Predict the Future with Astrological Medicine

“With us there was a DOCTOR OF MEDICINE; in all this world there was none like him to speak of medicine and surgery; for he was instructed in astronomy. He cared for and saved a patient many times by natural science and studying astrological signs. Well could he calculate the planetary position to improve the state his patient is in.”

Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales

Table of Contents

• Judicial vs. Natural Astrology
• Signs of the Zodiac
• Planetary Healing
• Astrological Medicine
• The Plants and Planets
• Further Research

NOTE: an abridged version of this article titled Astrological Medicine was first published to Yahoo voices in 2007. Since I can no longer find a copy of that article online, I have added it to the Creative Cottage. This all-new post greatly expands upon the information included in the original article.

Have you ever used pendulums, tarot cards, tea leaf readings, or other methods to help give you insight into what’s going to happen in your life? My favorite fortune telling methods include gemstone pendulums and palmistry, and I even made my own sets of fused glass rune stones.

Western astrology is another popular method that can be used to help you interpret signs of what has happened and what will happen in the past, present, and future. Astrology is a form of divination that attempts to predict one’s future based upon the influence of the positions of the stars and planets on the object whose astrological chart is being created. The key concept of astrology is as above, so below. That is, what happens on earth (below) is keyed to what is happening in the celestial realms (above).

From Wikipedia: Medical astrology (traditionally known as iatromathematics) is an ancient applied branch of astrology based mostly on melothesia, the association of various parts of the body, diseases, and drugs with the nature of the sun, moon planets, and the twelve astrological signs. Astrological medicine, AKA the science of planetary signatures in medicine, has a close connection with both the doctrine of signatures and the language of flowers.

Judicial vs. Natural Astrology

Natural astrology is a type of planting by the signs of the moon and foretells the future of weather and other natural phenomena and attempts to predict when is the best time to plant and harvest crops. The modern-day farmer’s almanacs are filled with natural astrological information such as astrological timetables, gardening by the moon’s sign, moon’s place in the astrological zodiac and secrets of the zodiac.

Judicial astrology uses the sidereal zodiac based on constellation factors and attempts to tell your future based on your birth chart. A personal horoscope is created based upon the positions of the planets, sun and moon at the exact date and time of your birth. An alternative methodology, the tropical zodiac, uses seasonal factors instead of constellations.

The theory of astrological medicine combines basic astrological principles along with medicinal techniques. Astrologers assigned each planet and each sign of the zodiac to rule over certain parts of the body. birth. The other was a chart of the patient’s disease, based upon the approximate day and time of the start of the patient’s illness.

These charts allowed the physician to determine which planetary influences were affecting the patient at the time they became ill. The astrological medicinal practitioner then determined what planetary energies were in excess or which were deficient and planned a course of healing accordingly.

Signs of the Zodiac

Note: I’ve included the approximate sun sign dates for each astrological sign. These dates may vary slightly according to the specific astrological chart you consult.

Aquarius – the water bearer

• Approximate sun sign dates: January 20^th through February 18^th.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the calves, ankles and blood.
• Planetary ruler = Saturn in ancient texts, Uranus in the modern-day.
• Element = air

Pisces – the fish

• Approximate sun sign dates: February 19^th through March 20^th.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the feet and toes.
• Planetary ruler = Jupiter in ancient texts, Neptune in the modern-day.
• Element = water

Aries – the ram

• Approximate sun sign dates: March 21^st through April 19^th.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the eyes, face, and head.
• Mars is the planetary ruler of this zodiac sign.
• Element = fire

Taurus – the bull

• Approximate sun sign dates: April 20^th through May 20^th.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the ears, larynx, neck, throat, and tonsils.
• Venus is the planetary ruler of Taurus.
• Element = earth

Gemini – the twins

• Approximate sun sign dates: May 21^st through June 21^st.
• Governs all illnesses associated with the arms, hands, lungs and shoulders.
• Planetary ruler = Mercury.
• Element = air

Cancer – the crab

• Approximate sun sign dates: June 22^nd through July 22^nd.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the breast, chest, diaphragm, ribs, and stomach.
• Planetary ruler = moon.
• Element = water

Leo – the lion

• Approximate sun sign dates: July 23^rd through August 22^nd.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the back, heart, and spine.
• Planetary ruler = sun.
• Element = fire

Virgo – the maiden

• Approximate sun sign dates: August 23^rd through September 22^nd.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the bowels, intestines and nervous system.
• Planetary ruler = Mercury.
• Element = earth

Libra – the scales

• Approximate sun sign dates: September 23^rd through October 22^nd.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the appendix, kidneys, liver and lower back.
• Planetary ruler = Venus.
• Element = air

Scorpio – the scorpion

• Approximate sun sign dates: October 23^rd through November 22^nd.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the bladder, colon and reproductive organs.
• Planetary ruler = Mars in ancient texts, Pluto in the modern-day.
• Element = water

Sagittarius – the archer

• Approximate sun sign dates: November 23^rd through December 21^st.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the hips and thighs.
• Planetary ruler = Jupiter.
• Element = fire

Capricorn – the goat

• Approximate sun sign dates: December 22^nd through January 19^th.
• Governs all problems and illnesses associated with the bones, knees, joints and teeth.
• Planetary ruler = Saturn.
• Element = earth

Planetary Healing

… the association of herbs with particular astrological qualities may be an application of the doctrine of signatures, in which a plant’s physical resemblance to an object – the moon… for example – was thought to indicate a particular affinity for that object…

Michael R. Best, The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus

At one time it was believed that the earth was at the center of our universe. We now know that the sun is at the center of our solar system while the other planets revolve around the sun. The original seven planets of ancient astrological texts were the sun, Mercury, Venus, the moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were discovered relatively late in history and thus these three planets are not mentioned in ancient astrological and astronomical texts.

In astrological medicine, each planet ruled over certain body parts. When performing any type of healing magic you may want to wait until the moon is in the appropriate planet or astrological sign according to what part of the body is being treated. For example, someone with an excess of Mercury energy may be prone to having more headaches than the average person. A farmer’s almanac can be consulted to find out what sign of the zodiac the moon is in on any particular day of the month.

Ancient Botany and Astrological Medicine

Your fastest way then is to judge the disease, is by aspects of the moon to the planets.

Nicholas Culpeper, Astrological Judgment of Disease

According to Leslie Gordon, in her book Green Magic, astrological botany, which combined the disciplines of herbal folklore with astrology, was the belief “that each plant was a terrestrial star, and each star a spiritualized plant.” Each part of the human body and the herbal medicines that cured them were thought to be under the influence of a particular planet or sign of the zodiac.

During the Middle Ages the Greeks, while studying in Alexandria, may have been the first to endorse the theory of astrological botany. Ancient medical practitioners were encouraged to study astrology in order to supplement their knowledge of healing the human body. Hippocrates (460-377 BC), the Greek physician who is often regarded as the father of medicine, was one such ancient teacher who recommended that all students of medicine study astrology. Galen, 130-200 AD, further emphasized the importance of combining astrology with one’s medical studies.

Many ancient herbals classified plants according to which planet they were influenced by. Nicholas Culpeper is an example of a historical astrological botanist. He blended traditional medicine with his beliefs in astrology, magic and folklore. Culpeper assigned each of the herbs in his book The Complete Herbal and English Physician to a particular planet. Culpeper believed that all physicians should be trained in the craft of astrology. Culpeper’s book Astrological Judgment of Disease goes into more detail regarding the interpretation of one’s astrological charts in order to obtain a proper medical prognosis.

The herbs used in astrological herbalism were chosen for their ability to heal either by sympathy or antipathy. Healing by sympathy involved choosing a herb or herbs that were ruled by the planet that had influence over the affected part of the body of the patient being cured. For example, Culpeper prescribed the use of holy thistle, a hot, prickly, biting herb under the dominion of Mars, to heal diseases associated with the planet Mars such as the plague, sores, and boils.

Healing by antipathy was just the opposite. The medical astrologist would choose a herb that was influenced by the planet opposite from what the person was being affected by. For example, if someone was experiencing a fever, which was a disorder thought to be caused by the hot and fiery planet Mars, then a cooling herb under the influence of the planet Venus would have been chosen to help heal the patient.

The Plants and Planets

If you please to observe the state of that same planet, by it you may know the state of the sick, and what the cause of his sickness is.

Nicholas Culpeper, Astrological Judgment of Diseases

Dr. O. Phelps Brown, a 19th-century country doctor and herbalist, believed that herbs used for healing purposes should be harvested at the correct time: “…recipes, if made from herbs and plants gathered at the right times and under the proper planetary and climatic influences, and not kept too long, will perform in every instance the duties ascribed to them.”

Jupiter

• Jupiter is associated with education, expansion, growth, prosperity, protection, and religion.
• The plants of Jupiter include bright yellow or purple flowers and plants of a nutritious nature.
• Examples include fruits and nuts, dandelion, oak trees, maple trees and sage.

Mars 

Culpeper had much to say about the healing ability of this planet and the plants associated with it: “Well, says Mars, though they speak evil of me, I will do good to them; Death’s cold, my herb shall heat them: they are full of ill humors (else they would never have spoken ill of me;) my herb shall cleanse them, and dry them; they are poor weak creatures, my herb shall strengthen them; they are dull-witted, my herb shall fortify their apprehensions; and yet among astrologers all this does not deserve a good word: Oh the patience of Mars!”

• Mars is associated with ambition, assertiveness, confidence, courage, energy, impulsiveness and vitality.
• The plants of Mars include anything with thorns, spines, stickers, and red flowers.
• Examples include blackberry, poison ivy, milk thistle, raspberry and stinging nettle.

Mercury 

• Mercury is associated with communication, thinking, rationality, and reasoning.
• Plants associated with the wind such as grasses, plants having finely divided leaves, and plants of a climbing and creeping nature are all associated with the planet Mercury.
• Examples include anise, carrots, dill, fennel, honeysuckle, lavender, morning glory, and parsley.

Moon

• The moon is actually a satellite of the earth and not an actual planet.
• The moon is associated with harmony, femininity, gentleness, memories, moods, and goddess energy.
• The attributes of the plants associated with the moon include white or pale yellow flowers or fruits, moon-shaped leaves, and plants of a watery nature.
• Examples include aloe, cucumbers, moonflowers, peppermint, squashes, watercress, water lilies and willows.

Saturn 

• Saturn is associated with boundaries, life-changing events, long-term planning, reality, and restrictions.
• The plants associated with this planet are often sedative and help to relieve pain or help with bone formation. The attributes of Saturn plants include grayish-blue herbs, blue flowers, and woody perennial herbs.
• Examples include aconite, belladonna, chicory, comfrey, hemlock, horsetail, and woad.

Sun 

• This cosmic body is associated with creativity, enthusiasm, health, optimism, spontaneity, vitality, and god energy.
• The plants associated with the sun include orange and yellow flowers, plants of a hot and spicy nature, plants with heart-shaped leaves, and plants with round, sun-shaped flowers.
• Examples include calendula, cloves, ginger, marigold, pepper, saffron, sunflower, and St. John’s wort.

Venus 

• The planet Venus is associated with love, balance, beauty, friendship, harmony, and relationships.
• The plants associated of Venus include peach and pink flowers, heavily scented flowers, and any plants with aphrodisiac properties.
• Examples include all fruit blossoms, damiana, geraniums, meadowsweet, orchids, roses, violets, and yarrow. 

Astrological Medicine Resources

Here are a few of my top recommended books for learning more about astrological medicine and the signs of the zodiac. For the true history and folklore buff, I also suggest researching Hindu astrology and Chinese zodiac signs.

• Best, Michael R. & Frank H. Brightman (ed). The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus. York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 1999: xvii.
• Brown, Dr. O. Phelps. The Complete Herbalist. Jersey City, NJ: self-published by the author, 1868.
• Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. This work, which was written by Chaucer circa 1387-1400, is in the public domain. An electronic version of this text can be found online at http://www.librarius.com/cantales.htm.
• Culpeper, Nicholas. Astrological Judgment of Diseases from the Decumbiture of the Sick. Abingdon, MA: Astrology Classics, 2003. This is a reprint of Culpeper’s work that was originally published in London, 1655.
• Culpeper, Nicholas. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal and English Physician Enlarged. Glenwood, IL: Meyerbooks, 1990. Reprint of the 1814 London edition.
• Gordon, Lesley. Green Magic; Flowers Plants and Herbs in Lore and Legend. New York, NY: The Viking Press, 1977.