Chiron

Chiron A number of questions have been submitted about the key-like symbol shown in the Astrodienst and other charts. This symbol represents Chiron. Discovered in November 1977, Chiron was first thought to be a very small planet, a planetoid. Later, it was detected that there was an atmosphere of gases surrounding it, which led to a conclusion that it was a comet.

In recent years, a few astrologers have started integrating Chiron into readings, elevating it to the status of a planet, so to speak. Yet, even now a large majority of astrologers do not employ it at all. I suppose that this reluctance to accept Chiron is somewhat akin to the hesitancy early on of acknowledging Pluto in the 1930s and 1940s. There indeed is a chance that Chiron will become an accepted astrological "planet" taking its place as ruler of one or the other of the signs currently sharing a planetary ruler with another sign. In traditional astrology, Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo; Venus rules Taurus and Libra. The strongest arguments make Chiron ruler of either Virgo or Libra. There seems to be very plausible reasons supporting each of these ideas. Sagittarius is also mentioned as having association because in mythology, Chiron was a centaur and teacher. Others (probably still a majority) contend that it can rule none of the above because it is a comet, not a planet. Newcomers and novice students are advised not to embrace new theories in astrology too quickly. Indeed, there may be missing planets. Are they in the astro belt, beyond Pluto, or is Chiron part of the answer? If the work that has gone into finding the missing and hypothetical planets interests you, you may want to read "Hypothetical Planets" by Paul Schlyter. If you want to pursue the study of Chiron further, go to Zane B. Stein's extensive work on Chiron or Chiron, An Overview by Candy Hillenbrand.