Depression & Melancholy
Both depression and melancholy can be traced in a natal chart. Saturn is the primary significator of depression and melancholy, due to its cold, restrictive nature. Its malefic influence is typically stronger in a night chart, in accordance with sect. The condition of the Moon also plays a major role in assessing depressive tendencies in a natal chart:
| • The Moon : damaged by dignity (Scorpio, Capricorn) or damaged by a hard aspect • Most vulnerable : Sun – Moon – Mercury – Ascendant – Lunar nodes |
If the Moon is already under strain in the natal chart, a difficult transit from Saturn or Pluto can coincide with a period of intensified depression. Similar activations can also arise through progressions, where an underlying vulnerability becomes more pronounced.
Synastry matters too when there is a natal predisposition. If Person A’s Moon is challenged natally and Person B’s Saturn or Pluto forms hard aspects to that Moon, the relationship may amplify the heavier emotional tone rather than relieve it. The native may feel chronically triggered by the partner, consciously or unconsciously, as the bond keeps pressing on the same sensitive lunar territory.
Depression in the natal chart
• Saturn in hard aspect to Sun or Moon
• Saturn in hard aspect to Mercury
• Pluto in hard aspect to Sun or Moon
• Pluto in hard aspect to Mercury
• Saturn / Pluto in hard aspect to the lunar nodes
• Saturn / Pluto in hard aspect to the ASC
• Moon conjunct Southnode
• Personal planets in Scorpio or Capricorn
• 8th house emphasis
Degrees of depression
29° Aries (isolation)
2° Taurus (pessimism, despair)
12° Cancer
18° Gemini (sorrow)
12° Virgo (strife, sorrow)
0° Libra (bitterness, sweetness in pain)
3° Libra (bitterness)
8° Libra
23-24° Scorpio (sorrow)
16° Sagittarius (isolation, abandonment)
28° Capricorn
2° Aquarius (sorrow)
17° Aquarius (bitterness, isolation)
23° Aquarius (sorrow)
28° Aquarius (sorrow)
18° Pisces
28° Pisces
Melancholy in the natal chart
• Moon in hard aspect with Sun, Saturn, Mars
• Moon in Capricorn, Scorpio
• Mercury in hard aspect with Saturn, Mars
• Mercury in Virgo, Pisces, Scorpio + hard aspect of Saturn / Mars
• Saturn in 1st or 4th house
• Saturn conjunct to an Angle
• Saturn in hard aspect to Jupiter or Northnode
• Capricorn, Aquarius rising or dominant chart
Degrees of Melancholy
1° Taurus
26° Gemini
9° Cancer
11° Cancer
16° Cancer
11° Virgo
23° Virgo
29° Virgo
1° Libra
7° Libra
12° Libra
28° Libra
1° Scorpio
4° Sagittarius
9° Capricorn
11° Capricorn
29° Capricorn
17° Aquarius
9° Pisces
14° Pisces
Degrees of hermit
14° Aries
5° Taurus
9° Libra
16-17° Scorpio