Chiron, also wounded from an arrow of Hercules. Unlike Chiron, Pholus experienced
immediate death and endured no long-term suffering.
Symbolically, this Centaur refers to relinquishing the need for penance con-
cerning an act of wrongdoing. Though the opening of the wine was not a well-
thought act, no long-term punishment was required. The concept of euthanasia fits
with this Centaur. The act of ending pain and suffering, no matter how it occurs,
stands as a Pholus metaphor. This image could suggest the consultation of an oracle
for mental and emotional relief. The process of medical intervention for physical
relief or even the ending of life falls under the auspice of Pholus. Regardless, the con-
cept of maintaining an attachment to sin and wrongdoing must fall by the wayside.
Silenius, father of Pholus, tutor of Dionysis, a part horse figure that rode an ass,
often told drunken stories of far away Utopian cities. Though he generally did not tell
the truth, he spoke of two streams meeting near a whirlpool. On one side trees with-
ered and died; on the other side, everything flourished, and people reversed in age
until they achieved nonexistence.
Combined with the snake derivation of his name and the metaphorical mael-
strom, Pholus represents timelessness. This reversal of time suggests the ability to,
within consciousness—altered or otherwise—return to a primal sense of self and
restore purity of soul and reclaim innocence. Given that Centaurs at large contain
bulls, they herd the beast (within), control negative urges, and bear a responsibility to
the symbolic bull’s-eye. This marksmanship returns to the concept of original sin,
missing the mark, also denoting distance from God. Pholus implies the restoration of
innocence, self-forgiveness of sin, release of infatuation with power and destruction,
and pure, primal activation of the coiled serpent (Kundalini). Pholus, incidently,
along with Asbolus, remain two of the reddest colored objects in the solar system.
Pholus maintains an intrinsic implication of the shedding of skin, a transfor-
mation metaphor. The exfoliation stands to signify important points of demarcation
within the awareness of one’s personal power. This awareness seeks a higher, well-
intended use, lest it be self-damaging through unwitting self-destruction. In its worst
case, ego posturing, over-embellishment of personal attributes and strength, prevails.
In optimum, Pholus notes one’s need to help others through similar growth intervals.
Given the serpent reference of scales, the methods of homeopathy remain particularly
strong as Pholus healing tools. The nature of Pholus possesses the capacity for attack
of adversaries, and Pholus seeks at all cost to avoid personal conflict of a negative
nature. Pholus would rather retreat, than confront. However, if cornered, Pholus will
attack and attack swiftly and potently. Here it is best not to provoke the transforma-
tion of another prior to his or her willingness to accept the evolutionary process.
Pholus, in client studies, strongly indicates the effort to reduce or altogether
stop consuming alcohol or caffeine. In many cases involving Neptune transits to Pho-
lus and another personal object, especially the Moon, individuals made marked
progress in recovering from alcohol misuse or abuse.
Nessus, on the other hand, did not exemplify the state of evolved conscious-
ness of Chiron or Pholus. After the Pholus/Hercules debacle, Nessus fled to the river
Evenus and became its ferryman. Nessus was approached by Hercules and his wife,
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Centaurs