The Magic of Astro-medicine
"A physician without the knowledge of astrology cannot rightly call himself a physician."
-Hippocrates (460-357BC) the Father of Modern Medicine.
What is Astro-medicine?
Astro-medicine is also known as medical astrology which is (traditionally known as iatro-mathematics) is an Ancient medical system that associates various parts of the body, diseases, and drugs as under the influence of the sun, moon, and planets, along with the twelve astrological signs. Each of the astrological signs (along with the sun, moon, and planets) is associated with different parts of the human body. Astro-medicine is the marriage of the ancient healing art of astrology and the mysteries of medicine. It is the integrated science which will identify your body constitution, metabolism and ailments relating to psychological, spiritual, emotional and mental disharmony which contribute to dis-ease.
The focus here is on self-understanding, prevention and body maintenance, resulting in self-healing. Complimentary medicine holds a greater priority here as these therapies are usually holistic and integrated in its methodology. Modern medicine does have a role to play in healing and should not be disregarded if the need arises; if anything, it can work effectively in conjunction with other therapies. Seek medical advice if you are on life sustaining medication
Your healing potential in combination with a personal plan for living in harmony with yourself and your environment is essential for good health. Daily practice will strengthen your constitution while maintaining health and therefore minimising or preventing further disease.
What Medical Astrology reveals
Highlights health and body weakness in the natal chart which when triggered can bring symptoms and/or illness.
Helps to determine lunar fertility times for pregnancy.
Establish the best surgery times to minimise post-operative complications.
Can reveal ideals modes of treatment and therapy suited to the individual.
Can identify appropriate foods and diet for the constitution.
Can identify vitamins and minerals that need replacement.
Can determine the length of an illness.
Will identify psychological patterns of behaviour that contribute to dis-ease.
Can foresee times of vitality and times of stress.
Can look at family genetics.
Working the crosses can reveal and heal ailments.
Work with the elements to help establish balance for health.
Medical astrology posts the association of each sign of the zodiac with parts of the body, and was already mentioned by Marcus Manilius (1st century AD) in his epic poem (8000 verses) Astronomica. The signs of the zodiac were believed to preside over the parts of the body, covering the body from head (Aries) to toe (Pisces), as follows:
Aries - head, face, brain, eyes
Taurus - throat, neck, thyroid gland, vocal tract
Gemini - arms, lungs, shoulders, hands, nervous system, brain
Cancer - chest, breasts, stomach, alimentary canal
Leo - heart, chest, spine, spinal column, upper back
Virgo - digestive system, intestines, spleen, nervous system
Libra - kidneys, skin, lumbar region, buttocks
Scorpio - reproductive system, sexual organs, bowels, excretory system
Sagittarius - hips, thighs, liver, sciatic nerve
Capricorn - knees, joints, skeletal system
Aquarius - ankles, circulatory system
Pisces - feet, toes, lymphatic system, adipose tissue
The western astrology planets are also associated with certain portions and functions within the body:
The anatomical-astrological human
Sun - heart, spine, and general vitality
Moon - stomach, digestive system, female organs, lymphatic system
Mercury - brain, central nervous system, thyroid gland, five senses, hands
Venus - throat, kidneys, thymus gland, sense of touch, ovaries
Mars - muscles, head, adrenal glands, senses of smell and taste
Jupiter - liver, thighs, feet, growth, pituitary gland
Saturn - skin, hair, teeth, bones, the body's defences, spleen
Uranus - parathyroid gland, neural activity, aura
Neptune - pineal gland, psychic healing
Pluto - pancreas, metabolism, elimination
After examining an individual's natal chart, a medical astrologer may give advice to the client about the areas of the body in which they are most likely to experience trouble. For instance, an individual with the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, or many planets in the sign of Aries is presumed to have more headaches than other people because of the association of Aries with the head. A person with Taurus strong in the natal chart is assessed as having issues with their throat, thyroid, neck, shoulders and may have difficulties with the voice because of the Taurus association with that particular part of the body.
ASTROLOGICAL MODES: THE CROSSES The word Mode refers to classification of temperament or character of the person. It also refers to the natal chart and the division of masculine verses feminine signs as this would affect your nature and gives more information on your medical circumstances. They are divided into three types, Cardinal that is action orientated, dutiful and responsible Fixed that is stable, focused and dependable Mutable that is flexible, adaptable and at times scattered.
Other chart indicators
Look at the balance of elements if you have an excess or deficiency then there is an opportunity for body or organ weakness leading to disease.
Houses 1, 4, 6, 8 and 12 and their rulers.
1st the physical body, 4th the end of the matter, 6th house of acute and digestion, 8th house of genetics and transformation, and 12th house of hospitals and chronic illness.
Main planets sun, moon, ascendant, chart ruler and Saturn. If afflicted potential for illness.
You are your whole chart so when it comes to health, aspects can be anywhere in the chart can manifest as an illness.
Aspects conjunction, square and opposition are used although the main medical aspect is quincunx as this shows major modification needs to be made.
If you have a Yod, T-square or Grand Cross in your chart then you have strong indicators for illness. Those with yods in their charts have a problem with disease and all points of the yods need supporting as well as the opposition of the apex. Trines should not be overlooked. As trines are the planet of ease, this may cause excess in the body e.g. Sun trine Jupiter can very auspicious but may led to weight gain. Always look at the condition of the planet.
The T-square is significant as this is a stressful aspect and the empty leg is where the disease will usually manifest.
Various techniques, progressions, midpoints sun/moon and mars/saturn (the main ones but there are others), transits which will show timing and will trigger the illness. In some cases, the disease may have started up to 2 years prior. Solar arc is not recommended if birth time is not accurate as your timing and assessment can be out by 1-several years. Various asteroids are also used in medical astrology as mentioned in Eileen Nauman's book Medical Astrology.
Troublesome planets are Saturn and Neptune. Planet Saturn causes depletion and blockage of the planetary energy. So, whenever planet Saturn transit a sign you will be depleted of certain minerals and vitamins for the duration. Planet Neptune will dissolve and weaken the planetary energy in the sign and misdiagnosis will often occur. Always get a second opinion. In saying that any planet can be a trigger for dis-ease so asking the client when and what happened is crucial to determine the underline cause. Transit to sound node can cause symptoms connected to that planet.
Never recommend operation 3 days up to full moon and 2 days after as risk of bleeding is advanced. Never operate when the transiting sun or moon is in the part of the body going under the surgeon's knife. Plus, about ten other rules. Those people that have strong Pisces, Neptune's aspects are sensitives and work better with natural medicines although it does take longer to have effect, so it is important that they work on their health management daily and support their immunity.
Like all aspects of Astrology, Astro-medicine as is a useful tool in supporting a person's health. There are often complex issues in the chart that contribute to disease it is recommended that the astrologer has some knowledge of anatomy, health, psychology, counselling, disease and or herbalism.
In my book 'Learn to Self-heal' I discuss the luminaries, planet Saturn and ascendant as being indicators of body systems that will need support in the body and how to strengthen them.