In ancient times, life was intricately woven with the cycles of nature. Our lives were intimately connected with the journey of the sun through the constellations as our Mother Earth transformed through her seasons. In a self sufficient society, knowledge of the seasons and their effect on the food supply were crucial to survival and to quality of life. For the same reason, our ancestors also observed the phases of the Moon and its effect on the tides, plant growth and the behaviour of animals and people. We lived in harmony with these cycles.

Astrology is believed to have evolved as it was also noticed that those born at specific times of the year exhibited distinct character traits. Indeed, Confucius said, “He who wants to understand man must first understand Heaven, for it is Heaven which gives man his nature and his law.”

The ancients were possessed of much wisdom that modern man is only just now beginning to appreciate. Stonehenge (conservatively dated at 1800BC), is a giant astronomical observatory, not remotely understood until computers discovered its ability to accurately predict solstices, equinoxes, eclipses and other significant astronomical events. Zodiacs from ancient Egypt, China, India, Mexico, Greece, Babylon, Assyria and Sumer have all been discovered.

In ancient times, spirituality, health and astrology were all linked. 14th Century Chinese zodiacs show the effect of planets and constellations on health. Archaeologists have unearthed 30000 year old bones with engravings marking the moon cycles, believed to be female fertility calendars. (Francesca Naish’s book “Natural Fertility” details a natural contraceptive method that is 97% effective and includes the use of the moon cycle to predict fertility.)

In the bible, Ecclesiastes and Genesis contain obvious references to astrology to those who know how to read it from that perspective. The 12th Century church doctrinist Thomas Aquinas said, in Opusculum XXII, “When someone uses the judgement of the stars in order to foretell physical effects… this is not a sin…. for all people observe the heavenly spheres in some way with regards to such effects; the farmers sow and harvest at certain times in accordance with their observation of the course of the sun; and boatmen do not go out onto the waters at full moon. When a person is ill, the doctors observe the course of the sun and the moon to foretell the critical days. Therefore it is right and proper to heed the advice of the stars in other cases with regards to physical effects.” In 1586, Pope Sixtus V stated, in his bull, (regarding astrology) “Allowed however, are judgements and natural observations in support of navigation, agriculture and medical science.”

Ancient Greece gave us Hippocrates, known to the medical world as ‘the father of modern medicine’, but like so much of the ancient healing arts, many of his wise teachings have been disregarded through ignorance. Hippocrates was a herbalist and an astrologer. Modern medicine chose to ignore certain of his statements including:

“Ignorant is the doctor who understands nothing of astrology. The role played by astrology in medicine is no small one; indeed it is very large.”

“A doctor without knowledge of astrology does not have the right to call himself a doctor.”

“He who practises medicine without the benefit of the movement of the stars and planets is a fool.”

However the modern Hippocratic Oath did include: “First, do no harm”. Unfortunately this has now gone by the wayside too, and doctors (in Australia) no longer take this oath upon graduation. Thankfully however, “Do no Harm” remains a cornerstone of naturopathic philosophy.

When modern science took hold, we were told that nothing was valid unless it could be measured. One of the consequences of this was that the marriage between spirituality, human nature, healing and astrology dissolved, not least because there were no machines sophisticated enough to measure many of the variables. The “Not True till Validated” mindset of scientists has always perplexed me. How do you measure love? If you can’t measure love, does that mean it isn’t real? Being possessed of a strong sixth sense that revealed to me many things that weren’t necessarily obvious to others, particularly scientists, I spent many years living in faith that one day science would catch up.

Joy of joys, in the 1980s Dr Percy Seymour, an astrophysicist, set out to disprove astrology and instead, his research converted him. His 1997 book “The Scientific Basis of Astrology” makes for fascinating reading. As does Dr Richard Gerber’s tome “Vibrational Medicine” which details how Quantam Physics explains the action and efficacy of flower essences and other natural healing modalities. “Molecules of Emotion” by Dr Candace Pert is another excellent text which eloquently describes how our emotions profoundly affect our physical health and the cutting edge science that explains why this is so.

None of this would have been news to Hippocrates. Nor is it to practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (a healing system dating back over five thousand years), or to those trained in wholistic herbalism or naturopathy. All these therapies have the philosophy that dis-ease is the result of mental and emotional imbalances which, left unaddressed, eventually manifest in the physical body in a predictable manner. The book “You can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay covers this subject beautifully.

Medical astrology is an ancient science and gives us valuable clues as to our vulnerabilities emotionally, mentally and physically. As such it provides a wealth of information for those interested in practising preventative health care as potential weaknesses can be supported or treated with the use of natural remedies including herbs and flower essences.

Flower essences are an accessible healing tool that anyone can use as they are completely safe and natural. If the wrong remedy is taken it simply doesn’t work, so it is impossible to do any harm with them (Hippocrates would approve).

If you are interested in learning more about medical astrology and how Australian Bush Flower Essences can be used to improve your health on all levels, click here to see when and where my one day seminar is next being held near you. If you would like to host one in your area, contact me. Professional astrologers will gain tools to assist those clients with harsh natal aspects and difficult transits, however no formal training in astrology is needed. Everyone can apply this easy, practical and effective information in their day to day lives and practitioners can use it with every client for better healing outcomes.

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