What Does Chiron Mean in Astrology?

Chiron is often noted in astrological charts and forecasts. He is not a planet, a star, or a node of the Moon. So who is he? And what power does he wield over our charts?

In Greek mythology, Chiron was a centaur, a breed of beings that were half man, half horse. They were known for being raucous and overly indulgent; however, Chiron was known conversely as being intelligent and civilized. He was a noted astrologer, healer, and oracle.

It is said that Chiron sacrificed his life so that mankind could obtain the use of fire. Being the son of Cronus, a Titan, he was allegedly immortal. There are varying accounts of his death, but all include an arrow poisoned with the blood of the Hydra. He was unable to heal himself and willingly gave up his life; he was honored with a place in the sky as the constellation Centaurus.

In astrology, Chiron is a comet that was discovered in 1977; it has a unique orbit, lying between Saturn and Uranus (and actually crossing over the orbits of the two planets). Because it was not pulled in by the gravitational pull of either planet and made a moon, astronomers have deducted that the comet has not been around for more than two million years. In our natal chart, Chiron is considered the “wounded healer” (stemming from the mythological story). He represents our deepest spiritual wounds and our work to heal these wounds.

The house and sign position of Chiron in a chart show just where we will have recurring issues on which work is needed. This need not be a negative, as we are able to heal our deepest-seated wounds with proper care and work. Chiron’s placement in a chart also shows where we may do well to teach others (even if it is regarding a topic that we may not necessarily excel ourselves).

Just as with any retrograde motion or other “negative” transit, we shouldn’t view it as a negative, but rather something out of which something positive will arise if we work hard enough.