Centaurs

Centaurs

Centaurs are half-horse and half-human. Most often the half that is human is depicted as male, but there can be a female half. Sometimes the animal half has been depicted as a horse and other times as a wild ass.

In mythology, the centaurs have their origin in Babylonia and originally were guardian spirits. In the Greek tradition, they were considered man-eaters , lecherous, and violent.

Creatures with half human and half animal characteristics are very symbolic. They reflect a movement away from the animal. They represent a change in consciousness and a rising to a new plane of awareness.

Centaurs are very sexual creatures, and stimulate strong sexual responses. Encountering one may reflect lessons associated with sexuality and learning to use its dynamic force in new ways. It can symbolize a tiem of greater knowledge rising out of turbulance.

Encountering a centaur can also signify guardianship in some area of your life. Centaurs occasionally do become patrons of mortals, guiding and teaching them. Chiron is probably the most famous of such patrons. Tutor to Achilles, Hercules, and Asclepius, he had great knowledge of medicine, healing and alchemy. Chiron also blessed wedlock.

Weddings are very symbolic alchemical rituals on many levels. They exemplify the reconciliation of opposites, a new union of greater fertility and power. They hold the promise of new life, the promise that is set in motion when one encounters a centaur.