Astrology and Physiology
It was noted by ancient astrologers that certain signs or planets seemed to be lurking when the monarch or somebody had a certain illness. In fact over many centuries it was found that each sign and planet had an association with the physiology of the human body and some organic systems. Even wellness, recovery or onset of a particular disease could be diagnosed or treated using astrology throughout several periods of history.
Fortunately, most astrologers do not practice medicine today but may be involved in many other health or energy-based practices. However, physiology in relationship to astrology developed over time and perhaps in part by the health associations ascribed by ancient astrologers.
Health and hygiene in astrology are traditionally associated with certain planets, signs and houses. Generally speaking, the first five signs’ planetary rulers, Mars, Venus, Mercury the Moon and the Sun have more to do with the human body and its experiences than the outer planets. Mars represents the human body in general, or our physical form; the Sun represents our general personality and state of health; the Moon represents our emotions; Mercury represents our thought processes and Venus tells how we feel.
The outer planets and centaurs used in astrology; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Chiron, Neptune and Pluto all have specific associations with healing arts or sciences and the human body too.
The sign of Virgo, perhaps as ruler of the first house dealing with health specifically (house 6) is traditionally associated with health and hygiene, fitness or exercise and other health practices such as herbology and medicine. Any sign could have a strong liking or dislike for healthy practices however. Pisces and the other mutable signs, Gemini and Sagittarius also seem to enjoy playing nurse or doctor more than other signs.
The first house is associated with a native’s appearance, general health and well-being. It often is activated by transit or progression when an illness, injury or accident occurs. It also is an indicator of inherent birth traits for good or bad. Mars is the ruler of the first house and represents the body so an association is understood, however any planet and sign in the first house can have associations to a native’s health.
The health houses are generally thought to be houses 6, 8 and 12. The signs and planets ruling these houses are also more associated with health; Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces, and Mercury, Pluto and Neptune. Capricorn and Saturn also have strong association with health, illness and healing.
The physiological and health associations for the signs and planets are further detailed below.
Let’s Get Physical
The Signs
| SIGN | BODY PART | INFLUENCES | OTHER ASSOCIATIONS |
| ARIES | Head, skull | Upper jaw | Head injury, headaches, migraines, circulation, high blood pressure |
| TAURUS | Ear, nose & throat, | Lower jaw, thyroid | Sinus issues, the entire neck, allergies, diet, obesity |
| GEMINI | Pectoral girdle, | Shoulders, arms, hands | Mobility, mental health, therapy |
| CANCER | Stomach, breasts | Digestion, food assimilation | Ulcers, child home care, convalescence |
| LEO | Heart, spine | Chest | Blood circulation, spinal health, general back area |
| VIRGO | Intestines | Organs related to digestion & GI health | Abdominal region, bowel health |
| LIBRA | Pelvic girdle | Equilibrium, carriage | Lower back, upper hips (kidney region) |
| SCORPIO | Regenerative organs | Penis, vagina and all organs associated with reproduction | Sexual health & identity, obstetrics & childbirth, midwifery |
| SAGITTARIUS | Upper legs, thighs | Hips, carriage | Buttocks, hips and legs, athletics, kinesiology |
| CAPRICORN | Knees, entire skeleton | Cartilage, tooth enamel, hard body substances | Skin, bone & dental health through Saturn association |
| AQUARIUS | Lower legs and ankles | Leg circulation | Alternative health practices such as chiropractic, psychiatry, “new age” health & technology |
| PISCES | Feet | Feet and toes | Mobility, foot health, podiatry, chiropody |
The Planets | |||
| PLANET | BODY PART | INFLUENCES | OTHER ASSOCIATIONS |
| SUN | Heart | Major arteries | Cardio health, circulation, cholesterol, blood pressure, heart & stroke |
| MOON | Eyes, involuntary nervous system | Ductless glands | Memory, vision, perception, emotional health & desires, a woman’s menstrual cycle, hormones |
| MERCURY | Brain, voluntary nervous system | Senses , hands and arms through Gemini | Hands & activities (as tools of the brain), intelligence, learning, thought processes, belief systems |
| VENUS | Venous system, kidneys, bladder | Vein health, capillaries, circulation | Food & drink, urinary issues, copper infused health appliances, children’s health |
| MARS | Arterial system, blood, large muscles | Red blood cells and corpuscles, minor arteries | Long striated muscles, minor arterial system, circulation, strength, endurance, general physical health & surgery |
| JUPITER | Liver | Gall bladder, spleen, lipids and fatty tissue | Romantic or business partnerships, marriage and arrangements of mutual dependency. Open associations, enemies and matters of civil law. Recovery from poor health |
| SATURN | Skin, bones & teeth | Dermatology, dental health, bone health | Health issues dealing with skin, bones & teeth, broken bones, skeletal health |
| URANUS | Forebrain | Body’s electrochemical systems | Alternate states of mind, chakras, alternative energies, new scientific technology and practices |
| NEPTUNE | Intercellular fluids | Most bodily fluids. Elements of infection | Psychological health especially altered or impaired perceptions of reality, especially addictions, delusions. |
| PLUTO | Immune system, DNA, reproductive cells | Plagues, pandemics, birth defects, anti-immune response and diseases | Psychological health especially dissociative states, antisocial behaviours, compulsions and obsessions, mass rebellion, coups |
Celestial image by DarkWorkX from Pixabay
Medieval body image by WikiImages from Pixabay