Academy for Astrological Medicine

COSMIC CURRENTS

Medical Astrology & Herbs

                                    by Judith Hill ©

COSMIC AFFAIR IN THE LION'S LAIR 

Finally, the promised planetary “Leo Soiree” is here!  Sol, Jupiter, the Lunar South Node, and soon Mars are gathering forces in Leo’s celestial lair. The July 29^th full Moon across the Leo-Aquarius axis opens this planetary party in grand style. Full Moons pull fluid to the physical zones governed by the zodiac sign axis involved. The Leo-Aquarius zodiacal partnership strongly influences the heart and entire cardio-vascular system, the circulation of the blood, (both venous and arterial), our pulmonary and carotid arteries, coronary vein, aorta and Vena Cava; the spinal cord and sheath, gall bladder, and thoracic spine. The forearms, wrists and the shins and ankles too! Note: forearms and wrists share co-rulership with Leo and Gemini.

While August’s astrology appears to excite the cardio-vascular system, it also stimulates the body’s little understood electrical system (governed by Leo’s opposite sign Aquarius), and the earth’s electricity too! Typically, we can expect some lightning storms, power outages, weather anomalies, technical innovation, rapid AI proliferation into our affairs, etc. But…this is just the beginning. Physically, this same energy is associated with muscle spasms, seizures and similar odd electrical symptoms (only for specific individuals). Positively, this full moon produces great ideas and inventions!

August 12th produces a total eclipse in Leo (a big deal!) occurring at the North Lunar Node at 20˚ Leo (a degree influencing the heart’s mitral valve and left atrium). This provocative eclipse is one fat cherry atop Leo’s already overweighted cake. The North Node brings energy surges. Leo, North Node eclipse events deliver a great surge of solar force. This provides a welcome energy and willpower boost for many, so clarifying to one’s life purpose. For others, however, it’s too much force. The keen medical astrologer works to offload this excessive surging of the solar vital force within the heat center.

Leo is the sign of vigorous physical pleasure and passion – strongly associated with sports, dancing, gambling, theatre and most of summertime’s joys. A stunning 60% of famous jazz band leaders were Leo natives in my statistical study of jazz instrumentalists!

 Is too much fun, excitement and pleasure a good thing? Sports enthusiasts would certainly agree! The recent World Cup soccer craze – or the wild interest in Women’s Basketball are decidedly Jupiter-in-Leo phenoms. However, medically, we know better.

Leo, a Fire sign, is in fact, the energetically hottest sign of the entire zodiac, governing concentrated heat, as in a pizza oven. We already see this playing out in soaring temperatures and destructive fires. To reiterate July’s main theme, Leo and its ruler Sol govern the physical heart. This sign emphasized physical strength, confidence and warm affection.

In ancient medical paradigms, extreme heat “amped up” both Leo’s noted organs and behaviors, producing heightened alerts for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, burst aneurysm, aortic dissection, excessive stomach acid, GERD, gall bladder issues, sunstroke, excessive boozing, and all manner of astrological heat related issues, including rage, egomania and dehydration. These tendencies only intensify when Mars joins his buddy Jupiter in Leo this Fall. Those interested can read further details on “Leo Syndrome” in my book “The Twelve Zodiac Sign Syndromes of Medical Astrology” and our class, Leo and Aquarius Syndromes and Body Types.  Or, learn more at my live monthly Medical Astrology Report.

Basically, we have a year ahead living in the hot breath of the Celestial Lion!

The great news is that we know this. Knowledge allows for preemptive remediation. 

How would the ancients prepare themselves for one of our hottest astrological years in recent record? First, with practical measures such as drought preparation – and by remaining physically hydrated. Fire prevention is essential too – but how do we handle this rising tide of internal fire? Water is precious at this time, being the natural antidote to a rogue running fire element. Herbs that cool and moisten, and/or hold water in the body are so very helpful. Blue and violet flowered herbs are often calming to “hot, red” psychological states such as panic or insomnia. Sumac tea is a favorite Southern US remedy for preventing dehydration. And the menthol content of peppermint tea makes us feel cool! 

Hibiscus tea cools internal heat, as do cucumbers, a middle eastern dinner table staple. Lemon Balm and Chamomile are both calming and cooling herbal friends – perfect for Leo’s physically and emotionally heating quality. The entire allium or onion family help reduce heat holding fats in the bloodstream. Rosemary is noted for balancing out high blood pressure swings, while being assistive to excessively low blood pressure. Yarrow, the traditional “master of the blood” alleviates many circulatory imbalances, whereas Hawthorne berry, for those not allergic, is the quintessential heart herb, relaxing to the cardiac vessels.

The astrologically savvy physician stays alert around both the July 29^th full Moon and the August 12^th eclipse (and between and after them) for those patients prone to cardiac, gall bladder or stroke events. Neither is this a time for heavy lifting or heavy work under hot sun. Should heat stroke occur, act quickly to obtain medical intervention. 

These alerts are essential for persons born with a heavy natal accent in fire signs. Traditional physicians reduced the hot, stimulating and dry astral energies by raising the wet, relaxing and cold – it’s all a manner of balance. 

Boozing Alert! The hot, dehydrated fire sign type often reaches for the drink most obviously relaxing and cold – alcohol!  Alcohol further dehydrates, thus tricking our moisture and relaxation seeking fire sign native into a regretful dehydration spiral. Tip: Persons born with natal Moon and Mars both in fire signs are uniquely prone to this lure – sometimes excessively imbibing to head off their chronic insomnia or quell restless anxiety or irritation.

Astrological theory would hold that rising internal heat automatically correlates with increased effects of external heat and solar radiation. For instance, although the Sun’s radiation may or may not be measurably stronger this month, it might well radiate or burn the skin more than anticipated. Therefore, the astrological physician might suggest extra skin protections. Those with delicate, sun-reactive skin might benefit by this awareness.

Last month’s Cosmic Currents addressed several well-established cardiac herbs traditional for maintaining cardiac health (with your physician’s consent). We will add two more selections here from Anima Mundi’s cosmic cupboard. Heartily enjoy August’s cosmic party bash at Leo’s house while remaining mindful of “too much of life”!

SEASON’S CHOICE

HEALING HEART TEA: Hibiscus, Rose, Linden, Albizia and Cinnamon – all mood lifting and heart healthy choices create this delightful blend perfect for this celestial season.

BLUE LOTUS: Blue flowers are notably calming to hot “red” energy. The cooling blue flower of the wet water lily seems perfect for gifting needed moist, calming energies to the physically or emotionally overheated system.

Disclaimer: All astrological information is to be considered "hypothetical" and does not therefore constitute medical opinion, fact, or directive. Please consult your physician if you are experiencing health concerns. Herbs should not be used without your physician’s consent.