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Previous issues: 2004 Soapboxes
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Aimee's Soapbox!
June 2005: Medical Astrology (yes, astrology)
Notice: Open mind needed for reading the following article.
Hey there, Groovy Readers! As we near the Summer Solstice, I find myself contemplating more
philosophical things. Maybe it's the heat. You long-time readers know that I often wax metaphysical,
so I thought I would share some of my summer musings with you.
First, though, I have to "out" myself. Though I don't talk about it much, I am actually a certified
astrologer. Yep, went to school for three and a half years and earned a master's level certification.
So, yes, I can tell you why things get jammed up during a Mercury Retrograde, but please don't ask me
what's in Uranus. Not as funny as you might think after hearing it four hundred times. . . .
Now please don't make any judgments just yet till you hear me out. Many of you might know
astrology from the newspaper horoscopes, but that is really a "lite" version of the real thing. It's also
just a quick snapshot of what astrology is. To look only at your Sun Sign Horoscope would be like only
looking at the 100m sprint when talking about running.
Can you guess who is considered the Father of Modern Astrology? Believe it or not, it's Carl Jung. Yes, that
Carl Jung, he of the collective unconscious and the archetypes. Jung realized that astrology is a very useful
psychological tool that can help explain patterns and tendencies. So basically, astrology assigns symbolic
meanings to the planets and stars and to their movements, and then applies these meanings to the
individual to help understand his or her unique set of strengths and weaknesses.
As an astrologer, I often look at the symbolic meaning of things. A few columns ago, I wrote about "why we
get injured" and examined the non-physical reasons for our ailments, you may recall. Well, astrology is
absolutely wonderful for helping us understand all those things in our life--like an injury-- that make
us go, "Why me??" Each sign and planet can give us symbolic insights into ourselves so we can understand
the situations we create in our lives.
Now I am not trying to say that things are written in the stars and that your plantar fasciitis was fated
because you have a Moon in Pisces. What I am trying to say is that astrology is a useful tool for your
psychological toolbox to help you understand yourself better. In fact, astrology is a lot like a Myers-Briggs
test or some other personality test that you may have taken; it just uses a different language to explain the
same things.
For you runners who are interested in the mind-body connection, medical astrology might be of particular
interest. Did you know that in the not-too-distant past (as recently as a few hundred years ago), educated
persons studied astrology along with philosophy and medicine? In fact, all doctors were well versed in astrology, even
here in the West.
Now, as I said above, Sun Sign (or newspaper horoscope) astrology is really only one piece of the whole
picture. But I thought you might be interested in learning about medical astrology based on your own
Sun Sign. (Your Sun Sign is what you say when someone asks you what your sign is. It is your birthday sign.)
That being said, here are some brief, superficial insights as to your health tendencies based on medical
astrology.
ARIES: Aries rules fire, so fevers and inflammation can sometimes plague folks with challengingly-placed
Aries. It also rules the head and brain, so Aries people may experience headaches or eyestrain.
TAURUS: Taurus rules the throat and ears, so Taureans should take care to safeguard against sore
throats, earaches, and laryngitis.
GEMINI: As an Air sign, Gemini rules communication and, therefore, the lungs. It also rules over the
arms and shoulders.
CANCER: Cancer is a Water sign and rules the breasts and the stomach. Cancerians can often be worriers,
so Cancer folks should take care not to worry themselves into a stomachache!
LEO: The Lion rules the heart, of course. (Think of the Cowardly Lion!) Anything in the heart area, front
or back, is ruled by Leo. Leonians need to take good care of the spine!
VIRGO: Earthy Virgo is in charge of the digetive system. A well-developed Virgo is a
very discriminating person, so in lifestyle Virgos should be equally discriminating in their diet so
as not to upset the digestion process.
LIBRA: Libra seeks balance, so all things in moderation for Librans. Libra rules the lower back
and kidneys, so remember to stretch well and stay hydrated!
SCORPIO: Scorpio rules the reproductive process and organs. It is also the sign of transformation
and regeneration, so smart Scorpios know to embrace change.
SAGITTARIUS: Freedom-loving Sag rules the hips and thighs. Sag is also a natural athlete, so these
folks need to get out there for a run or walk!
CAPRICORN: The father figure of the zodiac, Capricorn rules teeth, bones, and skin. Capricorn folks
should take special care of their joints.
AQUARIUS: Another Air Sign, Aquarius rules the lower leg--stretch and strengthen to prevent shin splints!
Aquarius, the eccentric sing of the zodiac, also rules rare illnesses and nervous conditions.
PISCES: Water-Sign Pisces rules the feet and the lymphatic system. Pisceans would do well to take care
of their paws before and after a long run to prevent blisters and black tonenails!
Of course, all of these are just quick, fun facts. As a runner and athlete, you will want to take care
of all your parts! But sometimes it helps to have a little insight into why you might be more prone to
headaches than other folks (Aries) or why you always seem to get sciatica pain in your hip (Sagittarius).
While astrology might not be the path that works for you, there are lots of other mind-body resources out
there. Do some web surfing or research and learn something about yourself. New insights are out there waiting for you!
Coming up...
To be announced!
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