Medical astrology is an ancient practice that involves evaluating and predicting a person’s disease susceptibilities and health possibilities based on their birth chart, and it’s current interactions with the cosmos. This unique approach allows for a unique yet powerful type of health analysis.
In the past, astrology was considered an essential part of a physician’s knowledge. The Greek Father of Medicine Hippocrates insisted his students study astrology, stating “He who does not understand astrology is not a doctor.” The roots of applying astrology to medicine stretch back centuries to ancient India, China, Egypt and later medieval Europe and the Arab countries. During the medieval and Renaissance periods from 1450-1700, astrology dominated many fields of knowledge including medicine. The practice truly flourished during the Middle Ages and Renaissance era. Doctors in medieval and Renaissance times were accomplished astrologers. Up until 1666, physicians were required to pass astrological examinations in order to be licensed to practice medicine. The deep integration of astrology and medical knowledge highlights the historical significance of this holistic approach.
How Does it Work?
Astrology assigns different parts of the body to each of the zodiac houses, how the health presentation is happening is assigned to the sign, and the influencing energy is brought by the planets. For example Mars (the ruler of iron) in the 6th house (small intestines, assimilation of nutrients) in Aquarius (oxygenation of blood, energy etc) could suggest someone who struggles to absorb iron from their digestion resulting in iron deficiency and poor energy.
This creates an intricate system for observing and interpreting health based on astrological placements. Your birth chart provides a way to tell the story of your constitution based on your cosmic blueprint formed at the moment of your birth.
While the entire birth chart provides valuable health insights, some areas are particularly noteworthy in medical astrology:
The 6th House: Known as the “house of health- or sickness,” this house ruled by Virgo represents self-care, daily routines, work, diet, and service to others. The sign on the 6th house cusp, its ruling planet, and any planets residing in this house reveal much about one’s inherent constitution.
The Ascendant: The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon or Ascendant represents how the body handles stress, an increasingly common issue today. The Ascendant’s ruling planet further clarifies this as well as any planets within that house/sign.
The 12th House: This house ruled by Pisces relates to where illnesses can become chronic, mental health, invisible struggles, the feet/toes, autoimmune issues, and inherited patterns. Studying the sign on the 12th house cusp and its planetary ruler provides insights into chronic conditions.
The Luminaries – the Sun and Moon are also integral parts of understanding the individual constitution, with the Sun representing our life force, and the Moon representing how we distribute the life force (Much like the way the Sun emits radiant light, and the moon reflects it), and how emotions can affect the health.
Other Factors: Aspects (planetary angles), transits (current planetary movements), and progressions (zodiac sign changes) all add timing layers about when health events may be triggered or resolved.
Overall, Medical Astrology offers an ancient cosmological perspective for understanding one’s unique health blueprint and how to nurture mind-body harmony. If this holistic approach intrigues you, consider booking with me, a Perth Medical Astrologer, for a birth chart astrological reading to get to understand these timeless insights waiting to be discovered in your own birth chart.