Which planet is most culpable for extreme anxiety (panic attacks etc)?
I am interested in other's answers for this, but the panic attacks I've had in the past have been when Rahu's influence was very strong. One series of them coincided pretty closely with Saturn return, but Rahu was still a strong influence at that time as well.
The 6 months or so that I had full-blown panic disorder and existential dread was when Pluto was tightly conjunct natal AK moon and Rahu was passing through the same sign as well.
I am sure Moon and Mercury are usually involved with anxiety in general, but Rahu/Ketu is probably the main instigator for panic attacks. But that is just a theory.
I am guessing that many people who take refuge in astrology have some history with strong fear and anxiety, so I expect others to chime in.
S.
I remember having one of those around June 1994. I checked and that's when Saturn was in Pisces, opposing my natal Moon and squaring my Rahu. Also, post-partum depression (which was linked to the high anxiety of having a newborn for the first time), Saturn was transiting over my natal moon in Virgo and squaring my Rahu as well. Saturn (fear) + Rahu (amplification, irrational fears) + our emotional world (Moon) are very likely the culprits, at least from my experience.
I became ill and began having anxiety/panic related issues when Rahu in Gemini (10th) opposed my Saturn in Sagittarius (4th) with Ketu conjunct my Saturn, last November. Symptoms also seemed to worsen every time Uranus in Taurus opposed my Mercury+Pluto in Scorpio.
I would think it would have a bit to do with Saturn as Saturn governs our ability to let go, relax, and rest. If we are in a deep rest Saturn state, we probably just wouldn't give a shit and simply be at peace chilling out instead of needlessly worrying and losing energy over some future event which may or may not even take place.
Saturn can help us restore our energy for something new. Anxiety steals our energy, but not in the the way that helps us fall asleep.