'Many astrologers consider the Chiron Return a major astrological life cycle. The Chiron Return occurs when Chiron has made a complete orbit around the Sun and goes home to the position it held at an individual’s birth. The Chiron return is one of three major astrological life cycles. The cycles are, ages approximate: the Saturn Return at 30; the Uranus Opposition at 40; and the Chiron Return at 50. Chiron pioneer Barbara Hand Clow gives these three cycles the following key words: physical crisis (Saturn), emotional crisis (Uranus) and consciousness crisis (Chiron).'

This article is about realizing Chiron's influence in traumatic transits (with personal experience and transits relayed from the author).  The article also highlights the Lunar Eclipse trine to Chiron/Neptune on Dec. 21, 2010 and how the Sag/Gemini axis of that lunation cycle highlights the need to recognize and communicate our wounds.

'One question sent to my astrology advice column in Dell Horoscope was about a reader’s difficulties with her various mentors, all fitting a certain pattern. And so I was lead to consider what astrological features would show the mentorship process.'

'I’ve had a lot of students come to me with questions about Chiron lately. I think it has a lot to do with Chiron and Neptune dancing together in Aquarius right now. We need a larger focus on how we can heal through connecting with others. But Chiron in synastry, one on one, can be very tricky to interpret. There is a lot of focus on the, by now infamous, Chironian incurable wound. The big question from students is always, “who is the wound-er and who is the wound-ee?”'

'I was thinking about a topic for this blog and Neptune and Chiron kept coming into my mind. Although their ongoing conjunction is in orb between 2008 – 2011, they are now both retrograde at 27º Aquarius. Since Chiron was only discovered in 1977, this is the first series of conjunctions we’ve had the opportunity to experience.

In my personal life, the presence of these planets has been strong: These last few days I’ve been contemplating impermanence, as an old family friend is in a coma and near death.'