Astrological indicators for suicidal tendencies

An estimated 8 lakh people commit suicide every year, and there are many more people who attempt suicide, suggests the data from World Health Organization (WHO). Suicides are not just about one person, who has taken their own life, but it affects the entire family, community and nation, at large. It is a serious public health problem and most commonly arises from chronic depression and prolonged state of mental instability.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), is hosted on 10^th September, every year by The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in collaboration with WHO and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), to raise awareness about this menace around the globe and also to affirm that suicides can be prevented.

Well, off course, suicides can be prevented and the tendencies can be gauged at an early stage, too. Vedic astrology applies scientific methodologies to decipher such propensities by analyzing the birth chart of the native.

In this process, the role of Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn is considered very critical. Moon signifies mind, Mercury represents memory, communication and judgment, Jupiter is the lord of knowledge and wisdom, and Saturn represents longevity. If these planets get afflicted, the native faces mental stress, anxiety, depression, which in acute cases may lead to suicides.

Moon governs our mind, emotions and behavior

Moon is the closest celestial body to Earth and hence, it has a deep influence on our life. It is the gravitational force of the Moon that causes tides in the ocean, which is a prominent indicator of our emotional turbulences. A positively placed Moon in your birth chart indicates mental and emotional strength. But, if the Moon, in your natal chart is weak, it will tend to drain you off your mental strength.

Moon is afflicted when:

• Any malefic planet (Rahu, Ketu or Saturn) aspect the Moon, you will face some mental troubles
• If Moon is positioned in any of the malefic houses (i.e. 6^th, 8^th or 12^th house), it can cause mental abnormalities
  
  

Mercury signifies sharp memory, great communication and judgmental skills

In its afflicted state, Mercury will adversely impact these areas, leading to loss of memory, and neurotic attitude. Such individuals may develop problems in judging the right and wrongs and thus be pushed to take extreme steps, which may involve taking own life.

Mercury is afflicted when:

• It is present in the malefic house (6^th, 8^th or 12^th house)
• By the presence of any of the malefic planets (Saturn, Rahu or Ketu)
• When it is in its debilitation sign (i.e. Pisces)
  
  

It is believed that if no planet is afflicting Mercury, but the Sun and Moon are weak, Mercury provokes depressing and suicidal thoughts. However, it will not give the necessary courage to the native to actually attempt suicide.

Jupiter represents intellect and spirituality.

When afflicted, it can lead to lack of concentration, faith and confidence. You will never be able to think straight and take any wise decision with an afflicted Jupiter in your birth chart. A malefic Jupiter creates mental turmoil, which if not handled well can intensify into some severe mental and psychological disorder, which may lead to suicidal attempts.

Jupiter is afflicted when:

• It is present in the malefic house (6^th, 8^th or 12^th house)
• By the presence of any of the malefic planets (Saturn, Rahu or Ketu)
• When it is in its debilitation sign (i.e. Capricorn)
  
  

Rahu and Ketu signifies illusion and confusion

If Rahu or Ketu are in conjunction with Moon in your birth chart or if they are aspecting Moon, in some way or the other, you are likely to develop mental distress, which can cause delusions and phobias. If there is an affliction by Saturn, Moon’s negative influence can lead to acute depression, where you will perpetually be in a toxic state of mind and will eventually lose the hope and zeal to live.

Having said this, you also need to take into account the role of some key houses in your birth chart

Primarily, it is the 6^th, 8^th and 12^th house in your birth chart which gives rise to suicidal tendencies.

• If malefic planets are present in the 6^th, 8^th or 12^th house from your ascendant house, in your birth chart, it reveals suicidal tendencies.
• These three houses are the houses of chaos and disorder in life, presence of malefic further aggravate their negative influence to the extent of making it unbearable for a person to continue living.
  
  

The significance of your 5^th house is also crucial here, as it represents your logical sense. An affliction of this house signifies loss of emotional stability, depression, which many extend to suicidal attempts, if not identified at an early stage. 

Other than this, some other astrological combinations are deemed crucial in identifying suicidal tendencies. These include:

• Presence of any weak planet, which is further placed in the signs of their enemies, or make any unfavorable association with their enemies or with malefic planets may lead to suicides.
• Debilitated planets, combust or retrograde planets have altered energies which give contrasting and unexpected results.
• A weak ascendant or its lord, or if it is afflicted with malefic, may lead to suicidal attempts.
• Planetary transits are important too, as they control the instance of suicidal death by their position and placement.
  
  

Sun to the rescues. Or, is it?

It is believed that a strong Sun in your natal chart actually helps in fighting off the suicidal tendencies. Sun represents self-esteem, self-worth and extraordinary character, and when it is strong, a person never gets attracted to gloomy or depression thoughts.  However, when it is weak, the native’s willingness to fight adversities diminishes, and this gives Mercury the opportunity to takes control and stimulate suicidal tendencies. After that, it will be in the hands of Saturn to decide if that person will survive to live more or not.

“Don’t wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene. The essence of this quote summarizes the importance of facilitating oneself and learning ways to persist through suicidal thoughts. Suicide is never the solution to your problems and it never will be. Astrological guidance can help you spot the overwhelming events and propensities of self-inflicted death in your birth chart, so that you are aware and cautious of falling prey to such tendencies.

Have a story to share where astrology has helped you recover from a depressing phase? Or, want to add on to the points mentioned above? Feel free to use the comments section to express your views.