Planets and Plants - Saturn, Jupiter, Mars
By Nicky Allison
© Nicky Allison - Timelords Magazine, 2022 / 24.02.2022
Is there a place for Medical Astrology in this day and age? You betcha! It has come a long way since the times of Paracelsus, Hippocrates and Galen, and bridging the gap between the 17th Century and today is Nicholas Culpeper, whose Complete Herbal has been in continuous publication since it was first published in 1652. He catalogued hundreds of herbs and assigned them planetary rulerships, based on his observations with patients and the Doctrine of Signatures (when a plant looks like a part of the body that it heals). He questioned traditional methods, such as urine casting and bloodletting, and believed in educating his patients about their ill-health, instead of them blindly believing the physician gods. His systematisation of the use of herbals has influenced the evolution of modern pharmaceuticals. He created a workable system of astrology and herbalism, which was considered most valuable in his time.
From January 21 to February 19, the Sun is in Aquarius, ruled by Saturn. In Medical Astrology Saturn rules over the bones and the spleen, with Aquarius governing over the ankles and lower legs. A well-known Saturn plant is Hemp (Cannabis sativa). Culpeper mentions that “it is so well known to every good housewife in the country, that I shall not need to write any description of it”. However, “the decoction of the root allays inflammations of the head or any other parts. The decoction of the root eases the pains and shrinking of the sinews, and the pains of the hips. The fresh juice mixed with a little oil and butter is good for any place that hath been burnt with fire, being thereto applied”. Sadly, I am sure that these old ways of using this plant have been lost to the majority.
From February 19 to March 21, the Sun will be in Pisces, ruled by Jupiter. In Medical Astrology Jupiter rules the liver and blood vessels, with Pisces governing over the feet. A very well-known Jupiter herb is Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis). It’s not a weed! The root, in particular, is so powerful for cleansing and detoxifying the liver that it pains me to see so many people ripping it up and throwing it on the compost, where it could be made into a delicious tea! Culpeper tells us that it “powerfully cleanses inward ulcers in the urinary passage”. Yes, the leaves are wonderful for the kidneys - it’s such a versatile herb! These days we use Dandelion root for gentle cleansing of the liver, to digest fats and oils, and to open portal circulation, which is something an excessive Piscean can benefit from!
From March 21 to April 21, the Sun will be in Aries, ruled by Mars. In Medical Astrology Mars rules the ball bladder, blood, adrenal glands and sex organs, with Aries governing over the head. A powerful Martian herb is Wormwood (Artemisa absinthium). and you may have picked up the word Absinthe in there! The liqueur Absinthe was traditionally made with Wormwood, but because of the amount of narcotic poisoning going on they banned it in the early 1900's. Wormwood is a hot and dry medicine, which is why Mars governs it, being a hot, dry planet! Culpeper, that old friend of mine, has A LOT to say about Wormwood, but one thing we all really need to know and take note of is that "Wormwood being laid among cloaths, will make a moth scorn to meddle with the cloaths, as much as a lion scorns to meddle with a mouse, or an eagle with a fly". In other more boring words, put some Wormwood in your cupboards and drawers and the moths will not ruin your clothes, or your cloaths! These days we mostly use it as a bitter herb to stimulate the gastric juices and to bring down heat, to promote menstruation, but mostly to kill parasites in the gut. It also protects against bewitchment! Yes indeed! As well as the bite of sea serpents!
Published in: Timelords Magazine, Feb. 2022.
Author:
Nicky Allison Nicky is a Naturopath/Herbalist and Medical Astrologer. She began her formal Astrological studies in 1991 and holds diplomas with AstroLogos in modern and medieval astrology and holds a masters level diploma with the STA in traditional medical astrology. She is a regular lecturer for the STA’s Medical Astrology Course and serves on the VAA committee in Melbourne, Australia.
You can find her on Facebook - @nickyallisontradastro and Instagram - @nickyallisonastrology, or email at nicky@nickyallisonastrology.com.
Images:
Nicholas Culpepper: Richard Gaywood, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Herbs: Public Domain
Timelords is the magazine of the Cosmic Intelligence Agency, C*I*A, an international network of Astrologers on a mission for promoting astrology in all its applications. The magazine features articles, book reviews and excerpts plus interviews with C*I*A agents and special guests.
