INSIDE: Let's uncover what afflicted planets in astrology mean and how we can use them to find important cues to healing and becoming the best version of ourselves….
According to VeryWellMind, those who have a pessimistic outlook on life experience stress much more intensely than optimists who find themselves in the same situation. However, the truth is, even the most optimistic of the optimists have likely been hopeless and down about something in their lives.
After all, we all have some wounds to heal, mountains to climb, and dreams we hope to come true. Astrology can help us find a greater understanding of both the light and the shadow aspects of our personality, and in this article, we are focusing on the more difficult one - our wounds, blockages, and all that jazz.
Buckle up, as we are talking about afflicted planets in astrology, and what they mean for your healing journey...
What Are Afflicted Planets in Astrology?
Just like with everything in life, in astrology, we have the light and the dark side of planets.
We say that planets are afflicted when they cause us trouble, create tension and stress, put obstacles in our way, or delay our progress. These planets can be disruptive or limiting factors, and their energy can either feel completely tamed or blocked or they can be downright disruptive and hard to tame.
Charts without afflictions are extremely rare. So if you believe you have some, worry not, as you are definitely not alone on your journey.
Although difficult to deal with, especially when we haven’t reached a certain level of awareness on our self-discovery journey, afflicted planets in astrology can be dealt with and healed. Not only that, but difficult placements can definitely be a diamond in the rough.
How to Know if You Have Afflicted Planets in Your Natal Chart?
Planets showing more of their shadow side when they are afflicted, which can mean a few different things...
Heavy Aspects With Other Planets
A planet can be afflicted when it makes a lot of heavy aspects with other planets. This is particularly true with typically malefic planets, such as Saturn or Mars, as these can make things a bit tricky and complicated.
Outer planets, which are Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, are slow-mowing and stay in the same sign for a few years, so while their influence is important and intense, their effect will be more general than personal and will affect a larger number of people. Because of their karmic nature, the outer planets are also usually the ones causing the affliction or contributing to it.
Tense aspects are the opposition and the square, but also conjunction if one of the listed planets is involved in it.
The Planet is in the Sign of Detriment
A planet can be afflicted when it is in the sign of its fall or detriment, which is the sign where the planet can’t show its full positive potential.
The detriment and fall placements of planets are signs that are opposite their natural rulerships or places of exaltation. Those planets are also the main planets to look for when observing aspects, as these will send the strongest affliction via aspects.
Here are the detriment and fall placements to look for in your chart...
- Sun in Libra or Aquarius
- Moon in Scorpio or Capricorn
- Mercury in Sagittarius or Pisces
- Venus in Aries, Scorpio, or Virgo
- Mars in Taurus, Libra, or Cancer
- Jupiter in Gemini, Virgo, or Capricorn
- Saturn in Cancer, Leo or Aries
The Planet is Retrograde
The planet could be retrograde in your natal chart (you’ll see a little "r" next to a symbol representing the planet when it is), which happens with all planets, except the Sun and The Moon. In this case, the natural expression of a planet is delayed or disrupted somehow.
Combinations of All of the Above
It is very likely that a natal chart will combine all of the above to a varying degree. For instance, someone could have their Mars in Cancer affecting a few personal planets, making them emotionally reactive even when they don’t want to react emotionally to triggers.
If you have looked at your chart and saw that you do have some of the heavy aspects of planets in fall or detriment, worry not.
Now that we know what affliction means and how you can find if you have afflicted planets in your chart, it’s time to see what can be done to heal and deal with those aspects in the most positive way.
Let’s jump right into it...
What Are Your Strong Points in a Chart & Why Do They Matter?
We are all made of both light and dark, and we all have some strong and some "weak" spots in our charts. Although uncomfortable, especially when we are younger, hard aspects and placements can be can be dealt with and used to our benefit.
While they do bring tension and create an inner conflict of some sort, afflicted planets carry a lot of opportunity for personal growth.
We find that opportunity for growth in two ways.
- In strong points, or, astrologically speaking, strong planets in our charts.
- In understanding the nature of our afflicted planets, which we will discuss a bit later.
For now, let’s see how you can find "strong" planets in your chart.
Exalted, Domicile & Co-Ruling Planets
The first thing you’ll want to check is whether you have any exalted, domicile, or co-ruling planets, as these will be the strongest points of your natal chart.
Exalted and domicile planets are incredibly strong, in the best sense possible, as they are in their natural rulership or the sign that amplifies their positive qualities.
To determine if you have strong planets in your chart, look for these placements in:
- Sun in Leo
- Moon in Cancer
- Mercury in Virgo or Gemini
- Venus in Taurus, Libra, or Pisces
- Mars in Aries, Capricorn, or Scorpio
- Jupiter in Sagittarius, Cancer, or Pisces
- Saturn in Capricorn, Libra, or Aquarius
Conjunctions, Trines & Sextiles
Next, look at whether these planets are connected to your afflicted planets with conjunctions, trines, or sextiles.
In the case of Jupiter and Venus, also look for opposition and squares. Although not as powerful and as beneficial, in this case, they can still be somewhat soothing influences, even when connected to afflicted planets with a hard aspect.
Focusing on the positive qualities of exalted, domicile, and co-ruling planets will help you gain better control over the area of your life that is affected by heavy placements. These planets will not only make it easier for you to deal with other hard aspects and affliction, but will also provide clues as to how you can better harness the energy of the afflicted planet.
For instance, if someone has a Moon in Capricorn, but also has Mercury in Virgo, they will find it easier to verbalize their thoughts and feelings through introspection, communication, and observation.
Remedies For Afflicted Planets
Astrology is there to help bring awareness and greater understanding about ourselves so that we can heal and let go of our blocks, childhood traumas, and self-imposed limitations.
Now that we know what our strong points are, let’s talk about those "weak" points or afflictions, and how we can find remedies for each afflicted planet.
Here are some small, but effective ways to deal with afflictions...
If Your Sun is Afflicted...
The Sun is associated with our vitality and life force, as well as our self-confidence and ego. Because of that, we are most likely to feel the affliction in the solar plexus and the lower chakras in general.
When the Sun is afflicted, we don’t feel empowered, we can’t show up in the world as we want to, and we may struggle with embracing our true power. We can lack motivation and energy and we may find it difficult to assert ourselves and express who we are authentically. We probably don’t feel recognized and valued, and we even find it difficult to value ourselves, struggling to embrace our light.
Because it deals with the ego, the afflicted Sun can also show egocentrism, selfishness, and extreme willfulness and pride.
No matter how afflicted the solar energy is in your life, the key to embracing the power of your Sun sign lies in the balance.
Crystals to Use for This Affliction
Some crystals to help you heal and embrace your solar power include:
Their energy is revitalizing, uplifting, and helps us fully embrace and own who we are. Their healing effect is particularly felt in the lower chakras and the solar plexus, where we are most likely to feel an imbalance caused by the afflicted Sun.
Questions to Ask
- What or who dims my light and drains my energy?
- Where and when do I feel most like my authentic self?
- What do I think is going to happen if I assert myself?
- In what ways do I give my power away?
- Do I feel equal, worse, or better than others, and why?
- How can I feel more confident in who I am?
Affirmations to Recite
- I am powerful.
- I know how to confidently assert myself.
- I accept myself just the way I am.
- I am proud of myself and how far I have come.
If Your Moon is Afflicted...
We are all worthy of love. But when our Moon is afflicted, we feel it in our heartspace and can struggle to connect with and allow loving energy to come to us.
Our heart chakra either feels blocked, and we are closed off to receiving love, constantly denying our right to feel anything, or we are over-giving, over-extending, and feel controlled by the intensity of our emotions.
To help you heal the heartspace, try meditating with crystals that help balance the heart chakra. Rose Quartz, Green Jade, Emerald, Rhodonite, or Green Jasper can offer you much-needed energetic assistance. These stones help us naturally balance the energy of the Moon, helping us deal with feelings of unworthiness, an inability to connect to our emotions, heavy emotions, lingering pain, or grief.
Crystals to Use for This Affliction
The Moon is also deeply connected to our intuition, so third eye-opening crystals can be immensely helpful for going within and tuning into our intuition. Some of them include:
Questions to Ask
- What are your most common emotional triggers?
- How can you manage your emotions in a healthy manner?
- What do you love about your emotional nature?
- How can you get in touch with your sensitive side and feel empowered while doing so?
Affirmations to Recite
- I am loved.
- I am lovable just the way I am.
- My heart is open to receive blessings.
- I trust myself and my intuition.
- I attract love, compassion, and kindness.
If Your Mercury is Afflicted...
The effects of the afflicted Mercury are mostly felt in the upper chakras, especially the throat chakra, which deals with our ability to be authentic and voice that authenticity in a truthful manner.
Be that speaking too much and never stopping to listen, or feeling anxious, blocked, and too shy to express our thoughts and feelings, Mercury affects both our communication and our thought process.
Crystals to Use for This Affliction
Some of the best healing crystals for afflicted Mercury include:
These crystals help us embrace and speak our truth, express our talents, encourage us to show up in the world as our authentic selves, and help us find a balance in verbal exchange. They also help improve our mental abilities and help us blend the rational and emotional parts of us in the most constructive manner.
Questions to Ask
- What is holding you back from communicating your truth?
- What kind of communicator do you aspire to be?
- How would you like to connect with others?
- How can you improve your communication skills?
- How can you be less judgmental of yourself and learn from your experiences?
Affirmations to Recite
- I am a good communicator.
- I am decisive.
- I speak truthfully and authentically.
- I enjoy sharing my voice.
- Every day, I learn and grow through my experiences.
- I can easily voice my opinions and accept the opinions of others.
If Your Venus is Afflicted...
Venus is very closely associated with sacral chakra. When it’s afflicted, we can have trouble connecting with others in a healthy manner, expressing our sensual or creative side, and even letting loose and allowing ourselves to enjoy life a bit more.
Conversely, we may let loose too frequently, indulging in unhealthy pleasures and habits. We may frequently find ourselves in codependent relationships where we feel stifled or restricted to be who we truly are.
Crystals to Use for This Affliction
Healing crystals for the sacral chakra can really help us let our hair down without losing the precious balance in our lives. They help you embrace your unique beauty, promote creative expression, and cultivate self-love. Healing gemstones can also help us get in touch with our sexuality, promote healthy habits, and fall in love with our body, just the way it is.
Some of the most beneficial crystals to use on your healing journey when your Venus is afflicted are:
Questions to Ask
- How can you harness your natural beauty?
- How can you practice self-love and set healthy boundaries?
- What do you love about yourself?
- What creative projects would you like to try?
- What self-care rituals do you enjoy the most?
- What unhealthy patterns are stopping you from living your best life?
Affirmations to Recite
- I am beautiful.
- I ooze sensuality.
- I love myself just the way I am.
- I am fun to be around.
- I attract love and abundance everywhere I go.
- I am creative.
- I see beauty everywhere.
If Your Mars is Afflicted...
Mars is a warrior planet, and when it is afflicted, it can create notable turbulences in our lives. Because this is a fight or flight planet, as well as a planet that is associated with our confidence, we are likely to feel its effects mostly in the root chakra and the solar plexus.
We may feel impulsive and frequently let our temperament get the best of us. When Mars is afflicted, we can also be defensive and feel unable to move, unsafe, and easily threatened. We may also struggle with asserting our will in a healthy and diplomatic manner.
Crystals to Use for This Affliction
To help us feel more grounded and less passive and reactive, we can use root and sacral chakra crystals to help us embrace the warrior spirit and feel safe in our skin, such as:
These crystals are both energizing, motivating, and grounding and can help us gain self-control and become the master of your own lives. They can help us embrace the warrior within, find strength, and motivate us to move forward in life, bravely and confidently. These crystals can also help us tame impulses, release anger, and channel passion constructively.
Questions to Ask
- How can I assert firm boundaries?
- What angers me and why?
- How can I calmly stand my ground?
- What motivates me to move forward?
- What destructive habits do I frequently indulge in?
- How do I wish to resolve conflicts in the future?
- What am I the most passionate about and why?
Affirmations to Recite
- I am brave.
- I create my reality.
- I am motivated to follow my passions.
- I am passionate about life.
- I know how to say no.
- 6I am strong and capable.
If Your Jupiter is Afflicted...
Jupiter deals with matters of faith, luck, higher knowledge, and expansion. When it is afflicted, we are likely to feel it strongly in the crown chakra and the sacral chakra.
We may feel hopeless, pessimistic, or even cursed with bad luck. Our free expression may be blocked, and we may be anxious about the future. With afflicted Jupiter, we are frequently unable to see the bigger picture and feel stuck in learned victim-mentality.
On the flip side, we may overindulge in pleasures and adventures, and act without thinking about consequences. We may have blind trust in the Universe and luck and forget that we co-create with it.
Crystals to Use for This Affliction
Crystals for balancing the Sacral Chakra can help you find that lust for life and feel optimism and joy in any situation while still feeling balanced. Some of them include:
If afflicted Jupiter manifests in your life as a lack of trust, gemstones for the crown chakra
can help you connect with the Universe, your guides, and strengthen your faith. These can include:
Questions to Ask
- How can I let go of control and learn to have more trust in the Divine orchestration?
- What brings me the most joy and makes me laugh?
- What is my soul calling me to do?
- What small steps can I make to make my life more exciting?
- What makes me feel excited about life?
Affirmations to Recite
- I trust my path.
- I am excited about the future.
- I am lucky.
- I am grateful.
- I am Divinely guided and protected.
- I am a master manifestor.
- I attract blessings everywhere I go.
If Your Saturn is Afflicted...
Saturn is the lord of karma and time. It rules obstacles, brings challenges, and important life lessons our way. When it’s afflicted on top of that, we may feel like the whole Universe is conspiring against us. Our progress is often delayed, we are frequently drained, and we face many obstacles on our path to success.
Afflicted Saturn can show itself as impatience, a constant lack of energy, and the inability to overcome one’s own limitations and cope with external limitations in a healthy way. We may feel repressed, unemotional, prematurely old at heart, or even depressed.
Crystals to Use for This Affliction
To help us cope with these effects, we can use root chakra, crown, and third eye chakra crystals to help us bridge the gap between the material and the spiritual.
The following crystals are particularly good at helping us accept and then find ways (and inner strength) to work through obstacles we face. They help us practice diligence, patience and willpower, helping us cope with difficulties and grow in the process of doing so:
Other crystals can help us find a connection with the Divine when we feel like our guides have forsaken us. Enlightening us to the true meaning of events and the nature of lessons we have to learn, they help us outgrow our limitations and gain enlightenment when we most need it. Some of these include
Questions to Ask
- How am I standing on my own way to success?
- What are my core limiting beliefs about who I am?
- How am I making my life more difficult?
- What karmic patterns keep repeating in my life?
- What helps me find peace when the world seems to be falling apart?
Affirmations to Recite
- I trust that everything is happening in its Divine timing.
- I am patient.
- I trust that every experience is there to make me a better person.
- I am capable and ambitious.
- I can achieve whatever I put my focus on.
Final Thoughts:
Astrology and natal charts can give us important insights into who we are, our gifts, blessings, and our obstacles and lessons. Most importantly, they can show us how we can cherish what is good and find ways to reap hidden rewards that life challenges present to us.
* Crystals and stones should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Please read our full disclosure notice here.
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