Vedic Astrology & Medicine

TRS Iyengar

WARNING: This article is presented in good intention just only for information purposes. Every reader should know to balance between this article and any specific ailments; one should not fail to consult his/her Medical practitioner or an highly experienced Astrologer, Gemologist before deciding on any matter related to this article. In those olden days an astrologer used to profess Medicine and the Ayurvedic & Siddha practitioners used to read the horoscope of their patients to find a remedial solution, just not only with medicine but also with Gem and Mineral therapy. Why, even today this is practiced in India widely; many Nadi Jothisha scripts are almost combined with Astrology, Gemology and Medicine! What they call these portions as Prediction of Each sign, then suggesting the Remedial measures as Shanti Gandam, then recommending Medicine to any specific illness or ailments from the Aushatha Gandam (Medicinal Cure).

Medical Astrology is that branch of Astrology dealing with Health. The 12 Rasis known as Signs of the Zodiac are linked to the Twelve Limbs of the body.  The   Ascendant rules the Head and the 12th House, the Feet.  Let us, at the first place see the houses of Zodiac Chart and its allocated parts of human body within the Astrological perspective: Lagna known as Ascendant – i.e. the First house : Control Head, Body heat mechanism & overall physique. The 2nd Table below shows each house and its significance and the connectivity to human organs. The Law of Correspondences of  Classical  Philosophy has another term ” The Doctrine of Signatures”. This doctrine states that objects – animate and inanimate – are governed by planets and Classical Astrology  has taken this concept beyond ” The Law of Cause and Effect ” and has   defined it as Archetypal or Psychological.

Reflections of the intrinsic  qualities  of the  planets can be seen in  people,  plants,  animals  & minerals. All that we see, touch, consume &  harvest has a correspondence. By knowing our own planetary signature, we can  consume those materials which  correspond  to our   planetary signature & thus a healthy balance can be maintained. for an example, if in anyone’s horoscope,  Jupiter is posited in Cancer and then the  powerful positional  as well as directional strength it holds. If the person is afflicted by any sort of disease, the escape route is the Jupiterian Way –  viz consuming  more  vegetables & fruits, as he rules fruits & vegetables. If the native do that, he will be implementing what the Great  Seers said long ago ( ” Naturopathic food is medicine and medicine is food ” )!

Since the Zodiac Signs represent  the Five Basic Elements known as Ether, Fire, Air, Earth & Water,  the ancient astrological savants  assigned   everything in  the Universe  to a planetary ruler, & considered all as the manifestation of the Elemental Five & their respective qualities – hot & dry, cold and dry, hot and humid , cold and humid. Jupiter rules “Kapha”  & the  Sun “Pitta’ ( the three humors of Ayurveda ). These elements were understood in  a physical & metaphysical sense, as per the principle “As Above, So Below”.  Many  body  constitutions  are  defined in Ayurveda. The    Phlegmatic ( predominance of Kapha), the Bilious ( preponderance of Pitta )  &  the Windy ( predominance of Vata ). There are 4 types of Body Constitution in Western Holistic Medicine – Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric &Melancholic.   The Ayurvedic Therapy The Seven Planets (leaving aside the two shadow planets known as Rahu & Ketu, and of course, the newly found Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, which are not considered in this article) correspond to the 3 humors ( Doshas ) in Ayurveda In the Ayurvedic Model, the Seven Revolving Heavens are classified thus The seven planets correspond to the Seven Gross Tissue- elements, called Dhatus (Mineral composition & the planets influence or ruling part of human body mechanism. The table below illustrate the planet and its connectivity to the human body system.

By analyzing a horoscope, an experienced astrologer can judge the badly placed planet & the corresponding Dhatu which has caused the problem and can prescribe Ayurvedic remedial measures.

If the 6th house is afflicted, there can be digestive tract disorders. Natural malefic in the 6th house, may create hyperacidity and gas trouble.  Affliction either to the 7th house means disorders of  the digestive tract, hyperacidity& gas trouble .The  same  holds  good  for  the  6th house. If  the 6th house or the 7th house is  afflicted, one should be  very careful about the body’s acidity level. The body’s PH  value should be kept   at 7. Anything less than 7 is dangerous. The 80% alkaline nature  of  the body should be kept up & acidity  should  not be above 20%. The best foods  to  be taken are Vedic Foods, which  are low acidity, low cholesterol diet. The Acidity- Alkalinity  ratio should be kept  at 80% -20%. That ratio can be maintained if you consume 100 grams fruits and 300 grams vegetables  daily and avoid  non-natural food.  Natural foods are alkaline & non-vegetarian basically acidic. From experience, it can be discerned that  not only  malefic planets bring in problems  from  enemies, but also problems to the stomach.

If the 12th house is afflicted by malefic planets, there can be affliction to the feet. We have seen  many  a patient suffering from  12th house affliction and which manifests as problems on the feet. Similarly, 4th house affliction means trouble to the Heart. There are some astrologers who take this from the Horoscope of the Cosmic Man, (Kaala Purusha) that is from His Ascendant Aries. This method also yields results but from the experience, we follow the dictum of  Natal Astrology that it is the Ascendant  of the  native which is the head &  the Descendant the stomach region. I know many an Astrologer who follow this from Aries Ascendant (Lagna) &  if a malefic is posited in Virgo, in the  6 H ofKalapurusha (Cosmic Man), he  predicts stomach problems for the native. Or if a malefic planet is positioned ed in Taurus, he predicts wounds on the face for the native. Affliction to any house indicates affliction to the corresponding part of the body. North Node or any other malefic in the Sixth is indicative of stomach trouble & ulceration. Fourth house affliction means that the heart is afflicted and first house affliction means that the head is afflicted. The planets correspond to the different systems of Man thus from experience, Vedic Medical Astrology is found to be very accurate.

Gem Therapy In Astrology

How can therapeutic gems can cure your ailments? Can this be true? Just let us look at the Modern Science. Physicists tell us that all matter is energy in physical form. All the particles, be it human or otherwise, it is Crystal. Gemstones are certainly no exception. Formed over eons, often at high pressure of the Earth’s rotation, the Earth’s gemstones embody intense concentrations of energy. The energetic and physical properties of gemstones are already employed in many aspects of today’s technology. The ability of crystals to conduct and transform energy is no longer a foreign idea to us. For example, every television, quartz clock, mobile phone, and computers, laptops etc.  runs smoothly thanks to Quartz crystals. Today the energetic properties of gems are also being used to improve people’s health at a fundamental level.

Efforts to use gems for healing have a long history. In India as well as in many other places, people have sought to uncover the abilities that lay hidden within the intensely compressed crystalline structures of gemstones – particularly the ability to heal. Over the centuries, our attempts have met with varying degrees of success and failure. Yet, when using gems for health, something was always missing – for, until recently, we have been unable to discover a systematic way to unlock the full therapeutic powers of gems and to achieve consistent, long-lasting results. But what they found to be more energetic ones are the real nine Gems named, Ruby, Pearl, Coral, Emerald, Diamond, Blue sapphire, Zircon and Cat’s eye. In the Indian and Hindu system of Astrology, though they found many other semi precious stones, they count only these nine Gem stone as Medicinal and Cosmetic radiation value.

When one finds there is a total failure in this therapy, then he/she should check for the genuineness of the stone that is used.  The most essential to the success of any form of medicine is the nature of its therapeutic tools. To be most effective and reliable, medicine must be pure and high in quality. The purity and quality requirements of the gems  used for healing parallel those of any other form of medicine. Meeting these strict requirements can make or break a gem’s therapeutic worth. For gemstone energy medicine to be effective and consistent, the use of only therapeutic-quality gemstones is required. To find out the purity of any Gem, you just can walk into any Gemologist or Gemology Laboratory for a Gem Test.

It is found from the past experience,  that a gem’s shape profoundly affects the way it can express its energy – and thus its ability to deliver its healing properties. The ideal shape for a therapeutic gem is the sphere. The spherical shape unleashes a gem’s potential to reach and heal the deepest energetic aspects of our being, where the root causes of disease and distress lie. Therapeutic gemstone spheres radiate an incomparable energy that can affect all our dimensions, physical and subtle, and hence heal and transform our entire being. This is what the Vedic Astrology relate to.

With  these two concepts – the selection of only the highest quality gems and the use of gems cut into the proper shape – represent a simple, yet seismic, shift in the understanding of how gems can work therapeutically. Proper selection, shaping, color and use of gemstones can transform them into therapeutic power tools. The potent healing energy of therapeutic gems can deeply heal and nourish every aspect of the human form.

Luckily, enjoying the health benefits of gemstone spheres is exceptionally easy and straightforward. Albeit costly. Based on this information, many therapy protocols using gem spheres have been developed. However, powerful benefits can be obtained simply by wearing therapeutic gems around the neck. Wearing a therapeutic gemstone necklace allows the gems’ healing energy to penetrate the deepest levels of the wearer’s physical and energetic dimensions. There, the gems’ energy goes to work dissolving energetic blockages and producing beneficial changes in the body, mind, and emotions.

The experiences of many  persons have proved that the information presented here in are quiet agreeable in the healing Gemology therapy.. These experiences of healing provide our first glimpses of what becomes possible when we put this new form of energy medicine into practice. These Gem stones do work, giving an ample scope for alternate medicine. But one should be very cautious and careful in choosing the right stone and Gem.

The following stones are suggested in Astrology and also prescribed in Ayurveda for specific disorders; but how far has achieved permanent cure is a question to ponder! However, if predicted earlier and as a preventive step, if one wears the recommended gem, then certainly the results are encouraging. Say, instead of sufferings for 100%, it should reduce to fifty percent or even less.

RUBY is recommended for : Rheumatism, acute chest pain, Rib & Lungs weaknesses.

Pearl is suggested for Insomnia, Migraine, and severe headache.

Coral is recommended for Blood Anemia, Liver problems, Jaundice and for women who suffer with stomach pains during their menstrual course period and impotency in both genders.

Emerald is recommended for : Cancer, Dysentery, Jaundice, Abdominal irregularities, Chest pain & nail distortions.

Yellow sapphire  Known as Guru (Pushparagam or Pushkaraj) is suggested for impotence, cholera and gas trouble and stomach pains.

Diamond is recommended for Diabetes and heart problems and Pneumonia.

Blue sapphire is recommended for those who suffer from Neurological problems, Rheumatism, Arthritis,  Gastric Ulcer, Tuberculosis, and bowel system defects.

Zircon (Gomethakam or Gometak) is suggested for skin ailments and

Cat’s Eye  (known as Vaidoorya or Vaiduryam) is recommended for blood purifications.

On what basis a gem stone is recommended? How the size and color is considered? What if one no longer needs the specified stone?

Oh, it all depend upon your astrologer’s expertise and experience! The most specific method is based on the prescription by a well qualified Astrologer. It is the system and reading of a native’s horoscope that is taken into account, with various astrological factors before prescribing the gemstone. This recommended system  leaves almost nothing to chance and tries to factor in all aspects before prescription. The steps involved in this system are discussed below, but it should be kept in mind that a qualified Astrologer alone is capable and a prerequisite to make use of this gem stone therapy.

First, The Ascendant known as Lagna is studied and looked into and then the Lord of Ascendant/Lagna is checked for its strength, weakness and auspiciousness in the Rasi (Moon sign)  and Navamsa chart.

Then the the current running & ruling Mahadasha period (Major Planetary ruling Period) is checked. Sometimes the ruling planet of antardasha (sub-division period) is also factored in.

Thirdly, the Moon sign is checked and the lord of Moon sign’s placement is checked for its strength and weaknesses.

Then the birth star known as Janma Nakshatra is checked including the lord and its dispositor for auspiciousness.

Then,  all the nine planets are examined in Moon sign Rasi chart and checked for its strength and weaknesses, if any.

Next the strength and weaknesses of each sign with its owenership, Kendra Bhala, Trikona Bhala and sthana Bhala are judged; this is to consider various aspects of the native’s immediate threat or benefit.

Simultaneously, the Navamsa chart has to be studied for all the factors as it will pinpoint many other  facts which are overlooked in the Main Rasi Chart.

Lastly, the chalit chart should also be examined to verify if a planet changes its position or motion  house-wise. If any planets move, retrograde, exaltation or debilitation does vary because of the cusp changes, then it should also be considered before recommending any gem stone.

If the above factors are properly judged and used by a well qualified Astrologer, surely it will give a clear indications about the type of gemstone, size and mode (whether a pendant type or a ring) to be prescribed for a native. Normally the stones are prescribed for strengthening the planets which results in beneficial effects. Thus, in general a gem stone is suggested where a planet’s positioning is weaker or, when the Ruling Mahadasa period warrants. The native who remain in touch with their astrologers as a counselor, derive more benefits, as by then your Family Astrologer remembers everything that is plus and minus in your birth chart known as Janma Kundali. In such cases, the astrologer is able to recommend a specific gemstones for a particular period only to derive the maximum benefits of it.

Once the ill effect period is over, or when no longer the recommended Gem stone is needed, it is to be removed and never to be used by another person. When the stipulated period is over, and the need arises for a change in a  gemstone then it is recommended by the counseling Astrologer for a further period. This dynamic way of prescription is actually very beneficial and is gaining momentum in modern times. Logically, some of the gemstones interfere with the cosmic effects of other gems also and thus are in conflict. Under such circumstances, this dynamic prescription of gemstones is very useful as the astrologer can derive benefits for the native from various gemstones at different points of time, without any negative effect of the conflict of gems. Here too, one has to be a regular customer/client of a particular Astrologer, who can guide you throughout your life, as is your family doctor!

And most importantly, one should be very careful in choosing the stone, as normally a used gem stone might not be giving the full effect as that of a new one. Also, once the period of its effectiveness is not felt, then too you should remove it, as your Astrologer will guide you next. Here too, all the gem stones that are once used, has no resale value at all, irrespective of its cost and weight- age!

In some complicated conditions of a native’s horoscope and if multiple remedy is to be found for some specific weak planetary alignments, there are many other remedies and combinations are listed even for common cold, allergy One has to study the horoscope in detail, find out the weaker planet and its current influence on the native and then to see the running Dasa Period for current, before recommending any remedy. Quite apart from the recommended stone therapy, the olden days people used to take remedial treatments with Basmams (the ashes of specific stone – such Thangabasmam as Gold metal ash, Chandiya Basmam for Silver ash etc).  Only an experienced Astrologer & Gem therapist can guide you to proper Gem or an Experienced Astrologer with Ayurvedic knowledge too can get you some solutions for aforesaid ailments. The nava ratnam known as Nine precious Gems in itself is very poisonous; however, if the same is utilized in a methodical way as listed in the Vedic scripts, it helps one to come out of the ill effects of any malefic placement of planets in one’s horoscope. But to find an Astrologer who also has the knowledge in the Vedic Medicine proposition is become like some what find a needle in the hay stack!