Can I Study Medical Astrology?

Deconstructing the 5 Myths

July 2023

copyright © 2023 by Judith Hill

There is “Medical Astrology” and there is “Astrological Medicine”. Two different things! Medical Astrology refers to any use of classical Western or Jyotish astrology for medical purposes; and/or the use of any world folk tradition correlating the use of cosmic forces with healing.  Astrological Medicine refers to a complete system of medicine - exactly how we might say “Traditional Chinese Medicine”, or “Ayurveda”. Originally called “Astrologo-Physick” - this complete system reached its pinnacle in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, remaining in good service today. We teach both approaches at The Academy for Astrological Medicine.

There are five popular misconceptions regarding Medical Astrology. For instance, you may want to study this subject but have held back because of a misconception. For simplicity, I’ve referred to these five misassumptions as “myths”.

MYTH 1: “I need to be an advanced astrologer to get started in Medical Astrology.”

Answer: No, you don’t! Medical Astrology is based on quite direct and simple principles that require no former training in the popular psychological, spiritual, and karmic types of astrology.  You just need to know the symbols for the signs, and planets, and know your most basic way around a chart. If you can look at a chart and recognize what signs and houses your planets tenant, you are good to go! 

This query is most frequently posed by health practitioners and/or beginning astrologers. To allay this myth, I’ve created a book for anyone interested in this subject who knows next to nothing about astrology!  Medical Astrology for Health Practitioners: A Healer’s Guide

We also have the audio-visual ‘Medical Astrology Primer’ slideshow as the entry to our ‘Medical Astrology 101’ course. 

MYTH 2: “I need to be a health practitioner to learn Medical Astrology.”

Answer: Nothing could be further from the truth. There are multitudes of wonderful practical uses for this knowledge that require little, or no, medical training. For instance, Luna’s guidance for best tincturing times does not require a doctorate or medical license! Or… knowing what extremes might surface on a full Moon in Cancer requires no medical training. Or… learning to discern if your physician is compatible with you! This skill is open to everyone! 

It’s also so easy to learn the traditionally observed health tendencies of each zodiac sign - or perhaps, what it means when Mars transits crosses your natal Moon?

You needn’t be a health practitioner to spot the year when Saturn opposes your Sun and learn what that might mean for your Vital Force.  All you need to get started is interest plus a basic beginner’s knowledge of the chart.

That being said, a health practitioner would potentially possess a deeper insight into Medical Astrology than a layperson - and add one powerful tool to their medical knowledge! They could also more readily grasp “Astrological Medicine” as a comprehensive medical system. 

Secondly, and most essentially, it may be illegal in your locale to provide any manner of medical counsel, advice, directives or opinion without a medical license. However, it is usually legally safe to study and teach any historic science.

MYTH 3:  “Medical Astrology is hard.”

Answer:  What?!! The physical approach to astrology is EASIER than the more recently popular psychological models. If you can understand those - Medical Astrology should be easy.

This is because Medical Astrology is mechanical, in that A+B = C.   For instance, “hot” Mars in Gemini, (the sign of the hands) literally means “hot hands”.  This is a far easier, and more mechanical process than attempting to fathom the psychological interpretation of a client’s Mars in Gemini. One then learns to refine and individualize that potential - much like in any other form of astrology.  For example, in what many ways might “hot hands” individually express themselves in someone?” Increasing skill is gained with practice. Like all other genres of astrology, mastery is gained after many years. But no, it’s not at all difficult to start!

MYTH 4: “Medical Astrology is a new fad.”

Answer:  The medical use of astrology was certainly among of the first applications of ancient astrology! Hippocrates’ school of medicine, and Berossus’ school of astrology, co-existed on

the tiny isle of Kos in Hellenistic times. And, although no distinctly horoscopic astrology exists in the ancient Vedas, we do find a wee handful of references to planet-body correlations still recognized today, recorded as early as 1500-1200 BCE.

Medical astrology went underground for two centuries, covertly used by renegade physicians through the modern era. Today, this remarkable science is experiencing a new Renaissance!

MYTH 5: “The Early Catholic Church Disapproved of Medical Astrology.”

Answer: The reverse is true. Pope Paul 111’s 1563 ‘Tridentine Council’ declared Medical Astrology, in their opinion, to be a legal and acceptable branch astrology - being “natural” astrology. In fact, the medical use of astrology was considered at the time to be necessary for and required of medical practice. Physicians practiced openly throughout the Renaissance period and were expected to do so. The medical Universities required physicians to pass their astrological exams until 1666. The system of medicine taught and practiced was referred to as “Astrologo-Physick” (Astrological Medicine).

The astrology-negative public appears strangely unaware of the special status that Medical Astrology, and Astrological Medicine maintained throughout the Church’s persecution of the more predictive, or “judicial” styles of astrology.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

If you know your basic way around a natal chart, you are ‘good to go’ to begin your study of Medical Astrology! Can you look at a chart and tell what sign and house a planet is in? Also, a basic knowledge of major aspects is helpful but not necessary to start. How to use the current time planets (transits) can be learned as you move along through your intermediate studies.

The “Medical Astrologer Primer” audio-visual slideshow that comes with our beginner’s course “Medical Astrology 101” is our recommended entry door for the beginner.  If you prefer less structure, just can graze around the Academy for whatever suits your fancy! We offer ongoing ‘ala carte’ and subscriptions as well as live and recorded audio and audio-visual classes in all six genres of Medical Astrology. We serve all  student levels:  lay, beginning, intermediate and advanced!

RECOMMENDED BOOK FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER:

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY FOR HEALTH PRACTITIONERS: A HEALER’S GUIDE