Depression Part One

Most of us suffer depression from time to time, it is a natural part of life. For some people it can become more serious and they can suffer long periods of feeling depressed. This state of mood can become disabling and can affect all parts of  life from family, work, relationships and social life.  Depression is usually characterised by a constant low mood, a loss of interest in things you usually enjoy, with feelings of hopelessness and pessimism.

Here are a list of symptoms which may indicate depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Loss of appetite and/or weight loss or conversely overeating and weight gain
• Insomnia, early morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Restlessness or irritability
• Psychomotor agitation or psychomotor retardation
• Feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, helplessness
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide or attempts at suicide
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
• Withdrawal from social situations, family and friends
• Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down” or sluggish
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive problems, and chronic pain.

Astrologically depression in the natal chart is linked to Scorpio, Capricorn and the ruling planets. A predominance of Scorpio or Capricorn planets in an individual chart can indicate a perspective on life that is darker, serious, brooding and fearful. These two signs take life too seriously and both generally have mistrust in life. The Moon is in detriment and fall in these two signs, in astrology the Moon symbolises our well being, basic trust in life and emotional barometer.

Scorpio as a sign does not forgive and forget easily especially if he has been humiliated, hurt or abused. Scorpio is very aware of all the darker aspects of life and of human nature, and there is a strong awareness of death with this type. Scorpio’s life can be crisis prone and this usually reiterates throughout his life.  Scorpio is a fixed water sign, and emotional pain is deeply felt and hard to let go of. With the Scorpion he would rather feel intensely than feel nothing at all, and he can hold on too long to painful feelings of jealousy and torment, and can become paranoid at times. Scorpio can sink into darkness and into the depths of despair. I have personally known some Scorpio types and it is very hard to help them out of their darker feelings, they can be very self willed and determined, and these very traits are wonderful for their fixed perseverance which offers them amazing strength to cope with life’s struggles.

However when Scorpio becomes so self willed and puts up an ice cold barrier he will often prevent anyone getting in to help him. Naturally the sign is mistrustful and suspicious of other’s, as usually they have been deeply hurt at some point in their lives and they refuse to ever be that vulnerable and open to other’s again, and this is where the Scorpio’s fierce self protection keeps people out, they can often be looked at as loners but this isn’t true as Scorpio desires to be involved in deep relationships with others.

Capricorn is a sober and cautious sign they are difficult to know well. The harder side of life seems to confront Capricorns, usually early experiences of having to be self sufficient with many hardships early on in life can describe why Capricorn carries such heavy a burden. Isolation, loneliness and limitation form a part of his experience. Self confidence is usually built up the hard way, he is very dependable and can be a deeply introverted soul. Capricorn is another power sign and he is terrified of losing control.

Capricorn is ambitious and he has long term goals, within hm lies a deep sense of responsibility. If Capricorn does not for whatever reason achieve his goals and aspirations then inevitably there follows a hard depression and black outlook. If Capricorn does not fulfill his duties often other’s can make him feel guilty. Sometimes other’s may place too much weight on his shoulders, and out of some feeling of  necessity he feels duty bound, he can easily be manipulated. Too many people often lean on Capricorn.

The ruling planets of Scorpio and Capricorn will also be significant in the natal chart when examining depression in the nativity. Saturn rules over Capricorn, and Pluto rules over Scorpio. In the natal chart if these two planets are prominent i.e being angular, or connected to the personal planets especially the luminaries although Venus/Saturn can suffer from rejection and painful feelings, which can create unhappiness.  Sun/Moon in hard aspect to Saturn and Pluto (conjunction, square, and opposition) can indicate the person being more susceptible to depression. Also Saturn placed in a water house/sign needs to be examined as the emotional and deep feeling level of a person is affected. I have seen Chiron in water houses/signs finding it hard to bear deep emotional pain and sense of woundedness can overwhelm the personality.

Astrologer Charles Carter has studied many psychological traits in the personality through astrology, he has written a book called “An Encyclopedia of Psychological Astrology”. Here is his analysis on depression in the natal chart>

Depression of spirits usually follows from the Moon or Venus being challenged by Saturn, or in Saturn signs, especially if the 3rd house is involved. Venus challenged by Mars can affect real happiness. Venus square Saturn often gives life of regret and sorrow unless other influences powerfully counteract. Such person’s nearly always stake all their happiness upon one person, and losing him or her, lose all.

The watery signs all tend to moodiness, the fiery , especially Sagittarius, are either up or down, Libra is easily ruffled, but soon recovers equanimity, and the airy signs and Virgo usually attain an intellectual placidity. The earthy signs are usually content except Capricorn, , which is easily depressed by snubs and slights.

Pessimism as a general attitude, is the result of heavy Saturn challenges, and weak benefic influence (Venus/Jupiter) in which is included the Sun. If the 9th is involved, this attitude may even take a form of philosophy. The mutable signs, and especially Virgo, seems the commonest victims of pessimism, while the cardinal far less liable to contract it. The cadent house are all especially related to consciousness and require careful examination.