Addiction and Astrology

(Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, Sex Overdrive etc.)

Notes By: Sachida Nand Pandey

Substance Addiction (alcohol, smoking, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens,

inhalants etc.) is the compulsive use of a substance, despite its negative or dangerous
effects. Likewise there could be behavioural addiction too, wherein a personal behaviour
when it damages or interrupts one’s ability to perform one’s normal tasks.

Addiction is a disorder of the brain’s reward system which arises through transcriptional
and epigenetic mechanisms and occurs over time from chronically high levels of
exposure to an addictive stimulus (e.g., eating food, the use of cocaine, engagement in
sexual intercourse, participation in high-thrill cultural activities such as gambling, etc.)

Astrologically – the primary factors are as under:

Planets: Moon (state of mind, emotional state etc.), Sun (will power), Rahu (shadow
planet of illusion / deception, lower desires, obsession, passion-apathy etc.), Venus
(ruling the essence of addiction – pleasure, sexual overdrive)

Houses: First house (lagna/ascendant – self), 2nd house (for substance consumption),
6th house (habit, obsession, disease, nervous system), 8th house of self-destruction,
12th house; secondary house 11th (as 6th from 6th working as executor of 6th house).

Signs: Scorpio (intoxicants), Pisces (self-destruction)

Fundamentally strength of Lagna, Moon and Sun are most important in analysing
addiction in a chart. Strong / Positive Jupiter (divine grace and morals), can dilute the
negative influences of malefic and cruel planets over first, second and sixth houses. And,
the native may get reasonable and fruitful help for drug addiction treatment. Rahu,
Mars and Saturn are the real culprits in regard to the problem of drug abuse. When
Saturn (entrapment) is the culprit, it stems from burden, guilt, and feeling oppressed. A
strong Saturn in the chart when not positively expressed in life can pull a person to drink
to cover deep feelings of depression or sadness.

**Astrology research has found the affliction by Saturn / Rahu / Mars on 5th house /
Moon / Venus as key indicators for drug addiction.

Some combinations for Addiction:

1. Lagna or Lagna lord with the 11th lord under affliction

2. Malefics in the 12th house (ill spending of resources – time, effort, money etc.
Again this is done as an escapement or to delude one self. Either in gambling,
womanizing, drugs, smoking, alcohol, violence or pornography etc.

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 3. Mars (Tamasic planet representing fire / inflammation) affliction esp. in 6/8/12
houses
4. The Scorpio (natural 8th house of the zodiac ruling intoxicants) and debilitated
Venus or Saturn. When Scorpio happens to be the eighth or the third (8th to 8th
as executor) with afflicted Venus / Saturn, the native may be addicted to
intoxicants.
5. Saturn (as principal karaka of alcohol) in relationship with first house (in
ascendant, aspecting Ascendant, or in association with Ascendant lord). However
if Shani is in own house or Nakshatra (pushya, anuradha, uttarbhadra) the
drinking habit may be less or limited. If Shani is in inimical sign, it may make one
alcoholic. If Shani is in Guru/ Shukra nakshatra, the habit of drinking may not be
there (occasionally). If Shani is in Ravi, Chandra, Budha nakshatra the native may
drink very often. If Shani is in Kuja’s nakshatra, the habit may go LIMITLESS.
6. Shani + Chandra can lead to fluctuating / instable mind, driving one to evil
deeds / behaviour (unless aspected by benefic Jupiter). The native thinks that
what he is doing is right but for others, his attitude becomes a head ache.
7. Moon-Venus conjunction indicates self-indulgent, self-medicating; sexual
overdrive
8. Afflicted Venus (Sex, Drugs and Alcohol) can over-do the natural pleasures which
can result in sex addictions, drug addictions, and alcoholism. In any house, Venus
with Rahu/Ketu gives some attraction to obsessive/compulsive sensual behaviour.
9. Fiery Moon, Rahu-Moon etc. can trigger addiction (including sexual overdrive).
10. Mars + Shukra combination bad to females.
11. Affliction by Rahu/Ketu on Moon / Venus etc. works very damaging for its
tendencies of abuse (excessive consumption), secretive tendencies, illusive and
deceptive impact. The conjunction of Moon with Mars and Rahu is highly
inauspicious in respect of the native’s capability of dealing with pressure
situations. Affliction to Moon by Rahu weakens the mind, having no control over
the addiction. Affliction to Venus causes sexual overdrive intravenous addictions
possibly hormonal injections etc. Affliction to 9th, 12th house or mercury may
suggest addiction to TV, Social Media or movies etc. Strong Ketu influence and
6th house involved – drug addictions …and so on.
12. Weak / afflicted Sun and Moon especially in or from fire and/or water signs.
13. Mars in Pisces and close affliction by Neptune
14. As per Dr B V Raman – Scorpio Rashi, Neechcha (debilitated) Venus or Saturn
governs intoxicants. When Scorpio happens to be the 8th / 3rd house, and Venus
or Saturn occupies an afflicted position, the native will be addicted to intoxicants.
15. Addiction falls under the rulership of Neptune and many of the behaviours
associated with addictive behaviour echo this planet’s characteristics of escapism,
deception, altered sense reality, and the ability to disappear into a different world
altogether. Neptune is the planet that can slip into uncharted depths. It’s also the

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 planet of disintegration. A lot of Neptune people are highly creative, but if the
destructive pull is too strong – addictive types dangerously slip. Many Neptune
types will fall chasing the next high and seeking oblivion through substances for
the illusory sense of oneness.
16. In the birth chart of an alcoholic, the Sun, and Moon are almost always weak by
sign and house position, or else they are badly afflicted, especially in or from fire
and water, or both. Additionally, the fifth house (pleasure and entertainment) is
nearly always afflicted by Neptune or by planets in watery signs, and Mars is
frequently afflicted by Neptune, in or from Pisces.
17. Mars-Neptune is common in the charts of those with serious drinking or drug
problems.

Traditional astrology links the Moon to our emotions and inner states. When these are
unsettled, we no longer have the balanced, peaceful mind that should be our
predominant state. If Saturn aspects through a difficult square or opposition angle or is
in the sign of the Moon, for example, it indicates people who tend to worry a lot, be
fearful of the future or anything new, have a constant self-criticizing monologue going
on in their head or even worse, see the negative in each situation or person and are
often in judgmental frame of mind. That would drive anyone to the bottle!

If Neptune indicates the problem, then the need to self-medicate is most often due to a
heightened sensitivity. It is due to them being very impressionable to the point of
soaking all emotions around them. For example, sitting on the bus next to a stranger
who is very agitated, they would pick up on his vibration and “out of the blue” start
worrying or feeling restless themselves. Their permissiveness of outside influences and
psychic openness brings a sense of inner vulnerability which is easily desensitized
through a drink. They would take a drug just so the emotional swamp they are in would
clear up for a while. And who would blame them?! Also Neptune people have a powerful
desire to merge in and experience a higher state of consciousness, some magic in their
life and escape the “sordid” and dull reality of everyday life. The fastest way again is
through substances.

Mars with the Moon or aspecting it difficultly would indicate a person who is more easily
irritated and angered. Mars is the god of War, imagine how it can colour one’s
perceptions (Moon) in blood red and turn him into a raging bull…or a mad cow! So such
people can have a liking for quick relief of emotional flare ups.

Pluto aspecting the Moon or in a hard aspect to it: Pluto is the planet of obsessions. It is
the inner demons of one person- the darker side which everyone wants to hide or reject.
But it has a powerful grip on us. People with Pluto Aspect Moon can be susceptible to
addiction due to their intense nature which cannot let go of the past and the pain. They
cling to darkness as if their life depended on it! They often refuse to allow the old die, so
the new can be born! But when they finally do it–there is no way back and they become
extremely powerful! These people usually are the ones that go heal others and fight a
battle against this addiction, once they overcome it!

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And then there is Rahu- the North node of the Moon which when in the same sign or
squaring the Moon (in the 4th sign from the Moon), would indicate someone who is
often overwhelmed by powerful desires. The legend for Rahu depicts him as the head of
a Dragon: symbolism of the reptilian brain in humans, which rules our lower desires. It
the myth, the Dragon was insatiable and wanted to become godlike, so he could enjoy
the privileges of the other gods. Similarly when this planet is close or somehow
connected to our Moon our lustful and desirous nature becomes very powerful. Almost
impossible not to obey. It indicates humans who have a strong lust for life, material
achievements, physical pleasures and worldly experiences. Emotional gluttons that are
always hungry, who are always looking ahead for the next drink/sexual
partner/achievement etc., even while they are still having a present one. Rahu denotes
this compulsive impulse in human nature that always wants more, and looks to the
future, while the real state of Joy can only be experienced in the Now.

Of course Rahu people can become very successful outwardly, just like the other people
who have their Moons afflicted. The emotional emptiness, hunger, pain, fears—these are
all strong drives that can fuel someone’s success. But on the inner level they create a
compulsive state of addiction.

All the same matters for everyone who has any of these planets above in the 4th house
of their horoscope–this is the part of the horoscope which is energetically connected to
the Moon, so carries a similar effect. Anyone with an afflicted 4th house (which rules
emotional balance and content) will have a predisposition to the same addictive
patterns.

The temptation to abuse oneself with alcohol, drugs, or tobacco might be more complex
than just your Zodiac sign, but it does seem that some signs are more prone to addiction
than others.

Of course, addiction is not just restricted to the vices you can put in your mouth. People
are often vulnerable to other types of addictions, such as workaholics and sex addiction.

Zodiac sign might be to an addiction

And what kind of addictions might get them in the end.

Aries: This is an impetuous individual that is ruled by fire, so both smoking and drinking
are definitely a risk. Once an Aries becomes an addict, it is very hard to get them
to stop because this is a very stubborn or defiant sign. The Ram may feel that
they are somehow relieving stress by drinking or taking antidepressants. They
also like to smoke to appear glamorous.

Taurus: This is a very stable sign, but not that self-aware especially when it comes to
eating or drinking too much. This sign also enjoys its sensual pleasures. Feeling
frustrated sexually often drives this sign to drink or abusive behaviour. Being
overweight is also often a problem with this sign that can be an obsessive
television channel surfer. Bulls who feel guilty about something also turn into
workaholics.

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Gemini: This is a very moody sign that often tries to self-medicate with all kinds of
addictions. Being an air sign a Gemini is particularly fond of cigarette smoking.
Gemini’s can also be adrenalin junkies that love the high of having sex, but get
very bored of their lovers quickly. For this reason, they are prone to sex addiction.
They are very creative and can become addicted to their work. Internet addiction
in general is a risk for this sign.

Cancer: This sign is ruled by the moon, which makes them prey to their own moods. It is
not unusual at all for a Crab to try and banish a mood through the abuse of
prescription pills and booze. When angry, this sign is also prone to “stuffing down
their anger” by eating way too much food. They will also smoke cigarettes to stay
thin.

Leo: This sign thinks they are immortal, so they will indulge in every single vice
imaginable including gambling, drinking, infidelity, tobacco smoking – you name
it. The Leo likes to do things in excess and with great gusto! They are easily
flattered by others and this is why fidelity can be such a problem. They need
constant affection to feel emotionally stable and will seek it outside a relationship
if necessary.

Virgo: Uptight and prim Virgos are the workaholics of the Zodiac. They are also
obsessive compulsive and can become very upset if things do not go their way.
This can drive them to drink and to take pills that relax them such as velum. They
can also be freaks when it comes to exercise. Many of them will smoke to try and
keep their weight down as they despise individuals who look fat. A Virgo thinks
that a person who is fat is lazy.

Libra: This is the sign of the ultimate idealist and when things do not go their way, they
often resort to recreational drugs or alcohol to escape what they perceive to be an
ugly reality. These escape artists are also uncomfortable with commitment and can
become addicted to womanizing or promiscuity in order to avoid it. The cause of
this is that they like to reject others before they are rejected first. The Sign of the
Scales can also become addicted to exercise. They can really overdo it in an
attempt to lose pounds and many of them are addicted to cigarettes as well.

Scorpio: This is the sex addict of the Scorpio and indeed addiction to pornography is
often a problem with this sign. Scorpions also enjoy all the vices that go with sex
including drinking, spending too much money on clothes and in fancy restaurants
and going into debt to impress the opposite sex. They despise people who do not
look fashionable and will often smoke cigarettes in an attempt to look thin and
beautiful.

Sagittarius: These curious individuals can be possessed by such wanderlust that they
spend thousands on vacations that they cannot afford. As they are naturally
restless, infidelity and sex addiction is also often a problem. This is one of those
Zodiac signs that believe that it is immortal, so it is not unusual to find the Archer
drinking, smoking, and doing terrible things to his or her body because they feel
that they can always heal themselves. Unfortunately, this is how they also get really
addicted.

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Capricorn: This is an uptight sign that is less prone to addiction than other signs. They
tend to be very self-conscious about their bodies and can become addicted to
working out. Many of them become anorexic or bulimic in an effort to look thin
and beautiful. A concern with looking thin can also keep this sign hooked on
tobacco.

Aquarius: This sign loves experiencing new ways of thinking and different perceptions of
things so they are very likely to experiment with recreational drugs. This sign can
also become obsessive about pet causes like vegetarianism. They are more prone
to fanatical behaviour than other signs, so when they do get addicted it is often a
long, hard road back from the insanity that they create for themselves and others.

Pisces: Pisces is a water sign and very prone to drinking. Usually, the reason for the
addiction is romantic. A Piscean will drink to forget the pain of a relationship and
because it is such a sensitive sign it finds many things painful. This is also a sign
that is very sensitive. Pain killers and tranquilizers are very appealing to these
sensitive souls who often feel the need to get away from the world for good for a
while.

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