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Cancer: The Astroherbology Profile

July 21, 2015  /  Alexis J. Cunningfolk

It's time to explore the sign of Cancer!

I will be exploring all twelve signs from a medical astrology perspective with an emphasis on herbal healing. Learn more about the series and what all the correspondences mean check out the introduction to The Introduction to Astroherbology Zodiac Series. Missed the other signs of the Zodiac? Find out about the astroherbology wisdom of Aries, Taurus, and Gemini!

Element: Water
Mode: Cardinal
Guardian Planet: Moon
Direction: South
Season: Summer (NH), Winter (SH)
House: 4th House / Angular
Lunar Mansions: 7th, 8th, and 9th Mansions
Solar Gemstone: Rose Quartz
Tarot: The Chariot, The High Priestess, 2 of Cups (6/21 - 7/1), 3 of Cups (7/2 - 7/11), 4 of Cups (7/12 -21), Queen of Cups
Tissue State: Damp/Stagnation, Cold/Depression (learn more about the energetic system of traditional western herbalism)

Body Systems: The Chest, Breasts, Stomach, Uterus, Ovaries, Diaphragm. Bone Marrow. Pituitary Gland and hormones. Upper Alimentary System. Brain covering. Ribs, Sternum, and Elbow joint. Lungs. Serum of Blood. Thoracic Duct. Peristaltic pump. Pleura and Pleural Cavity. Bladder. Protective coverings of the organs including the Pericardium and Meningeal coverings.

Imbalances + Diseases: Digestive diseases and indigestion including gas and bloating, ulcers, Crohns disease, and diseases of the gall bladder. Fluids in the joints. Asthma with excess fluids. Tuberculosis, consumption, and wet coughs. Infectious lung diseases. Sinus infections. Lack of or overproduction of fluids in the body, including excess mucus, edema, water retention, and fluids in the lungs. Swollen gums and soft teeth. Cysts in the breasts and breast diseases. Breastfeeding complications including mastitis. Bone marrow disease. Ovarian imbalance and diseases including infertility. Peristaltic dysfunction. Bladder infections. Abscesses. Lack of vitality. Shortness of breath. Indigestion, including diarrhea, gas, heartburn, and leaky gut. Excess mucus of the digestive tract. Pituitary imbalance, including lack or excess production of oxytocin and ADH. Lack of or excess saliva. Nausea. Poor relationship with food including overindulgence in food or lack of eating, including eating disorders such as anorexia and  bulimia. Depression and emotional stagnation. Lack of drive, including physical drive whether for fitness or sexual intimacy. Lack of bodily tone. Unwanted excess weight. Fixating on the past and not present circumstances. Self-isolating and highly defensive. Oversensitivity to other’s emotions and the environment in general can lead to paranoia. Inappropriate and harmful relationships full of emotional coercion, closing off from the world, apathy, giving but not receiving, issues of trust and faith in others.

Disease Degrees: 0 degrees: drowning, eyesight; 1 degree: sixth rib, eyesight, drowning; 2 degrees: seventh rib; 3 degrees: eighth rib, eyesight; 4 degrees: ninth rib; 5  degrees: tenth to twelfth ribs, sleep and trance; 6 degrees: diaphragm, sleep and trance; 7 degrees: thoracic cavity; 8 degrees: esophageal opening of the diaphragm, paralysis; 9 degrees: pylorus, azimene; 10 degrees: fundus of stomach, azimene, alcoholism; 11 degrees: gastric veins, azimene, chronic glomerulonephritis, alcoholism; 12 degrees: greater curvature of the stomach, azimene, alcoholism; 13 degrees: lesser curvature of the stomach, azimene. 14 degrees: stomach walls, azimene, blindness or defective sight; 15 degrees: gastric nerves, azimene, blindness or defective sight; 16 degrees: Pancreas; 17 - 18 degrees: duodenal opening of pancreatic duct, chemicals, poisons, gas; 19 degrees: Ampulla of bile duct, bile, chemicals, poisons, gas; 20 degrees: Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery; 21 degrees: inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery; 22 degrees: gastric mucosa, weak or impaired vision; 23 degrees: gastric blood vessels, weak or impaired vision; 24 - 25 degrees: blood vessels of digestive organs, danger through water, gas, poisons, dog bites; 26 degrees: mammary glands; 27 degrees: nipples, digestive troubles; 28 degrees: cartilage of ribs, hair, digestive troubles, depression mental and emotional difficulties and instability, spleen; 29 degrees: spleen, bronchitis, depression mental and emotional difficulties and instability; 30 degrees: twelfth thoracic vertebra, bronchitis.

Remedies for Imbalanced and/or Weakened Cancer: Learning to trust. Choosing healthy relationships with emotional give-and-take. Taking time for periods of retreat, but not isolation. Becoming self-soothing. Warming and drying herbs. Dry skin brushing.  Lymphatic tonics and cleansers. Diuretics. Mineral rich herbs and supplements for grounding.

Gifts of Cancer: Emotional depth and intelligence. Ancestral heritage and wisdom. Security and developing a nourishing home environment. Intuition and psychic gifts. Empathy.

Rituals of Cancer: Trance and journeywork. Psychic development. Past Life work. Visionary dreaming. Fertility rituals. Self-empowerment.

Cancer Guardian Herbs: Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis), Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Burdock Root (Arctium lappa), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Fenugreek (Feoniculum vulgare), Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Cancer Remedy Herbs: Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Angelica (Angelica archangelica), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis), Cleavers (Galium aparine), Yellow Dock Root (Rumex crispus), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Flower + Gem Essences: Clematis, Agrimony, Red Chestnut, Honeysuckle, Chamomile, Moonstone
 

The Sun in Cancer

I think that one of the quickest ways to understand Cancer  is to take a look at the sign’s zodiac symbol, the crab. The crab is a liminal animal, straddling both land and sea. Cancers are creatures of the water, but they dwell mostly on the shore. Their strength lies in their emotional experiences of the world. It is through their emotional sensitivity that they perceive the world and they place a lot of self-worth in their ability to be sensitive. We live in a world that does not value sensitivity - being sensitive is dangerously subversive because it requires us to be aware of the way we are impacting the lives of others including the life of our beautiful ocean planet. Another aspect of the crab to pay attention to is that it carries it home with it everywhere and has a hardy, defensive exterior with a soft interior. Being sensitive requires the ability to retreat and recuperate because deep feeling all the time can be overwhelming. Carrying their homes with them, Cancer folk are also often concerned about home life in general and creating homely, welcoming, and nurturing spaces.

While the sensitivity of Cancer and their ability to move between the world of the physical and the emotional with ease can be a great gift, it can also be one of Cancer’s greatest struggles. Their sensitivity can become overwhelming and they can retreat from the world of large, becoming apathetic, depressed, defensive or some combination thereof. If they haven’t invested enough time in or valued the importance of emotional intelligence, they can find themselves in inappropriate relationships that can be codependent, draining, and emotionally coercive. All of this can dampen Cancer’s ability to trust and have faith in the goodness of others. They risk shifting from a liminal creature of wisdom  to something a bit more crabby. Sometimes, Cancer folk can get caught up in past emotional experiences, placing priority on those memories and that version of reality rather than the current reality of the present. Yet, when Cancer folks are dwelling in their power, they have an incredible gift to journey into the past, return, and teach us about healing our ancestral heritage and tapping into a lineage of wisdom. 

Within the context of medical astrology, Cancer folk are typically not the most inherently energetic of the signs of the zodiac. They have to pay close attention to how they expend their energy, but with care they can do well. Time for retreat and relaxation is important. Since they are a sign that is very lunar-oriented, spending some time in the sun (especially in the early morning) is good for recharging their energetic centers, but should not be overdone. They should also give themselves space to be quiet and creative under the light of their guardian planet, the Moon. A consciously consumed diet is important and being aware of the relationship between feelings and eating is one of their keys to longevity. While exercise is not the favorite activity of many Cancer folk, like everyone, the crab needs to move their body. Swimming, gentle yoga, and breathing exercises will all be beneficial. The gifts of Cancer folk are manifold and include the ability to connect with parts of our emotional landscape we thought we would never find again. They help us find the shore and that is such a gift as we remember to return home to ourselves again and again. 
 

Cancer Guardian Herbs 

Aloe Vera via wikipedia.org

Aloe Vera via wikipedia.org

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

The form of Aloe Vera is reminiscent of the energetics that Cancer embodies - a hard, spiky exterior filled with soft, liquid wisdom. The inner gel of the plant is cooling and moist, alleviating inflammation in the body both internally and externally. The gel of the plant’s inner lining can be drunk daily as a nutritive and immune-building remedy. Excellent for burns, Aloe is also good for emotional, mental, and spiritual burn-out that is so common during these times of great change. The regenerative quality of Aloe means that it helps us to form new tissue cells, which is why the plant is useful in the treatment of scars. Aloe is moistening not only topically but internally as well assisting with hydration and re-hydration after exertion or prolonged sun exposure. The plant is also useful for moistening dried out bowels, improving digestion, and general vitality.

Aloe is used topically for a variety of conditions including sunburn, burns, bedsores, athlete’s foot, bruises, wrinkles, ulcers, herpes, abrasions, ringworm, shingles, dandruff, insect bites, eczema, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and the itch of chicken pox. Deeply nourishing, Aloe helps us to relax and be present in the moment to what we need now which is a primary gift of Cancer folk.

Want  access to more information on a variety of healing herbs for Cancer folk including a full medicinal and magickal profile on Aloe Vera? Join the Lunar Apothecary!

Cancer Remedy Herbs 

Chamomile by kallerna via wikipedia.org

Chamomile by kallerna via wikipedia.org

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Chamomile is both a Guardian and Remedy herb of Cancer. It is an herb with an affinity for the stomach, which Cancer guards. Chamomile is also an herb for emotional upsets that manifest in the stomach and digestive tract. Think about the person (maybe you!) who gets a nervous or upset stomach during emotionally challenging times - Chamomile is a fantastic ally. The herb is bitter and sweet which helps us to produce fluids such as bile for digestion, but also helps us to digest our emotions properly. Do you see how Chamomile is both an herb of Guardianship and Remedy for Cancer? 

Chamomile is an herb forcolic-y children and young ones who have great emotional sensitivity that can make moving through the world difficult. Yet, because it is also an herb of Cancer, it has the ability for all of us at any age to connect with our inner kid, which is an exceptional quality when it comes to emotional healing. Many of us are carrying around emotional baggage from our young and formative years that can keep us floundering or stagnating in our present life. Chamomile can help us to process these difficult emotions, by gently reconnecting us with who we were before so that we can move on to who we are becoming.

Sun in Cancer Flower Essence

Since Cancer is so deeply situated within the realm of the emotions I could easily list out a hundred essences I could recommend for Cancer Sunfolk. I have chosen to go with Agrimony, alsoknown as the remedy for the tortured smile. Agrimony is for folks who are experiencing a storm of emotions inside but maintain a cheerful exterior at all costs - hence the tortured smiling. Cancer folk can sometimes fall into this pattern when they don’t feel like they have a safe space to express their emotions and have them be valued. Sometimes, Cancer folk can get so caught up in hiding their emotions from others that they successfully hide what they are feeling from themselves. Such emotional hiding suppression can lead to all sorts of discomfort and imbalance in their lives. I think Agrimony essence is also useful for those folks coping with post-traumatic stress disorder as it is very good at helping us to connect with what we are feeling deep within as opposed to connecting solely to how we are reacting in the moment. Agrimony assists us in expressing our true emotions and through that actually cultivating an authentically cheerful disposition.

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categories / astroherbology
tags / cancer, zodiac, crab, astroherbology, astroherbalism, medical astrology, astrology, astrological body, chamomile, aloe vera, agrimony

Gemini: The Astroherbology Profile

June 13, 2015  /  Alexis J. Cunningfolk

It's time to explore the sign of Gemini! You're getting a snapshot into the ever expanding astroherbology magick of the Lunar Apothecary - lucky you! 

I will be exploring all twelve signs from a medical astrology perspective with an emphasis on herbal healing. Learn more about the series, find more sign profiles, and what all the correspondences mean via The Introduction to Astroherbology Zodiac Series. 

Element: Air
Mode: Mutable
Guardian Planet: Mercury
Direction: East
Season: Spring (NH), Autumn (SH)
House: 3rd House / Cadent
Lunar Mansions: 6th Mansion + 7th Mansion 
Solar Gemstone: Agate
Tarot: The Lovers, The Magician, 8 of Swords (5/21 - 5/30), 9 of Swords (6/1 - 6/10), 10 of Swords (6/11 - 6/20), King of Swords
Tissue State: Tense/Constriction (learn more about the energetic system of traditional western herbalism)

Body Systems: Arms, Shoulders, Hands, Fingers, Lungs, Nerves. The Nervous System. Breathing. Tubes, tunnels, and connectors of the body including fallopian tubes, urinary tubes, bronchial tubes, etc. Blood capillaries. Sensory receptors.

Imbalances + Diseases: Diseases of the lungs including  bronchial complaints, nervous system disorders, chronic fatigue, asthma. Carpal tunnel, stiff shoulders, and pinched nerves. Sensory disorders and issues, including damage to the sensory receptors. Injuries or issues with the hands, fingers, arms, and shoulders. Blocks, lack of tone, spasms with the tubes of the body including infections such as UTIs. Hearing and speech disorders. Learning difficulties or a need for radically different learning styles than presented by the dominant overculture. Disorders of the blood capillaries including Raynard’s disease and blood diseases in general (with Pisces). Social anxiety. Depression and lack of inspiration. High blood pressure. Out-of-balance nervous system - either overactive or underachieve or moving back and forth between both states (a sign of the Tense Tissue State). Neurological conditions such as epilepsy. Diseases of the eyes and poor or damaged eyesight. Lingering illnesses. Hyperactivity. Over reliance on social life for self-worth. Dishonesty, lying, and manipulation through the spoken and written word. Oversized ego and selfishness. Social media addiction. Lack of focus and mindfulness. Lack of perception on the truth of the situation. 

Disease Degrees: 1 degree: trachea; 2 degrees: oesphagus; 3 degrees: upper right pulmonary lobe, pulmonary inflammation; 4 degrees: lower right pulmonary lobe, pulmonary inflammation; 5 degrees: upper left pulmonary lobe; 6 degrees: lower left pulmonary lobe; 7 degrees: apex of lungs, heart; 8 degrees: bronchi, eyesight; 9 degrees: pulmonary arteries, typhoid fever, rheumatic fever; 10 degrees: typhoid fever, hilum of lungs, enteric fever; 11 degrees: thymus gland; 12 degrees: tracheal mucosa; 13 degrees: pulmonary arteries, rheumatic fever; 14 degrees: clavicle, muteness,  impaired speech or impaired speech organs; 15 degrees: muteness, impaired speech or impaired speech organs, scapulae, asthma, pneumonia; 16 degrees: pleura, asthma, pneumonia, AIDs, bright’s disease, sleep and trance; 17 degrees: First rib, asthma, bright’s disease, sleep and trance; 18 degrees: Second rib, chronic glomerulonephritis, asthma, bright’s disease, sleep and trance; 19 degrees: Laryngeal muscles, bright’s disease, sleep and trance, defective sight; 20 degrees: Third rib, defective sight; 21 degrees: Arm muscles, enteric fever, defective sight; 22 degrees: Upper arm, appendicitis, insanity, defective sight; 23 degrees: Head of the humerus, spine, defective sight; 24 degrees: Olecranon; 25 degrees: Radius, nervous debility; 26 degrees: Wrist bones, suicide; 27 degrees: Finger; 28 degrees: Metacarpal bones, tuberculosis; 29 degrees: Fourth rib; 30 degrees: Fifth rib.

Remedies for Imbalanced and/or Weakened Gemini: Speaking from a place of authenticity. Learning how to be accountable and owning up to shortcomings. Building long-term relationships. Valuing the input of others as much as their own. Speaking less and listening more. Learning inclusive communication techniques. Creating regular time and space for intellectual pursuit and performance. Meditation and mindfulness practices.

Gifts of Gemini: Communication, intellectual prowess, articulation of the mysterious. Distillation of knowledge to a wider audience. Performance, the gift of a good story, and the power of naming. Friendliness, playfulness, and community-minded. The ability to verbalize what is happening and help others find their words, quick-witted, and the gift of perception.

Rituals of Gemini: Release, giving up the outmoded, inspiration cultivation, successful contracts, confident communication of ideals and emotions.

Gemini Guardian Herbs: Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Gingko (Gingko biloba)

Gemini Remedy Herbs: Oats (Avena sativa), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Catnip (Nepeta cataria), California Poppy (Eschscholzia california), Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Flower + Gem Essences: Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Cerato (Ceratostigma willmottianum), Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Aquamarine, Citrine

The Sun in Gemini

Say “hello!” to Gemini because Gemini is sure saying “hello!” to you! Gemini is the first air sign and mutable sign of the zodiac and they’re super stoked about it (apologies to the Gemini folk for whom stoked is not their choice of words - I know how important that is to you). If you thought Aries was fast moving, Gemini is the quickest moving sign of the zodiac. One of the friendliest signs of the zodiac, Gemini is also very concerned with their social life because that is where they find (or think they’ll find) their since of self worth. Those with a Gemini Sun can be quite long-lived if they were to pay attention to taking care of their bodies as much as they do their latest social media account. The talkative twins can be pulled so many directions at once that they can lose focus quickly, including to their long-term wellbeing. All that said, if you haven’t gone on an adventure with a Gemini you are missing out! Not only is their playfulness superb but they can distill the lessons of your journey into shareable wisdom.

One of the quickest way of figuring out if you have found yourself in conversation with a Gemini is their inexhaustible chattiness. They are talkative and they process their surroundings and thoughts through verbalization. Gemini folk can be very perceptive, quickly putting together details and disparate pieces into a coherent whole. Part of the reason they place such importance in their social life is because their social life is one of the most important components of their connection-making. Hire a Gemini if you’re looking to get the business connections you never dreamed of. Hire a Gemini, too, to help you find a romantic partner (as long as they realize they are searching for you, not for them). Being recognized for their verbal offerings if very important to Gemini folk as they want to hear that what they have said has been heard. The feedback loop can be both their best friend and their frenemy all at once. 

So our busy, buzzing, quick-witted, and changeable like the wind Gemini folk have a few lessons to learn so that their amazing ability to articulate the mysterious to the masses can be truly realized. First, Gemini folk need to pay attention to their nervous system feeding it with nourishing foods and healthy living habits.  I would suggest that Gemini folk imagine that their nervous system is their ultimate personalized social network of connectivity. Meditation and mindfulness might be some of the most important practices a Gemini ever commits to. The more they take care of their nervous system the better able ideas and insights will be able to travel through their body and out into the world. The gifts of Gemini folk include the uncanny ability to name what needs to be named and make connections where no one had yet dreamed to put together. Catch the wind and ride free, it’ll be amazing what you’ll see, is what our Gemini folk teach us.

Gemini Guardian Herb

Happy Peppermint seedlings chatting it up!

Happy Peppermint seedlings chatting it up!

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

The scent of Peppermint speaks to the power of Gemini to enliven the mind and spirit to inspiration. Peppermint assists with mental focus and is very useful for clearing out brain fog. It is one of my favorite essential oils to spray in a room when I need a creative pick-me-up. 

Peppermint contains a number of healing constituents including rosmarinic acid and menthol which both help promote respiratory health. In fact, Peppermint has been used for centuries in folklore recipes for the flu and common cold, most commonly mixed with Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Elder (Sambucus nigra).

The herb is tension relieving and is a great herbal ally forreleasing nervousness especially when it settles in the stomach and intestines. Peppermint relieves intestinal cramping and can be taken before and after meals as a digestive tonic. Additionally, the Peppermint is useful in cases of nervous tension headaches and migraines. Peppermint embodies the brilliant qualities of Gemini! 

Want a full Peppermint profile and access to more information on a variety of healing herbs? Join the Lunar Apothecary!

 Gemini Remedy Herbs

Skullcap via wikipedia

Skullcap via wikipedia

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Gemini folk need to pay special attention to their nervous system and Skullcap is a fantastic nervous system tonic. For those thoughts that spin round and round and round in your head, keeping you from focusing or falling asleep at night, Skullcap might be an ally. A powerful nervine, Skullcap restores strength to an overwhelmed nervous system (by working on the cerebrospinal centers), relieving spasms, nerve pain, and cultivating calm. Sometimes Gemini folk spin out so fast they have trouble coming home again to their bodies and the restoration of being chill. Skullcap helps promote healthy sleep patterns as well as a desire to reconnect the mind to the body through rest.

For Gemini folk prone to feeling overwhelmed and anxious, Skullcap stimulates the brain to produce more endorphins in the system due to the presence of scutellarin in the plant which becomes scutellarein in the body. Pretty darn sweet! 

You’ll notice that I placed Skullcap in both the Remedy and Guardian which makes perfect since if you’re dealing with the twin-ergy of Gemini. Skullcap both remedies the lack of focus that Gemini folk might find themselves in, but it also gifts the important Gemini gift of not fearing your words and thoughts but finding power in them. 

Sun in Gemini Flower Essence

Milkweed thinks you're grand.

Milkweed thinks you're grand.

The sacred words of Milkweed Flower Essence are “I am nourished.” Milkweed is an incredibly nourishing essence, one that feeds the roots of our soul. For Milkweed, nourishment is getting exactly what we need by being exactly who we are - which is a wonderful lesson in living in maintaining the “I” in the myriad of roles we live as lover, friend, child, teacher, partner and community member. Milkweed helps Gemini folk to integrate strong personal identity with a common community vision.

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categories / astroherbology
tags / gemini, zodiac, astroherbalism, astrology, astrological body, astroherbology, medical astrology, the twins, air signs

Taurus: The Astroherbology Profile

May 15, 2015  /  Alexis J. Cunningfolk

It's time to explore the sign of Taurus! I will be exploring all twelve signs from a medical astrology perspective with an emphasis on herbal healing. Learn more about the series and what all the correspondences mean check out the introduction to The Introduction to Astroherbology Zodiac Series. Missed the first sign of the Zodiac? Find out about the astroherbology wisdom of Aries!

Looking for inspiration and plant allies for the season of Taurus? Come this way!

Element: Earth
Mode: Fixed
Guardian Planet: Venus
Direction: East (traditional)
Season: Spring (NH), Autumn (SH)
House: 2nd House / Succedent
Lunar Mansions: 3rd Mansion, 4th Mansion, + 5th Mansion (Learn more about the Lunar Mansions)
Solar Gemstone: Amber
Tarot: The Hierophant, the Empress, 5 of Pentacles (4/12 - 4/30), 6 of Pentacles (5/1 - 5/10), 7 of Pentacles (5/11 - 5/20), Knight of Pentacles
Tissue State: Cold/Depression (learn more about the energetic system of traditional western herbalism)

Body Systems: Throat, neck, vocal cords, thyroid, voice, and middle ear. Metabolic system, medulla oblongata, and hearing. Salivary glands, taste buds, and teeth of the lower jaw. Jugular veins, cervical nerves of the blood vessels, and bladder. Procreative desire. Base of the skull. Find out more about the astrological correspondences to our bodies.

Imbalances + Diseases: Including sore throats, tonsillitis, thyroid conditions (especially hypothyroid), and overindulgence. The formation of tumors. Slow digestion, excess weight, and weak metabolism. Hearing loss and ear infections. Excess mucus in the upper respiratory system. Apoplexy, loss of coordination between organ systems, erratic movements, and paralysis. Glandular swelling, goiter, gout, bad blood. Loss of voice and vocal cord conditions. Sore throat, bronchial complaints, dry cough, tonsillitis, ulcerated throat, and diseases or injuries to the larynx and vocal cords. Accumulation of toxins especially in the intestinal tract and congested colon. Overly cold and dried out. Tend towards more persistent and chronic conditions - through their stubbornness they can tend to hold onto disease. Resisting change, ungrounded stubbornness, avoiding conflict, hurtful, brutish, brooding, lack of reflection on their emotions, and melancholic. 

Disease Degrees: 1 degree: palate; 2 degrees: pharynx - oral part; 3 degrees: uvula; 4 degrees: Pharyngeal cavity; 5 degrees: larynx; 0 - 6 degrees: drowning; 6 degrees: vocal cords; 7 degrees: cervical nerves; 8 degrees: alcoholism, jugular veins; 9 degrees: cervical veins, neurasthenia; 10 - 13 degrees: cervical and bravial plexi, neurasthenia; 14 degrees: true vocal cords; 15 degrees: epiglottis; 16 degrees: carotid arteries, abscess; 17 degrees: thyroid glands and tonsils; 18 degrees: lymph vessels, hair; 19 degrees: maxillary artery, alcoholism, goiter; 20 degrees: occiput, goiter, alcoholism; 21 degrees: arteries of the nasal cavity, alcoholism; 22 degrees: tongue muscles, rheumatism, alcoholism; 23 degrees: teeth, rheumatism, alcoholism; 24 degrees: upper jaw, fractures, broken bones, alcoholism; 25 degrees: lower jaw, fractures, broken bones, alcoholism, adenoids, suicide; 26 degrees: nasal bone; 27 degrees: atlas, alcoholism; 28 degrees: alcoholism, deltoid muscle and main neck muscles; 29 degrees: deltoid muscle and main neck muscles, eyesight; 30 degrees: Trapezius muscle. 

Remedies for Imbalanced and/or Weakened Taurus: Warming and stimulating activities, with emphasis on detoxifying activities. Eating a whole foods diet is important to all signs, but Taurus folk need to be especially mindful of the quality of their food and eating mindfully. 

Gifts of Taurus: Resourcefulness, grounding and centering, body knowledge, long-term planning, and consistent energy.

Rituals of Taurus: Expressing body-positive sensuality, fertility and abundance, successful long-term plans, such as business endeavors or big material investments, stability, and invoking or supporting long-term romantic partnerships. Artistic and musical rituals in which the pleasure of the senses are indulged.

Taurus Guardian Herbs: Sage (Salvia officinalis), Rose (Rosa spp.), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Plantain (Plantago major), Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Nettles (Urtica dioica)

Taurus Remedy Herbs: Gingko (Gingko biloba), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Ashwaghanda (Withania somnifera), Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Flower + Gem Essences: Aspen (Populus tremula), Gentian (Gentiana amarella), Peacock Ore, Willow (Salix vitellina)

The Sun in Taurus

Taurus is the first earth sign and fixed sign of the zodiac and they embody these energies well. Where Aries is quick-moving, Taurus is slow and steady. The bulls are typically the longest lived of all the signs of the zodiac even with their tendency that when they do get sick for it to be a permanent or chronic condition. Earthly, sensual, and indulgent pleasure (as opposed to the more artistic and balanced pleasure of Libra) can be a focus of Taurus folks. Overindulgence is something to be wary of if you your Sun or Ascendent is in Taurus or if many of your other planets are in the sign of the Bull. Typically, Taurus folks tends towards the materialistic such as the garden growing in their backyard versus a mystical garden of new age enlightenment located halfway between paradise and nirvana. 

If you have known someone with a strong Sun in Taurus, you have probably met the legendary stubbornness of the sign. Think about the idea of being “bull-headed” and you’ll begin to understand the Taurean temperament. They very much need to believe that something is their idea before they commit and if they aren’t interested or perceive something to be not useful, they can be hurtful in how they express their opinions. Learning to connect with their emotional world and not just the physical world is a challenge for most Taurus folks but well worth the effort if they want as enduring and fruitful a relationship with others as they have with their garden. All that said, Taurus folks are very loyal in relationships, their endurance for seeing a project through is matched only by their stubbornness, and they can be profoundly inspiring when it comes to helping folks re-member and re-connect to the sacredness of physical embodiment. 

As mentioned earlier, Taurus folks are typically the longest lived of all of the signs (again, it could be said that they stubbornly refuse to depart their physical form until they damn well want to). They can tend towards diseases and imbalances of congestion, cold, and impurity - they need to be very aware of what they eat and being sure to engage in regular energizing activities. The gift of Taurus Sun folks is that they are so blessedly grounded. They remind us to take pleasure in the physicality of life and not get so lost in our heads and the abstraction of pleasure or whether we should be desiring it. Be your pleasure, is what Sun in Taurus folks teach us.

Taurus Guardian Herbs

Rose by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Rose by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Rose (Rosa spp.)

18th century herbalist, J. Quincy, wrote that Rose “raises the spirits and gives sudden strength and cheerfulness” and categorized Rose as primarily a Cardiac and Cephalic or relating to the head. (1) In addition to strengthening the heart, Roses assist with memory and promotes clarity of mind, heart, and spirit by connecting all three. Rose nourishes the body and is sweet medicine which calms the nervous system. Within Ayurveda, Rose is considered a rasayana (rejuvenative tonic) and medhya (brain tonic + nervine) for all of the doshas. A very Taurean herb, indeed!

As an aphrodisiac, Rose is an opener - it opens the heart and body to sensual experience. Like many aphrodisiacs, Rose has nervine and nourishing qualities which help to relax and soothe the body so that it may become ready and desirous of intimacy. Additionally, Rose has also been shown to increase sperm count if fertility has been compromised because of lackluster sperm.

The benefits of Rose for the skin are manifold (anti-inflammatory, astringent, vitamin and mineral rich) and can be used in oils, scrubs, and baths for skin health and beauty. As a humectant, Rose Water adds and maintains water to the skin. Keep Rose Water in a spray bottle to use as a mild antiseptic for first aid needs.

As an herb of Venus, which is Taurus’ Guardian Planet, Rose and other Venusian herbs typically balance and cool the fiery energies of Mars in a chart. 

The latter was a sample from the much longer Rose Plant Profile available to my Lunar Apothecary students. Learn about the Rose Plant Personality, Rose Remedies, and a more in-depth exploration of Rose’s healing qualities as a member of the Lunar Apothecary!

Taurus Remedy Herb

image via wikimedia.org

image via wikimedia.org

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

While warming herbs might be needed for Taurus folks who have fallen out of balance (such as Rosemary or Ginger), I generally reach for a tonic herb such as Ginkgo which connects with the underlying of wisdom of Taurus. Ginkgo is the oldest living plant species on earth and has more or less stayed the same for 200 million years. I mean, come on, how much more Taurus can you get? A longevity herb for a sign known for its longevity helps Taurus folks relax into and connect with the healing qualities of Ginkgo.

Ginkgo is an antioxidant-rich, blood-clearing, memory sharpening teacher. Taurus folk can have difficulty connecting the physical reality with their emotional experiences, so Ginkgo can help them learn to interact with their emotional and spiritual landscape. I have also found the plant to help open up pathways to useful communication which Taurus folk can struggle to find when they feel apathetic, depressed, or ignoring and/or confused by their emotions. Ginkgo is clearing, moving out stagnation that may have settled in the body as pain, whether the slow healing of wounds or painful pre-menstrual tension. 

As a longevity herb, Ginkgo not only helps us live longer but live longer with vitality. My experiences with the herb is that because it connects the brain and heart (via the blood) so well it helps us to make better choices that will support vitality into our elder years.

Sun in Taurus Flower Essence

Peacock Ore supports the foundational gifts of Taurusfolk – making spirit into matter – and helps keep them from feeling that they are stuck in the mud when life feels burdensome and challenging. The stone itself looks like a healing Taurean aura - dark and rich with rainbow gleams of fertile promise. The stone aligns the energy centers of the body and creates energetic motion which can be very useful for Taurus folks who feel stuck or bogged down. Peacock Ore helps connects us back to hope in times of hopelessness and joy when it is needed most.

Ready to learn more?

Footnotes

(1) Tobyn, Graeme, Alison Denham, and Margaret Whitelegg. The Western Herbal Tradition: 2000 Years of Medicinal Plant Knowledge. Edinburgh: Elsevier, 2011.

 
categories / astroherbology
tags / taurus, zodiac, astroherbology, astroherbalism, astrological body, ashwaghanda, ginger, rose, willow, gentian, peacock ore, burdock, aspen, rosemary, ginkgo biloba, sage, thyme, plantain, mugwort, nettles, venus, medical astrology, astrology

Aries: The Astroherbology Profile

April 14, 2015  /  Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Welcome, friends, to the sign of Aries and the first of my Astroherbology Zodiac Series!

I will be exploring all twelve signs from a medical astrology perspective with an emphasis on herbal healing. Learn more about the series and what all the correspondences mean check out the introduction to The Introduction to Astroherbology Zodiac Series.

We start in the realm of the ram, known as Aries, and the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Looking to learn about Aries season? Come this way!

Astroherbology Astroherbalism Aries

Element: Fire
Mode: Cardinal
Guardian Planet: Mars
Direction: East
Season: Spring (NH), Autumn (SH)
Wheel of the Year: Spring Equinox
House: 1st House / Angular
Lunar Mansions: 1st Mansion, 2nd Mansion, + 3rd Mansion
Solar Gemstone: Bloodstone
Tarot: The Emporer, The Tower, 2 of Wands (Mar 21 - Mar 30), 3 of Wands (Mar 31 - Apr 10), 4 of Wands (Apr 11 - Apr 20), Queen of Wands
Tissue State: Heat/Excitation (learn more about the energetic system of traditional western herbalism)

Body Systems: Head, Face (especially forehead), Nose (with bones of the nose being guarded by Scorpio), Mouth, and Eyes, including optic nerves and lens of the eyes. The Brain, including its blood vessels, motor centers and frontal and lateral lobes. Cerebro-Spinal system and Muscular system. Teeth (with Saturn + Taurus), especially upper jaw.

Imbalances + Diseases: Tends towards excess. Fevers, headaches, sore eyes and poor eyesight. Tension headaches. Inflammation, especially when excess energy is present, dryness, and heat. Muscle spasms. Ruptured blood vessels, especially in the head. Mental afflictions and disorders of the brain including congestion of the brain, memory loss, delirium caused by blood rushing to the head, encephalitis, epilepsy. Can be very emotionally rash manifesting sometimes as rashes on the head, face, and ears, and conditions such as very red or inflamed acne. Anger, arrogance, and taking up too much space. Ruptures on the skin including shingles, measles, chickenpox. Muscle spasms of the face, facial tics, and sore or tight jaw as well as swelling of the face. Migraines, especially if triggered by or include anger and/or irritation. All diseases of heat and dryness that proceed from dreams. Baldness and hair loss on the top of the hair, sometimes with excess hair growing elsewhere. Uncontrolled anger, “seeing red.” Fits of giddiness and hyperactivity. Insomnia due to disorders of the kidney. Bell’s palsy and general paralysis of the face. Stroke, rheumatic fever, rheumatism, and hemorrhage. Conjunctivitis (especially when caused by excess eye makeup).

Disease Degrees: 3 – 4 degrees: goiter, abscesses; 5 degrees; hair issues 9 – 12 degrees: fevers; 6 – 7 degrees: jaundice; 13 – 14 degrees: rheumatic fever, rheumatism; hemorrhage; 15 – 16 degrees: stroke; 20 – 21 degrees: abscesses; 25 – 26 degrees: tuberculosis, digestive troubles; 26 – 27 degrees: blindness, weak eyes, tuberculosis; 28 – 29 degrees: bronchitis.

Remedies for Imbalanced and/or Weakened Aries: Cooling + cold activities, including cooling herbs in the form of teas and baths. Relaxing nervines and moistening herbs (if there is excess dryness). Stillness. Active listening and inclusive communication training. Activities that allow Aries folks to appropriately express their Martial energy including athletic competitions, high intensity interval training, and studying the arts of fighting and self-defense.

Gifts of Aries: Energy, athleticism, bravery, courage, the energy of new beginnings, freshness, initiation, spontaneity, and vitality.

Rituals of Aries: New project blessings, rites of passage especially for children and teenagers, elements of fire in ritual, especially bonfires (including jumping over them or passing through them) and firewalking.

Aries Guardian Herbs: Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Vitex (Vitex agnus castus), Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Aries Remedy Herbs: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Hops (Humulus lupulus)

Flower + Gem Essences: Impatiens, Black Eyed Susan, Beech, Wild Oat, Vine, Scarlet Monkeyflower, Citrine, Bloodstone

Bloodstone - photo by author

Bloodstone - photo by author

The Sun in Aries

When the Sun enters the sign of Aries each year this is known as the Vernal or Spring Equinox which should tell you something about the energy of the sign. Aries burst forth in the spring with the energy of a headstrong thing that wants to do. To do it* now!  The ram is a sign of great vitality and those born with Aries as their Ascendant or Rising sign may especially benefit from the ram’s inherent vitality throughout their lives. H.L. Cornell notes that Aries “is known as the ‘Cerebral Pole of Paracelsus.’ The Sympathetic Nervous System begins with this sign, and ends with the other Mars Sign Scorpio, which latter sign is known as the ‘Genital Pole of Paracelsus.’” The Sun is exalted in the sign of Aries which means that it’s inherent qualities are easily expressed and empowered by the ability and energy of Aries.

Aries Sun folks often rely on a very strong, sometimes forceful, expression of individuality when it comes to self-expression. They like to be the first to do something, to go somewhere, to think of a new idea, or explore new galaxies. Aries folk can be aggravating for others who are overwhelmed (or not impressed) by their bravado, but a balanced Aries can bring the spark of inspiration and the energy to get the job done so needed for a successful endeavor. Aries typically have bucket loads of energy and are up for an adventure – their confidence in their internal compass (when they remember to check what direction their heading) is inspiring. They aren’t afraid to make mistakes even if they don’t always know how to handle their pride getting dented by a fall.

Folks with a strong Aries Sun in their natal chart can be long-lived (if they don’t die early by accident or war – two areas they can be inherently attracted to) with a robust immune system that fights off infection and disease. Learning how to take up appropriate space and find outlets for their energy before it stagnates into anger is an important lesson for our adventurous Ram. The gift of Aries Sun folk is that they teach us to do it now and do it with confidence. Aries helps us to not only welcome in change, but to change before the change even opens the door.

*What “it” is isn’t always an important concern for Aries folk.

Aries Guardian Herb

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - source

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - source

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Fiery and dry Ginger embodies the warming and energizing gifts of Aries. The root stimulates an underperforming circulatory system, moving blood and heat throughout the body. Ginger awakens the senses and calls the body to action!  It clears out lingering colds, damp conditions, clears catarrh, and lifts the spirits wherever dourness or melancholy might dwell. Additionally the herb is useful for indigestion, nausea, and morning sickness. It is an ideal remedy for Damp/Stagnation tissue states.

As a sign guarded by Mars, it is good to know that most Aries herbs can be used to alleviate symptoms of maladies brought on by the cold ray of Saturn. Ginger, in particular, also works to alleviate Venusian conditions of menstruation which include cold and damp cycles that bring on excessive cramps.

Aries Remedy Herbs

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - photo by AJ Cunningfolk

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - photo by AJ Cunningfolk

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

One of my primary herbs for imbalanced Aries conditions is Yarrow. Known as an herb for the Wounded Warrior, Wounded Healer, Yarrow offers a cooling and balancing energy to our rush-about rams. Traditional indications for Yarrow match-up to an overabundance of Aries or Mars energy in the system : redness and splotchiness of the skin, inflammation, persistent fevers, a red, pointed tongue, and a rapid pulse. Yarrow assists those Aries folks who are overheated, hot-blooded, as well as those Aries who have lost the fire – both types usually have a build up of toxins in the blood as well as in the liver. Aries imbalances can often manifest with ruptures on the skin, whether hives or acne, chickenpox, or eczema. Another connection between Yarrow and Aries is that Yarrow is a primary blood remedy in traditional western herbalism and is especially useful for nosebleeds (remember, Aries rules the nose and the blood of the head). Yarrow is an herb of the blood: it both stops bleeding, moves stagnant blood, and clears old blood (blood cuts and excess toxins). Through its ability to move blood, by releasing and contracting, it is able to help regulate high, persistent fevers by opening up the skin. Yarrow releases trapped heat. When releasing heat, Yarrow goes through a cycle of sweating, purifying, and finally relaxing, making it very useful for relieving persistent fevers in children and adults alike. Since many Aries-type imbalances deal with the regulation or lack of regulation of heat and inflammation in the body, Yarrow’s ability to move heat within and out of the body is invaluable.

I find that the energy of Yarrow acts like a wise guide to Aries energies – it reminds Aries to slow down and practice going with the flow of energy both forwards and back instead of onwards, onwards, onwards. Yarrow helps to bring our body systems back to a state of homeostasis, which Aries folk and conditions can sometimes run from because they like pushing the limits, riding on adrenal, and challenging themselves to go just a little further.

Aries Sun Flower Essence

Impatiens helps bring out Aries ability to be patient and mindful of the needs of others by bringing out their ability to empathize and see the value of the opinions and contributions of others. The flower essences helps to develop the all-important pause that many Aries folk need to learn – to wait a moment before running in, speaking up, or taking over. With the gift of Impatiens, Aries folk can learn how to effectively use their energetic impulses and incredible vitality to move forward together with those they are in relationship with.

Ready to learn more?

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categories / astroherbology
tags / aries, astroherbology, astroherbalism, zodiac, medical astrology, astrology