Definition.-Jupiter and Mars should occupy the Lagna and the 7th respectively-A.
Saturn must be in Lagna and Mars should join the 9th, 5th or 7th-B.
Saturn must occupy the 12th with the waning Moon-C.
The Moon and Mercury should be in a kendra, aspected by or conjoined with any other planet-D.
Results.-The person becomes insane.
Remarks.-The rationale of the various combinations for various diseases is not easily discernible. But when these combinations are present in the
horoscopes of a large number of persons suffering from lunacy and insanity, we are justified in concluding that these various yogas are not merely the product of imagination, but that they must have been the result of keen observation and study on the part of the sages.
Four yogas for insanity are given above. They result by a certain juxtaposition of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Moon and Mercury. In my humble opinion, combination A does not seem as harmful as it is said to be. I am convinced that unless the Moon and Mercury are involved in heavy affiictions, insanity or lunacy cannot be present. To assume that insanity always results by nervous debility which in its turn is due to mental disturbances is to ignore the fundamentals of commonsense, reasoning and ordinary logic. The mind is no doubt the root cause but the root cause itself is conditioned by certain acts done in the previous life so that a human being, however normal he may appear to be for all practical purposes, would lose the mental equilibrium when the moment for the fructification
of the karmaic results expressed as sidereal influences arrives. Astrologically, it is certainly possible to say in advance whether one is likely to suffer from insanity so that if indications are present, an environment
from very early life may be so created as to lessen the chances of the individual’s violent reactions to nervous and mental shocks. According to Ayurveda, various causes bring about insanity, chief among them being inhormoniously combined food, certain poisons, insults to Gods, the pious, elders and preceptors; sudden fear or joy or grief, and acts which put a severe strain upon the nervous system, excite the doshas (three humors) and vitiate the seat of the understanding, the heart and all those ducts by which the mind communicates with the organs of sense. This leads to the disturbance of the mind causing insanity. Insanity is therefore a mental disease. The mind becomes restless and vacant, the vision becomes stale
and actions become purposeless and speech incoherent. insanity born of the ‘faults’ is curable by administering medicine. Gluttony in the absence of
proper physical exercise is said to provoke kapha (phlegm); the excited phlegm mixes with pitta (bile) and produces what is called kapha-born insanity. Each planet is said to rule a certain humour and when the said planet is highly afflicted and adversely situated with reference to the Moon or Mercury some form of insanity cannot be ruled out. One should be very careful in analysing horoscopes for this purpose. It is always advisable that such diagnosis be left to specialists in medical astrology as otherwise grave repercussions will follow. The following are the assignments of planetary rulerships for the three humours-the Sun-bile (pitta); the Moon-wind and phlegm (vayu and kapha); Mars bile; Mercury-all the three ; Jupiter-phlegm;
Venus-too much wind and phlegm; Saturn-wind. Mercury in the 6th afflicted by conjunction with Saturn is indicative of some form of insanity appearing especially in Sani Dasa, Budha Bhukthi or vice versa. The cause of madness in this case is physical and therefore the disease is curable. Sanskrit works describe that insanity in a large number of cases is caused by certain spirits of departed individuals, the asuras, yakshas and even pisachas and a sort of insanity is generated Whilst we may not accept this
Statement as ‘sensible’, let us not condemn it as superstitious or dismiss it lightly. It is full of significance and comprehends several of the psychological and psychoanalytical causes. Some insane people behave very violently while others are harmless. Medicine can give no explanations for these ‘vagaries’. On the other hand, astrology can offer a reasonable explanation. Insanity caused by ‘obsession’ or ‘possession’ is hardly curable. It can be checked if treated within thirteen years; otherwise
it becomes incurable. From an astrological standpoint, this disease is
to be viewed primarily from the affiictions to Lagna, the 6th house, the Moon and Mercury. Whether mental derangement is the resultant of ‘obsession, or due to physiological causes can be easily ascertained from the horoscope. Rahu determines the issue. If the powerful affiiction of Mercury or Lagna or the Moon has the contact of Rahu, one may be certain that no medical treatment would be of any avail. One has to seek remedies other than medical. In a disease of this magnitude, the configuration
and aspects in the horoscope must necessarily be very severe. In studying this disease, the Moon and Mercury should be primarily considered. Mental
weakness is more apt to result where there is no aspect at birth between the Moon and Mercury and also when neither is disposed favourably from the Lagna; and at the same time greatly affiicted. If Saturn be the afflictor in a day birth, epilepsy is more apt to occur but in a night chart, if Rahu be
the afflictor, insanity may follow. Virgo and Pisces are sensitive signs and affiictions occurring in them are always undesirable. If, on the other hand, Mars be the afflictor, insanity may prevail during the day and epilepsy during the night. In insanity, the Lagna is not necessarily afflicted but in epilepsy, the ascendant is usually badly aspected or conjoined. In dealing with the question of insanity, we must always bear in mind that it is a rupture between the physical body and the vital body. Before naming the next yoga we may just mention a few more combinations, most of which are the result of our own observations:-
(l) The conjunction of Mercury and Gulika especially in the 6th house.
(2) The Moon in conjunction with Kethu and Saturn.
(3) Saturn and Mars in an angle but causing Papadhi Yoga from the Moon or from Mercury.
(4) Saturn and Rahu conjunction especially in the first degree of Virgo, Lagna being either Pisccs or Virgo.
(5) Mars porverfully aspecting or in conjunction with Mercury in the 6th or 8th house.
(6) Mutable signs on the angles and greatly afflicted. The astrologer, professional or amateur, would be rendering a distinct disservice to society if he attempts to predict insanity on superficial grounds. The general strength or weakness of the horoscope should not be ignored. Let readers use astrology to help and to heal and not to wound. Even if there are any indications to the effect, they must not be revealed direct to the person concerned. The nearest relatives and friends who have the good of the person should be told, so that they might take the necessary preventive measures. A weak-willed person may become despondent and will be surrounded by imaginary troubles. The Meteria Medica is easy to read, but it is only a specialist who can diagnose a disease properly and prescribe the remedy.
