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Astro-Quest with Cecily
Bazak
HEALTH
AND ASTROLOGY
How
Much Should an Astrologer Tell a Client: About Health Issues?
by
Cecily
Bazak , Q.A F.A.A. Cert. Astrological Practitioner
Quote:
Hipprocates -Father of Medicine(460-377 BC)
"A
physician without knowledge of astrology cannot rightly call
himself a physician"
What
is Health?
In
his article (Mountain Astrologer Oct/Nov '99) Bruce Scofield
describes health as "the condition of being sound of mind, body
and spirit - sound implying freedom from disease in the body, being
clear of mind and vital in spirit". I think Bruce has summed it
up nicely.
Assessing
a Health Chart: Initial Contact: When a client approaches an
astrologer for a health appraisal, the astrologer, at the initial
contact, needs to carefully discuss current, hereditary or genetic
health issues to gauge why the client is asking for this assessment.
Perhaps there is an underlying health issue that hasn't yet been
diagnosed and resolved by medical techniques and the client is
anxious to find an answer. The astrologer should take an in depth
medical history prior to the consult. It's important at the outset,
to establish your role as an astrologer, with the client. An
astrologer needs to make certain a client fully understands that you
are NOT a medical practitioner, and NOT qualified to diagnose illness.
Astrologers
should be fully aware of the legal implications of advising a client
on health related matters unless you have recognised medical
qualifications. For this reason, it is a pre-requisite for an
astrologer to have a list of qualified health professionals for
client referrals. In ancient times, doctors used astrology as a tool
for diagnosis, and herbal remedies were common practice but in this
day and age, no matter how advanced alternative medicine becomes,
astrologers must still work within the boundaries defined by the
health commission or risk confrontation with the law. So, it's
important that astrologers do not diagnose illness unless they have
recognised medical qualifications. If an astrologer doesn't feel
comfortable dealing with a health issue, say so at the initial
contact with the client and recommend someone who has the required
expertise in medical astrology.
How
Much Should We Tell a Client?
The
chart should be regarded from an holistic viewpoint. It is possible
for an Astrologer to track illness using transits, progressions and
cycles, taking particular notice of the movements of the moon, the
sun, the ascendant and planets in aspect to the ascendant and ruler
of the ascendant, the 6th house and ruler of the 6th house, the 12th
house, the 3rd house to look at possible communication problems, the
4th house to look at hereditary or genetic predisposition and the 8th
house to look at surgery and possible death. But just how much should
be divulged to the client?
It's
okay for an astrologer, to point out health tendencies, but be very
clear that you are not making a diagnosis and inform them that only a
medical practitioner can do that. Explain you are pointing out some
heavily aspected areas where weakness in health may occur. An
astrologer must be mindful of their phraseology when discussing
health issues with a client and adhering to a code of ethics is
necessary. An astrologer may be able to see a potential health
problem appearing as a theme throughout the chart. If this is the
case then you could suggest they see another astrologer with
expertise in medical astrology - even offer to set up the
appointment. You could explain that astrology has areas of
speciality, as do many other professions, and that medical astrology
is a specialised area. If you feel there's a pressing need, a
referral to a doctor or naturopath, preferably one who has an
understanding of the value of medical astrology, would be appropriate.
Interpreting
a Health Chart
A
birth chart, viewed from a health perspective, reveals the
personality, the psyche and the organic and physical form. Heavily
aspected areas in a chart can sometimes show physical illness.
Astrologers need to look at the psychological aspects as well as the
physical body when compiling a health chart report. Some astrologers
would look mainly at the 6th/12th house as this is the area where
illness may manifest and perpetuate. However, I believe the holistic
approach can produce a more detailed analysis of health in a chart.
Elements/Qualities/Humours
The
four elements correspond to a particular body type. A medical
astrologer may often look to these areas to form the basis of a
diagnosis. The four physical qualities are: Hot and dry (Choleric,
Fire); Hot and Moist (Sanguine, air); Cold and dry (Melancholic,
earth); cold and moist (Phlegmatic, water). For example, a hot dry
fever is choleric, a hot sweaty fever is sanguine, cold, shivery and
sweaty is phlegmatic, and cold is melancholic.
Relationship
Between the Planets and the Body
Taking
an holistic view the entire chart should be assessed, however, there
are several key areas, (as referred to on page 2), of a chart that
require consideration. I will touch briefly on the relationships
between the planets and the body.
The
Sun (hot and dry)
Symbol
for the spine and the heart. Integrates and vitalises many elements
of the whole system. Nerves run through the spine leading to all
parts of the body, so the condition of the spine can become apparent
in other areas. Back and heart problems can be indicated by the Sun
in a birth chart.
The
Moon (cold and moist)
Astrological
symbol for the cyclic functioning of the body, eg. a woman's
menstrual cycle of twenty eight days. Internal medicine and diet come
under the Moon's influence.
Mercury
(cold and dry)
Mercury
rules the nervous system - the brain and eyes are parts of Mercurial
body rulership. The nervous system is the communication network of
the body and if it should break down, the information being sent to
the brain won't reach its target. Elements of the nervous system
become damaged resulting in serious health problems.
Venus
(cold and moist)
Astrologically
Venus is the indicator of the reproductive system. In a birth chart
an afflicted Venus may result in problems of a sexual or reproductive
nature or of chemical imbalance. Venereal disease is Venus ruled.
Mars
(hot and dry)
Mars
is symbolic of the immune system, ruling the blood. A Mars
retrograde or one in hard aspect to Neptune (leakages) could indicate
infection, which is the failure of the immune system to adequately
defend the body. Mars also symbolises the muscles, which respond to
our will, enabling exertion and action.
Jupiter
(hot and moist)
Jupiter
rules the liver whose function it is to store nutrients for the
body. Jupiter is also associated with hips and legs. Growth is the
domain of Jupiter and people with heavily aspected Jupiter are likely
to be either tall or overweight. Problems in the body are associated
with excesses.
Saturn
(cold and dry)
Saturn
rules boundaries. The skin, bones, teeth and hearing are all Saturn
ruled areas of the body. Saturn slows things down, limits and blocks.
Saturn is associated with stiffness and loss of mobility.
Uranus
Uranus
is linked to the nervous system, is associated with sudden events
such as rupture or haemorrhage and accidents.
Neptune
Neptune
is linked to the lymphatic system and is associated with lethargy or
wasting diseases. Often negative effects of drugs or alcohol.
Pluto
Pluto
is linked to the endocrine system and is associated with
reproductory or excretory problems and changes in physical condition.
The
Signs
Aries:
rules the head, brain and face
Taurus:
rules the neck, throat, cervical spine, thyroid
Gemini:
rules arms, shoulders, hands, lungs, chest, sensory nervous system
Cancer:
rules stomach, womb, breasts, hollow organs (eg. bladder)
Leo:
rules heart and dorsal spine
Virgo:
rules small intestine, pancreas, spleen, autonomic nervous system
Libra:
rules lumbar spine, kidneys, eustacean tubes
Scorpio:
rules reproductive system, colon, orifices
Sagittarius:
rules thighs, hips, sciatic nerve, liver
Capricorn:
rules knees, joints, gall bladder, teeth, tendons, ligaments
Aquarius:
rules wrists, calves and ankles, circulatory system, spinal cord
Pisces:
rules feet, lymph glands, white cells and plasma
The
Ascendant
The
ascendant often reflects the parts of our body that are in some way
significant. For eg. a Taurus ascendant may have a strong neck.
Planets conjunct to the Ascendant exert influence on the body. Also
important is the planet ruling the ascendant and the planet it is
closely aspected with. When the 6th house ruler is conjunct the
ascendant, or ruler of the ascendant, there is a potential for health
problems. Identity can be conditioned by health.
Sixth,
Eighth and Twelfth Houses
Diet
and exercise are 6th House matters, and therefore are recommended
remedies for 6th house health issues. Note stressful aspects to the
Sun and Moon. Surgical procedures are related to the 8th House as
well as being associated with the 6th house. With 12th House issues
the individual can be overpowered by the world around them. This
house rules institutions, such as hospitals.
Reading
a Health Chart
In
a health chart you need to look at 2 basic questions:
1:
Is there an emphasis or a direct correlation from prominent planets
to the 6th House.
2.
What is the planetary nature of potential health problems
A
planet conjunct or in very close aspect to the 6th House ruler is
important as it delivers energy to the 6th House via the ruler.
Conclusion
Much
can be learned about potential health problems by looking at the
Sun, Moon, Ascendant and the 6th house. Challenging aspects to the
Sun, Moon, Ascendant and ruler of the ascendant to the 6th house are
signs that health could be a problem. Sun health issues are generally
more serious or chronic than those symbolised by the Moon. By looking
at the pathology and physiology of the planets in a health chart, and
searching for a theme, an astrologer can often accurately pin point
health issues. But what if the astrologer suspects a terminal illness
- should he/she tell their client? The simple answer is NO! Not even
if the client has asked you to "tell them everything, good or
bad". It's unethical and way outside the boundaries of your
qualifications. Only you can determine how you would handle the
situation, but perhaps counselling the client about the particular
stress areas in the chart is a start. You could tell your client-and
I quote an extract from an article by Noel Tyl (Mountain Astrologer
Oct/Nov '99) where he discusses this very issue. He tells his client
- "I am not a medical astrologer, but the horoscope has a way of
suggesting weak places in the body". You could then point out
the stresses to the area of the body concerned and suggest a referral
to someone who is qualified to diagnose.
Copyright:
Cecily Bazak
References:
1.Astrology Step by Step, Linda Reid 2.Article - How to Read a Birth
Chart, Health and Illness: Bruce Scofield, Mountain Astrologer,
Oct/Nov 1999 3.Internet article - What is Medical Astrology,
www.astroheal 8/5/01 4.Internet article - An Introduction to Western
Medical Astrology, Veronique Foster, Access Newage.com 5.Article -
The Seeds of Tension, Noel Tyl (Mountain Astrologer, Oct/Nov
1999)6.The Practical Astrologer, Nicholas Campion 7. Horary
Astrology-Rediscovered, Olivia Barclay 8. Software - Solar Fire 4 -
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