Thanks.
I do tend to enjoy Mercury retrogrades as they allow for the exploring of interesting insights, though the zodiac debate and fate vs free-will conversations often pick up steam everywhere again.
It is when Mercury transits tightly combust that I notice more severe problems in life.
I've also noticed when Mo starves Me or is conjunct problems can happen. It is always interesting to observe Me transits because Me shifts around so much.
@mitryendra80 Thanks for asking that question! Ernst' answer has given me a lot of insight in to my sister's chart. Since learning about the effects of Rahu and Ketu, I always wondered how she's so confident and solid in herself and her path in life for someone who has Rahu in their 1st house. All her planets are retrograde except for Venus. So, I guess that explains it!
@mitryendra80 Actually, she doesn't have many difficult avashthas. All her planets are pretty well supported. Her Venus is debillitated— so it's delighted, and it has a full aspect from Saturn (59 Virupas). Sun and Saturn are starving each other a bit, but both planets have a lot of help from their friends. Saturn also gets a tiny bit of starvation from the Moon, but has a lot of help from Mercury and Venus. Mars gets some starvation from Mercury, but it's exalted in the 10th house; and then Jupiter gets some starvation from Venus and Mercury but it has a lot of help from friends, plus it's in Pisces. All her planets are in good dignity as well.
I know that Ernst has said in previous courses that having only good avashthas has a tendency to make a person stuck in other ways in life and I can see that with her. Perhaps this will change once Rahu maturation comes up.
Do you think retrogression is hugely misinterpreted in the general astrology world?
With regards to addictions, would the Bhamsa varga be a very important varga to see how one can overcome an addiction??
I have a friend who is highly addicted to marijuana. Easily explained by his sa/mo/ke conjuction (moon also shamed) in his 2nd and Rahu in his 8th I guess? He uses marijuana to get away from his fear and anxiety in his 8th I guess? And the shaming in his 2nd.
Mattias
@meyes This is relatable. A close friend of mine with a similar conjunction sa/mo/me/ke in the 2nd house Scorpio has fears and emotional pain that he suppresses using addictive behaviors. Do you see moving into Rahu's 8th house and taurus sign as a remedy?
@arjstere In this forum there are many much more experienced astrologers that can answer that question better than me.
But with that said: Yes, facing our fear is always the best remedy and the only one that grants us complete healing (and the most growth). But how many are willing to do that? Most people don´t even know that fear and shame can be turned around and become our best assets. If your friend has a really good Jupiter and is willing to listen to your advice, then give it to him. But don´t deny that it´s a huge task. My friend with a similar chart is on a medicine path, prays in teepees and sweatlodges, yet he doesn´t ever consider to give up his daily smoking habit, well aware that he sees his life running by from a cloud somewhere above reality.
Mattias
@meyes thanks, Mattias. Both his Jupiter and Mercury are strong. I agree with you that facing that fear is the best remedy. At times he is unable to identify what the fear is (probably still unconscious), but I have seen him raise up the past year after his Saturn maturation.
@arjstere My belief is that only the Saturn/Moon conjunction and the shaming going on in the second house are rational and understandable. Anything Rahu causes has no rational roots, and that I think is important to understand: he´s not going to understand where all the fear comes from. But also: he doesn´t have to; we should not put that pressure on ourselves with that indiciation, we must just accept it as a handicap. Kind of know what I´m talking about; I have a Ra/Sa conjunction myself; it´s a very irrational fear. The key is to accept it as it is; some people have tourettes, others aspberger... Once you know that you have it, it kind of goes away I think.
Mattias
@arjstere I think the main problem when it comes to help people with those cocnepts is astrology´s lack of status, relatively speaking. I mean, if a person gets a diagnosis by a psychiatrist, that´s bingo, he or she is going to wear it like a diploma. "My doctor says I can´t..." Science is backing up their incapacity! That´s different than "my astrologer says", for most people. So it really depends on how you manage to present it. Being a good listener is the key, I guess, that way gaining the person´s confidence.
Mattias
@meyes Totally agree with you. Personally, if I had read and watched content a couple of years ago that Ernst has posted I would not have been able to relate to it, but as my consciousness is improving, astrology has started playing a key part in my life and how I perceive my experiences.
Often we would like to see mars involved for smoking I guess. No such indications in this case it seems. But to my limited experience rahu may indicate weed.
Mattias
Ketu represents smoke. Venus is the sour taste for alcohol. Always wondered that perhaps different planets/signs could represent specific substances. Perhaps the details are in the signs...?
@scott-m-19 smoke in any form? Marijuana as well as tobacco? I thought marijuana was rahu but maybe it's something I've come up with myself.
Mattias
I forget where I picked up that Ketu can represent smoke. But it is misty which can be smoke like. I think both the nodes can be indicative of toxins, drugs. Rahu probably more so, but I believe Ketu is smoke. Ketu is like Mars which is fire - smoke comes with fire.
@scott-m-19 Rahu could also stand for something new and foreign. Maybe that still describes marijuana in the West. Tobacco not so anymore i guess. Speculations. True what you say about ketu though: marslike.
M