Chiron Astrology: The Ultimate Guide

Heal thyself! Chiron, a comet that orbits the Sun, reveals our power to process our trauma and suffering so that we can in turn, heal others. Astrologers call Chiron “the wounded healer.”

What is Chiron in astrology?

You may have heard about Chiron, “the wounded healer” whose symbol is a key thanks to its reputation for unlocking the karmic gifts that we develop through personal suffering.

Is Chiron a planet?

Chiron was originally classified as an asteroid, but has gone through an identity crisis of its own. The comet is now considered a Centaur—part of a class of bodies orbiting between the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt—and has been leveled up to “minor planet” status while simultaneously being categorized as a comet. Meanwhile, there are talks of calling Chiron a dwarf planet, like karmic Pluto. But whatever Chiron’s planetary pedigree, understanding its influence can be downright medicinal.

According to Greek mythology, Chiron was a healer, philosopher and teacher who, ironically, could not heal himself. Chiron’s placement in the chart reveals a core wound that may take a lifetime to work through. But don’t distress: your Chiron placement is also a secret power! As you grapple with pain, you gain wisdom to pass on to others like a magical salve. That Chiron “key” can open up a portal to deep, inner peace.

Where is Chiron?

Chiron orbits between two intensely oppositional planets—uptight, restrictive Saturn and liberated, revolutionary Uranus. Like a metaphysical mediator, Chiron can help us synthesize the energy of both planets.

Where do you hold yourself back (Saturn) and where can you be destructively rebellious (Uranus)? You must understand both extremes in order to find the middle ground. In Astrology and the Rising of Kundalini, author Barbara Hand Clow refers to Chiron as the “rainbow bridge” between Saturn and Uranus. Aptly named, since integrating the full spectrum of emotions is the key to wholeness.

Chiron’s journey through the zodiac

While Chiron generally stays in a single zodiac sign for eight years, when entering Saturn’s orbit, it can buzz through a single sign in under two years. Essentially, it’s up to Chiron whether to undergo outpatient surgery or opt for a longer course of therapy. 

Since Chiron takes approximately 49 years to journey through all twelve zodiac signs, you will go through a “Chiron return” the year before your 50th birthday. This is when Chiron returns to the sign and degree on the zodiac wheel where it was orbiting when you were born.

At this point, core wounds may rear up for another round of therapy, especially if you’ve resisted doing any deeper self-examination in this area. Even if you’ve worked diligently to heal this area of life, the Chiron return will bring a year (or two) of profound soul searching. During this time, you may be called into a leadership role that allows you to spread your wisdom—all while flexing the healing gifts directed by your Chiron placement.  

What is my Chiron sign?

Use our cosmic calculator to discover what zodiac sign and house Chiron was in when you were born. To accurately determine the house, you will need to know your birth time.

Find your Chiron Sign

Calculate Yours!

What if the zodiac sign and house are different?

This is common! Read both the sign and house description below. Do these interpretations pull you in two different directions? That’s not unusual. We human beings have range. Astrology is an interpretive dance, a tool which provides a fascinating layer of self-discovery. Do some “astro mixology.” Reflect on how you can work with both energies to enhance your life.

What does my Chiron placement mean?

The meaning of the placement of Chiron in the 12 zodiac houses

Chiron in Aries or the 1st House

Wounds: Anger management, lack of self-worth, aloofness and isolationism, cutthroat competition style—needing to be No. 1 or refusing to participate, comparing and despairing

Healing gifts: Empowering people to embrace their individuality, channeling anger into creative expression, fearless individuality, modeling independence

Chiron in Taurus or the 2nd House

Wounds: Stubborn resistance to (and fear of) change, following the flock instead of forming your own values and beliefs, addiction to comforts like eating and drinking, materialism and money struggles

Healing gifts: Creating serene environments, savvy financial planning, holding down the fort during turbulent times, calm in the storm, practical magic, teaching/modeling traditional wisdom

Chiron in Gemini or the 3rd House

Wounds: Fear of being alone (without a “twin”), approval-seeking, nervous chatter or addiction to gossip, constant pivoting that makes it impossible to finish what you start (Sparklepony Syndrome), anxiety about being judged, sibling rivalry

Healing gifts: Play-based learning, communication arts, cooperation and mediation, using wit and humor as a tool for connection, putting people at ease/inclusivity

Chiron in Cancer or the 4th House

Wounds: Trouble feeling “at home” or safe—both in your body and in the world, hoarding resources and money, emotional eating, xenophobia and “stranger danger,” family dysfunction (possibly with the mother)

Healing gifts: Creating a safe haven for community, empowering women, nutritional wisdom/nourishing with food, savvy financial planning

Chiron in Leo or the 5th House

Wounds: Need for validation, attention and approval, presenting a false front, addiction to drama and intensity, romance/love addiction, chasing the high

Healing gifts: Empowering others through authentic self-expression, playfulness and healthy hedonism, using the arts to uplift and spread a positive message

Chiron in Virgo or the 6th House

Wounds: Debilitating perfectionism, people-pleasing, distorted self-image (body image), anxiety about people’s judgments, being excessively critical of others, hypochondria

Healing gifts: Creating structures to help people improve their lives (from home organization to wellness), being a storehouse of practical wisdom, creating empowering media

Chiron in Libra or the 7th House

Wounds: Inability to commit to relationships, indecision, romanticizing, trying to force peace at any price, trouble ending relationships

Healing gifts: Fostering peaceful communication and harmonious compromises, diplomacy, creating beauty and heart-opening experiences, being a messenger for Cupid

Chiron in Scorpio or the 8th House

Wounds: Nihilism, sexual addiction (possibly springing from childhood sexual abuse), power struggles, jealousy and obsession, trouble leaving bad relationships

Healing gifts: Soul-deep sexual healing, alchemy (turning “trash” into treasure), helping people through extreme life passages such as births, deaths and other transitions

Chiron in Sagittarius or the 9th House

Wounds: Fanatical or zealous beliefs, disruptive nomadic tendencies, aggressive or tactless communication style, chasing the high of the next big thing

Healing gifts: Revealing higher truths with compassion, fostering diversity and inclusivity, creating conscious media, laughter as medicine

Chiron in Capricorn or the 10th House

Wounds: Obsessive ambition, using career as an escape, fixation on gaining status and approval, family dysfunction (possibly showing up as daddy issues)

Healing gifts: Level-headed leadership, environmental consciousness, utilizing resources to provide for everyone

Chiron in Aquarius or 11th House

Wounds: Destructive rebellion, scientific detachment from emotions, trying to “fit in”

Healing gifts: Social justice/activism, fostering utopian communities and a sharing economy both online and IRL, uplifting idealism

Chiron in Pisces or the 12th House

Wounds: Fear of asserting boundaries, escapism, addiction, denial/not living in reality, having a parent with an addiction or who was mentally ill

Healing gifts: Helping people let go of limiting beliefs, spiritual and esoteric leadership, psychic/metaphysical/shamanic powers, helping people live out their fantasies

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The AstroTwins

Identical twin sisters Ophira and Tali Edut, known as The AstroTwins, are the founders of Astrostyle.com and the authors of multiple bestselling astrology books. Their horoscopes reach millions here and through their resident astrologer column at ELLE Magazine.