Last week alternative healer Andrew Weil graced the cover of Time magazine. The bold heading declared that this "Medicine Man has made New Age remedies popular," and asks the burning question: is it Sound Advice or Snake Oil? Now that traditional medicine is in disarray because of exploding costs, millions of Americans are turning to nutrition, lifestyle changes, and other non-invasive, natural techniques to maintain health.
Astrologically, Chiron is associated with alternative medicine and its practitioners. Last week transiting Chiron was exactly square the U.S. Pluto, reflecting the profound and widespread recognition of both Dr. Weil and alternative healing as a growing and legitimate movement. Chiron is a bit of a maverick, and Weil has long lived on the fringe of traditional medicine, slowly making inroads into consensus reality with his natural health books.
The American Medical Association (A.M.A.) and most doctors belittle nutrition and other alternative techniques - a cursory examination of any hospital lunch menu can confirm that. When Chiron squares Pluto, as it did last week, the battle between knowledge of the mind/body connection (symbolized by Chiron) and the corporate powers (Pluto in Capricorn) emerges in full public view.
Astrology itself is closely associated with Chiron, as long as it employs the mind/body connection. Sun Signs are only a fraction of the horoscope picture. But when astrology goes beyond the entertainment value of Sun Signs, it becomes part of the New Age awareness that sees our collective reality as a holistic universe.
On February 4, 1992, Hugo Chavez (July 28, 1954; Sabaneta, Venezuela; time unknown) led an unsuccessful coup d'etat against a corrupt Venezuelan government, as transiting Chiron was exactly conjunct his Sun. Over the next few years, he staged a comeback, and was elected president on December 2, 1998 as transiting Pluto formed a trine to his Sun.
Chiron aspects:
Sun - You are wounded, either physically or emotionally. You are scared to express yourself because you are so sensitive to pain. At some stage in your early life you have suffered and this contributes to your adult fear of pain. You have a compassionate nature as you have the ability to understand other people's hurts.
+ You are empathetic and understanding. You have a natural ability to listen to others and help them understand their pain. You also have healing talents.
- You have difficulty shining in your life because of a childhood wound, perhaps connected with your father. You lack confidence and feel lonely at times. You have much empathy for other people's suffering and may become a healer or counsellor.
Moon - You are a caring and empathetic person. You have suffered from rejection by a parent-figure, probably your mother, when only a young child. As an adult you have become adept at looking after your loved ones, sometimes at the expense of yourself. You need to nurture yourself.
+ You are a gifted healer. You are able to face the painful side of life and share your experiences in a loving manner. You feel compassion for others' plights.
- You are a suffering and wounded person. You feel that you are misunderstood, particularly by your own mother. Once you have learnt to rise above your pain, you will have the ability to understand and help others.
Andrew Weil was born with Chiron in the tenth house of career, where it's intensified by a conjunction with Pluto. He made the cover of Time as transiting Chiron squared the U.S. Pluto
