S5 Ep2 Grief and Sexual Intimacy
Navigating Grief and Sexual Intimacy Through the Lens of Vedic Astrology
As we head towards “All Saints Day” on November 1, I took the opportunity to reflect on how grief is a universal experience, yet the way it intertwines with our intimate lives is often veiled in silence. In today’s episode of The Vedic Astrology Podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming holistic trauma therapist Sara Jones to delve into the profound connection between grief and sexual intimacy—topics that intersect deeply with Vedic Astrology's Moksha houses.
The Moksha Houses in Astrology
The 4th, 8th and 12th House are houses of enlightenment and spiritual liberation in Vedic Astrology. They symbolise deep, transformative experiences, and therefore can be associated with intimacy, loss, and death—mirroring the human journey through profound emotional landscapes.
The 8th House, associated with intimacy and vulnerability, urges us to confront our inner fears, bridging us closer to genuine connections with others. Meanwhile, the 12th House, encompassing loss and transcendence, challenges us to release and surrender, navigating the grief and transformation that accompany life's inevitable changes.
Exploring Grief and Intimacy
Sara Jones shared her insights as a holistic trauma therapist, detailing her research on how grief affects clients' intimate lives. Her study highlights that for many, bringing grief-based sexual issues into the therapeutic space is daunting and fraught with taboo. Some clients retreat from intimacy, while others may seek it as a solace or as a means to feel alive amidst their grief.
This diversity in grief responses mirrors what we see in Vedic Astrology as the Moksha Houses are uniquely personal. Addressing intimacy needs and grief involves a renegotiation of identity and relationships—one that often requires creative exploration and rituals to mark significant transitions.
The Role of Ritual
Sara suggests that rituals serve as powerful tools in navigating these intimate and grief-laden waters. Whether cultural, spiritual, or personally devised, rituals provide a means to acknowledge and honour significant life changes. They can offer a scaffold to hold the enormity of loss while also creating space for healing.
In cultures where grief rituals are still prevalent, such as wearing mourning clothes, these practices communicate to the world the state of one's heart, inviting care and understanding. However, each of us can find or create rituals that resonate with their personal journey and spiritual path.
Astrological Insights and Holistic Healing
In the episode, I illustrated how Vedic Astrology offers a framework to understand these transitions. By examining the elements, modalities, and planetary influences in a person's Moksha Houses, one can glean insights into how they may experience and navigate grief.
Vedic Astrology, alongside holistic practices like yoga and meditation, can foster resilience and hope. These practices encourage a balance between presence and release, aiding individuals in expanding their lives around their grief while staying anchored in the present moment.
Towards Healing and Hope
Sara and I emphasized the importance of nurturing hope and finding meaning through spiritual and / or holistic practices. Whether through Vedic Astrology, which guides us with archetypes and myths, or through the gentle acknowledgment of one's grief, these approaches remind us of the vastness of life beyond our current experiences.
As our conversation drew to a close, it became evident that while grief and intimacy may be challenging to discuss, they are essential aspects of the human experience. Both Vedic Astrology and holistic therapy provide valuable lenses through which we can explore these depths, healing and growing within our unique life paths.
In closing, I encourage you to embrace the freedom to explore these topics in ways that are meaningful and manageable. Understand that while these topics touch all our lives, we have the power to navigate them with grace and insight. Until next time, may you find peace on your path.
To connect with Sara Jones at Therapy Lumina to continue this conversation with a holistic approach please use her website therapylumina.com/coaching.
Or with me for a Vedic Astrology perspective (Book Vedic Astrology Sessions - Vedic Birth Chart Reading, Written Reports, Video with Fiona Marques — fionamarques.com).
And if you're a spiritual seeker eager to study Vedic Astrology-in-depth with monthly guidance, discover my “Guided Pathway” for The Asheville Vedic Astrology Apprenticeship Program at fionamarques.com/apprenticeship-guidance.
Full article: Grief and Sexual Intimacy: Exploring Therapists’ Views of Bereaved Clients - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19317611.2024.2354815
