| Chiron's orbit is erratic, and its cycle through a person's chart may take anywhere between 49 and 51 years (occasionally as soon as 46 years or as late as 52 years). According to Zane B. Stein in his article The Chiron Return, "At the present time [1995], the orbit is close to 51 years for one cycle. It averages out, over many centuries, to 49 years" – significant because of the esoteric connotation of 7 x 7.
During this cycle, transiting Chiron will make aspects to a person's natal Chiron. The common aspects we look at are the first square (90 degrees), the opposition (180 degrees), the last square (270 degrees) and the conjunction (360 or 0 degrees), as Chiron moves around the chart in time. This conjunction, as it comes back to its natal position, would be what is called the "Chiron Return" and can be compared to a person's birthday (which is the Solar Return), or to the well-known Saturn Return at around age 29. The difference is that generally a planetary (or the Sun's) transits are consistent throughout its cycle since, for instance, the Sun and Saturn both move in a steady orbit and speed. Chiron's elliptical orbit varies, so it's placements in transits vary from person to person, depending on the time in history and where in the zodiac it falls. Chiron spends a lot of time in some signs and very little in others, due to this erratic orbit.
Chiron is sometimes seen in a person's chart falling on an angle, such as the Ascendant (the "rising") or the Midhaven. These people may have a particular connection to manifesting the qualities of Chiron throughout their lives (just as any other planetary body on an angle in the chart will give the person potency in manifesting its nature). Chiron on the Ascendant, Descendant, Midhaven or Nadir (the 1st, 7th, 10th or 4th house cusps, respectively) may indicate someone who is innately attuned to the ideas and experiences of the wound, being wounded, healing and alternative holistic processes.
In my own chart, Chiron falls exactly conjunct my Midhaven in Capricorn (the sign often associated with a goat, as well as with the bones and the structure of the body). This is the beginning of the 10th House, and represents my career and place in the world. Capricorn is the sign ruled by Saturn, and is associated with slow-moving energies which eventually achieve their goal (as a mountain goat climbs to the top). Interestingly, my Saturn happens to fall on my Descendant, or 7th House cusp, associated with one-to-one relationships. This has been the arena through which I have learned the most. My interpretation of these placements is that it has taken some time, but through a lot of hard work, I am now able to find my new path as a healer (bodywork) through my connection with individuals (on the massage table). Saturn and Chiron are both teachers, and my career as a bodyworker at this time in my life makes perfect sense. I am currently 49 (at the time of this writing), about to turn 50 – I have been into my Chiron Return for the past year or so – the period when I have received the bulk of my bodywork training. Also I am beginning to manifest more of my teacher persona through my Chi Gung practice and by assisting in massage classes. (Another interesting point here is that I began my focus on bodywork as a result of an injury to my neck and back, leading me to seek alternative healing treatments!) |