Tadasana, and move onto the R foot, (lift R knee cap, and draw thigh deep into hip joint.) bending L knee, raise the leg behind you. Rotate L arm out, bend at the elbow, reach back, and hold outside of foot. Press L hamstrings backward, drop pelvis down to lengthen lower back, lift belly. If you can, swing L elbow around and up to point toward ceiling, then reach the R arm back to hold L foot in same fashion. Keep drishti strong, do 5-12 breaths, repeat on other side.
Once mastered, this is a wonderful pose to dance within the’ inept and misshapen’ bringing them to healing and wholeness. It is difficult to stand majestically in ‘Dancer’ and not feel beautiful, and fulfilled….Opening the heart does that.
