Gucci Avocado

If we consider our Sun signs to reign over our conscience, and our Moon signs to glow upon our most inexplicable emotions and feelings, our Rising signs would fit us like our own skin. Mind, Soul and Body. Together, they form our astrological trinity — our three layers of personality.

The Rising sign (or Ascendant) in a birth chart corresponds to the zodiacal sign that was rising in the East, over the horizon, at the time of birth. In a chart, you can identify it as the sign on the cusp (start) of the first house. Therefore, to interpret how signs on this position act in our lives, we must first have in mind the characteristics of the first house, Aries and Mars, for they are all correlated in a rather complex fashion.

It is important to note that any sign on the Ascendant operates subjectively, rather than consciously. Take, for example, Mars, a planet of passion, energy and drive. It doesn’t operate consciously, through thinking. And it doesn’t correlate to our sensitivity either. Mars, much like pure energy, simply is. From that, we learn that the sign on the Ascendant is how we operate instinctually.

If the Rising sign represents our instincts, it is surely an energy that seems to find a way into anything and everything we do, even though we seem to be consciously unaware of its continuous presence. The sign on the Ascendant is the type of energy that the Soul identifies with individually and automatically. That is, we cannot consciously know ourselves as our Risings signs. Yet, we are our Rising signs anyway.

Depersonalization/derealization, dissociation or Zen/Emptiness Sickness can sometimes be experienced on the spiritual path. Often, it occurs with spiritual awakening but it doesn’t necessarily have to be connected.

It is my understanding that DP/DR is based on an energetic unbalance, namely, having excess energy within the higher centers of the body, mainly in the head. It can also be linked with certain beliefs that one may become attached to, such as the belief that ‘everything is an illusion’ or that ‘I don’t exist’.

One can find relief by balancing the energy across the whole system, in other words, grounding oneself.

Eating certain root vegetables like carrots and beets can help. Avocados are good as well. Meat can be very grounding as well. Having just a small amount may in fact make the difference between experiencing DP/DR or being rooted firmly within the body and world.

Spend time in nature. Connect with trees both in spirit and physically. Trees are perfectly grounded and will gladly help you to ground yourself as well.

Practice yoga or meditation with an emphasis on the breath as opposed to abiding in any ‘witnessing’ states of consciousness. Just be with the breath and with the physical sensations in your body.

Do your best to be present during any physical intimacy, when you’re going to the bathroom, when you’re eating and drinking, and when you’re walking and moving. All of these things that are natural to the body must be honored.

In DP/DR type states, the body is often neglected. Balance yourself by appreciating the body in every way that you can.

Depersonalization and the associated energetic instability that it may bring is a natural and temporary symptom of spiritual transformation. There are certain insights and realizations that can be reaped from these experiences, such as the chance to have a very deep and clear understanding of the ‘witnessing’ states of consciousness.

However, one should not seek to plant themselves within these sorts of states as a means of escape from the world or oneself nor should they fear that they are permanently stuck against their will. Relief and energetic stability are guaranteed to come about on their own, with time.

However, by following the right practices quick relief is not far-fetched. This is the importance of understanding what it means to be grounded and knowing how to be grounded.