Astrology and Medicine

The Role of Astrology in Medicine

by Janice A. Stork

In Egypt, Tibet, and China physicians were required to study astrology at one time. Even Hippocrates, known as the father of Western medicine, made reference to the importance of a physician having knowledge of astrology.

One of the reasons a physician had to study astrology may have been because a badly
aspected malefic planet in an astrology chart could show a possible energy blockage in the area of the body the sign it was in ruled. For example, if the afflicted planet was in Aries there could be problems with the head, Taurus - throat, Gemini - Lungs, Cancer - stomach or breasts, Leo - heart, Virgo - digestive system, Libra - Liver, Scorpio - reproductive system, Sagittarius - knees, Capricorn - back, Aquarius - blood stream, and Pisces ruled the feet.

A second reason why astrology played an important role in medicine is because the position of a planet can show how balanced a person's elements are. This is based on what signs the planets were located in at the time of birth and the results can have an impact on a persons's health. For example, there are four elements; fire, earth, air, and water. The signs in a chart are ruled by an element. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are fire signs; Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are earth signs; Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are air signs; and Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are the water signs in the zodiac.

If Mars and the Moon are in Cancer in the natal chart, that would be 2 elements of water. You would look at each planet, add the element of the sign it is in, then you could see which element is predominant and which element may be lacking.

An excess of the element of water could cause the individual to have problems with edema (water retention), excess weight, over sensitivity, and colds. A lack of water could give symptoms of achiness, constipation, cramps, dehydration, and stiffness.
An excess of the earth could give problems with calcification, blockages, teeth, bones, and depression. Lack of earth could cause loss of hair, tooth decay, insecurity, brittle nails and bones. Too much air will lean towards problems with arthritis, coughing, insomnia, and seizures. A lack of air elements can cause introversion, impotency, disorientation, and problems communicating and learning. An excess of fire in a chart can cause cuts, fevers, heartburn, irritability, and rashes or boils. Lack of fire may cause infection, poor appetite, toxicity, and hypothyroidism.

Treatment of the element that is balanced could be done by a method that works with the elements in its method of healing. In India, they work with CHAKRA's when they try to heal someone. Chakra is Sanskirt for wheel or disk and represents one of 7 energy sources in the body. Chakras relate to various stages in our life, the various functions of the body, color, sound, and the elements.

An acupuncturist works with the elements. They use fine needles that are inserted into the body to raise fire or manipulate another element. Sometimes they take incense, and use it to light small mounds of mug wart to balance the elements. This technique is called moxibustion.

In the final analysis it all relates to energy. The planets affect us by their energy. We are energy and our sicknesses are energy blockages. To go one step further in working with the elements, I built a 5 foot copper pyramid, suspended a large crystal from its apex and hung a star of David (representing 3 triangles in the design) from it. Then I suspended a Tiffany lamp from the ceiling directly over it, and used different colored lights which matched the colors of the chakras. Each color carried with it a different vibration. The bottom of the pyramid was surrounded with crystals, a grid of 3 (10 pound) magnetic stones, and I cut 7 clothes matching the colors of the lights and chakras to lay on the floor under the pyramid. If someone I knew wanted to experience what it was like to sit under the high powered pyramid, I first looked at their astrology chart, determined what element was deficient or excessive and I used a cloth and light that would strengthen the imbalanced element. The results were remarkable enough to document.