PTSD, PTG, and the Chiron Wounded Healer Archetype
In this post I want to explore how we often view trauma (PTSD and PTG) from a personal development and astrological point of of view. I LOVE exploring the different language we use to describe personal development from different angles as I feel it can create a richer, deeper understanding.
After studying spiritual psycholgoy, trauma-informed Compassionate Inqiry and Astrology I’m fascinated by how human’s move on from traumatic events in their life. In the realm of psychological healing and personal growth, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) are pivotal concepts (although I feel PTG doesn’t get enough air time!). When you look to astrology the archetype of Chiron is very much about our healing journeys and how our trauma can be our greatest gift if we work with it in a PTG way with the right support.
Following on from this I want to explore this topic with you, weaving in my learnings from Compassionate Inquiry, Spiritual Psycholgoy and Astrology as a way to see how I combine these 3 amazing tools in my work with clients for truly holistic support.
Understanding PTSD
PTSD standing for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. In more recent times people have come to understand that trauma is actually more widespread than we realise and so many have included terms like “little t- trauma and Big T Trauma” to include the huge spectrum of types of events which could be considered traumatic.
When I was studying with Dr Gabor Mate, he defines trauma as not necessarily the event, but how we might change in response to an event. I reference more about this another post What Does Trauma Informed Really Mean? In this sense ‘trauma’ is defined as the response WITHIN us, rather than the external event.
So if something happened, and I developed a coping mechanism that changed me, that kept me not in my true authenticity - then that is what we are calling trauma in this sense.
“The word, “trauma” is an inner injury, a lasting rupture or split within the self due to difficult or hurtful events. By this definition, trauma is primarily what happens within someone as a result of the difficult or hurtful events that befall them; it is not the events themselves. “Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you” — DR GABOR MATE, COMPASSIONATE INQUIRY
An example is one client is very knowledgable, well trained and quite eloquent in her speaking. However she crumbled in self doubt anytime someone invited her to give a workshop or talk.
When we explored this more deeply, it turns out that there was a moment when she was about 7 years old and contributing to a conversation at the family dinner table, and her father said, “well what do you know about that?”. This happened on more than one occasion. The client had believed her parent, over her authentic truth (which we all do as children, as we want to believe our caregivers are right). There is then a part of my client, stuck at age 7, thinking she doesn’t know anything, and who is she to share a workshop to talk.
Rather than ONLY working on her confidence, we took the trauma informed way to get to the root of where this behaviour stemmed from.
From here, there is then a process of working with that 7 year old part, acknowledging it’s role. It served her well as a child, but is now holding her back as an adult. So we can begin to rehabilitate and reintegrate this part, so that it wouldn’t hold my client back so much.
PTSD is where we continue to live out that traumatic event in our body and mind. Symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in thinking and mood, and altered physical and emotional reactions; that may hold us back from living out our full potential.
Exploring PTG
Whilst most people know about the term PTSD, fewer are familiar with PTG (Post Trauma Growth).
PTG refers to the positive psychological changes that occur as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances. Characteristics of PTG include improved relationships, greater appreciation of life, new possibilities, personal strength, and spiritual development. Unlike PTSD, which focuses on the negative impacts of trauma, PTG highlights the potential for transformation and growth that can emerge from these experiences.
In Spiritual Psychology my teacher always use to say “Everything is happening for the growth of our Consciousness”. Whilst some might blanket this as Spiritual Bypassing, coming from a higher perspective about the lessons we learned can be helpful. Using assisting language can be a good start. Instead of a Victim of something, often people now say I’m a Survivor of (traumatic incident) speaking to the strength and resilience of even going through a traumatic event. When we focus on not letting ourselves be defeated or crushed by an event or person, it stirs a deeper survival instinct inside of us which is PTG.
The Chiron Archetype
Now let’s weave this into Astrology and the the archetype of Chiron - the wounded healer.
In mythology, Chiron is a centaur who, despite suffering an incurable wound, becomes a master healer. In our birth chart Chiron represents where we are wounded and how we can heal others through our own healing journey. Chiron’s story teaches that our deepest wounds can become sources of profound wisdom and healing, symbolizing the potential to transform pain into a healing force for ourselves and others.
We all have the Chiron Archetype, no matter our life experiences. It’s said to be our deepest soul wound often relating to not feeling enough, or low self worth at some deeper level.
Linking Chiron to PTSD and PTG
Chiron’s archetype provides a powerful framework for understanding the journey from PTSD to PTG. Just as Chiron’s incurable wound represents deep, often lifelong scars of trauma, the process of healing through acknowledging and working through these wounds mirrors the PTG process. Chiron’s story emphasizes that through our pain, we can find strength and the capacity to heal and support others.
It’s part of our human experience to go through wounding, and to learn and grow from it. This is then what we often end up sharing or teaching to others. It’s how we can wisdom as a human being. The wound doesn’t magically disappear, but the way we relate to it changes - that is the growth.
Healing and Transformation
Studying Compassionate Inquiry, developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, taught me so much about helping clients go from a PSTD to PTG state. It’s fascinated me to understand the Chiron archetype within us a a deeper way. So much of the work is about looking at the different coping mechanisms and adaptations we make to trauma and assessing whether they are still relevant and helping us grow or holding us back. Most of the time they are holding us back and so through a series of self inquiries we can start to uncover the beliefs that we’ve held inside.
Often these beliefs are out of Consciousness Awareness but become clear when we look at our own actions and interactions with others.
The ‘work’ is then all about seeing which ‘part’s of us are running the show. Is it an adaption or our true essence?
Spiritual and Psychological Perspectives
My spiritual teachers use to remind me that our essence, or being, is untouched by trauma, akin to the sky remaining unchanged despite weather patterns. While our mind, ego, and human aspects are affected by trauma, recognizing the unscathed nature of our essence is crucial for healing. Thanks to our understanding of the brain and psychology and neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and adapt) we now know that it’s possible to create new, healthier belief systems and patterns despite anything that’s happened to us in the past.
I particularly LOVE and use Yoga Nidra’s with my clients to overcome past trauma’s and enhance PTG. Yoga Nidra is a laying down meditation that encourages nervous system regualtion, emotional healing, sub-conscious reprogramming and Spiritual connection. I wrote more about it in this article Altered States of Consciousness Through Yoga Nidra.
In summary, Chiron’s placement in a natal chart can indicate areas of vulnerability and potential healing. Current astrological transits involving Chiron can trigger collective or personal healing crises, reflecting times when we as indivuiduals or a society are called to confront and heal deep wounds. Understanding Chiron can support personal development and resilience by highlighting where we need to embrace our wounds and transform them into sources of strength.
The interconnectedness of PTSD, PTG, and the Chiron archetype offers a rich framework for understanding the healing journey. Embracing and working through our wounds can lead to profound growth and transformation. By integrating insights from psychology, spirituality, and astrology, we can view challenges as opportunities for growth and trust our healing journey. Trusting our inner scientist and exploring what authenticity means for us can guide us toward healing and resilience.
If you’d like to find out more about working me with and being supported through a very holistic approach then get in touch here.
Or be part of my intimate group mentoring program The Chiron Journey HERE It’s a blend of my trainings in trauma informed Compassionate Inquiry, Archetypal Astrology and Subconscious reprogramming. We next journey together 7th October 2024.