Chiron, the Wounded Healer: Curing Bad Habits

by Janice Barsky (Published July 1996)

Have you ever noticed that your new partner often turns out to be very much like your old partner? Many people have asked me, "Why do I always attract the same person with a different face? They play the same old head games." While many areas of your birth chart can help identify your patterns in relationships, the planetoid Chiron offers insight into how we might heal ourselves once and for all.

In 1977 Chiron was discovered between Saturn and Uranus. It was named by its discover, astronomer Charles Kowal, and was later found to have qualities of both a planet and an asteroid. Since its discovery, astrologers have researched the significance of Chiron and have found that its meaning closely parallels the mythological being after whom it is named.

Chiron was a Centaur known for his great teaching and healing abilities. Yet he had a nasty wound that even he could not heal. In our chart, Chiron describes the deep wounds we all carry (usually dating back to early childhood), and insights into possible cures. Also, persons with a well-placed Chiron often become healers, usually after having to learn to heal themselves. Let's take a brief look at Chiron in the signs:

Aries (1918-1927, 1969-1977). It was not OK as a child for you to be aggressive or angry, although there may have been much conflict around you. As an adult you tend to either (1) become a hostile partner; or (2) pick hostile and aggressive partners and survive by pleasing them. Your lesson: Trust the warrior within you.

Taurus (1927-1934, 1976-1983). In your early life, much emphasis was placed on material wealth. As an adult you may reject possessions and rich people, or become material- istic and insist that your partner be wealthy. Your lesson: Trust your instincts, not outer appearances.

Gemini (1934-1938, 1983-1988). You distrust the intellect, either because you were made to believe you were stupid, or you were expected to be a genius. As an adult, you may pick people who make you feel stupid (or smart). Your lesson: You are what you think.

Cancer (1938-1941, 1988-1991). You felt separated from (or even rejected by) your mother as a child. As an adult, you find it difficult to be apart from those you love and may pick partners who will take care of you. Your lesson: Nurture yourself as well as others.

Leo (1941-1943, 1991-1993). Your fun, creativity and spontaneity were stifled in childhood, and this crushed your self-confidence. Now your ego is very sensitive and you base your value on others' opinions. Your lesson: Love and respect yourself.

Virgo (1943-1945, 1993-1995). You grew up with control issues--either you had too much or too little of it. Today you attract partnerships with control issues, and often you're in the subservient role. Your lesson: Serve yourself as well as others.

Libra (1945-1947, 1995-1997). As a child, you experienced troublesome relationships, and today you must avoid criticizing your partner for not being who you want them to be. Your lesson: Find balance within.

Scorpio (1947-1948, 1997-1999). Your early child wounds were related to money, sex or death, and you felt very powerless. Today you will attract partners who will dominate you (or you them). Your lesson: Empower yourself.

Sagittarius (1948-1951, 1999-2001). Your early life shaped your religious and other beliefs, whether you agreed with what you were taught, or not. Today you may try to force your beliefs on your partner (or them on you). Your lesson: Trust your own beliefs.

Capricorn (1901-1905, 1951-1955). Your father was distant and rigid, and you believed he saw you as a failure. Now you pick partners who are successful yet cold. Your lesson: Define success for yourself.

Aquarius (1905-1911, 1955-1961). You rebelled against your upbringing, and against society in general. You will attract partners who are radical yet distant. Your lesson: It's OK to be wrong sometimes.

Pisces (1911-1919, 1961-1969). Your early life was full of emotional chaos, and you found it difficult to separate your feelings from those of others around you. Today, you pick partners who will take advantage of you emotionally by playing on your sympathy. Your lesson: God helps those who help themselves.

Since Chiron is in the sign of Libra this year, now is an especially good time to examine and heal relationship issues. Once we've left this unwanted "baggage" behind, we'll also be in a better position to help others do the same.

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