Introduction to Medical Astrology

• Editorial: The Wessex Astrologer Ltd
• Año: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781902405995
• Categoría: Medicine
• Categoría: Alternative & Complementary Medicine

Medical astrology is a fascinating subject, yet undoubtedly a rather challenging one. In this work however, the author attempts to ease the path towards greater understanding of traditional astrological principles regarding health, as well as introducing some new experiential ideas. These have been developed through her long pratice in this field. What can sometimes be helpful in studying a chart is to understand the psychological underlay to medical conditions inherent in the cosmic pattern. The many charts included in this work from the author's own casebook as well as the charts of some public figures both current and historical, suggest guidelines for interpretation. This book is recommended for anyone who is interested in exploring medical astrology in greater depth, and perhaps including some aspects of it in their own astrological work.

1

ESSENTIALS OF MEDICAL ASTROLOGY

Medical astrology is a fascinating if not always a cheerful study since we are examining physiological and planetary pathology. We have to acquaint or re-acquaint ourselves with those harsh and unremitting terms like ‘malefic’ and ‘debility’ in order to define the modus operandi of the planets, signs and houses. We cannot escape using these terms, try as we might. Mars and Saturn must therefore, be viewed as the lesser and greater malefics and the outer planets – Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – are equally damned. The conjunction, square and opposition are also malefic in as much as they may create stress, which may or may not lead to illness.

Planets in domicile and exaltation are in their premium sign placements and are likely to function well, ostensibly. But when planets find themselves in detriment and fall their intrinsic energies are more likely to be distorted. Sometimes the word debility is used to denote a difficult planetary placement or aspect. Certain houses will be designated as inimical to health.

Obviously, chart factors viewed in this somewhat pessimistic light can be disconcerting. A chart considered from a psychological viewpoint will present difficult aspects and planetary positions as challenges to be met which of course, is what they are. An astrological consultation should naturally have an upbeat note since the astrologer is trying to help the client adopt a positive attitude. It is only for the purpose of studying medical astrology that it is important to view the chart in more absolute terms. Ultimately, however, the chart only serves to pinpoint the potential for health, happiness, success, and possibly illness. It is the transits, progressions and directions which of course, trigger the chart’s potential, beneficial or otherwise.

The natal planets, aspects and signs can be seen as describing an aggregation of energies that play upon the body and mind. As in psychological astrology, medical astrology reveals ‘themes’ or ‘patterns’. For instance, Mars in Gemini square Mercury in Pisces, may suggest a problem with the nervous system, since both Gemini and Mercury are connected with the nerves, as indeed are the mutable signs. But this aspect alone may not be enough to create serious problems. However, if Mercury, Gemini as well as the third house and its planetary ruler – all linked with the nervous system – are debilitated in some way, we may be inclined to think there may be a problem in this area.

The main reason for discerning the strength and debility of planets, signs, aspects and houses in the horoscope is to judge the vigour of the constitution. For instance, in natal or psychological astrology, an aspect between the Sun and Mars would incline the astrologer to think that the individual had a great deal of drive and energy. From the viewpoint of medical astrology, Sun/Mars connections indicate abundant energy because the Sun rules oxygen¹ and the heart, and Mars rules iron and the muscles. Oxygen has to combine with iron in the blood to facilitate circulation around the body through the pumping action of the heart (a muscular tissue) to imbue organs and tissues with heat, and life. The energy for our body heat and movement is therefore, derived from the Sun. A deficiency of iron (Mars) can induce anaemia, its main symptom being fatigue or low life force.

The life force otherwise known as the vital spirits,² the Indian prana or Chinese chi, emanates from the Sun to the Earth and imbues everything with its activating energy: minerals, plants, animals and humans. Incidentally, the mineral hematite is also an aggregation of oxygen and iron indicating how linked we humans are to even supposedly inert mineral life form. The quality of the activating life force in an individual’s chart may to some extent be ascertained by the position of the astrological Sun, that is its sign and house placement as well as aspects. For instance, does the Sun receive harmonious sextile or trine aspects from the fortunes – Venus and Jupiter – or is its energy blocked by a difficult aspect with Saturn or aggravated by one from Mars?

There has been a misconception in popular astrology (present company excepted) that our Sun sign will indicate the particular diseases that our flesh is heir to. The sign in which the solar disc is placed is of course very important in consideration of general health. But other factors must also be taken into consideration.

Nicholas Culpeper. 28 October 1616 NS, 12:00:49 GMT, Ockley, Surrey, England. 51N09 0W2. Regiomontanus. Data source: Culpeper’s Medicine, Graeme Tobyn, Element, 1997, p.235. Also Astrologicall Judgment of Diseases, Nicholas Culpeper, Ballantrae Reprint.

Note that in Nicholas Culpeper’s chart Saturn opposes the Sun, without support from helpful aspects. Culpeper’s herbal practice was prolific and no doubt this hastened his end at the early age of 37. He exhausted himself in the service of others. The Sun also rules the eighth house of death or energy dissipation. The Sun’s mutual reception with Mars gave him the energy to fulfil his vocation since Mars rules the tenth house of career, but the Sun becomes linked with the two malefics.

Saturn’s rays also obscure those of the Moon by a half-square aspect. Culpeper died from lung disease, aptly described by the Moon’s position in Gemini in the sixth house. He overworked himself judging by the Moon’s opposition to Jupiter in the twelfth house. The chart is stressed through the lack of harmonious aspects, further diminishing vitality.

Discerning the strengths and weaknesses of a chart from a medical viewpoint has to be pursued with caution. It may not be advisable to comment upon a predisposition to certain illnesses when giving a general reading, as suggestion is of course, a powerful tool. Whilst the client may not develop the disease suggested, it may well cast him into the depths of despair – usually a breeding ground for any type of disease. As explained earlier, organic malfunction as suggested by astrology may only occur when several similar cosmic factors exist. Why worry the client about things that may never happen!

So what is the purpose of medical astrology? Indeed, the client probably consults the astrologer when he is facing a medical problem. It would probably be a good idea for the astrologer to ascertain the psychological underlay to the client’s particular illness. If there are afflictions in Libra for instance, he may be suffering from lumber pain. In such an instance, it may be a good idea to see how the client is facing partnership problems at that time, a particular Libra concern. Physical illness may reflect an inner complex with which the client is struggling.

On the other hand a client may consult an astrologer when he is uncertain of the cause of his malaise and asks for a medical diagnosis. The astrologer may be able to pinpoint the organs and functions afflicted, but perhaps it is not a good idea to actually name the disease. As indeed, organ malfunction may be the result of any number of diseases, and diagnosis ultimately must rest with orthodox medical personnel. But it is possible for the astrologer to pinpoint the bodily area affected by checking transits and progressions, finally suggesting a check up with a doctor.

Discretion is therefore needed when advising clients from a medical astrology viewpoint. It is possible of course, to advise clients on their health habits when the chart indicates certain predilections without suggesting that there is anything organically wrong. For instance, in the case of digestive difficulties, perhaps because afflictions are seen in Cancer, Virgo and the sixth house, the client may be advised to eat organic and live foods, which create an easier route for nutrients to the blood. This will help to keep the vital spirits in this particular area to optimum levels. Processed foods are more difficult to digest, facilitating fewer nutrients to the blood. Circulation difficulties, perhaps because of afflictions in Leo, Aquarius and the fifth house, may be suggestive of the need for greater exercise being taken in order to help enervate the blood flow. But unless we are qualified in other allopathic or holistic medical fields, we should not venture too far with specific treatments, except in general terms.

Good health depends upon a strong constitution, indicated by benefic cosmic factors. Those so blessed are more able to withstand greater abuse to their body through wrong diet and unhealthy habits. However, if we take the bigger view and see the body as a vehicle of the soul, then each incarnation will react to its previous management or mismanagement. Good health abused in one incarnation may suggest a weakness in a subsequent incarnation. This will be reflected in the astrological chart. Good health, some may say, is down to genetics, which is quite true. But the soul chooses the family, so it is thought, and the birth occurs when the cosmic pattern is appropriate to the incoming soul.

Viewing the chart medically does have its restrictions since most astrologers are not physicians. Yet a grasp of medical astrology (as well as anatomy and physiology), may add a deeper and more helpful note to a chart reading, on occasion. The first step in understanding the chart medically is to view the body and its functions through the symbolism of planets, signs and houses. Many body parts and functions have several rulers. For instance, the adrenals are ruled by Mars, Jupiter, Libra and Scorpio. Multiple rulership may at first seem confusing but in fact, can be helpful. If all astrological factors ruling a body part were afflicted, this would surely be a firmer indication of organic stress.

The body’s health was indeed an important source of scrutiny for physician/astrologers in ancient times, planetary rulership evolving along with the continuing discovery of the body’s various functions. For instance, at one time the nerves would have been under the traditional rulership of Mercury. Since the discovery of Uranus, it too has influence over the nervous system particularly over the chemical and electrical neurotransmitters between each cell, which would not have been known in the past. How accurate modern planetary rulers are is left ultimately to conjecture and experience.

The same can be said of modern diseases such as AIDS and cancer and perhaps many others that may not traditionally be associated with signs or planets. One can only look at which organs the disease affects, to conjecture upon its cosmic associations. It must be noted that the association of disease with certain signs, planets and houses does not necessarily mean that these conditions will manifest.

Before moving on to the nuts and bolts of medical astrology, the next chapter chronicles its history and myth.

REFERENCES

1.   Cornell, H.L. Encyclopaedia of Medical Astrology, Samuel Weiser, 1972, p.616. (Originally published 1933).

2.   ibid p.918.
see also Lilly, William. Christian Astrology, Regulus, 1985, p.576. (Originally published 1647).

2

ASTROLOGY AND MEDICINE IN THE ANCIENT AND MODERN WORLDS

Mesopotamia

Early civilisations viewed birth, death, health and sickness as reflecting the wider cosmos, as well as magical processes. People got sick because the gods were offended, hence the various incantations, sacrifices and rituals attending most religions and healing. The words ‘holiness’ and ‘healing’ stem from a single root, signifying the idea of ‘wholeness’.¹ Ancient medical practice therefore, looked at both the physical and spiritual aspect of disease and suffering.

The origin of civilisation is believed to have occurred in ancient Mesopotamia where three cultures dominated. Mesopotamia lay between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers – a particularly fertile region due to the irregular flooding which created rich silt. The Sumerians flourished around c.5000 BC in the city of Ur and quite possibly this is the oldest culture of which we have medical knowledge. There are many tablets in cuneiform script (Latin, cuneus, meaning wedge) surviving from this period and some refer to medical issues.²

The Sumerians attempted to ascertain relationships from the movement of the stars, which reflected changes in the seasons and bodily disturbances. Studying movements of the Moon, Sun and planets in order to calculate seasons led to the creation of the first calendar. The science of mathematics evolved from the stars. A sexagesimal system of counting existed (based on the number 60) from which we have the 360-degree circle and the 24-hour day (60 seconds, 60 minutes).

Each Sumerian city was built around the shrine of a local god. The universe, ruled by a pantheon of gods, controlled the cosmos in accordance with duly prescribed laws. Sickness was a punishment for breaking natural laws or was subject to sorcery. Omens were thought to warn of disease. Heaven, earth, air and water were seen as the four major components of the universe, over which four creator gods presided and were subject to temple worship.

The Babylonians derived their civilisation from the Sumerians and the Kingdom of Babylonia rose to its highest glory under King Hammurabi (c.1700 BC) in the Tigris and Euphrates valley. The knowledge of astronomy and astrology as well as mathematics greatly advanced under the Babylonians. Influential in the field of law, irrigation, medicine and religious buildings was the famous Code of King Hammurabi,³ under whose law, physicians risked losing their hands if an important person died whilst undergoing surgery. The stele on which the code is inscribed originally stood in Babylon’s temple of Marduk, the nature god; now it stands in the Louvre, Paris. Present day Iraq covers much of the area over which Hammurabi ruled. Babylon (meaning the gates of the gods), the capital and the world’s first great city, ...