Medical astrology
532355
223808131
2008-07-05T22:29:04Z
Lightbot
7178666
Units/dates/other
[[Image:Medical Astro-Man.jpg|thumb|300px|right|This old document shows the anciently-held link between the [[Astrological sign|12 signs of the Zodiac]] and the various parts of the body]]
'''Medical astrology''' (traditionally known as '''Iatromathematics''') is an ancient medical system that associates various parts of the body, diseases and drugs as under the influence of the [[Sun]], [[Moon]] and planets, along with the twelve [[astrological sign]]s. Each of the astrological [[Sun sign|sign]]s (along with the Sun, Moon, and [[planet]]s) are associated with different parts of the [[human body]]. Also, many ''plants'' are referred to in old treatises on herbs as being "under the influence of" some ''planet''. This was used as a codification of associations of the signs with the parts of the body are as follows:
* [[Aries (astrology)|Aries]] - head, face, brain, eyes
* [[Taurus (astrology)|Taurus]] - throat, neck, [[thyroid gland]], vocal tract
* [[Gemini (astrology)|Gemini]] - arms, lungs, shoulders, hands, [[nervous system]], brain
* [[Cancer (astrology)|Cancer]] - chest, breasts, stomach, alimentary canal
* [[Leo (astrology)|Leo]] - heart, chest, spine, spinal column, upper back
* [[Virgo (astrology)|Virgo]] - digestive system, intestines, [[spleen]], nervous system
* [[Libra (astrology)|Libra]] - [[kidneys]], skin, lumbar region, buttocks
* [[Scorpio (astrology)|Scorpio]] - reproductive system, sexual organs, bowels, excretory system
* [[Sagittarius (astrology)|Sagittarius]] - hips, thighs, liver, [[sciatic nerve]]
* [[Capricorn (astrology)|Capricorn]] - knees, joints, skeletal system
* [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]] - ankles, calves, circulatory system
* [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]] - feet, toes, [[lymphatic system]], [[adipose tissue]]
It has been noted that the 12 signs cover from head (Aries) to toe (Pisces), because Aries is the first sign of the [[zodiac]] while Pisces is the last. When the [[Sun]] passes from Pisces to Aries on or around [[March 21]], the [[Vernal equinox]] occurs, and thus the beginning of a new [[tropical year]]. Many astrologers celebrate their [[New Year]] when the [[Sun]] transits over this point, which is also known as the [[First Point of Aries]].
[[Image:Astrological remedies.jpg|thumb|300px|right|This table, from an 18th century [[Iceland]]ic manuscript, links astrological dates with preparation of medicine.]]
According to [[Marcus Manilius]] (1st century AD) in his epic [[poem]] (8000 verses) ''Astronomica'', the signs of the [[zodiac]] preside over the parts of the body as follows:
* [[Aries (astrology)|Aries]] -- the head
* [[Taurus (astrology)|Taurus]] -- the neck and throat
* [[Gemini (astrology)|Gemini]] -- the lungs, arms, and shoulders
* [[Cancer (astrology)|Cancer]] -- the chest, breasts and stomach
* [[Leo (astrology)|Leo]] -- the heart and upper back
* [[Virgo (astrology)|Virgo]] -- the abdomen and digestive system
* [[Libra (astrology)|Libra]] -- the kidneys and lumbar region
* [[Scorpio (astrology)|Scorpio]] -- the genitals
* [[Sagittarius (astrology)|Sagittarius]] -- the hips and thighs
* [[Capricorn (astrology)|Capricorn]] -- the knees and bones
* [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]] -- the calves, shins and ankles
* [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]] -- the feet
[[Image:Zodiac man 1702.png|right|200px]]
For Manilius' associations between body parts and the [[planets]], see [[Solar system in astrology]].
The planets are also associated with certain portions and functions within the body:
[[Image:Anatomical Man.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Another version of the anatomical-astrological human]]
* [[Sun]] - heart, spine, and general vitality
* [[Moon]] - stomach, digestive system, female organs, lymphatic system
* [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] - brain, central nervous system, thyroid gland, five senses, hands
* [[Venus (planet)|Venus]] - throat, kidneys, [[thymus gland]], sense of touch, ovaries
* [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] - muscles, head, [[adrenal gland]]s, senses of smell and taste
* [[Jupiter (planet)|Jupiter]] - liver, thighs, feet, growth, [[pituitary gland]]
* [[Saturn (planet)|Saturn]] - skin, hair, teeth, bones, the body's defenses, spleen
* [[Uranus (planet)|Uranus]] - [[parathyroid gland]], neural activity, aura
* [[Neptune (planet)|Neptune]] - [[pineal gland]], psychic healing
* [[Pluto (planet)|Pluto]] - [[pancreas]], metabolism, elimination
After examining an individual's [[natal chart]], a medical astrologer would give advice to the client about the areas of the body they are most likely to experience trouble with -- for instance, an individual with the Sun, Moon, [[Ascendant]], or many planets in the sign of Aries is presumed to have more headaches than other people because of the association of Aries with the head. A person with Taurus strong in the [[natal chart]] is predicted to have many [[sore throat]]s and problems with the [[Human voice|voice]] because of the Taurean association with that particular part of the body.
==Publications==
*[[Max Heindel|Heindel, Max]] & Heindel, Augusta Foss, ''The Message of the Stars ([http://www.rosicrucian.com/mos/moseng09.htm#Medical_Astrology Part II: Medical Astrology])'', ISBN 0-911274-18-9
*Heindel, Max & Heindel, Augusta Foss, ''[http://www.rosicrucian.com/adh/adheng01.htm Astro-Diagnosis - A Guide to Healing]'', ISBN 0-911274-06-5
*Ridder-Patrick, Jane, ''[http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Medical-Astrology-Jane-Ridder-Patrick/dp/0955198909 A Handbook of Medical Astrology]'', ISBN 978-0-95519890-8
==See also==
*[[Medieval medicine]]
*[[Spiritual healing]]
[[Category:Astrology by type]]
[[Category:Traditional medicine]]
[[Category:History of ancient medicine]]
[[Category:History of astrology]]