Coming Attractions from "Keywords to Unlock Chiron:" Maverick

Excerpt © 2013 by Joyce Mason
All Rights Reserved

Here's a snippet from my new book available next week in PDF. I think the art for this chapter was a real find for an everyday symbol of Chiron. It's one of my favorites in the book.

From Chapter 27, Maverick

Source: Myth, astronomy and cultural changes

 

When I brought my dictionary on this keyword journey, I was surprised at times to discover new meanings within the multiple definitions of some of the words. That was the case with maverick: [1]
 

1. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
   
   
2. One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.

While I was familiar with the second meaning, the first was new to me. This definition parallels the Chiron myth and his abandonment by his mother. Left to fend for himself, Apollo and Artemis claimed Chiron. They nurtured and taught him in the guise of the Sun and Moon—the consummate symbolic parents. The “brand” they left on Chiron was the brand of blending, an acceptance of both sides of himself. Like the two-toned jellybean in the illustration, Chiron was even different from the other centaurs (the other dark bean). Most memorable, he had no trouble learning and passing on skills that would be considered blends of masculine and feminine, left- and right-brained pursuits.

The second meaning of this word was reflected in a cultural icon made famous in the TV show Maverick, which aired in the US from 1957-62 at the lower edge of the Chiron discovery window. [2] A popular Western, Maverick originally starred James Garner as Bret Maverick, described as a “cagey, articulate cardsharp.” [3] He was always in and out of trouble all over the Wild West. His life was constantly threatened in ways that involved women, money or both—and he usually faced a moral dilemma of some sort. If a cultural character ever embodied the word maverick and the duality of the centaurs; Maverick was “it.” Like astronomical Chiron, the character Maverick was rightly named. Bret Maverick’s Chironic nature usually won out over his wild centaur side as he did the right thing, even if it cost him—literally . . .


As discussed in the keyword Catalyst, Chiron stirs things up and is on his own unique trajectory as a centaur planet. This characteristic seems in keeping with what people report about their Chiron transits. The possibilities are all over the place among the keywords. The only thing that’s predictable is that there will be something stirring on the wounding/healing to weaving/wholeness continuum.  [4]


In these ways, Chiron is indeed a maverick.  If Chiron is prominent in your chart, you are, too. 

Hope you enjoyed taking a look at this partial chapter! Mail list members will receive a 15% discount during the first week and a half after the book is launched on June 18. It's not too late to join the list and get the early bird discount! Sign up by June 17, and you'll receive an announcement with the special discount link.

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NOTES

[1] Maverick: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/maverick

[2] The discovery window is usually considered 15 years before and after a new planet is sighted, in Chiron's case, 1962-1992. However, this is an estimate at best—and it's best not to take the span too literally. Cultural phenomena give glimpses into the future in their own sweet time, especially when mavericks are involved.

[3] Maverick TV show: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick_%28TV_series%29

[4] Fear not; there are still hints. Appendix 1 in this book, Keyword Associations with Planets and Signs, offers the most likely keywords to influence you depending on the position of your natal Chiron. Transits activate the issues related to those keywords or phrases.

Photo Credit: Odd One Out © David Kolöchter - Fotolia.com