This year may have felt especially emotionally taxing for many of us. With several planets in retrograde, it’s understandable to feel more sensitive than usual. On July 11th, Chiron goes retrograde and remains so until December 15, 2020, a period that invites introspection around self-worth and how you’ve been treating yourself.
Chiron is associated with confidence and healing. Although often labeled a minor planet, Chiron’s influence can be meaningful. Its unusual orbit places it somewhere between a planet and a comet, and while it isn’t tied to any single zodiac sign, astrologers increasingly recognize that smaller celestial bodies can have subtle but significant effects on our inner lives.
When Chiron is retrograde, old wounds are likely to resurface, prompting a deeper examination of their lasting impact on your well-being and happiness. This transit encourages you to explore how past hurts shape present behaviors and beliefs.
What to Expect from Chiron Retrograde
Named after the wise centaur of mythology, Chiron represents learning, bravery, resilience, and wisdom. In astrology, Chiron is known as the Wounded Healer—an archetype that points to the pain we carry and the ways that pain can teach and transform us.
During Chiron retrograde, you might notice feelings of isolation, powerlessness, or heightened emotional frustration. If you lacked guidance around emotional expression and regulation while growing up, these emotions can feel overwhelming now. This transit often brings unresolved feelings back into view so they can be acknowledged and released.
Rather than judging yourself for these emotions, use this time for compassionate self-exploration. Practices such as journaling, creative expression, and intentional self-care can help you process difficult feelings. This period asks you to become your own ally, to champion your healing instead of criticizing yourself.
Chiron retrograde also highlights patterns in your relationships. If your attachment style leans toward anxious or clingy behaviors, this transit can reveal those dynamics and offer an opportunity to work through them. Childhood experiences of not receiving enough love or attention may surface—notice these memories as signposts for what needs gentle attention and healing.
How to Avoid Projecting onto Others During this Transit
Projection is a common human tendency, especially when we carry emotional wounds. One common trap is blaming others for how we feel—saying things like “you made me feel angry” or “you made me feel abandoned.” While interactions can trigger emotions, you are ultimately responsible for how you respond to them.
Chiron retrograde offers a chance to take ownership of your emotional landscape rather than attributing your inner experience solely to others’ actions. When old memories or painful patterns arise, pay attention to them. They often point to unresolved issues that deserve care. Note these moments and consider what they reveal about unmet needs or lingering grief.
Treat these resurfacing memories as invitations to heal. Rather than reacting by blaming, try responding with curiosity and compassion toward yourself. This shift creates space for meaningful change instead of repeating the same patterns.
Releasing Emotions & Clearing the Mind with Chiron Retrograde
Although this transit can feel intense, there are practical ways to support your emotional healing. Positive affirmations are a powerful tool: create a list of qualities you appreciate about yourself and repeat them during the day. Remind yourself that you are worthy, lovable, and deserving of kindness.
Working to balance and open the heart center can foster self-compassion and empathy for others. Practices that support the heart—mindful breathing, loving-kindness meditation, and gentle touch—can be grounding. Some people find comfort in heart-centered crystals such as rose quartz or malachite to aid their focus during this time.
Gratitude practice also helps shift perspective. Reflecting on the ways relationships enrich your life, even imperfectly, can soften judgment and increase understanding. No relationship is flawless, but appreciating its blessings can reduce reactivity when conflicts arise.
This is a moment to strengthen your courage: to nurture boldness, resilience, and the capacity to face emotional truths. Try not to take things personally; offer others the benefit of the doubt when appropriate, and practice forgiveness for mistakes that aren’t intentionally hurtful. Embracing imperfection can open the path to healing and renewed connection.
Making the Most of This Transit
If past hurts resurface during Chiron retrograde, honor those feelings and give them space. This transit supports inner-child work, self-soothing, and providing yourself the love and validation you may have missed. Forgiveness—both for yourself and others—can be a powerful part of the healing process.
While frustration can arise, remember that the purpose of this transit is to help you move through unresolved wounds rather than remain stuck in them. Simple acts of self-kindness—treating yourself to something comforting, writing your thoughts, or speaking gently to yourself—can reinforce your emotional recovery.
Attune to the healing energy of Chiron retrograde by making time for reflection, compassion, and gradual growth. With patience and self-care, this period can become an opportunity for meaningful inner work and renewed emotional strength.