Chiron: The Wound and the Wounded Healer

It goes without saying that the circumstances presented in 2020 have been difficult for many. Stressors of all types have pushed people into acting from the most wounded part of themselves. For this reason, I’ve wanted to write a post specifically about Chiron, the asteroid personified by the Wounded Healer.

 Mars, the planet of war, passion, and action, is in close proximity with Chiron right now, so people’s wounds might very well be bubbling over by the time we reach mid-July. As with any astrological aspect, there is always a high road to be found.

Chiron, the half-man half-horse centaur holds a rich mythological and psychological persona. He represents the wound that we are born with and will carry throughout our lives. In a sense, Chiron represents an unhealable wound, one that is more about learning how to live with than learning how to get rid of. Discovered in 1977, many associate Chiron with the beginning of the Aquarian Age. The placement of Chrion’s orbit holds much insight into how one can find balance with it. Located between Saturn and Uranus, two planets with opposing energy, Chiron’s presence asks us to find balance between these extremes. Let’s take a look at what that might mean in the context of our personal wound.

In astrology, there are always high and low octaves of how energy is expressed. The less desirable expression of Saturn here is overt oppression and lack of emotional awareness of our most vulnerable aspects. When Saturn blocks out our wound, it eventually festers and bubbles over unexpectedly through subconscious pathways. The low side of Uranus leads us to constantly pick at our wound, live in our wound, talk about our wound, play the victim, and repeatedly fosters situations that will lead to us further being wounded. Once we have found our path in moving forward in life with our wound, there’s an opportunity to step into the role of the wounded healer and help guide others through this incredible process.

The symbol for Chiron is in the shape of a key and truly represents a path to unlocking our greatest potential by better understanding the weakest parts of ourselves. So how can we find balance with the most tender part of our lives? Here is where each individual’s astrological chart becomes very important. Really, there’s no broad sweeping advice that can be given, and we must look not only at the placement of Chiron in the natal chart, but also at the placement of Saturn and Uranus.

If a person’s chart has a strong Uranian or Aquarian presence, then they would likely benefit from engaging in the high side of Saturn to develop balance in their life. Saturn is associated with social contracts, rules, hard work, and our physical reality. One can benefit from developing personal boundaries, following their own rules and making sure that one’s physical space promotes a safe atmosphere. Guarding ones wound, without suppressing it, is the key for those with Uranus strongly placed in their chart.

For those with more Saturnian or Capricornian charts, Uranus can be called upon to develop awareness and understanding regarding one’s wound. For these natives, being too rigid or over-protective of their wound can limit progress in life. Therapy can greatly benefit these individuals as well as developing the opportunity to fully experience their vulnerabilities. Uranus, the lightning bolt planet, can bring changes very quickly. If properly engaged, this energy can provide cathartic moments of healing for those with a strong presence of Saturn in their chart.  

On July 13th 2020  Mars will catch up to Chiron in the 9th degree of Aries. Mars rules Aries and in this exalted position, and the ninth degree can bring fulfillment and victory.  I feel this is an opportunity to bring awareness to some of the deepest aspects of ourselves, but for some it won’t be pretty. An important piece to remember here is that each individual must do this work for themselves. If you witness others acting from a wounded place, apply restraint in giving advice on how to heal, as each person’s path can be very different than your own.  With applied consciousness, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover our inner workings and learn to move forward while honoring ourselves and others in this journey.