Depression in Astrology: The Scourge of Civilized Humanity as Seen in the Stars?

What are the astrological conditions that indicate depression in our natal chart?

Depression is one of the most significant illnesses of our time, ranging from 4% up to 8.5% prevalence just for those who experience major depression (Karno et al., 1987). In reality, 17% of the population of the so-called Western world will experience depression at some point (Blazer et al., 1994). By 2020, depression will be so widespread in humanity that it is projected to become the second most important illness (Heninger, 2000). This dramatic increase among the population reveals two very important points:

1. Depression is a phenomenon that cannot be interpreted statically in the astrological chart. One cannot say definitively that everyone who, for example, has a Saturn–Moon conjunction will develop depression (a typical cliché among astrologers), because depression appears in even larger populations and is continuously on the rise. If a single specific aspect or combination of conditions were solely responsible for depression, then the number of people suffering from depression would have remained constant over time.
2. Environmental and lifestyle factors play a major role. If indeed mental illnesses are largely subject to environmental influences and lifestyle (as has been proven), we astrologers must realize that we need to keep up with social developments – and above all understand that without accounting for the environment and its influence, we will never be able to grasp the true nature of depression in the astrological chart.

Furthermore, the fact that aspects alone are not the solution for astrology on the issue of depression is evidenced by the fact that women are much more likely to develop depression than men (Bandelow, 2003). Therefore, we must essentially look for additional or even different indicators that can lead to depression—or, quite simply, recognize that due to their biological and social role, women may be more sensitive to specific astrological conditions than men.

Developmental Problems

It is now well documented by many scientific centers and researchers that problems in the developmental environment are responsible for the genesis of depression and other mental disorders in a person’s adulthood. An unpleasant event, emotional and physical abuse, or generally an environment that did not provide a child with a sense of safety can lead to depression (Gibb, Chelminski & Zimmerman, 2007).

In earlier articles and research, the author of this piece has highlighted the importance of analyzing one’s childhood and understanding the situations a person may have experienced at especially sensitive periods of their emotional development. He has also noted the significance of examining transits, solar arcs, progressions, and solar returns during the first 22.5 years of life (Archos 2004, 2007, 2010). In fact, certain ages are particularly important, since major astrological cycles occur at those times, and anyone studying a natal chart should take them into account before proceeding.

The key developmental cycles are as follows:

1. Age 2–3: Transiting Jupiter makes its first square to the natal Jupiter.
2. Age 5–8: First opposition of transiting Jupiter to natal Jupiter.
3. Age 7–9: First square of transiting Saturn to natal Saturn, and second square of transiting Jupiter to natal Jupiter.
4. Age 12: First Jupiter return (transiting Jupiter conjunct natal Jupiter).
5. Age 13–14: Transiting Saturn opposite natal Saturn; minor progressed Sun return (the progressed Sun completes its first minor cycle).
6. Age 18–19: Repetition of the Saros cycle of the pre-natal eclipse, and the start of a new North Node cycle.
7. Age 20–22: Transiting Saturn square natal Saturn; transiting Jupiter square natal Jupiter; first square of Uranus to its natal position.
8. Age 22.5: The progressed Sun forms a 22.5° angle (semisquare) to the natal Sun.

Of course, there are other important astrological cycles which are not so tied to developmental issues. For example, the highly significant Saturn return (around age 29) is especially critical, because at that point an individual evaluates whether they have had a successful life trajectory up to that time, and this serves as a test of social accomplishment. If the person “passes” this test successfully, then surely the next 29 years of life will be easier; if the Saturn return involves major crises, then even greater crises will occur in the following 29-year cycle.

Traumatic Events

Depression does not necessarily have to be solely the product of developmental problems or family difficulties. Often a single traumatic event by itself can cause serious mental health issues and, of course, depression. For this reason, many victims of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina developed depression, since they could not withstand the magnitude of the devastation (McLeish & Del Ben, 2008).

A traumatic event could also be the death of a loved one – even if that person was of very advanced age, where death would be the natural outcome of the human life cycle. Nevertheless, many individuals have formed less-than-healthy bonds with loved ones, or they themselves have not matured enough emotionally, and so such a loss is experienced as a profound crisis. We should note that pain, grief, and even melancholy after the death of a loved one are absolutely natural reactions.

However, if bereavement causes long-term dysfunction and an individual continues to mourn heavily even a year after the loss, then we can speak of worrying signs regarding that person’s health. A traumatic event could also be, for example, a rape – which is in no way connected to childhood (unless it happens during childhood) – or even witnessing a serious car accident which, although the person was not physically harmed, they experienced the situation with intense emotional shock.

What Is Depression and How Do We Perceive It?

Depression is categorized as a mood disorder, and it presents a wide variety of symptoms. A patient with depression typically exhibits pronounced fatigue and a lack of interest in daily activities, and is overcome by an intense sense of sadness and disappointment, along with feelings of worthlessness (Schrijvers, Hulstijn & Sabbe, 2008). They develop feelings of inadequacy and have difficulty even performing the most basic functions of everyday life.

Aside from these symptoms, a depressed individual often shows changes in their eating habits as well as a lack of energy and motivation, which automatically lead to problems in the workplace and, more generally, in their personal life (McManamy, 2006; Kleftaras, 1998). We should not overlook that they experience guilt — the person may feel excessive guilt — as well as pronounced anger toward other people and even toward themselves. In many cases the individual has persistent unpleasant thoughts, while in extreme cases they have thoughts of death or suicide (Rowe, 2003).

Many definitions have been given for depression, but my favorite and, to me, the most complete is the following: “It is a state of pathological sadness that is accompanied by a significant reduction in the feeling of personal worth and by a painful awareness of the slowing of mental, psychomotor, and organic processes” (Robert & Lamontagne, 1977).

To a large extent, then, depression involves much more than we might imagine. The result is always the same, of course: the personal planets (those closest to the self) begin to under-function, and thus the person’s entire system starts to deteriorate. Mercury malfunctions, creating significant cognitive difficulties, with the person unable to achieve real “contact.” It is characteristic that people who are depressed feel as if they are behind a thick gray wall, unable to do anything to come into “communion” with their environment. However, we will see that often the problem does not lie directly in our own reactions at all, but is due to hereditary factors that are not directly related to the movements of our ego.

The Biopsychological Approach

It is an accepted fact in the psychology and psychiatry community that a person can inherit a predisposition to depression through biological mechanisms. Our ancestors, as it turns out, continue to influence us even after their death, since we are a part of them. If one of the parents has had a depressive episode in the past – even if the child was not yet alive to be affected by it – the child has a greater chance of developing depression than another child would (Bernstein et al., 2003).

Heredity appears to be even stronger among twins, even if they have been raised in different environments (Davison & Neale, 1998; Forty, Zammit & Craddock, 2008). This heredity is not only through genes, but is also the result of other processes; for instance, Kelsoe (2000) stated that between 50% and 70% of depression cases are due to biological factors.

However, we should not automatically view a depressive predisposition as something purely negative that is inherited. McManamy (2006) notes that it may actually represent an evolutionary mechanism, since pessimists (being one step away from depression) tend to see things more realistically most of the time, and thus often have a greater chance to survive – whereas many people make even fatal mistakes due to over-optimism or the belief that “nothing bad will happen to me,” which leads them to engage in dangerous actions.

It is very easy to tell if you have a hereditary predisposition from some parent or relative with depressive traits. Usually the planetary positions that our parents have are the same as ours; sometimes we have the same Ascendant or even the same Sun sign; and generally there is a coupling of certain planets – one parent’s planets connecting strongly with ours more than the other parent’s do. If that particular parent had experienced a depressive episode in the past, then it is very likely that we will repeat elements of their life. This is not only related to depression, but also involves other traits that are not limited to health issues – it can even include behaviors. This is not to say, of course, that human beings are biological robots unable to escape their biological fate.

A cornerstone concept in biopsychology is that of neurotransmitters – the chemical compounds the nervous system uses to send signals throughout the body. When the body is in a state of depression, there are imbalances in the levels of these neurotransmitters. The primary neurotransmitters involved are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. In particular, low levels of serotonin are a hallmark indicator of depression (Davison & Neale, 1998; Mondimore, 2006; Anisman, Matheson & Hayley, 2010).

In astrological terms, serotonin is linked to the planet Venus – the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and happiness in life. An afflicted Venus always indicates problems of melancholy and depression, as it shows that the person, to a certain degree, cannot derive as much pleasure from life as they would like.

Depression also causes disturbances in our biological clock – the so-called circadian rhythm governing physiological and biochemical functions in our body (San & Arranz, 2008) – which, astrologically, are ruled by the Ascendant and the Moon. The biopsychological approach to depression has led to various pharmaceutical treatments which, however, do not solve the problem 100%, and in many cases the medications create other issues. For now, in severe cases of depression, medication combined with some form of counseling is the only viable path; this should of course be accompanied – if at all possible, and this is most important – by the love of the people in the person’s environment.

It is very important to note that medications do not truly resolve the problem at its root; rather, they cover it up. While depression has clear biological effects, it is also intertwined with the individual’s psychological state and way of thinking – something that a purely biological approach cannot fix. So, if biologically Venus and the Moon are implicated, we cannot ignore the cognitive factors at play.

The Cognitive–Behavioral Approach

Cognitive psychology has become the most decisive and effective solution against depression in the modern era. Therapeutic methods such as psychoanalysis and person-centered (humanistic) therapy have not achieved the same level of effectiveness in combating depression, and the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK considers knowledge of the cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT) to be essential for practitioners. Although to the general public CBT might appear to address depression in a uniform way, there are actually three sub-approaches which differ somewhat – not so much in how they treat depression, but in pinpointing the source of the problem, which is of particular interest to us astrologically.

The three most well-known theories are:

• a) Self-Control Theory of depression.
• b) Hopelessness (or “Lack of Hope”) Theory, which has gone through two reformulations to arrive at the current model.
• c) Beck’s Cognitive Theory of Depression, the most widely known model.

In general, the core premise of cognitive psychology is that negative events that occur in our lives, coupled with negative thoughts (especially illogical or distorted thoughts), essentially lead a person to develop depression if these patterns are not addressed. The individual is led to believe that they are worthless, and gradually they develop low self-confidence (Bernstein et al., 2006).

Cognitive theory holds that biological factors are not sufficient by themselves; we also have to consider psychological and social reasons for depression. It is a fundamental belief of the author that no matter what genetic predispositions exist, if an appropriate environment to trigger them is absent, then the condition will not manifest. Human beings are complex phenomena with biological, social, and many other facets, and only a synthesis of these aspects can produce a problem like depression.

For this very reason, Mercury and Jupiter play an important role in depression in the astrological chart—these two planets govern key aspects of thought and cognition, and if they are in a negative state, they can lead to problems. Mercury and Jupiter are associated with the analytical and holistic impressions of life (respectively corresponding to hearing and sight; conscious reasoning and comprehensive understanding), and they form fundamental cornerstones of how we interpret our reality. In fact, we humans are our thoughts – as the Buddhist school of thought also asserts – which is why so many methods have been developed to help individuals clear themselves of their distressing thoughts.

In the remarkable book Destructive Emotions (Daniel Goleman, 2003), which presents a scientific dialogue among prominent researchers and the Dalai Lama, it emerges that thoughts and emotions are essentially one and the same – and that the Western distinction between the two (stemming from our ancient Greek heritage) may be mistaken. “As we think… at that moment we also have emotions, because thought is emotion.”

Thus, with this very observation, the cognitive–behavioral approach gains even more ground, since what it tells us is that our thoughts essentially determine our emotions and the way we confront the world. Negative, pessimistic thoughts – or even thoughts of anger – poison a person’s inner balance and drive them out of control.

There are people who have had very difficult childhoods and have gone through terrible events. However, what differentiated those who fell into depression from those who did not develop any such problem was not so much the hardiness of their character as the way in which they coped after the event (whether immediately afterward or later on). Here we must distinguish the initial “shock” someone experiences – which is a completely natural response – from depression, which is a by-product of shock if the aftermath is not handled properly.

We have previously discussed the importance of Mercury in the overall functioning of an individual, in an earlier article presented in Greek on MyHoroscope (titled “Reconstructing Mercury”). There we showed that Mercury hides behind every level of Maslow’s pyramid of needs and functions as a bridge for the transition from one level of personal development to the next. Mercury, as the master of dispersing the wholeness of experience, allows the Whole to know itself by facilitating communication among its individual parts. Jupiter does exactly the opposite, reassembling and restoring the Whole.

Shown above is a partially modified Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, with the corresponding planets indicated at each level astrologically. An individual starts by fulfilling the needs at the base of the pyramid and ascends to higher levels as each lower level is satisfied; however, ascending to the next level requires the operation of a healthy Mercury. Thus, Mercury’s proper functioning is depicted as essential for progress up the pyramid.

Repression of our self-expression and introversion are also considered factors that can lead individuals – in combination with other issues – into depressive behavior (Moore, Zoellner & Mollenholt, 2008). This tendency is reinforced by the constant worry a person might harbor, as well as by any illnesses that may manifest (Safren et al., 2009).

Under the first cognitive interpretation model of depression (the Self-Control Theory), a person has three important capacities: (1) self-monitoring, (2) self-evaluation, and (3) self-reinforcement. An individual with depression first interprets various events in a negative light and filters them pessimistically, which in turn reduces their self-esteem; as a result, they fail to reinforce or reward themselves at the end (Rehm, 1977; Kanfer & Gaelick, 1986).

The second reformulated theory, the Hopelessness Theory, states that the person no longer believes in the future and feels that they cannot expect anything good to happen. As the name of the theory suggests, the person simply stops hoping. Usually one negative event, or a series of negative events, leads the person to magnify the situation and either adopt the role of victim or to blame themselves (Abramson, Metalsky & Alloy, 1989).

The third and most well-known theory is Beck’s Theory of Depression, which holds that, for the most part, depression stems from faulty or distorted thinking. Beck’s model proposes that the more we distort reality and events, the more easily we can fall victim to depression. In this view, a number of cognitive errors arise that lead to incorrect conclusions – in effect, the person loses contact with reality. The famous cognitive triad — the Self (Sun), the World (Uranus), and the Future (Uranus) — is perceived in an invariably gray and negative way.

The most prominent cognitive errors are arbitrary conclusions and selective abstraction (or exaggeration) of events (Beck 1964, 1976, 1983, 1987; Beck & Greenberg 1984; Beck, Steer & Garbin 1988). In the cognitive model, depression works in a feedback loop: the negative cognitive triad generates further negative schemas, which in turn confirm other negative schemas and perpetuate the “sick” cognitive triad. The cyclic nature of depressive thinking has been described in detail by Moore & Garland (2003), where one negative thought leads to the next negative thought, creating a vicious cycle – always bolstered by the mechanism of self-fulfilling prophecy, in which the person becomes a victim of their own outlook.

This is not to say that the cognitive–behavioral approach is perfect; it has its own gaps and limitations. For example, a common criticism it faces is that negative thoughts are not the cause of depression but rather a product of it (Bernstein et al., 2009). Davison and Neale (1998) have suggested that essentially there is a bidirectional influence at work – which, if not interrupted at the level of thought, begins the destructive cycle of negative cognitive errors.

We should also not overlook, to a large extent, the subjective differences between individuals that determine how each person might handle difficulties. This is something an astrologer can discern by looking at the fundamental Ego planets (Sun, Moon, Saturn) and the relationships between them, in order to see whether those personal predispositions might facilitate depression or protect against it (Bruno & Louise Huber, 2002).

A Different Perspective – The Dark Night of the Soul

Depression is not a modern illness – though in the modern world it has assumed terrifying proportions. Let us set aside our purely psychological framework for a moment and turn to more alternative perspectives on psychology, with the help of astrology. According to these perspectives, depression is not necessarily a failure of one’s cognitive reality, nor the result of emotional alienation or a cruel childhood environment.

Many times, depression is akin to a mystical crucifixion or a mystical death of the soul, through which the soul can change and be uplifted. There are cases – very few, but they do exist – in which an individual undergoes depression as a necessary process of transformation, and through this transformation they experience reality at another level, enabling them to ascend spiritually. Imagine it as analogous to the necessary death of Christ for three days so that He could be resurrected, conquer death, and reunite with His Father (the central Source).

These kinds of depressions are associated with the planet Neptune, and they indicate the person’s need to pass into another level – to transition into a different mental and spiritual dimension. According to esoteric astrology, in the writings of Alice Bailey we recognize the Second Initiation, which is related to the Baptism of Christ and the experiential ordeal of Gethsemane (Bailey, 1993).

Baptism has always been linked to sanctification and the renewed approach of the human being – and of matter itself – to the divine. This stage is purely emotional and is symbolized as a journey from the Moon to Neptune (after the person has first journeyed from the influence of Mercury–Jupiter to the Moon). At the Neptune stage, we encounter the mystic: the individual who can give unlimited love and selfless service, and who succeeds in truly feeling others.

In general, people with a strong Neptune influence can undergo this path, and here we introduce what we called the “third path” of the Sun–Neptune opposition – a topic we had mentioned in the past and omitted in that context due to its special relevance to depression. The Path of Neptune is the path of spiritual union, but the individual must pass through the darkness of the soul and come to know the color gray in order to be able to represent the light (i.e. to appreciate and embody the full spectrum of life).

However, individuals with a Moon–Neptune aspect find it more natural to take this path of enlightenment, whereas those with a Sun–Neptune aspect find it more difficult. The Sun relates to issues of the ego-self, while Neptune relates to the collective, the “other,” the foreign; following Neptune’s path requires that you sacrifice something of the ego for that something “other.” The agony in the Garden of Gethsemane exemplifies the profound sense of alienation that a person on this path can experience.

In Gethsemane, Christ – utterly alone and afraid – decides to sacrifice Himself (despite His terror and insecurity) for the common good; yet, for the first time, He falters in the face of what is to come and reaches out to His Father. This feeling of loneliness and despair is a particularly significant state in these forms of depression, which are rarely encountered. The purpose of this spiritual darkness is the genuine understanding of Love at a level that ordinary people cannot easily experience. The person is transformed – they die to their old self and emerge like a butterfly from a chrysalis.

Roberto Assagioli (1988) described in a very vivid way this “dark night of the soul” and how it is connected with certain people who are ready to move to a transpersonal level of existence. In upcoming articles we will further analyze the transpersonal dimension of the human soul and body. Here, however, I would like to share one of my favorite quotes from Thomas Moore’s book Care of the Soul:

“Care of the soul does not mean to barricade the symptom; it means to try to learn from depression which qualities the soul requires… For a person to learn from their depression, they must clothe themselves in the darkness and imitate its mood.”

Conclusion

Depression is a multifaceted phenomenon in today’s world, encompassing developmental, hereditary, cognitive, experiential, and even spiritual elements. By investigating each of these dimensions, we can be more constructive—not in a curative sense (healing is the job of the psychologist), but in a supportive way—so that we can help the person who comes to us for guidance and, importantly, know where to refer them for appropriate help.

A cognitive distortion indicated by Mercury and, secondarily, hereditary and developmental issues can usually, in almost every case, be corrected through cognitive–behavioral therapy or other counseling approaches. But an illness of the soul requires a more internal, introspective approach, one that calls for a different mode of treatment – perhaps a person-centered or even transpersonal psychologist or therapist. Ultimately, however, the fundamental remedy for all problems is one and the same: the love we give, the love we receive… Love!

How to Read the Table

As we mentioned, the hereditary and biological basis is always a key factor. If this base is not present, a depressive episode cannot manifest in the vast majority of cases. Also, learn to differentiate melancholy – which is something common and human, and happens to everyone – from clinical depression. (If you lack the requisite expertise and you recognize features of depression as described at the beginning of this text, it is essential to refer the person to a psychologist. Do not take on responsibilities that you cannot handle.) If the biological base is present, it is still not capable of creating a depressive episode on its own; there must also exist either a developmental, cognitive, experiential, or transpersonal component.

As we noted at the start of the article, we all have predispositions toward various illnesses and behaviors, but an environmental trigger is required to activate them. If a developmental vulnerability is present, there is a serious risk of depression – but what will truly clarify the picture is the cognitive factor. Only in the singular case where none of the other factors are present, and there exists solely the hereditary basis plus a transpersonal factor, can we speak of the so-called “dark night of the soul” scenario.

When we refer to a planetary “connection,” we mean only the major aspects (with a secondary consideration of certain minor ones), and these aspects must be extremely tight. In general, the indicative maximum orb allowances are roughly as follows:

• Conjunction / Opposition – Saturn: 6°; Neptune: 5°; Pluto: 4°
• Trine – Saturn: 5°; Neptune: 4°; Pluto: 3°
• Square – Saturn: 4°; Neptune: 3°; Pluto: 2°
• Quincunx / Sextile – Saturn: 3°; Neptune: 2°; Pluto: 1°
• Semisextile – Saturn: 1.5°; Neptune: 1°; Pluto: 0.5°

Clearly, the sextile and trine aspects will not bring about very significant crises or depressive episodes. The aspects that should be watched most carefully are the Conjunction (in specific conditions and planet pairings), the Opposition, the Square, and the Quincunx.

Points of Attention:

• The author of this article discusses psychological disorders not only from an astrological standpoint, but also from his perspective as a trained psychologist.
• No method of treating depression through astrology is being proposed.
• If an astrologer observes any symptoms of depression as described, it is imperative to recommend consulting a psychologist – even if the astrologer themselves has relevant knowledge (and especially if the astrologer lacks certification and merely believes they have the expertise). The therapeutic relationship is fundamentally different from the consultative relationship between astrologer and client.
• We urge readers not to immediately scour their own chart for the conditions mentioned. There is a phenomenon analogous to “medical student syndrome,” where as soon as we learn about an illness we imagine we have it. In cases where someone does find such astrological configurations in their chart, they may become terrified, with particularly negative consequences. Interpreting a natal chart is a serious undertaking and can be dangerous if we do not know how to handle the information responsibly.
• We recommend research using charts of individuals who have experienced depression – hundreds of such charts are available on the Internet – but advise against analyzing your own chart or those of people close to you in this context. We strongly encourage reading the bibliography below, which provides an excellent starting point for further study.
• This article does not claim to resolve the phenomenon of depression. The author simply believes that it takes a step forward in understanding depression through the astrological chart. Further research – whether qualitative, quantitative, or comprehensive literature reviews – is more than necessary to advance this understanding.
• Any comment that describes a personal experience of the reader or someone they know, or any comment of a personal nature, is not permitted and will be subject to removal by the moderators due to the seriousness of this topic.
• The characteristics of depression mentioned here have been drawn in part from the DSM-IV-TR (4th edition) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, in combination with other authors cited above.
• This article is classified as Category D (Type D), meaning it belongs to the 4th and most fundamental category of psycho-astrological analysis. It is intended for readers who need to learn the basic characteristics of depression. We chose not to delve deeper into more complex details, as that would have been overwhelmingly difficult for the general audience.
• Questions and dialogue are, as always, very welcome!

References

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