For this reason, the brain stem also has been seen by early psychologists as the physical location of the non-physical ego. I sometimes refer to the ego as the root chakra of Identity1 as it is our subconscious command center for instinctual – physical and emotional – self- protection. Just as the ego is responsible for keeping us (feeling) emotionally safe, the brain stern is responsible for keeping us physically alive.

The location of the brain stem is physiologically book-ended by the rigid protective skull above and the concavity of the cervical spine below. Where one is fixed, the other is flexible. Where one protects dogmatically, the other can respond fluidly. Their meeting point is a strange threshold of contrasting anatomical realities. l have observed that this region will often be chronically weak or troublesome in many people for whom Chiron is prominent (either natally or by transit) and for whom the wound has gone largely unaddressed. Perhaps with research we may find a correlation between Chiron-induced psychological weakness and insufficient development in this area of the body brought on by hereditary predisposition (karma), illness or injury.

The anatomical coherence or strength between the upper cervical vertebrae as it joins the cranium may correlate to the level of integration of the initial sacred wound experience within the body. With the right lens of perception, this strikingly matches the orbital home of asteroid/comet Chiron, balanced between rigid Saturn and free Uranus. In this we are reminded that the natural evolution of a human being must include the psychoid (psychic + physical) split or wounding and is not in any way an abnormality or tragedy, so often argued in light-polarized or “new age” literature.

The sign, house and aspects of natal Chiron can in fact indicate physiologic as well as psychic wounds which relate specifically to the formation and later integration of egoic function (balanced sense of self and maintaining perceived safety). From Chiron’s natal signature emerges a dependable system of accurately interpreting the intricate energetics of the body/mind which produces clues about physical woundings at the time of the initial Sacred Wound experience (9-ll months of age). This can also be applied to later-in-life Chiron transits and progressions. ln Soulsign Astrology, we always strive to “read” the evolutionary reasons for a physical trauma or disease in order to understand the Soul-level context for that manifestation. Both the manifestation of an acute challenge and its deeper causes can of course be gleaned by the signs, houses and aspects of Chiron that apply to the situation in question.