CATCHING OCD ISSUES BY WATCHING TRANSITS

[By Jove]

My OCD has been extremely bad lately. It probably did not hurt a friendship that means dear to me, but it is causing me a lot of anxiety.

I don't want to be blindsighted by OCD ever again. What precessions, transits, etc. should I look for in the future so I can predict when my OCD could become severe.

For example, my OCD started becoming severe around 2pm on December 25. It became extremely severe December 26, around 12pm-1pm. It is dying down somewhat, but I am afraid I destroyed an important friendship because I did an OCD compulsion.

I would deeply appreciate any advice. I do not want OCD to threaten another relationship again.

[Jim Eshelman]

Your transits on the day of this last attack may indeed give useful clues.

The one outstanding thing I see was that 12/25 was when transiting Mars squared your Saturn. This is more intense this year (and perhaps next, depending on Mars' timing) because it occurred with Mars square Pluto in space.

The big pattern to watch for, I think, is Pluto's transit over your Saturn. You can read details in the Transits section but, in brief, Saturn-Pluto combinations by themselves can be quite conducive to obsessive-compulsive traits; yet, Pluto's transit to Saturn could be an exceptional time to work on the issue, to break down and recompose your Saturn-driven traits. (Pluto first entered 1° orb of your Saturn last February and will last leave that orb a year from now, in the last days of 2021.)

Mars coming into the fray seems to have intensified this. It may simply have been a surge of energy but has the feeling of a threat - feeling threatened, triggering an accelerated survival circuit - or otherwise stressful. (I note that the 2 PM approximate time you gave is just after all these planets rotated past angles. On 123/26, the time was about when your Moon-Neptune was angular.)

This may have been a more intense incident not just because of the transits but also because you are now in two months when progressed Moon squares your Pluto. (It will be exact about January 11, and to progressed Pluto Feb 5, but the progressions to both are operative from early December through the first week of May.) During this time you will be more inclined to withdraw or separate, and perhaps more prone to acute emotional reactions and old psychological content being brought to light.

[By Jove]

Thank you. I'd say Dec 26 was the worst day of my life regarding my OCD.

[By Jove]

Your transits on the day of this last attack may indeed give useful clues.

The one outstanding thing I see was that 12/25 was when transiting Mars squared your Saturn. This is more intense this year (and perhaps next, depending on Mars' timing) because it occurred with Mars square Pluto in space.

The big pattern to watch for, I think, is Pluto's transit over your Saturn. You can read details in the Transits section but, in brief, Saturn-Pluto combinations by themselves can be quite conducive to obsessive-compulsive traits; yet, Pluto's transit to Saturn could be an exceptional time to work on the issue, to break down and recompose your Saturn-driven traits. (Pluto first entered 1° orb of your Saturn last February and will last leave that orb a year from now, in the last days of 2021.)

Mars coming into the fray seems to have intensified this. It may simply have been a surge of energy but has the feeling of a threat - feeling threatened, triggering an accelerated survival circuit - or otherwise stressful. (I note that the 2 PM approximate time you gave is just after all these planets rotated past angles. On 123/26, the time was about when your Moon-Neptune was angular.)

This may have been a more intense incident not just because of the transits but also because you are now in two months when progressed Moon squares your Pluto. (It will be exact about January 11, and to progressed Pluto Feb 5, but the progressions to both are operative from early December through the first week of May.) During this time you will be more inclined to withdraw or separate, and perhaps more prone to acute emotional reactions and old psychological content being brought to light.

So I should look out for Mars, Saturn, Pluto, Moon transits? What does it mean when a planet rotates past angles?

[Jupiter Sets at Dawn]

It's not the planets rotating. It's the earth rotating. As the Earth rotates, the planets appear to rise (AC, East Point) culminate (MC, Zenith, Southpoint) set (DSC, etc) and anticulminate (IC etc). As the Earth continues to rotate, each planet appears to pass the various angles.

What Jim was saying was each planet referred to was just past an angle. Look at the chart and I'm sure you'll see that.

[By Jove]

Okay, but planetary transits are particularly problematic and worth noting? Mars-Moon transits? Mars-Saturn? Etc. I don't want to give into my mental health problems and make mistakes again.

[SteveS]

Jove wrote:

I don't want to give into my mental health problems and make mistakes again.

Jove, I am certainly not an expert with OCD issues, but I think you will possibly discover your OCD pathology could be cured by a better understanding of your near exact mundane conjunction of Moon-Neptune in your 7th House, not transits. If you like, I can post here or PM you what I know from the Germain Schools of astrology about pathology issues with Moon-Neptune contacts.

[Veronica]

Jove wrote:

I don't want to give into my mental health problems and make mistakes again.

Jove, I am certainly not an expert with OCD issues, but I think you will possibly discover your OCD pathology could be cured by a better understanding of your near exact mundane conjunction of Moon-Neptune in your 7th House, not transits. If you like, I can post here or PM you what I know from the Germain Schools of astrology about pathology issues with Moon-Neptune contacts.

I for one would like to see/hear about that Steve....

[By Jove]

Jove wrote:

I don't want to give into my mental health problems and make mistakes again.

Jove, I am certainly not an expert with OCD issues, but I think you will possibly discover your OCD pathology could be cured by a better understanding of your near exact mundane conjunction of Moon-Neptune in your 7th House, not transits. If you like, I can post here or PM you what I know from the Germain Schools of astrology about pathology issues with Moon-Neptune contacts.

Either is fine.

[SteveS]

V wrote:

I for one would like to see/hear about that Steve....

I forgot V, you too have a Moon-Neptune close contact. Lets wait and see Jove's response and I will either post here or PM you the Germain Schools thoughts about Moon-Neptune contacts. I have a good friend who has a Moon-Neptune contact and most all his life in a very healthy way he has OCD issues with the Theater Industry, ALL phases of it. He is absolutly obsessed with the industry. Since Jove has a Moon-Neptune contact in his Natal 7th H, it appears to me he has become obsessed with this once close online relationship with Suzy. The Germain Schools shed more light on Moon-Neptune aspects and it could be that this Moon-Neptune combo has to do with all kinds of addictions bordering with mental obsessive pathologies. But, like I said--I am no eXpert with OCD.

[By Jove]

V wrote:

I for one would like to see/hear about that Steve....

I forgot V, you too have a Moon-Neptune close contact. Lets wait and see Jove's response and I will either post here or PM you the Germain Schools thoughts about Moon-Neptune contacts. I have a good friend who has a Moon-Neptune contact and most all his life in a very healthy way he has OCD issues with the Theater Industry, ALL phases of it. He is absolutly obsessed with the industry. Since Jove has a Moon-Neptune contact in his Natal 7th H, it appears to me he has become obsessed with this once close online relationship with Suzy. The Germain Schools shed more light on Moon-Neptune aspects and it could be that this Moon-Neptune combo has to do with all kinds of addictions bordering with mental obsessive pathologies. But, like I said--I am no eXpert with OCD.

You can post your findings in this thread. I am working on self-love, feeling secure in myself, and detatching myself from outcomes. It's a bumpy ride, but I feel significantly better than I did last month.

[SteveS]

Jove wrote:

You can post your findings in this thread. I am working on self-love, feeling secure in myself, and dethatching myself from outcomes. It's a bumpy ride, but I feel significantly better than I did last month.

This is great Jove, you are smart to adopt this attitude.

Jove, first I want you to understand I can’t provide you with a sure way to get Suzy back in your life through astrology, and I know for sure how much pain you have experienced with Suzy being separated from your life, I can see this pain with your Solar Arcs and transits. And, I am pretty sure I see/understand the primary chart and planetary combo which timed your astrological OCD with your birth. Your OCD can’t be seen or astrologically diagnosed with your first harmonic Natal Chart, only through your Dodekatemoria chart, the 13th harmonic chart. If you want a better understanding of the ancient system of the Dodekatemoria chart, I refer you to Robert Hand’s essay in his book “Essays on Astrology” Chapter 11, “Dodekatemoria: An Ancient Technique Reexamined.” Robert Hand’s research with the 13 harmonic chart has yielded “astonishing results,” and your 13th harmonic chart yields the same “astonishing results” astrologically diagnosing your OCD.

Anytime an astrologer wants to understand a possible psychic theme with natives for disorders pertaining to “compulsion” through their chart, they must examine prominent aspects with the planetary combo of Mars and Sun, primarily with the planet Mars according to the German Schools of Astrology. Your first harmonic Natal Chart shows no prominent aspects with the planet Mars, but your 13th harmonic Dodekatemoria shows “outstanding results” with the planetary combo of Sun-Mars as related to your OCD. Below is a link to your Dodekatemoria chart:

https://ibb.co/cFv0zSk

Note the partile 180 of Mars & Sun in your Dodekatemoria Chart, with the planet Mars having much to do with anything pertaining to a disorder pertaining to “compulsion.” The field of psychological therapists tells us OCD is also associated with depression (Saturn). Note Saturn in your Dodekatemoria Chart is prominently aspected with your partile 180 of Sun & Mars. Your Dodekatemoria Chart clearly indicates you were born to experience the malefic effects of OCD in your life. You must continue to work with your therapist endeavoring to better control your OCD. Through my study of astrology, I can offer you a more focused intent in working with your therapist with your OCD, and that is through your 7th H first harmonic chart with close relationships. You were born with a partile mundane conjunction of Moon-Neptune in your 7th H. The German Schools of Cosmology teach that “pathologically abnormal emotional and mental disturbances are indicated by Moon-Neptune configurations.” The Germans teach:

In the case of aspects between Moon and Neptune, especially the conjunction, square and opposition, it has been found there are often difficulties in close relationships which were found to be due mainly to over-sensitivity, not being understood or a lack of confidence.

So, try to work more directly with your therapist with your OCD pertaining to your close relationships in life, endeavoring not to repeat the same mistakes you experienced with Suzy. Learn from your mistakes in life and listen to your therapist, this is my best advice as far as my understanding of your charts/aspects with my astrological studies.

[By Jove]

So, try to work more directly with your therapist with your OCD pertaining to your close relationships in life, endeavoring not to repeat the same mistakes you experienced with Suzy. Learn from your mistakes in life and listen to your therapist, this is my best advice as far as my understanding of your charts/aspects with my astrological studies.

I was considering getting a new therapist who specializes in areas like relationships, OCD, life skills etc. I don't feel my current therapist has served me well over the last few months.

[SteveS]

Jove wrote:

I was considering getting a new therapist who specializes in areas like relationships, OCD, life skills etc. I don't feel my current therapist has served me well over the last few months.

Excellent thinking Jove , then by all means change to a therapist who "specializes" in relationships pertaining to OCD issues with "close relationships" of anykind. This new therapist should be able to tell/instruct you in the dos/donts with close relationships. Now that I think I have isolated the main timing chart (Dodekatemoria) for your OCD issues, I can clearly see/understand better your OCD issues will continue to manifest through all the planetary symbolism in your Natal 7th H of close relationships until you can come to better understandings with a therapist who specializes in relationships.

[By Jove]

Friendships have been a struggle since I was 12 and got depression. Relationships have been a struggle for me, a source of denial and anguish since I was teenager. There are four main reasons for this (similar to what SteveS said):
1. I lack social skills.
2. I lack self-confidence.
3. I am damaged from a verbally and psychologically abusive childhood.
4. I am mentally ill.

It's mostly the lack of self-confidence why I struggle so much with my inner demons on my own. So I make the mistake of acting out or reaching out to strangers in desperation. And this behavior always comes from fear and anguish, never malice. Of course it's no excuse, and I am slowly learning to take responsibility for my emotions and actions. Hence the need for a new therapist. The old therapist was a good confidant and surragate father overall, but I need more specific therapy to address my needs.

[Jim Eshelman]

Normally, we would expect someone - especially a male - with a foreground Sun and closely angular Mars to have an abundance of self-confidence (initially being short of it until they found their path, and then have it straighten itself out). It takes something specific to derail this: In your case this "something specific" is surely the Sagittarian judgmental pattern that you apply to yourself as well as to other people and conditions. Almost always, Sagittarians are acutely aware of where they fall short of their own sense of perfection, where they find themselves "not good enough."

"Perfection" and "good enough" being the topics, your OCD purity-and-perfection compulsions surely make this quite a hell for you. Though it's a road that will require patience and probably professional guidance, I think the real key to freeing yourself of this, is to work on this pattern of judgmental behavior.

It's perfectly fine - in fact, it's a wonderful trait - to have high ideals and to expect yourself to live according to them. However, you also have to have (just as strong!) the certainty that you will always fall short - that your goals and ideals always have to lead you - that there is, in life, no expectation of ever catching up to them. (Or, of you do catch them, it's time to get some new goals that are out of your reach.)

The cycle of everything in life - of getting through each day, each week, one's whole life - seems to me to have three phases: (1) Do your best. (2) {bonk} up. (3) Fix it. EVERYBODY does #2. (Make that your starting premise!) Not everybody does #1, but the people you want to hang with do #1 and #2. The best people (see my judgement?) do all three. But remember: "fixing it" is impossible with {bonking} up. Your failures are your instruction through life. They're a good thing.

I'm curious what the trigger was at age 12 that brought on the depression. Was it just your biology timing it, triggered by chemical changes at puberty, or was there something else? Your solar arcs for your 12th birthday have Jupiter precisely on your natal IC and progressed Sun atop your Mercury-Venus-Uranus - all of which sound wonderful. About the same time, progressed Moon opposed your Sun, again something usually positive and important. The year before, Saturn had crossed your Ascendant by transit, but as you turned 12 Uranus was crossing your MC and Pluto about to cross your Dsc - markers that things were indeed dramatically changing over that year, but not inherently bad.

Ah, I see it: In the middle of that, Saturn also opposed your Sun (which at least would bring father issues to a head and challenge sense of self-worth) - an important transit, but in the context of very positive other aspects. Also, your SSR had Saturn mere minutes from an angle (opposite your Sun). Eight months into that birthday, progressed SSR Moon conjoined the Saturn. Was there some critical event in June-August? - And with all that, your natal Moon-Neptune was exactly on Dsc. Yes, I think those truly lovely solar arc aspects just couldn't survive the weight of this solar return.

Did something specific happen?

[By Jove]

Nothing huge. It maybe started around August 2003, when I was beginning a new school year in Metairie, LA. My OCD began around February 2007 (maybe February 17?) when I was visiting family in Des Moines, IA.

[By Jove]

2021 is ending. I want to know what dates and transits should I look for in the future so I can predict when my OCD could become severe. I don't want my OCD to threaten another relationship again.

I would really like some guidance here, either on this forum or PMs. Had I been given what I asked for last year (essentially what dates to be weary of and what transits are involved), many of my problems this year would have been avoided. Please grant me the foresight to navigate 2022, especially with close relationships and finding romantic love.

You don't even have to give dates. Just tell me what kind of planetary transits with my natal chart I should watch out for, and I will calculate the rest myself.

[Jim Eshelman]

You don't even have to give dates. Just tell me what kind of planetary transits with my natal chart I should watch out for, and I will calculate the rest myself.

That's the problem: We don't really know what your triggers are. There are no transits etc. specifically identified as related to these episodes.

Even more so, we don't know what non-astrological factors are your triggers. Are these events biochemically triggered? Are they triggered by stress (and, if so, by any particular stressors? or any stress in general?)? Or are they triggered by other situations that have unwitting reminders of some event in your past?

Not knowing this, we really don't know what to look for. It's a shot in the dark.

Brief reading suggests that, in most people with OCD, the triggers are high stress, immediate trauma, some kinds of unanticipated changes in your environment, and anything else that could impede the forebrain's communication channels to deeper parts of the brain. What I just wrote is very amateurish of me and may not be relevant to you personally.

[By Jove]

They tend to be triggered by stress or "reminders" of intrusive thoughts. Depends if the sudden changes are good or bad. In close relationships, I either I get stressed out about whether a relationship is working out or how the other person feels about me. Or I get intrusive thoughts demeaning the other person. Hope that helps.

[Jim Eshelman]

You have a particularly harsh Solar Return this year with transiting AND natal Mars the two most angular planets, and transiting Saturn and Uranus next strongest, plus a little natal Pluto. I suggest you go to the Solar Return interpretation section and read especially about both natal and transiting Mars. The two Mars occurrences, in simple terms, means events will be more common that has your adrenaline pumping harder.

It seems that heightened stress and biochemical triggering of an emergency response is more likely to happen more often this year.

You also have a close (2°39') Moon-Neptune square. This reiterates your natal Moon-Neptune conjunction and suggests you will react unusually strongly (exaggeratedly and unrealistically) to stressful situations this year. The really good news is that the aspect is separating, meaning that Moon will not progress to Neptune during the course of the year. If it did, that would be a very vulnerable time.

Probably one of your strongest, best times will be when progressed SSR Moon opposes your natal Sun. This is exact April 25, and will be in effect one month before and one month after. I haven't checked everything else in your chart, so I can't guarantee nothing will tip the wrong way but, in general, it's a strong, positive aspect.

Transiting Neptune is moving away from your Ascendant (it has been square), which should be to your advantage - that phase is mostly behind you. Saturn's highest pressure of the year is when it almost crosses (and turns stationary near) your Midheaven in May-June.

[By Jove]

You have a particularly harsh Solar Return this year with transiting AND natal Mars the two most angular planets, and transiting Saturn and Uranus next strongest, plus a little natal Pluto. I suggest you go to the Solar Return interpretation section and read especially about both natal and transiting Mars. The two Mars occurrences, in simple terms, means events will be more common that has your adrenaline pumping harder.

It seems that heightened stress and biochemical triggering of an emergency response is more likely to happen more often this year.

This is on December 18, right?

You also have a close (2°39') Moon-Neptune square. This reiterates your natal Moon-Neptune conjunction and suggests you will react unusually strongly (exaggeratedly and unrealistically) to stressful situations this year. The really good news is that the aspect is separating, meaning that Moon will not progress to Neptune during the course of the year. If it did, that would be a very vulnerable time.

What dates are that in?

Probably one of your strongest, best times will be when progressed SSR Moon opposes your natal Sun. This is exact April 25, and will be in effect one month before and one month after. I haven't checked everything else in your chart, so I can't guarantee nothing will tip the wrong way but, in general, it's a strong, positive aspect.

April was also a very good month for me last year.

Transiting Neptune is moving away from your Ascendant (it has been square), which should be to your advantage - that phase is mostly behind you. Saturn's highest pressure of the year is when it almost crosses (and turns stationary near) your Midheaven in May-June.

[Jim Eshelman]

It might help if you downloaded Mikestar's TMSA software (free) and started watching your lunar and demi-lunar returns every two weeks to learn about your patterns. The software does all the hard math work of the calculation. You could start a thread that has all your lunars as they come up, a brief analysis, questions, and report as much as you want on the actual outcome.

You're ready for this astrological step, I think, and it could be excellent for new insight.

For example, you have a new Sidereal Lunar Return January 2 at 6:30 PM EST. You will probably feel it about a day earlier than that. The main factors to examine are the planets closest to angles (closer means stronger, and the single closest planet or two tend to set the overall trend) and the ecliptical and mundane aspects among these. Simplifying the TMSA output, here are the particulars of your immediately upcoming SLR:

Code: Select all

Pl Longitude   Lat   Speed    RA    Decl    Azi     Alt     PVL    Ang G
                           Transiting Planets                           
Ve 27Sg14'06" 03N24 - 0°32' 293°29' 18S15 254°26' - 9°57' 169°40'  99% F
Me 05Cp52'51" 01S36 + 1°21' 303°31' 21S31 245°43' - 4°57' 174°34'  92% F
Sa 17Cp04'28" 00S49 + 0°07' 314°49' 17S57 240°54' + 5°11' 185°56'  91% F
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Radical Planets                             
Sa 29Sg33'27" 00S08 + 0°07' 296°33' 21S20 250°10' - 9°43' 169°41'  89% F
Ju 18Cn24'28" 00N38 - 0°04' 136°06' 17N24  60°24' - 6°26'   7°23'  86% F
------------------------------------------------------------------------
tVe co rSa 00°00'100%M
tSa op rJu 01°20' 97%                                                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Non-Foreground Partile Aspects                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         tMo co tSu 00°13'100%M                         
                         tVe co tPl 00°19'100%M                         
                         ----------------------                         
                         tPl co rSa 00°19'100%M                         
                         ----------------------                         
                         rMo co rNe 00°02'100%M                         
                         rMe co rVe 00°16'100%                          
                         rMe co rUr 00°09'100%M                         
                         rVe co rUr 00°42' 99%

In thew top sections, I've only listed foreground planets. They have an "F" at the right end, and a strength score. You can tell from the scores that transiting Venus (99%) is the single strongest planet. Normally this would mean a very positive period. However, it's complicated because Venus conjoins your natal Saturn. (You can look up this transit.)

I don't have time at the moment to go through this carefully (dinner just arrived), but you can look through it. The "Non-Foreground Partile Aspects" are only supplemental details after you've already figured out the basic meaning of the chart.

[By Jove]

Thank you. Is there a link for downloading the software? All google results go back to here.

I jotted down all the most important days of my calendar and their significance. Thank you for your input so far.

[Jim Eshelman]

You have a particularly harsh Solar Return...

This is on December 18, right?

The year beginning Dec 18, 2021.

You also have a close (2°39') Moon-Neptune square....

What dates are that in?

The entire 12 months beginning Dec 18, 2021.

[Jim Eshelman]

Thank you. Is there a link for downloading the software? All google results go back to here.

https://solunars.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=5664
There will be a new version any day now, but this is the currently available version.

[By Jove]

This is on December 18, right?
The year beginning Dec 18, 2021.

I had the most successful first date in my date. Friendly and engaging conversation from when we first met. Even made out with her in the restaurant. I was clearly having a very hard time.

[Jim Eshelman]

I am removing some posts that involve a personal contentious exchange. I understand why each party feels mistreated and, perhaps most importantly, they've each had a chance to hear from each other. Their communications to each there don't need to stay on the forum in my opinion.