IS IT LOVE, ATTRACTION OR OBSESSION?
LOVE, ATTRACTION, OBSESSION: AN ASTROLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Do you feel a specific kind of attraction that doesn’t feel like a choice; it feels almost like an emergency? You keep awake at night, keep checking your phone every few minutes, and keep tossing around thinking about him/her. You want to sleep, but can’t. There is a pang; there is a pain, which seems endless. You strongly feel you are in love. But are you? Venus, the ultimate maestro! Love, attraction or obsession – whatever the heart may desire – Venus is at the source. She weaves the threads of the heart, from the first tremors of the attraction that slowly brings two people together, to the warmth of love that grows stronger and deeper, up to the passion of an obsession. Is it true love or just an intense attraction? The answer isn’t in your head; it’s written in the movement of your stars. (Your birth chart holds the blueprint for these silent obsessions.) We know that Venus is the planet of love. When Venus is related to the 5th house or 7th house, it brings love in life and relationships. Love just happens. Venus brings attraction, affection, admiration and the ability to enjoy each other’s company. It brings peace and calmness. Mars is the planet of raw attraction. It represents desire, passion, energy, and the instinctive magnetism that pulls two people toward each other. When Mars’ burning passion meets Venus’ coy charm and allure, it creates a powerful chemistry, resulting in an attraction of the highest order. If Moon influences Venus, then it gives you a deeper feeling of emotional security; you feel safe and calm in the relationship. The influence of Jupiter on Venus brings understanding, trust, and longevity in the relationship. Rahu is the planet of obsession and insatiable longing. When it influences Venus, relationships feel like an uncontrollable addiction. They often begin with strong attraction and a sense of forbidden passion, but the intensity soon brings confusion and emotional chaos. When the 8th house lord is involved in love: The 8th house is the house of transformation, of upheavals, or crisis. With the involvement of the 8th lord in love, do not expect a light romance. The relationship is much, much deeper and transformational. You no longer remain the person you were! 8th house love changes you – for better or for worse! 8th house love generally starts suddenly. A casual meeting on the metro, exchange of looks at a party, running into someone at the elevator, etc. It hits you like a force at first sight. Things move quickly, and you feel it is the greatest Love Story ever. It feels so deep and urgent! It feels like an adrenaline rush. Love seems fated, karmic, and destined. The bond runs deep, but it also brings fear, vulnerability, and even emotional confusion. Over time, you may experience jealousy, dominance, power struggles, or control issues. You no longer enjoy it, but also find it difficult to detach from it. There is a kind of invisible pull, an obsession – you know which is not good for you, but yet, you cannot break away from it. And ultimately, without warning, the relationship comes to an end! You are devastated. Many times, the breakup, however painful, was destined to learn a karmic lesson. The role of Rahu (North Node) in love: The North Node/Rahu governs infatuation, attraction, excitement, and a love that feels larger than life. When Rahu influences your love/relationship, you get attracted to someone from a different culture, country, or a diametrically different mindset; or to someone much younger or older than you. The relationship is never ‘normal’; it is always ‘unconventional. Rahu is the Antenna; it creates an insatiable pull toward what we think we need. Ketu is the Axe; it represents the karmic baggage we haven’t processed yet. When these two collide in a relationship, it doesn’t create love; it creates a Loop. You fall in love with a person who may have all the vices you always hated. But somehow, this particular person attracts you. His meanness, his wickedness entice you. You may even know that the relationship may go nowhere, but the power of attraction far outweighs your logic. Rahu creates an illusion of love – a strong one. You believe that your partner is your soulmate, and you are completely obsessed with him/her. It is an addictive kind of love. It affects you more on the psychological level than on an emotional level. In reality, it is an overwhelming, uncontrollable attraction that you just cannot resist. Another symptom of Rahu’s involvement in love is that it amplifies desires, but abruptly. One day, your mind is consumed with longings, the other day, you do not feel anything. There are flashes of intense craving. This kind of love is forceful, possessive, and addictive. It blurs your power of reasoning and judgement. Even when you know something is wrong, you keep hoping that someday things will improve – despite the deception, the drama, and distressing conflicts. And then one day, the relationship breaks – as abruptly as it started! The Essence: Remember, real love just happens. It is a flow, a breeze of fresh air. There is no need to control, there is no hurry, there are no loud claims; only trust, peace, and understanding. It is to be lived with, not possessed or won. It is real with its share of difficulties, differences and doubts. But it surpasses all and STAYS!