Owning your Chiron - The True Meaning of the Wounded Healer

Chiron is the Key to unlocking our hearts!
(image ©2006 Rachel K. Cox. please do not use without permission)

Traditionally, descriptions about the function of Chiron in a natal chart sound pretty tragic and disempowering:

"Teaching others to do something better than you ever could"

Or even better:

"Chiron is a wound that never heals"

Sounds great, eh?

Well, if you go around teaching people to do things you feel too wounded to do yourself, then YES your Chiron wound is guaranteed to be one that "never heals" - because you're avoiding the process of healing and projecting the possible gifts you have onto others. Also, there's another thing to consider and this cannot be emphasized enough - You cannot truly teach someone something you have never done yourself. Concepts of "sacrifice, teaching others at our expense" etc, are ways of staying in denial of this wound and keeping ourselves unwell. Sounds noble, but ultimately it's simply avoidance of the real problem and prolonging the pain.

There *is* another way. It's in *owning* your Chiron.

Wherever Chiron is in your chart is where you FEEL very wounded. It's from an imprint you received long ago, perhaps you don't even remember the original cause, but it runs deeply within you and influences your life on many levels. It's also where you are extremely talented in a unique and beautiful way - but you have to deal with that wound and overcome it to cultivate it. It's like the beautiful maiden waiting for the warrior at the end of his dangerous quest. It's a hero's journey, and it requires work - you have to face and slay your own dragons. You will have a tendency to avoid this part of your life because sadly, yes, it can hurt a lot. The healing process can hurt too at times, but the end result is worth it.

The first part of the healing process is AWARENESS. That is, becoming AWARE of your wound consciously and then the things you do in your life to overcompensate for this pain.  Many people's personalities are actually not "who" they are - but a construct of complex ego defenses to avoid the pain of this original wound as well as any additional ones they carry.

This defense is understandable, it was needed at one time for your own survival, a great wall protecting the precious cargo inside - so be easy on yourself for having it. We all have it to some extent. It's only natural. There comes a point in your life, however, when it will start impeding your progress. You will outgrow your own walls. Loss of hope, feeling despair, declining health, the color going out of your life are typically signs that it's time to lay this construct around yourself down. It's not needed anymore.

This is where the process can feel scary. What if you lay down this wall and it happens again? What if someone is waiting out there? What if you fail? This is the leap of faith and trust you have you take to begin your quest. It's the beginning of the Hero's journey and where healing begins.

You can bring this wall down in many ways. some people blast a hole through it, some people take it down brick by brick and analyze it. Some people take it down in sections. it's up to you how to do it, think of it as a great art project. Tearing down the old, to build something better, to reveal something beautiful and illustrious - You! Sometimes there are many walls, and it can seem like a maze - but that's an illusion. Just keep going. You're worth the effort.

Eventually, things that once used to paralyze you with feelings of rejection and unworthiness just don't bother you anymore. You discover your life purpose. You don't feel as scared or disempowered. The world does not seem like a big bad mean place out to get you. You actually start to like some things about it. Your step is a little lighter, things look brighter and vibrant. You feel more joy - yes, this is also part of the healing process - Joy, Beauty, and Freedom!

It is my hope that this article encourages you to keep on the path of your own healing. Remember, even though you may feel unworthy because of this wound - YOU ARE WORTH HEALING. You deserve it! Eventually, your heart will FEEL it too. I promise. :)

With Love,
Rachel K. Cox
(Venus conj Mars and Chiron, all in Taurus, in the 5th house opposing Uranus in Scorpio)