Introduction to Medical Astrology

Wanda Sellar

Description

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 practice 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. Whilst medical astrology cannot take the place of advice from orthodox professionals, it can often throw light on prevailing problems.

Sujets

• Astrology
• Alternative medicine

Informations

• Publié par: The Wessex Astrologer Ltd
• Date de parution: 26 août 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 5
• EAN13: 9781902405995
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

A N I NTRODUCTION TO M EDICAL A STROLOGY
Wanda Sellar
Published in 2008 by The Wessex Astrologer 4A Woodside Road Bournemouth BH5 2AZ www.wessexastrologer.com
Wanda Sellar 2008
Wanda Sellar asserts the moral right to be recognised as the author of this work.
ISBN 9781902405322
A catalogue record for this book is available at the British Library
Cover design by Iris de Leeuw
Printed and bound in the UK by Biddles Ltd, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of the publishers. A reviewer may quote brief passages.
IMPORTANT NOTE
The information contained in this book is not intended to take the place of orthodox medical advice; it is given in the spirit of interest, and to promote further research. Certainly in the case of illness, advice should be sought from the proper medical authorities. The author is not a doctor, although she has spent over 25 years in the astrological and complementary medical fields and holds a Diploma in Anatomy Physiology.
C ONTENTS
1 Essentials of Medical Astrology
2 Astrology and Medicine in Ancient and Modern Worlds
3 Zodiac and Health
4 Triplicities and Positive and Negative Signs
5 Quadruplicities
6 Signs Inconjunct
7 The Planets
8 The Houses
9 Aspects in Health
10 Unaspected Planets and Missing Elements
11 Midpoints and Health
12 Life Stages
13 A Guide to Medical Chart Analysis
14 Introduction to the Art of Decumbiture
15 Celestial Significators for Surgery
16 Pregnancy
Glossaries
References
Index
1 E SSENTIALS OF M EDICAL A STROLOGY
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 oxygen 1 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 treatmen