Dear friends,
The Sun approaches the Autumn gate, its entry into Libra. These days before the
equinox are times to bring life into balance; we sense the coming change in
direction. While our focus in still Virgo, I'd like to write about two related
topics that are near and dear: astrology in medicine, and astrology and plants.
The connection between astrology and medicine in the West goes back to
Hippocrates. His famed oath is still taken seriously by modern physicians, but
his other advice - that no doctor should be allowed to practice before studying
the Moon, stars, and planets - has been left by the wayside. Not so in the
traditional medicines of India and Tibet. Indian Ayurveda is closely linked with
astrology, and the relocated Men-tsee-khang, the official school of Tibetan
Medicine, teaches medicine and astrology side by side. All the doctors learn
some astrology, and all astrologers learn medicine. Even in the West the
connection continued up until the demise of astrology around the so-called
enlightenment. Marsilio Ficino (dean of the Florentine Academy at the time of
the Renaissance), Paracelsus (16th century Swiss born doctor, philosopher &
mystic) and Nicolas Culpepper (English herbalist) are three famous doctors whose
writings survive into the 21st century - and astrologers all.
OK, so the connection is there. How did doctors of the past use astrology, and
more importantly, how might we do so today?
Astrology was used for both diagnosis and timing of treatment. While it takes
considerable astrological skill to do this well, we can start by looking into
the birth chart. Consider the birth chart a map of soul's DNA. Since it shows
the entry of the soul into matter, we can see points of strength and weakness in
the physical body. Does the person have a lot of the water element? They might
benefit from eating more fish and taking fish oils. Is the heart (Sun) strong?
How about digestion? What of the liver (5th house & Jupiter), or the kidneys
(7th house and Mars)?
Once we see patterns, then we turn to the natural world for foods or herbs that
support our areas of weakness. Here's an example from my own chart. I have
Saturn exactly opposite Neptune. While this makes me very interested in things
where the intangible (Neptune) strongly influences reality (Saturn) like music,
astrology and spiritual philosophy, on a physical level the bones and spleen,
both ruled by Saturn, are weakened by Neptune's otherworldly energy. Once I
figured this out I have made it a point to include bone broth in my diet and
take other supplements to maintain bone strength. And I feel much better doing
this!
If you know your own points of physical weakness, with some digging online you
can find foods or herbs that are beneficial, or just use common sense. If the
liver is weak, then try eating some. If there is no variety of liver that you
like, how about artichokes? Same with other organs. Incorporating astrology into
your view of the body is an important way to advance your own preventative
medicine.
We can also use astrology to time our treatments. Let's say heart disease runs
in your family and we see this echoed in the birth chart with Sun in a tough
house or in a difficult aspect with Saturn. It might be wise to look into
hawthorne or garlic or CoQ10. Some people might take these daily, but others who
are young and healthy might benefit from a long term preventative dose of a
couple times per week. When to do this? If you are taking medicine for the
heart, which is connected with the Sun in astrology, then best to take
treatments on Sun day or Wednesday night (night of Sun), or when the Moon is
waxing in Leo (Leo rules the heart). This makes the treatment in tune with the
energies of the time, and from the view of astrology you'll get more out of it.
It is this reason - knowledge of the body, how to diagnose and treat disease,
that led Nicholas Culpepper to say that a doctor without astrology is like
pudding without fat. Before the fat-phobic 21st century, that is to say,
pointless!
Marsilio Ficino, the man who inspired much of the Renaissance, said that
gathering herbs with the right astrology or not made the difference between
illness and cure. And yet this insight is ignored in most contemporary
herbalism. Here's a way to start to integrate astrology and the natural world.
If you have plants, water them with the Moon in a water sign. If they need water
more than once a week, do the additional watering with Moon in the earth signs.
Let them dry out when the Moon is in the air or fire signs. They'll be happier
this way!
If you are applying fertilizer, do it with a waning Moon in a water or earth
sign. If the fertilizer is specifically for flowers, do this with the Moon in a
sign of Venus (Taurus or Libra).
I'm delighted that one Bay Area herb grower is starting to use astrology this
way under my guidance to care for his plants. I'm dubbing this use of astrology
in gardening and growing as "astro-bio-dynamics." Bio-dynamics is a system that
goes beyond organics, and even it includes the phase of the Moon in planting.
Include the sign of the Moon and aspects and we've gone beyond bio-dynamics into
"astro-bio-dynamics." We'll soon report back with results.
*
I'm giving a talk on 9/28! There are two
techniques widely used in Greek astrology virtually unheard of today. They are
simple to learn, easy to apply and effective.
Details here.
*
Check out your own birth chart. Get a Life or Update reading. For information on
scheduling, please visit the Services page.
I'm at Samovar
Tea for mini-readings on Monday nights from 7-9 pm. Ask any question
and ponder your life with fine tea.
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Please help share the wisdom of the Moon - forward Star Pearls to your friends!
Also posted to the website on Tuesdays
here.
*
Star*Watch
All times Pacific Daylight Time. See below for comments on other visible
planets. The Sun and Moon together set the tone of the time. The Sun is our
fundamental orientation for the month; Moon signs and aspects are the energetic
pulls of the day, and tell us how we approach the truth of the Sun. Planet
aspects influence the energies for several days and sometimes weeks before and
after the aspect depending on the planets involved.
Sun * in Virgo, entering Libra. We've worked hard and improved ourselves; now we
balance this by relating more with others. While Virgo is self-contained, Libra
insists on interaction and connections. We delight in possibilities, but expect
indecision as the scales swing back and forth, measuring options. The joys of
partnership Libra are rich experiences in relating. The difficulty of Libra is
the very same focus on relationships means we easily lose our own point of view.
Moon * days 17 - 23 (new Moon is day 1). We share the delights of our harvest
Moon this week.
Monday 9/19 * Moon in Aries. Fresh start Monday brings positive vibes to new
things and creative ideas. The only damage is by over-doing, as evidenced by the
slightly overstretched two-topics-in-one-column above :) The Sun is still in
Virgo but we sense the shift; today we're focused on purity in nourishment and
the connection between health of body and positive emotion.
Tuesday 9/20 * Moon in Taurus, Mercury into Libra. Our minds go from ticking off
the to-do list into relationship mode. We're thinking of our partners, friends,
children, all our relationships. High energy day, good for exercise especially
around 5:30 pm, but we're running into blocks at the same time; Moon squares
Saturn at 6:40 pm; the mood lightens a bit after this passes.
Wednesday 9/21 * Moon in Taurus. With Mars in Taurus, we have a strong drive for
pleasure. Tuesday, today, and tomorrow through the equinox we delight in grand
style (eating, shopping) that doesn't too much upset Virgo purity. Moon conjunct
Mars at 8:45; feel your body heat turn up a notch.
Thursday 9/22 * Moon in Taurus, into Gemini at 10:10; Sun into Libra at 3:25 pm.
Happy Autumn! The lights go from Earth to Air: from material to communication,
money to concept, mine to sharing. Celebrate the new season with pleasures of
the word tonight, or share poetry with your lover.
Friday 9/23 * Moon in Gemini. Moon in Gemini likes to communicate, and the Sun
freshly in Libra wants partners. We'll naturally be talking it up with those we
love. If we're looking, we've got the gift of gab.
Saturday 9/24 * Moon in Gemini, into Cancer at 7:10 pm, 4th Quarter Moon, Venus
square Neptune. This is where astrology can be so helpful - planning your social
life! We see that Friday night with Moon in Gemini is time to be out, meeting
new people, socializing. We go along with this energy on Saturday and then right
as we are about to go out again we suddenly feel like staying home. At least
that is often what happens with Moon in Cancer. Pay attention to the shift for a
season and you'll know for yourself. We need time to be with our feelings with
Moon in Cancer. With the Sun in Libra focusing our life on partnerships, the
challenge is how to stay true to these feelings in the context of a
relationship.
Sunday 9/25 * Moon in Cancer. Cancer delights in the natural world, Sun in Libra
loves time together. Cook organic brunch for your lover today, or pack a picnic
to the park.
Have a stellar week!
Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl
Please help share the wisdom of the Moon - forward Star Pearls to your friends!
Also posted to the website on Tuesdays
here.
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to the Moon, unsubscribe here:
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*
Wandering Stars - the planets
Mercury * in Virgo, entering Libra. Our minds turn from to-do to together. WE
naturally think of our partners and friends. We take in their point of view. The
Libra dilemma - we could do this, we could do that. Mercury moving towards the
South node, so we might not communicate as much in our relationships as others
are expecting, and this creates loss. Mercury in Libra through October 8.
Venus * in Scorpio. Venus in Scorpio is driven to get what she wants. What does
lady Venus like? Love and pleasure, as always, but now she takes them by force
or at least by subterfuge. Steamy sex, scotch or your whiskey of choice, and
daarrrk chocolate. Venus in Scorpio through October 7.
Mars * in Taurus. Strong drive for safety and pleasure. We're content to do
without risks - we'd rather pad our bank accounts and spend extra time for sheer
physical pleasure. Mars retrogrades here 10/1 - 12/9, so in Taurus until
February 06.
Jupiter * in Libra. Blessings in love and partnerships! Learning in realms of
art and beauty. Jupiter now direct and past the Dragon's Tail, so abundance and
blessings are coming our way! Jupiter in Libra through October 2005.
Saturn * in Leo. Essential challenge to self expression. Color feels a bit much;
we prefer black. The people revolt against the leaders. Anti-authoritarianism in
many guises. A positive vision of this energy: we know the work we need to do
and do it. Saturn in Leo September 2007.
Dragon's Head * in Aries. We gain by new adventures and physical vigor, yet are
more prone to hostility.
Dragon's Tail * in Libra. We fear loss in relationships. Art explores the
unseen.
* * * MAY ALL BE AUSPICIOUS * * *
