Sacred Medicine

- The Act of Healing By: Patrick Kern

Sacred Medicine The Act of Healing

By: Patrick Kern

I. An Examination of Character
II. Conception by Deception
III. A Haven Between Heaven and Hell
IV. A Reason to Live and a Way to Die

I. An Examination of Character
There are many figures throughout the ages that have greatly impacted the world of
medicine. The journey, and story has come full circle. From the art, to the science, and back
again. From the far east to the modern west, and the north node to the south. From herbs and

diet, to chemicals and anti-biotics. A kind of marriage. This story will focus a few charcters
from Greek Mythology, and how their story has connected and influenced me.
I implore you to take a short journey with me now, a journey back in time. We will
venture to the remote land of Mount Pelion in Greece. The tale is one of overcoming pain and
finding a purpose. Lessons learned not from memorizing terms in a text book, but from failure,
and the greatest teacher of all...Nature.
To begin, let me introduce the star of the show, and the character who influences me. His
name is Chiron. What makes Chiron stand out is that he is a centaur. Half man, half horse. A
wild and chaotic combination that brings little in it's essence to comfort us. What he would do
however, would strengthen and fortify those who sought out the truth within his existence. Was
he really half man and half horse, or was it just a metaphor? Since there is no photographic
evidence, no youtube videos or vines, I'll leave you to decide.
The name Chiron is derived from the Greek word "Kheiron," or "Cheiron" which means,
hand. Quite obviously, we see the practice of many Chiropractors today, a practice closely
associated with the name of the man-horse. This shows the power that hands have when it
comes to healing and medicine, as obvious as it may seem. A surgeon may work with a scalpel, a
masseuse or chiropractor may work directly through their own hands. It is clear; the hands are
the vital tool when it comes to both healing and medicine, or any craft for that matter. A
carpenter builds, and his heart is content. So who really was this grizzled man rising out from a
horses ass?
Before we answer that question, lets take a quick look at the modern world of medicine.
In todays western world, the hospital serves as the house of healing. Quite simply, they have

become a commonplace in modernized civilization, and they all use common symbology. When
one enters almost any hospital or doctors office in this country, they will almost certainly see a
similar image, or at one time have seen a version of the Caduceus, the image of entwining snakes
scaling up a rod, with wings sprawled out at the top. That image, associated with the Greek God
Hermes, was in all actuality, a symbol of commerce, trade and business.
Hermes, or Mercury if you'd prefer, was known as the messenger of the Gods. In the
west, and over time, the symbol was morphed and combined in a sense with the true emblem of
healing, the "Rod of Asclepius." This is a debate for another time, but there is much confusion in
the history books as to why this symbol was so widely used as opposed to the Rod of Asclepius,
which is simply a rod with a single snake ascending. It is my belief that the Caduceus was
simply an adaptation, and as with the "business" of healthcare and insurance, it is Hermes selling
us our healthcare and insurance. It is ObamaCare. Everyone needs to sign up!
The confusion, or transition of the symbology shows the political and business agenda of
healthcare system, and it strays from the origins of the story and the much simpler symbol of
Asclepius. I have asked many in the broad field of healthcare if they knew the story behind this
rod of the Greek Deity Asclepius. It seems that many dont. It was never mentioned in my time
in school either. Let's get back to that story, shall we?
Asclepius was the son of the God Apollo, another God closely associated with the healing
arts, or the science of medicine, which ever stance helps you to sleep at night. Apollo brought
his newborn son Asclepius to the centaur Chiron to be raised and learn medicine. It is while
studying with Chiron that the association with snakes came to be for Asclepius.

It is said in the myths that in return for an act of kindness, a snake licked Asclepiuss ears
clean as he slept, which granted him the secret knowledge and wisdom associated with healing.
If you're an Atheist, that's probably very hard to believe.
From there on, Asclepius bore a rod and the snake followed him wherever he went.
Asclepius was said to have become such a great healer, that he was even able to ressurect the
dead. This fact, which on the surface seems miraculous, is actually what led to Asclepius own
demise. Learning that Asclepius had raised Hippolytus from the dead in exchange for gold, the
King of the Gods in Greek lore, Zeus, struck Asclepius down with his mighty thunderbolt for his
greed and overwhelming bravado. Let's circle back to Chiron shall we?
Chiron was the physical embodiment of mans ultimate struggle, to balance his animal
nature with his higher mind. Chiron was half beast, and half man. The centaurs themselves were
known to the Greeks as wild and savage creatures; however, Chiron was the exception. It is
written that Chiron was kind, noble and just. So contrary to what most saw, his true nature
eventually came to be evident. In reality, Chiron was not even really a centaur, he just appeared
to be one. His father and mother were not centaurs, and as you will see, life isn't always what it
seems.
II. Conception by Deception
The source of Chirons existence begins before he is even born, during an encounter
known as, "conception." Most children are created this way.
Chirons father was the Titan Cronos, who in order to seduce his current obsession
Philyra, transformed himself into a stallion. He did this because Philyra, had made the same
transformation in order to elude Cronos. Let the games begin.

It didn't take long, as Cronos was prone to getting that which he desired. He would
succeed and impregnated the sea nymph Philyra, all behind his wife Rheas back to boot. Some
versions of the story say it was a rape, other's say a wild seduction. A scandoulous tale, fit for
reality television. Either way, Philyra carried and bore Chiron, and upon his birth, she was so
horrified at the infants beastly appearance that she abandoned him the little horse-boy. This is
the emotional wound that Chiron would have to deal with his entire life. Abandoned by those
who created him, those who were supposed to love him the most.

III. A Haven Between Heaven and Hell

Upon his birth, it is unknown how Chiron initially survived, other than being from an
immortal bloodline, son of Cronos, brother of Zeus. Luckily for him the Sun God Apollo
discovered the baby centaur bumbling about the forest, and adopted him as a son. This is the
root of the influence and connection for me, as I was adopted as well as an infant. From there,
along with Apollos twin sister Artemis, Chiron grew up and was educated on everything from
medicine and sacred justice, to the martial arts, music, hunting, astrology and prophecy. Soon,
there was little Chiron couldnt do, so he took to his cave, as it was said to be shaped as a womb,
and a source of solace for the centaur during his more troubling times. A haven if you will,
between the vast skies of Heaven, and the narrowing depths of Hell.
As Chiron grew up, it would soon become his turn to teach. He would compose a roster
of students that would impress even the average person, from Hercules, Achilles, and Jason of
the Argonauts, to the aforementioned Asclepius just to name a few.

He would marry the nymph Chariclo, and together they would have a family. They were
also to become the designated foster parents in Greek lore, teaching and rearing countless
children over the years. Families from all over Greece and the far reaching lands would bring
their children to the couple. Very little is known of their relationship, other than it was eternal.
It was during this time on Mount Pelion that Chiron would be wounded again, this time
physically. There are many versions of the story, but in a nutshell Chiron was accidently shot in
the leg during a brawl started, of course, by the powerfully potent wine of Greek God and Revel,
Dionysus. Dionysus was also the God of Theater, and coincidentally instilled the pleasures of
the art of dance within Chiron over time. During the brawl, Chiron was struck in the leg with an
arrow poisoned with the blood of the venomous Hydra, by none other than his best friend
Hercules. There would be very little dancing left for Chiron, as the perfect storm or coincidences
would alter his course now. Even with all of Chirons great healing abilities, he could not cure
himself of the agonizing pain that this blow dealt. Since Chiron was immortal, he would not die,
and therefore was set to continue living forever in agonizing pain.
This would seem to send anyone into a state of despair, however, the new wound opened
Chirons eyes with even more compassion and he became an even greater healer than before. He
began to focus even more on medicine, as healing others would become the only way to ease his
own pain. Unfortunately, he could never completely cure his pain, no matter what he tried. Over
time, this took it's toll on the aging sage.
Ultimately, Chiron would sacrifice his own immortality and trade it with the legendary
Prometheus, who was sentenced to death by Zeus. Chiron finally grew too tired of all of the
pain, and finally found peace at the end of his journey, and Prometheus would go on to bring fire

to mankind. When Zeus learned of Chirons sacrifice, he forever immortalized him with his own
place in the sky.
IV. Reason to Live and a Way to Die
With Chiron we have someone who first must find a reason to live, and finally, actually
tries to find a way to die. Not a common life journey to comprehend. In Chirons case, he was
born through means of deception and lust, abandoned, but brought up and cared for none the
less. The life he led was ultimately a test of overcoming his pain, understanding nature, and
evolving; a character with tragic experiences, and yet someone who found a higher purpose and a
meaning for his life.
Chiron was never directly responsible for the cause of his pain. His parents wounded him
at birth, and his best friend wounded him with a poison arrow. There must have been times when
it was impossible to understand, and impossible to feel anything but rage and discontent. We
have all been hurt at one time or another. When we are born, we are all helpless to a certain
degree and it is only our natural instincts which we can rely on and the hope that someone will
be there to hold on to. Chiron was lucky, and I think at a certain point he must have realized that.
So much is out of our control, out of our hands. Even through all the pain, we find a way to
grow, teach and learn. At times, Chiron was probably miserable, abrasive, angry and bitter, but
in the end he carried on and built a legacy that should not be forgotten.