More on Mercury-Mars & addiction

[Jim Eshelman]

The link between Mercury-Mars aspects and addiction is solidly established, both by statistics and in practice. In Bradley's original article on astrological signatures of alcoholism, he already gave a lengthy, useful analysis of psychological factors connecting them, in terms of early 1960's psychiatric understanding, and it remains highly valuable.

To update it a bit, let me direct your attention to a new report, showing pioneering work out of Europe, that has sought to distinguish those drug-trying youths who become addicted from those who do not. These researchers have identified four distinguishing psychological traits, and the first three are overt Mercury-Mars traits. The four are: sensation-seeking, impulsiveness, anxiety sensitivity, and (the one that isn't inherently Mercury-Mars) hopelessness.

Here's a New York Times article on the research:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/well/ ... ction.html

[Jim Eshelman]

Those are also Neptunian traits except for impulsiveness.

I have Mercury-Mars conj and I am not an alcoholic nor an addict.

[Jim Eshelman]

And, of course, that's how astrology works - the fact that a factor or set of factors is a profile for a specific condition doesn't mean it will always result in that condition. It means, instead, that we will see the broader picture out of which several specific actions / behaviors / conditions are possible.

The core of Mercury-Mars is creativity. In the broadest sense, we could say that the hyper-creative temperament is dramatically more prone to addiction (and psychologists would usually agree). However, it doesn't mean t hat every hyper-creative person will be an addict.

For alcoholics, though, one of the other basic findings of the Bradley study is that Neptune was quite inactive in the charts. Personally, I think this is because he drew his data from people committed to recovery.

[Jim Eshelman]

Arena you have like every natal planet foreground correct except Mercury right? I would think allot of planetary energies contribute to a more detailed and thorough personal investigation Your n mercury-mars is relatively not that pronounced. Angular Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn are closest right? Neptune being exact. Neptune is more into imagining perfection and emotional dependency. Jupiter isn't a planet of drug addiction. Strong Saturn=sobriety. Besides all your foreground planets have to make peace in order for decent expression and lifestyle so they all kind of express more in aspects. Sun-Venus, Venus-Jupiter are far from addiction. Moon-mercury, moon-mars are closer in theory. I'd bet allot cancels out.

[Jim Eshelman]

Yes you are right, Mercury-Mars aspect is not foreground. But they are in partile square to my Moon though.
I do confess though that it seems like I am very sensitive to alcohol and when drunk in excess it makes me go crazy.
That is why I just decided to stop drinking more than just a couple of glasses of wine or beer many many years ago.
In my younger years I did like to loose control a little bit with alcohol and partying ... but as I got older I just felt like it was not such a good idea. Today I simply do not like the feeling of losing control. It is ok to be a bit silly with people I know well, but I rather want to be in control of myself and respectable

Actually Uranus is probably the planet that has most effect in my life, along with the mundane Saturn-Jupiter opposition and Neptune angular (which is only seen as in idealism, being able to imagine utopia and thereby having political interest, but not as a drug addiction or emotional addiction - but also I do love and enjoy adventures and children's movies) With Uranus angular you can never ever become emotionally dependent! And I will never ever do that although I can love people.

[Jim Eshelman]

FWIW, I see Arena's Moon-Mercury-Mars aspects as discussion on this forum for learning purposes, and at times debating certain issues, but in a healthy manner to learn Sidereal Astrology.

[Jim Eshelman]

Just looked at a natal chart of an AA member in recovery for 20+ years. Mercury-Mars partile opposition.

[Jim Eshelman]

Arena made a good point in that she did notice how alcohol affects her and in that awareness her alcoholic potential is already there. I can relate. I don't want to drink anymore, ever, because I have an alcohol problem, in that I have a problem with alcohol. It makes me sick because I drink too much and don't know when to stop once I start. My solution is to just not start. Alcohol is basically just poison.

[Jim Eshelman]

James, may I suggest an alternative way of handling it? (I'm not trying to get you to drink if you have a problem with it, but I'm going with what you presented as your situation).

When I was young, I did what most young people did with alcohol: Got cheap stuff and drank a lot.

The main evolution over decades has been then a moved more to sipping beverages (cognac, Armagnac, well-aged local Caribbean rums, premium wines) and bought increasingly better stuff. One result is that there is no way I could afford to buy the stuff I like in the quantities I would consume in my 20s.

Drink better... drink more expensively... drink things that are naturally consumed by leisurely sipping... and end up drinking far less and enjoying it more.

[Jim Eshelman]

James, FYI, transiting Mercury is exactly conjunct your natal Mercury tonight.

[Jim Eshelman]

There are local breweries around with excellent craft beer. I usually drink those too much too. I have been drinking expensive craft beer for years. I drink liquor, wine, beer, you name it. Number one-it is a social thing for me. Once the party starts, I usually find social reason to continue, like meeting new people and conversation/experience. Two- each stage of drunkenness is unique. Three- the withdrawal stage. If time is early and I am awake during withdrawal, I usually stay awake and eat and drink water. I feel. irritable. If I stay out until {nass} drunk, which is like 4a, then I wake up with a different hangover/withdrawal. Either way withdrawal. The difference is when I stay out I socialize/experience more social stimulation and I get all stages of drunkenness.
Thanks for the suggestion Jim. I can learn someday. Right now all alcohol to me is nauseating.

[FlorencedeZ.]

Today I met with my aunt and she disclosed to me that she has been struggling with severe alcohol addiction all her life. A few years ago she went in and out of a Clinic to detox and going to A.A. on a regular base made her stay sober ever since. She is truly an inspiration as she told me how tough it is to fight her addiction. She let me know her time of birth and her chart is remarkable. Mundo partile Mercury and Mars are straddling the Ascendant.
date of birth: Sept 12, 1938, 5.00AM, Wassenaar, the Netherlands.
Regards,
Florence

[TheScales_BothWays]

Anecdotally, I've observed that those with Mercury-Mars symbolisms in their natal chart (and/or in their solar returns) tend to take on coffee/caffeine addictions too. Especially the women -- perhaps this has to do with the Asian social norm that women shouldn't drink and smoke, and those who do, aren't looked as well by the society anyway compared to men who drink and smoke, especially in less urban/more conservative areas.

Do you guys observe any coffee/caffeine addictions with those with Mercury-Mars symbolisms as well?