The word stress is synonymous with modern times, so much so that we tend to forget that it is nothing new. Certain stressors may have changed over the centuries, we do not need to run away from the very animal that we are hunting for food, nor do we have to deal with constant exposure to the elements anymore, but these stressors have been replaced by more modern ones. There are two types of stress, identified by the endocrinologist Hans Selye, published in 1975 – that of eustress and distress. Eustress is the stress that enables us to react in a positive way, and is labeled as such when the stress enables us to function positively. Responding to deadlines, thus having to work that little bit harder and having to dig deep on a physical level when participating in a sporting event, are but two examples. Distress is persistent stress that is not resolved through coping or adaptation, and manifests in various ways both physiologically and symptomatically, such as in anxiety, high blood pressure, increased blood sugar, irritability, headaches and so on.

The Nativity

Stress itself cannot be located in the natal chart as it is not something you can quantify, but the potential for stressors can most certainly be pin-pointed.  It is important to remember that a natal chart is not something which stands on its own; it has to be assessed in light of the background into which the person is born, and now lives, and in relation to life itself, and we need to understand that external factors are most pertinent. It is all very well to deduce that the native will have the potential for stress in areas of the career, but if the person is born into an impoverished background and ends up being unemployed and destitute, the career is not applicable. Tenth house matters will still be applicable and possibly his “job” as a full time beggar would become relevant, thus proving that area of stress to be tangible, but the external context which can only be provided by the person themselves, is vital to the assessment.

The Houses and their Lords

Everything that exists in life, and all areas of life, are to be found in the nativity in one of the twelve mundane houses. These houses which govern those areas of life, or into which the life is placed, are ruled by planets, and the ruling planet is called the Lord of that house. We assess what is posited in the house itself, and if anything, we assess if it is benefiting or harming that area of life. The condition of the Lord of that house is also assessed to determine the quality of the potential of that area of life. The Lord or planet will either be essentially strong or weak, well or badly behaved, and it will be accidentally placed where it either has power to act, or not, and various other external factors will affect it, for better or for worse. The final part of the assessment would be to gauge the receptions, thus the “feelings” between the Lord of that specific area of life and the native himself. 

These factors can pinpoint the areas of life from which stress will most likely originate, and the assessment will further provide the possible solutions. Very often simply knowing what the stressors are alleviates much of the stress to start off with. It is far more beneficial for a person to understand what the stressors are and where they will come from, than to simply be placed in situations where it rears it ugly head and catches the person off guard. This stress evaluation can be applied and utilised for all areas of the nativity. It can assist in helping to choose the correct subjects while studying, study methodologies most suited to that individual, choosing the most suitable vocation and it is relevant to relationship issues, issues of finance, and the well being and vitality of the person as a whole.

Conclusion

While evaluation of the stressors does constitute a portion of an astrological consultation, because astrology consultations should be specific, dealing with issues requiring clarity and for which the person needs guidance at that time, there is often insufficient time available to discuss this as an entity on its own. The delineation and assessment of a nativity can provide so much insight, and the naitivity, in the hands of a skilled astrologer, is capable of plumbing the deepest psychological depths. It is therefore preferable to treat this evaluation of the stressors as a consultation on it own in order to derive the most benefit from it. Most people who consult astrologers do so an on irregular and random basis, or only when they have crises in their lives, few people understand that building a relationship with a qualified and professional astrologer of The Tradition provides a resource that is invaluable. It is far better to consult with an astrologer on a regular basis, focusing on specific areas each time, instead of trying to condense the entire potential of the chart, plus the present and future external potential for events, into one annual consultation.