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This week brings particularly beautiful invitations as Chiron retrograde begins and Mercury enters Virgo. As Chiron journeys through our inner shadows of past hurts, we unlock our access to wisdom.
retrograde chiron
Retrograde Chiron begins this week on July 23, 2023, where it will continue its apparent backward motion until December 26, 2023. Chiron is not technically classified as a planet but rather one of many things, including a minor planet, comet, or asteroid. Chiron first entered Aries in 2018 and will remain there until 2027.
First discovered in 1977, Chiron is relatively new to our study of astronomy and astrology. However, in mythology, Chiron has a rich history and wisdom that we can draw on when we seek to understand this minor planet more easily.
In mythology, Chiron was a centaur who was abandoned at birth by his mother. Although he came of age feeling unloved and unwanted, his journey is a powerful one as he began teaching combat to some of the most well-known Greek heroes. Despite, or perhaps because of, his psychological wounds, he created his own path of power.
One day, Chiron was accidentally wounded by a poisoned arrow. Because of the pain, he began to study and even master a variety of healing modalities. He learned with such depth, wisdom and knowledge that he then began to teach these healing arts to the gods, while he was still unable to heal his own wound. Chiron became known across the seas as a powerful healer, teacher, psychic, and philosopher, coming to be known as the “Wounded Healer.”
In evolutionary astrology, it is suggested that the role Chiron plays in our life and the wound it represents are the wounds or karma from past lives that we came into this life to work on. In psychological astrology, Chiron is considered to be hurtful from childhood. Either way, there may be a felt experience of wounding with Chiron. However, as his story shows, Chiron is also a portal to deep wisdom, compassion, and courage. As the famous Persian poet Rumi once said, “The wound is where the light enters.”
As Chiron begins his retrograde, he invites us to explore some of those wounds. He invites us to turn inward on what is within, awaiting our attention and love. He invites us to reframe our experiences, perceptions, and relationship with those wounds, knowing that this is where we can access our greatest wisdom.
The Chiron glyph or symbol is shaped like a key. A key that opens doors within us. A key that unlocks compassion, wisdom, knowledge and deep courage. Our experiences are one of the many aspects that make us who we are. This retrograde is an opportunity to decide if we consider them empowering or disempowering.
Mercury enters Virgo
In astrology, Mercury rules our mental realms. He shapes how we take in information, process it, and share it. As an archetype, he represents learning, logic, communication, information, technology, and planning. Mercury in Leo in recent weeks invited us to put passion in our ideas, our communication and our planning. He brought us witty thinking and a bold expression.
However, as Mercury shifts into Virgo, the pace begins to change. Mercury rules Virgo. They have the same intentions and desired directions, and when their energies come together, they create a cohesive invitation. Virgo is an earth sign known for its affinity for detail, ritual, organization, practical thinking, and intentionality in all things. As an archetype, you have a beautiful gift of refinement.
Mercury in Virgo is a beautiful energy that we are gifted with. It is based on the passion and fire of Leo and discerns the best forward direction in our dreams and desires by disguising them in precise and doable steps. The invitation is to explore the day-to-day rituals that best support you.
your invitations
Like all retrogrades, this time it is more about integration and reflection than action and progress.
Virgo has a deeply empowering connection to ritual. She considers the habits and practices that best support and sustain you. This could be your yoga or meditation practice. They could also be affirmations or movements that build your sense of self and confidence. Consider what rituals encourage you to become your happiest self. Performed daily over time, the rituals work quietly in the background, but create profound change from within.
Learn more about the influence of astrology on your life, including astrological events, the cycles of the Moon, your Sun and Moon and rising signs, how journaling can help you connect with current influences, and more with Jordane Maree at Girl and her Moon.
About our partner
jordan marie is the founder of girl and her moon, a platform and community that explores the Soul through the lens of astrology, tarot, and energy healing. She is a writer, intuitive astrologer, energy and soul guide, and host of Girl and her moon, the podcast. She is inspired, every day, to be the mirror for you to see all that you really are, you in all your infinite abilities, in full expansion, in infinite opportunities and love.