All alternative practitioners are faced with endless possibilities in therapeutics, something our allopathic brethren find themselves short. Our axiom 'Vix Medicatrix Naturae' or Healing Power of Nature states that the body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The physician’s role is to facilitate and augment this process, to act to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment. However, we all know that surgical cases remain surgical, and that some patients resist or are beyond an inherent ability to restore their own health due to those pesky "impediments to healing," especially those psychosomatic, often times beyond our reach.
Would not it be nice to know from a glance of an astrological chart to spot those impediments to self heal?
This is one of the outstanding clinical uses of the astrological chart when read medically at the bedside. We can instantly spot these impediments and perhaps take a more serious note to the complaints we are faced with daily. When a patient is burdened with a deep psychosomatic ailment, it is perhaps best to refer them to psychological or spiritual counseling first, as we know these cases will fail to respond to the best and well chosen remedies. So often, after a round of the medics tablets, or the specialist's drips, or the radiological smoke and mirrors, patients come to us as desperate cases when all hope is nearly lost, and the body so burdened with poisons it cannot hope to recuperate unless the veil of darkness in consciousness is lifted. The natal medical chart will show this, and here's how...
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;...
A time to kill, and a time to heal... (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8)
In Medical Astrology, we first search for the planetary significators called the Hyleg, also called the Apheta, or the Giver of Life. The planet or star point considered to have the greatest influence upon vitality is first identified. It was used in the calculation of the length of life, and directions or contacts between the hyleg and destructive planets or places (Anareta) were used to mark periods where life was endangered. The strongest planet that occupied one of the Aphetic places is considered Hyleg (Prorogator of Life'), and was deemed to be the Apheta. In Greek astrology, the hyleg is the Persian term for the planet with the greatest essential dignity in three important natal chart positions. It is the "the ruling planet at time of birth" and will be either:
- the Sun
- the Moon, or
- the Ascendant (or rising sign).
Thus, the native's potential for health, self-healing and longevity are assessed through a careful analysis of the Sensitive Points: the Sun, Moon or Ascendant, which I call the Élan vital (vital force) of the natal horoscope. These have been called as the Significators of Health. The technique is to determine which of the three critical points is hyleg in the native. The hyleg reveals what best modes of living will foster health and longevity, the dietary suited to the constitution, the harmonious herbs suited for therapeutics. And as we examine the Hyleg, we also spot the Anareta, the place that destroys life, harbors misery and disease, as well as what foods may be allergic, what foods indigestibe, etc.
The moment we are born on planet earth, there is a horizon point and sunset point of reference. To the casual observer, which most people are, may not think so much of cosmic energy per se but he or she may have a quasi-mystical about sunlight. In the days before electricity, one would have to be deeply impressed by the contrast between the radiant, heat-producing light of the Sun and the cool reflected glow of the Full Moon. This contrast became for the devoted, a contrast between spirit, as the source of light, and the soul, as a personalized reflection of the spiritual or divine light of the sun. To observant, the Ascendant, as the symbol of dawn or sunrise, became a special meaning; the reference point as the way in which spiritual-solar illumination reaches a particular earth-born human causing awakening. Thus, the moment we are born we experience a "planetary baptism," and the hyleg becomes our guiding light.
Nearly all the old authorities are in agreement that the Hyleg must come from certain houses. Our western astrological map consists of a circular disc with the twelve divisions of the sky, each of 30° called ‘Houses.’ These areas each indicate a facet of your personal life and character. They also relate to the circumstances and conditions that you will be encountering in your life adventures. The segment that touches the horizon from below on the left hand side, is the Rising Sign that occupies the first house. In their natural sequence, and going anti-clockwise, the rest of the twelve earthly houses follow to find their placement.
In conventional astrological symbolism, the houses represent the various areas of life experience. They portray the planetary energies, which essentially depict the inner constellations of our sentient being, and how this persona acts out onto the stage of the outer world, to manifest in outer life events. Astrologers believe that individual unconscious patterns are left as an “imprint” that can be read on the birth chart—as Jung said: “The individual disposition is already a factor in childhood; it is innate, and not acquired in the course of a life.” Astrologers believe this disposition is reflected in the planetary symbols that synchronize from the moment of birth.
If we could say the zodiac represents the anatomy, the houses represent the physiology. Thus the planets placed in the houses reflect structure and function and have a lot to do with psychosomatic ailments. The Hyleg placement is where we best fit our incarnation on planet earth. If our Hyleg is the 11th House, our relationship to our friends is vital and our best energies will come from them. If our hyleg is in the 9th Hourse, we do best by expanding our capacities. The houses deemed fit to hold the Hyleg are the First, Tenth, Eleventh, Seventh and Ninth, in that order of preference or priority. With the exception of the First House, the constitutional House of Life, Being and Health, all the other Hylegaical houses lie above the horizon, meaning the native was born with those planets exposed in light of the sun. The Eighth and Twelfth houses, which are associated with pathology and disease, are excluded from hylegial placement.
The luminaries, or the Sun and Moon, being the main placements of power, energy and vitality in the natal horoscope, are naturally the first planets to be considered hyleg. In the male, the sun is given priority, while in the female the moon is given priority. We look to those first and see if the are well aspected and not badly afflicted by other planets. In a daytime birth (Sun above the horizon), the Sun takes precedence over the Moon, but in a night time birth (Sun below the horizon), the Moon takes precedence. Also, the priority sequence of the Hylegaical houses can be used to decide which luminary is preferred; a First House Sun, even in a night birth, will take precedence over a Ninth House Moon, unless the Sun is debilitated or afflicted by an angular relationship to another planet. If none of these can qualify as being the Hyleg, then the Ascendant itself becomes the Hyleg. This could be considered to be the default option.
So let's make this simpler for those of you standing on one leg:
The sun is the ego, the left brain have you; the moon rules the right brain, or emotions. The brain is comprised of the masculine left-brain hemisphere (the Sun/Sol) and the feminine the right-brain hemisphere (the Moon). In esoteric teachings it is called the Temple of Man or Temple of Solomon, the temple of the sun and moon. So I look at the individual, the speech, body language, their occupation or profession, and quickly decide if the patient is right brain or left brain dominant. Both sides of the brain can reason, but by different strategies, and one side is usually dominant. The left brain is considered analytic in approach while the right is described as holistic or global. Then I look at the chart to see the placements of the sun, moon and ascendant. Two plus two will quickly equal four and thus the hyleg is spot on. Is the individual solar guided, or lunar guided, that is the central question. The solar guided individual can be approached with logic, while the lunar individual will have hidden issues, digestive problems, allergies, etc. to deal with. You have to approach the emotional component of lunar types in order to gain compliance.
For example, in this male chart below, the sun is above the lights in the 10th. The moon is below the lights in the 3rd House, so we take the Sun as hyleg. This is a career minded chart with a stellium of planets in the 12th house. Planets in the 12th are not weak or weakened. It is the “house of the rising Sun.” They are very powerful, although the person may be strangely oblivious to the strength of their influence. As the opposite of the 6th house of work, health and servitude, the 12th is retreat, respite, isolation, and withdrawal, resulting in long term or chronic health concerns. With mars conjunct Uranus here, the complaint will come suddenly and afflict the immune system. I would suspect some repressed anger with neurological consequences. The sun in cancer reflects a weakened, physical constitution. Cancer natives must avoid foods which ferment in the stomach, like refined breads and dead flesh. Uranus conjunct mars in the 12th, these individuals must learn to properly relax, and should develop an interest in meditation or other methods that help them achieve inner peace and tranquility. I would counsel to that effect.
In this chart below, the moon is combust the sun, aka a new moon, and is below the lights. So neither the sun or moon are hyleg. We thus look to the ascendant by default, and here we see Neptune on the rise. Neptune on the Ascendant deals with the constitution of the body, it renders the body sympathetic to the finer vibrations allowing one to "tune in" and feel the conditions of others, and thus may become prophetic or spiritual. This is a valuable gift but also a most serious one, as they can unconsciously take on the vibes of others and the health is liable to suffer. Disorder is over shadowed by lunacy with the sun combust the moon and it has a tendency to deplete the vitality. Self-healing will be difficult, and the chief complaints will be mysterious due to Neptune on the rise. Mars is in the sixth house of health, spelling periodic bouts of ill health, even accidental. We can bandaid the health issues, but genuine healing in chart below of this young one, the lights are very moody and resistant.
Just as we would look at a lab report, discerning the levels of enzymes and electrolytes, we can just as easily take a quick look at the birth chart and deduce some important clues to the impediments of health and healing. Emotions are powerful propagators of disease, and when present in the chart, we can quickly see how they may play out as a course of treatment.
Greek Medical Astrology developed from Egyptian Hermetic philosophy, with its axiom: As above, so below. As within, so without. As in Chinese medicine, the microcosm of the human body reflects the macrocosm of Nature and the cosmos. The aim of Medical Astrology, like all the world's great traditional medical systems, is to harmonize the health of the individual with with the Universal Life Forces of Nature.
Medical Astrology is a part of Greek (Hippocratic) Medicine and remained so for nearly 2000 years. Hippocrates was an advocate of Medical Astrology. It encompasses all uses of discernment in health and healing. Either the natal chart, or horoscope, is used, or a decumbiture chart, drawn up for the place and moment the patient first fell ill, can be used.
Medical Astrology as a study has a number of distinctive uses and benefits:
• Socrates stated, "Man, know thyself." The study of medical astrology beging with your own natal horoscope which depicts one's individual constitutional nature and temperament, which is the key to all diagnosis and treatment in Greek Medicine, with remarkable depth and sophistication.
• Medical Astrology also elucidates the psychosomatic relationship between mind and body with sophistication and depth. The deeper psychological reasons behind the individual's illness or condition are revealed or at least provide us a method to inquire.
• Each person, according to their own individual psychosomatic makeup, will respond differently to different therapies and treatments. Individual utilities for different therapeutic modalities are also shown in the natal horoscope. Each individual's life is a spiritual healing journey and is revealed through the chart.
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March 19, 2011 First posting 2007
Our cherised medicines of past: Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Electrotherapy, Massage, Hippocratic Medicine, Oriental Medicine, Pastoral (Monastic) Medicine
A FEW OF THE RECENT BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR
The School of Hippocrates: A Genuine Reformation in Medicine
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The Tree of Hippocrates is the plane tree (or platane, in Europe) under which, according to the legend, Hippocrates of Kos (considered the father of medicine) taught his pupils the art of medicine. Paul of Tarsus taught here as well. The Platanus in Kos is an oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), with a crown diameter of about 12 meters, said to be the largest and oldest for a plane tree in Europe. Seeds or cuttings from the tree have been spread all over the world since. A cutting of the tree was presented as a gift from the island Kos to National Library of Medicine, and planted on December 14, 1961 on the grounds surrounding the library. Many medical colleges, libraries or institutions have, or claim to have, trees cut or seeded from the original tree in Kos. It is because of its connection to the profound history of medicine that occured on this island that some institutions planted a plane tree.
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The School of Essenes: A Reformation in Medicine
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It was at an early time, according to both the ancient scholar Philo and the modern scholar Falk, that Moses trained 2,000 of the spiritual "elect" -- those Jews who had remained vegetarian and refused to participate in animal sacrifice and idol worship -- to be Essenes. AND FROM THIS TIME ON THE ESSENES EXISTED AS AN ESOTERIC MINORITY SECT. Josephus Flavius, born at Jerusalem in 37 A.D., was the greatest historian of the Jews in that period. Philo was the greatest Jewish philosopher of that period. Both men had personal knowledge of the ancient Essenes. Both declared that the Essenian roots are incredibly ancient. The Therapeutae of Egypt became the 'healers' of this tradition and survived to become the earliest Christians.
Left: Author in Qumran 2007. |
| Newer entries
Western Medical Astrology - Reconsidered 
