What Is Chiron In Astrology And How To Use It For Healing
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What Is Chiron In Astrology And How To Use It For Healing
Chiron, the so-called wounded healer of Astrology, was originally classified as an asteroid and later re-classified as a minor plant/comet (scientists are currently undecided which best describes it), with a very unusual and erratic orbit. It was named after Greek mythology of the immortal centaur Chiron, half man half horse, that was a skilled and potent healer and teacher, with a bit of a reputation for being a wild card.
One day, he was struck by the demigod Heracles’ poison arrow. As he was immortal and therefore unable to die, Chiron was destined to live in constant pain in perpetuity due to his festering wound, ironically unable to heal himself. It was arranged for Prometheus to exchange his mortality with him, and Chiron took his place among the stars, finally liberated of his suffering.
And so, in Astrology, Chiron now represents our deepest, most tender inner wounds that are the most difficult for us to heal. They are often created during childhood but may also come from a Karmic past life or develop in later years of adulthood.
It is usually said to be a healing process born of a life’s hard work to learn how to heal our Natal Chiron wound- one that won’t be quick or easy to do but which holds the greatest reward should we succeed. Through this, we are often then able to go on to heal others or become powerful teachers to help people heal their own wounds in turn as we can now relate their suffering.
Where Chiron is placed in your Astrological Chart can show you possible areas for profound soul-level healing, as well as points of triggers, tenderness, difficulty or struggles, and painful parts we’d rather not face, that are in actuality some of the most rewarding to learn how to work with. Read on to find out what Chiron means individually in each of the Signs and Houses to begin your own healing journey:
Chiron Meaning In The Signs
The Chiron placement in the Zodiac Signs will point to characteristics that you struggle with as well as the ways in which you might struggle to deal with this particular aspect. It shows how we go about expressing it and may at times over-compensate for it too.
It can also point to where we can be our own worst enemy, or seem to shoot ourselves in the foot. As the wound goes so deep, we usually have to put a lot of effort into dealing with it, as a result we can become excellent counsellors for others too. It can also be where we are great at preaching but not so great at practicing.
The lesson of Chiron involves recognising the way we deal with (or don’t deal with) our most buried wounds- often these are from our first interactions with life, things that society then told us to hide because they are wrong or unacceptable. Where Chiron appears is an area in which we feel self-conscious about, vulnerable, or ashamed of. Chiron’s placement shines a light on our past hurts and emotional baggage.
As Saturn can also sometimes point to areas of struggle or difficulty, the difference is that with those there is often an element of denial or external factors, such as a feeling of coming up against a continuous brick wall in an area or having to work harder at something than others.
Whereas with Chiron, it is quick and penetrating to the heart, a far-reaching and highly sensitive point that may wash over us without warning or pop up in unexpected situations. It may also not be rational or based in any actual reality and is more related to what we are insecure or embarrassed about even if it doesn’t make sense.
The key to healing the Chiron wound is in not only learning to trust ourselves with whatever we feel is lacking, but to also embrace our sensitivity and find beauty in our imperfections. In other words, this is not necessarily about “getting over” problems in these areas but about recognising our vulnerabilities and working with them for honest, sustainable, holistic wellbeing. In turn, these will be your greatest spiritual teachers in life.
As with all aspects of our Birth Chart and Astrology reports, we usually need our exact birth time for accurate data, however, Chiron is one of the puzzle pieces that can be figured out without an accurate birth time. If you don’t know yours, you can use this chart to find out.
The Sign that Chiron is in is generally said to be more important, however the House it is in can also shed aspects on areas of our lives in which it appears or how we go about dealing with it.
Chiron in Aries/ 1st House
Aries is the first Sign of the Zodiac, a Cardinal Fire Sign, it is headstrong, ambitious, courageous, and an assured self-starter. It is like the newborn baby starting a fresh cycle, it lives for its own purpose. It is unafraid to ask for what it wants in life and, in fact, expects it. Once they get something in their head, it won’t be shifted. With Chiron in Aries, you may struggle with asking for what you want or need, or have difficulty in asserting yourself. Your healing powers will lie in discerning the balance between taking care of others and being considerate of their needs, while not putting yours aside.
It is about learning to become independent, confident, and with a healthy level of self-esteem so that you can rely on yourself, overcome insecurities and boldly stand alone. You have a natural ability to champion others, lift them up, and help them see their amazingness- the trick is remembering to do this for yourself too!
In the 1st House, you may deal with issues relating to the self, perhaps how you outwardly look or be more on a continuous journey of self-discovery.
Chiron in Taurus/ 2nd House
The second Sign of the Zodiac, Taurus, is a Fixed Earth Sign. It is grounded and stable, reliable, with a love of luxury, beauty, art, and the finer things in life. Taurus is pragmatic and hard-working, which can veer into inflexibility- when Taurus gets into the habit of something they have a resilient perseverance. With Chiron in Taurus you may struggle to remain with your feet on the ground and being of the Earth. Practicality is what gets things done and we are the sum of our daily routines, while you may crave a structured life, you might find that you are constantly with your head in the clouds, flitting from one idea to the next without the staying power to see things through.
As Taurus also has a keen eye for money, you may have difficulties in this department too. Learning how to effectively manage your finances and everyday rituals, while becoming clear on what is truly of value to you, could bring you enormous peace of mind, while also letting go of any guilt for taking care of yourself! The key is knowing how to find the sweet spot between overworking and underworking, between indulgence and rewarding work. Again, you are likely very good at reminding others they’re worth TLC, rest, relaxation, recuperation, idleness- your healing will come in learning how to take care of yourself (or not going too far in the other direction) without any reprimand or sense of undeserving.
In the second House, you may struggle in dealing with money, finding your style, or issues of aggrandised self-worth, or vice versa, stemming from an insecure attachment style in childhood.
Chiron in Gemini/ 3rd House
Gemini is the quick-witted, fast-thinking Mutable Air Sign ruled by communicator Planet, Mercury. Gemini loves socialising, interacting, and flitting from idea to idea. They are highly flexible and open to change, and very adaptable- able to connect to a great variety of people. Chiron in Gemini may struggle with learning how to communicate effectively or express yourself adequately and with confidence.
Gemini is also tied to short-distance travel, local communities and neighbourhoods, and siblings, so these may be areas of tenderness for you as well. You may at times feel like you are constantly flitting between talking too much and too little, over-expressing yourself and sharing too much, and not sharing enough or speaking up for yourself. This is something you could actively champion in others, yet find difficulty in owning your authentic truth without guilt or a feeling of encroaching on others. By practicing being comfortable honouring your truest expression, while allowing others to do the same, and finding effective ways to channel your helpful advice and information, will be immensely healing for you.
In the 3rd House, similarly, you will have difficulty in voicing your opinions and expressing yourself. You may be a slow learner or afraid to make mistakes, perhaps criticised by siblings at a younger age.
Chiron in Cancer/ 4th House
Cancer is the nurturing homebody of the Zodiac. Highly in touch with their emotions, Cancer can be very sensitive to their surrounding energies. They love to take care of their loved ones and are natural healers. Ruled by the emotional Moon, and a Cardinal Water Sign, Cancer is very comfortable swimming in the depths of feelings. They may sometimes get caught up in their moodiness or tend towards pessimism or negativity, but this is only because underneath their sometimes tough exterior shell, there hides a very tender, soft inside. With Chiron in Cancer, it is common to feel unable to properly take care of oneself, or feel guilty for doing so.
Again, you may be an avid champion of proper self-care for others, intellectually knowing that you can’t pour from an empty cup, yet time and again struggle to put this into practice. You may set high standards for yourself and feel guilt for “underperforming”, or feel uncomfortable outside of your house. As this area also relates to the family, and in particular female-presenting members, you may also have painful relationships in your home life or ancestry, or with women-identified people. Finding ways to help yourself feel truly nourished and at home anywhere you go will be greatly rewarding for you.
Again, in the 4th House, you will be dealing with issues relating to the house and family, as well as your roots and maternal figures in your life. This could also relate to your figurative home, your body, and aspects of your childhood.
Chiron in Leo/ 5th House
Leo is the bold, childlike Sign of the Zodiac. They are playful, passionate, creative, and unabashed in themselves. They are generous-hearted and courageous lovers of the limelight. This Fixed Fire Sign is unafraid of the spotlight and being the centre of attention, in fact, they often crave it. Natural performers, Leos love to entertain and be the heart and soul of the party. Chiron in Leo may have difficulty stepping into their personal power and taking that centre stage, even if deep down they secretly want to.
For you, healing will come by allowing yourself to shine bright and developing your unique creative talents and abilities. You may fear being ridiculed for enjoying what lights you up, when, instead, there is great freedom and lightness to be found in owning your soul’s truest, most authentic expression, no matter what that may look like to others. You might find yourself drawn to, or admiring, confident, larger-than-life characters that unashamedly live their best life- you deserve to feel the same too! Learning how to dance like nobody is watching without self-consciousness and revel in play will bring the greatest rewards for you.
If you’d like to learn about each of the Signs more in depth, read our Beginner’s Guide To Astrology for more information on their characteristics.
In the fifth House, you may struggle with issues relating to your inner-child or actual children, creativity, joy, passions, hobbies, fertility, or taking life too seriously.
Chiron in Virgo/ 6th House
The 6th Sign of the Zodiac, Virgo, is a Mutable Earth Sign. They are known as the perfectionists of the Zodiac and are always on a quest for the betterment of their health, work environments, and day-to-day activities. Highly discerning, Virgo has a keen eye for what works and what doesn’t, and they know exactly what they want and what will meet their high standards. They’re also practical and down-to-earth, easily taking things as they come and adapting to their surroundings. Virgoans have an eye for beauty and possess great style. They’re also simple and not over-the-top in anything they do. While they are flexible, they will always test the waters first before committing anything to their meticulous repertoire.
With Chiron in Virgo you may crave routines and optimal health, but find yourself reaching for things you know are not good for you or falling out of beneficial habits more often than not. You may also swing the other direction and become overly-perfectionist bordering on terms of obsession with matters relating to your health, wellbeing and work. The greatest healing for you will come in learning how to relinquish some of your control, letting go of any rigid tendencies and allowing this to unfold naturally as it would.
Going with the flow may sound terrifying to you, but instinctively you know that your life will become a lot smoother and easier if you did release your grip a bit. Similarly, you might be skilled in helping others with their organisational abilities and health goals, but feel like your life is always in chaos. Perhaps your expectations of what it means to “have it together” is unreasonably high and healing will come in learning how to set the bar a bit lower.
In the 6th House, you again will likely struggle with healthy habits, your wellbeing, daily routines and rituals, and work environment. It may also relate to pets and animals or taking your health to obsessiveness, perhaps due to past accidents.
Chiron in Libra/ 7th House
Libra is the first of the “outer-facing” Signs where we begin to look outwards towards the collective and begin learning to find our place in it, balancing our needs with the greater needs. Libra is known as the diplomat of the Zodiac, highly amicable, friendly, adaptable and easy-going. They are able to get along with a wide range of people with their flexibility in opinions, interests, and constantly harmony-seeking nature. A Cardinal Air Sign, Libra enjoys talking, discussing, thinking, philosophising, and engaging with others. They are also lovers of luxury and beauty, with a keen eye for taste, style and the finer things in life. With Chiron in Aries you may struggle with learning how to put yourself first before others without feeling guilty for it.
Or, you may dread confrontation, preferring to avoid matters instead of facing them head-on. Of course, you know that this will only make things worse and that even not making a choice or taking a stand is in itself a choice, but you may be uncomfortable doing so or back out out whenever the time comes. If you do take a firm side, you can become riddled with guilt. Because Libra is all about relationships, you may not feel whole without a partner or become swayed too easily by others.
You may fear being alone but your greatest healing comes in learning to love yourself first and becoming your own best friend. We are, after all, our only constant in our entire lives, with ourselves from the moment we are born to the moment we transition. Learning how to be comfortable with your own company will be greatly rewarding for you, as well as making sure that you always get as much as you give in your partnerships.
In the 7th House, you will be dealing with relational wounds. Learning how to not lose yourself in another and be an equal whole as well as a part of the sum. You may struggle with issues of rejection or absorbing yourself in partnerships, don’t forget not to lose your sense of identity. Learning to hone your empathy in a healthy way can also lead to psychic-like abilities.
Chiron in Scorpio/ 8th House
The deep, mystic Fixed Water Sign of Scorpio, is also known as the Snake shedding its skin in a constant process of rebirth; the Phoenix rises from its ashes; and the mighty Eagle in its higher form. Ruled by one of the outer Planets, potent Pluto, Scorpio is a powerful emblem of death and rebirth, transformation and transmutation. This archetype likes to penetrate to the void of the underbelly and is not afraid of the depths of the human psyche. It knows itself intimately well and does not shy away from the taboo or messy, embracing all facets of humanity. When Chiron is in Scorpio, there may be difficulty in accepting our sexuality or personal power.
We may have a fear of change, the unknown, and the darker things in life. We may be cut off from our spirituality or afraid of looking too deep into ourselves. For you, immense healing will come from open, honest self-introspection. Learning how to unashamedly explore yourself and accept all your “faults” and weaknesses, warts and all, for what they are safe in the knowledge that we are all simply human and there is not right or wrong way to be, we are all in a constant state of flux and growth (whether we consciously want to or not). You may often be highly tolerant of others and not shy away from their difficulties, but struggle with looking yourself honestly in the mirror. There is great healing found for you in radical self-acceptance and learning not to shy away from your bigger feelings and attachments.
The 8th House deals with issues relating to life and death, rebirth and transformation, sex and power, tax, inheritance, other people’s money, and shared finances. There is also the potential for potent mystic insight here!
Chiron in Sagittarius/ 9th House
Sagittarius is the expansive, fun-loving, optimistic adventurer of the Zodiac. They are worldly travellers, philosophisers and eternal students. They love to learn and are curious about all life has to offer. A Mutable Fire Sign, they are full of energy and passion, highly adaptive, flexible and experimental. They may burn too bright at times, flitting from idea, place, or person without much consistency or see-through power. With Chiron placed here, you may struggle with learning or avoid travel, preferring what you know and are comfortable with rather than experimenting and adventure.
But this is how we grow- through taking ourselves out of our comfort zones. Although it might seem like the scariest thing to you, journeying to distant and different places will help you realise you can rely on yourself, are adaptable to change, and that the world is not nearly as frightening or dangerous as you perviously thought. You may also preach higher thinking, spirituality, and manifestation, or admire those who do, but struggle to implement this in practicality. Learning how to find your unique faith and worldview will be greatly healing for you.
In the 9th House there will be issues relating to long-distance travel, worldly exploration, sense of adventure, higher thinking and philosophy, education and learning, spirituality and religion. Learn to find the balance between being an eternal student, and teacher, and also taking time off, with a healthy relationship to spirituality without becoming excessive one way or the other (there is both the potential for atheism as well as cultism here).
Chiron in Capricorn/ 10th House
The responsible and dutiful Sea-goat knows that slow and steady wins the race. A Cardinal Earth Sign, Capricorn is the most grounded, mature, realistic, and strategist thinker of the Zodiac. They are practical, hard-working, and unassuming. They set longterm goals for themselves and are patient in achieving them. Ruled by Saturn, the taskmaster Grandfather of the Cosmos known for its Returns, is a lover of rules, organisation, and order. With Chiron in Capricorn you may crave stability and the ability to successfully plan, but often fail in your execution.
You may know instinctively that routine and ritual is healing and nourishing to the soul, yet find yourself rebelling from everything, including yourself, instead. You can be your own worst enemy, and try to fool yourself into thinking that you don’t want these things, including a career and leadership which is also ruled by Capricorn, but learning how to become an authentic, empathetic, unapologetic leader will really help you step into your highest self. You might also help others achieve their goals but always fall short of yours, afraid to reach your full potential. Equally, you could set the bar too high and overburden yourself with your imagined responsibilities.
The 10th House (along with a couple of others) can deal with issues of career, job, and work, as well as vocation, higher calling and purpose in life. It will be about learning to take on a modest leadership role that is not lacking but neither overly dictatorial either. A desire for status and betterment, as well as your self-worth, must all be tempered and moderated (not too much, not too little).
Chiron in Aquarius/ 11th House
The innovative, quirky, unique, forward-thinking, and tech-loving humanitarian of the Zodiac is an independent Sign that’s not afraid to let their true colours show. They dance to the beat of their own drum and allow others to do the same. A Fixed Air Sign, they are intelligent visionaries that love to be a part of the group as much as they do branching out on their own. They’ve mastered the art of what it means to be an individual that’s also a part of the community. With Chiron in Aquarius, you may struggle with finding where you fit in in the world or your place in society. You may long to be a part of the collective but are not sure how to go about that. Similarly, you may become too involved in activism or lose yourself in groupthink to the detriment of your own individuality.
The healing will come in learning how to straddle both the lines- be a contributing member of society with a greater sense of purpose and belonging, but also a unique being who embraces their authentic self. Social anxiety may rear itself, in which case it is about finding ways to be at ease in company, brave enough to voice your personal opinions and live your best life without worrying about what others think. Let your freak flag fly!
With the 11th House there will similarly be issues relating to the greater collective and groups, and finding our place in them, as well as our authentic selves and closer friendships. Being unashamed in your uniqueness, no matter how “weird” or different you may think it is, will allow you to truly shine.
Chiron in Pisces/ 12th House
The last Sign of the Zodiac, Pisces, is said to embody elements of all the previous Signs that came before it. As such, it is boundary-less and at home spending its time in the ethers and in the realms of dreams. A highly spiritual, mystical, fluid Sign, Pisces can lose itself in others or absorb other people’s energy too much, a consequence of becoming too boundary-less. A Mutable Water Sign, they are deeply in touch with their emotions, and are also very sensitive and perceptive to the world around them, as well as being flexible and adaptable. With Chiron in Pisces, you may struggle to find your spirituality or allow yourself to dream. You may become overly rigid and stuck in the practical world, failing to see the mysterious wonder of the Universe and immeasurable beauty all around us.
Magic happens every day, for you it is about learning to see it. As Pisces comes at the end of the cycle, and so also represents endings as well as beginnings, the death before the rebirth, you might have difficulty in coming to terms with some of life’s greater mysteries and unanswered questions. Exploring what your biggest desires, fantasies, and dreams are, allowing your mind to wander, contemplating how you relate to life and death, what you think about the afterlife, where you think you were before you were born, if you believe in Karma, Spirit, and how you connect to your Ancestors etc are all areas of introspection that can allow your soul to expand and heal. As you also see yourself in everyone and so give everyone the benefit of the doubt, you may also get taken advantage of or forgive more often than is healthy to do so. Learning how to put stable boundaries in place will be a really big and transformative theme for you!
The 12th House deals with the unknown, subconscious, past lives, Karma, our shadow selves, and deep unconscious so there may be some darkness or heaviness to reckon with here but it will all be powerfully transformative and liberating in the end. You are also likely to have hidden, innate, psychic, empathetic, and healing abilities. Learning how to become emotionally strong and mature enough so that you can open up to others to be able to heal them with your gifts will be immensely rewarding for you.
If you’re ready to take your exploration further and discover the entirety of your unique cosmic blueprint in depth, get our complete Comprehensive Guidebook To Astrology + Natal Charts and see what is written in the stars for you!
So that’s the meaning of Chiron in Astrology and how to use it in the Signs and Houses for healing. I hope it’s been informative for you and can assist your on your journey. I’m curious to know where you have Chiron in your Natal Chart and if its description rings true for you? Let me know in the comments section below, or if you have anything else to add about Chiron!
For more insight on some of the different aspects of your Chart, check out our post on How To Read A Natal Chart. Or, you may be interested in The Best Crystals for Mercury Retrograde and Rituals To Perform On The Full Moon and New Moon.
If you’d like to discover what the stars mean for you specifically, uncover what they have to say for the exact time you were born with a personalised Natal Chart Reading from me!
If you prefer to study Astrology alone instead, get our Cosmic Guidance: Astrology 101 Course or our Beginner’s Astrology + Birth Charts Guidebook.
