Vedic Astrology and Its Influence on Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicines

The term "Soma" finds its origin in Sanskrit and translates to "Moon" among various other meanings. In Vedic astrology, the Moon symbolizes the state of one's mental health, perception of the world, emotional landscape, and desires. The interplay of emotions occurs within the mind, shaping the movement of our life force or "Prana." This energy flows through specific energetic centers called Chakras and Nadis within the body, ultimately manifesting through our actions, referred to as "Karma." The flow of Prana can either be harmonious, harnessed for creative power (Shakti), or disharmonious, leading to distorted actions. The consequences of these actions, positive or negative, impact our current life or future incarnations.

Excessive mind chatter disrupts the regular distribution of Prana within the body, often leading to conditions like anxiety and depression. Insights from my ongoing medical astrology research project, set to be published by the end of 2024, conducted at the ShaMynds Healing Center for Ketamine Assisted Psychedelic Therapy, have revealed a significant patterns among patients receiving treatment. Among other afflictions, approximately 90% of patients exhibited an afflicted Moon in their sidereal Vedic astrology natal charts. This affliction indicates the presence of excessive and unproductive thought patterns stemming from malefic planetary aspects—Mars (associated with violence, accidents, excessive 'rajas'), Rahu (causing confusion, shock, trauma), or Saturn (linked to grief, sadness, depression, loss, death, constriction, excessive 'tamas'). Additional indications such as a planet in Gandanta (emotional stagnation), the Lagnesa in Marakarakasthana (feeling of impending doom), Jupiter Afflictions, Lagnesa afflictions, Mercurial and 5th House afflictions, The Moon, Jupiter or Mercury conjunct Functional Malefics/Nodes, Panchanga Dosas (flaws in time), Vara (solar day) Lord afflictions, Titthi (lunar day) Lord afflictions, Nakshatra (lunar constellation) Lord afflictions and Pitr Dosas (Ancestral Karmas)- further contribute to mental disturbance.

Integrating Vedic astrology within a somatic and psycho-therapeutic framework empowers practitioners to comprehend their clients' mental state, the lens through which they perceive reality, the root causes of their unease, and any underlying trauma. This approach allows the identification of other astrological significations in the context of Ketamine-assisted therapy, such as the presence of Ketu (Ketu-mene) signifying: Moksha (liberation)- the feeling of leaving the physical 'confines' of the body to access God vs. unique challenges in feeling the effects of the medicine due to innate coping mechanisms of disembodiment and disassociation.

The utilization of astrology within the realm of psychedelics, medicine, and mental health; has ancient roots, and its application extends to contemporary Western methodologies as well. Notably, the pioneering work of Stanislav Grof integrates Tropical Astrology, Ketamine, Holotropic Breathwork, and Transpersonal Psychology into a holistic healing approach. Grof effectively employed astrology to predict the 'set and setting' of his patients' breath/ketamine journeys using natal charts and transits. Furthermore, he utilized astrology as a blueprint for what he termed the "Perinatal Matrices," a theoretical model describing states of awareness before and during birth. In this context, Grof associated planetary significations with the entire birthing process. Holotropic Breathwork, a technique he developed, induces non-ordinary states of consciousness atop the dissociative effects of ketamine. This often facilitated a patient's re-experiencing of their unique birthing process. Consequently, parallels can be drawn between the breath and the archetype of mother, echoing the Jyotish concept of prana and the moon.

This celestial wisdom has the potential to equip healers, therapists and medical doctors with a profound foundation and comprehension of the intricate dimensions of a client's inner landscape. This understanding encompasses past-life karma, ancestral karma, maternal and paternal karma, medical karma, financial karma, vocational karma, relationship karma, and matters of sexuality, among others. Unveiling these aspects of an individual might otherwise require several sessions. Depending on the patients unique celestial and karmic makeup, astrologers recommend remedial measures to burn away old karma's and restore harmony and balance.

The fusion of astrology and medicine, whether through ancient Vedic traditions or modern innovative approaches, holds the promise of unlocking the intricately woven tapestry of human experiences, from mental health to karmic influences. This integration not only expands our comprehension of the human condition but also provides a clear roadmap for safely and effectively guiding individuals through both non-ordinary states of consciousness and a myriad of therapeutic modalities. It is my sincerest hope that Western medicine will further embrace vedic astrology as a potent 'ancient-future' practice to exponentiate human consciousness.

With gratitude,

Jenna B. Crowley