Judgment of Mental Issues From Horoscopes

Absence of mental disorder is considered mental health. According to Wikipedia, this term is used to describe a level of cognitive or emotional well-being of mind. Mental health may also include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between day to day activities of life and efforts to achieve psychological resilience. Various scholars, astrologers and thinkers have said that the state of mind and the Moon have some relationship. The word lunatic has been derived from the Latin "lunacus", which means "luna" (moon).

People from ancient period believed that the phases of the moon and madness are interlinked. This may be a good analysis by itself if a relationship can be established between phases of moon and its effects on a mental patient. This may help to time the period when the patient is likely to have mental fits.

There is a matured system of judgment of these complications in Vedic astrology. The horoscope, the divisional charts and the “dasa” system all help in giving a good overview of different aspects of life. Sufficient clues about the mental health of a person can be obtained from a duly cast horoscope. This can help in diagnosing the mental health of the patient and it may also work as a preventive tool to minimize the effects of the disease before its onset.

In Vedic astrology, Moon signifies mind and Mercury stands for logic and intellect. Jupiter is seen for maturity and wisdom. If these three planets are afflicted in the horoscope, chances of mental illness may increase.

The fifth house of the horoscope has a special role to play in judging mental disorders. This house signifies fascination, thinking and logic. Affliction to the fifth house and the fifth lord may indicate problems with respect to logic or thinking process of the mind. 

Moon is considered to be afflicted if it receives the aspect of malefic planets or is associated with malefic planets. If Moon is hemmed between malefic planets, the affliction is said to increase. The placement of Moon in the sixth, eighth or the twelfth house is also not very welcome. These may be causes of lunatic behavior.

The degree and type of planet afflicting the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and the fifth house hold the key in understanding the level of mental problems. If afflictions are in all the parameters, help from psychiatrist may become necessary.

Moon under the affliction of Sun may make a person lose his temper quickly. It is also possible that the person may be quarrelsome. If Moon is afflicted by Mars, the person may become overly aggressive, violent and may be of short-temper. If Moon is afflicted by Saturn, it may cause acute mental depression.

The afflictions of “Rahu” and “Ketu” on the Moon can cause more complications. If “Rahu” afflicts the Moon in the horoscope, the person may be cunning by thoughts and may suffer from schizophrenia and phobias. It may also give birth to suicidal tendencies. If “Ketu” afflicts the Moon, it may also produce similar tendencies. It may make the person irrationally suspicious of others and can make him a maniac.

Placement of “Rahu” and Moon in the “lagna” (ascendant) and malefic planets in trines is known as “Pischaacha Grasta yoga”. This means a combination in which the mind is said to be overtaken by spirits. This affliction may give rise to phobias. Affliction of Moon by “Rahu” and “Ketu” at close degrees may also give similar results. The case becomes severe if Mercury, Jupiter, the fifth house and the fifth lord are also afflicted.

Good mental health is assured if Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and the fifth lord are well-placed and are without affliction. Benefic associations and aspects on these planets also assure good mental health. Strong fifth house without any affliction is good for healthy state of mind.

Vedic astrology emphasizes the role of “karma” (deeds) of present and past lives on the health of a person. Most of the mental maladies prevalent around us may be due to “karmic” issues. If steps are taken to reduce or nullify such issues by prescribed methods, it may help the patient.

Written by: Anand Sagar Pathak