Medical Astrology Reference Guide
Reference Guide
Astrology can feel like learning a whole new language, and in many ways it is. This is the phrasebook.
Between the planets, the signs, the houses and the web of aspects connecting them, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. What follows is not deep analysis. It is a clear, simple reference you can come back to again and again as you explore your own health blueprint, whether you are looking up a planet in your chart or simply curious about what a particular house governs.
As a nurse of 27 years who also reads charts, I find these foundations are where the real understanding starts. Everything else builds on them.
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Signs and significations
A quick clinical lens on each sign: the traditional body focus, the imbalances that tend to show up, and the care themes that support them.
| Sign | Body focus | Keywords | Watch-outs | Care themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Head, brain, eyes | Ignition, heat, inflammation, acute | Headaches and migraine, burns, overexertion | Cooling cadence, anti-inflammatory meals, breath to pace effort |
| Taurus | Throat, neck, thyroid, jaw and teeth | Endurance, accumulation, glucose steadiness | Sore throats, stiff neck, sluggish thyroid, comfort eating | Neck mobility, vocal and breath work, steady meals, soothing demulcents |
| Gemini | Shoulders, arms, hands, lungs | Nerves, breath, rhythm, mobility | Anxious breathing, RSI, bronchial irritation, scatter | Nasal and diaphragmatic breathing, mobility breaks, magnesium support |
| Cancer | Chest, breasts, stomach, lymph | Fluids, cycles, nourishment, homeostasis | Reflux, water retention, mood and sleep swings | Warm meals, regular meal rhythm, sleep hygiene, gentle lymph work |
| Leo | Heart, spine, circulation | Vitality, solar heat, leadership | Palpitations, blood pressure variability, heat strain | Joyful cardio, posture and extension, minerals, mindful intensity |
| Virgo | Small intestine, spleen, pancreas, microbiome | Assimilation, detail, purification | IBS patterns, perfection stress, bloating | Fibre diversity, bitters, meal timing, stress tools before meals |
| Libra | Kidneys, lower back, skin | Equilibrium, filtration, relational harmony | UTIs, lumbar strain, skin imbalance from stress | Hydration and minerals, core and glute work, nervous system balance |
| Scorpio | Reproductive organs, bowels, elimination | Depth, detoxification, crisis into renewal | Pelvic congestion, infections, stagnation | Bowel, bile and lymph support, pelvic floor health, psychosexual healing |
| Sagittarius | Hips, thighs, liver, sciatic pathway | Expansion, outdoors, optimism | Liver overload, hip tightness, over-committing | Brisk walks in daylight, liver-friendly diet, stretch and strength balance |
| Capricorn | Bones, joints, knees, teeth, skin | Structure, mineral economy, endurance | Dryness, calcification, over-restriction | Mineral repletion, strength training, collagen support, sunlight |
| Aquarius | Calves, ankles, lower leg circulation | Electrical tone, networks, novelty | Cramps, varicosities, nervous overdrive | Hydration and electrolytes, gentle mobility, grounding, screen limits |
| Pisces | Feet, lymph, immune and fluid balance | Porosity, dream, surrender | Oedema, sensitivities, sleep disruption | Sleep ritual, Epsom soaks, footwear support, minimal supplement clutter |
Not exhaustive. Educational only, and not a substitute for medical care. Speak to your GP about diagnosis or anything urgent.
Planets and significations
The classical seven plus the modern outer planets. Always interpret alongside sign, house and aspect rather than in isolation.
| Planet | Governs | Keywords | Watch-outs | Care themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Vitality, heart, circulation | Life force, constitutional tone, radiance | Heat, hypertension, overexertion, burnout | Morning light, joyful movement, balanced intensity, antioxidants |
| Moon | Fluids, hormones, digestion, lymph | Cycles, nourishment, rest and repair | Reflux, fluid retention, mood and sleep swings | Regular meals, sleep ritual, demulcents, gentle lymph support |
| Mercury | Nervous system, lungs, breath, thyroid | Communication, rhythm, mobility | Anxious breathing, IBS from stress, overthinking | Nasal and diaphragmatic breath, vagal toning, tidy caffeine, pacing |
| Venus | Kidneys, skin, reproductive harmony | Equilibrium, filtration, pleasure | UTIs, skin flares, blood sugar swings | Hydration and minerals, skin barrier care, balanced sweets, rest and digest time |
| Mars | Inflammation, muscles, adrenals, immunity | Heat, action, defence | Injuries, infections, irritability, overtraining | Anti-inflammatory diet, smart strength, cool-downs, protein and sleep |
| Jupiter | Liver, metabolism, growth | Expansion, protection, optimism | Excess intake, liver overload, weight gain | Portion awareness, bitters, brisk walks in daylight, alcohol hygiene |
| Saturn | Bones, teeth, skin, connective tissue | Structure, constraint, longevity | Dryness, mineral deficits, stiffness, chronicity | Mineral repletion, resistance training, collagen support, consistent sleep |
| Uranus | Electrical tone, nerves, sudden change | Sparks, shocks, innovation | Spasms, insomnia, accidents, overstimulation | Grounding rituals, routine anchors, screen hygiene, magnesium and electrolytes |
| Neptune | Porosity, immunity, lymph, drug response | Sensitivity, dream, dissolution | Oedema, sensitivities, brain fog, medicine side effects | Sleep protection, gentle elimination support, minimal supplement clutter, boundaries |
| Pluto | Elimination, reproduction, deep repair | Power, underworld, regeneration | Obsessive strain, crisis cycles, control dynamics | Trauma-informed pacing, bowel, bile and lymph support, therapy, pelvic health |
Educational only, and not a substitute for medical care. Speak to your GP about diagnosis or anything urgent.
Houses and significations
General life meanings alongside the traditional body correspondences. The star marks the four key medical houses: the 1st, 6th, 8th and 12th.
| House | Life area | Physical focus | Watch-outs | Care themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ★ | Identity, appearance, vitality, approach to life | General health, vitality, physical body | Over or under-recovery, posture and breath issues, stress reactivity | Morning light, nasal and diaphragmatic breath, protein at breakfast, pacing |
| 2nd | Resources, income, values, self-worth | Face, mouth, teeth, right eye | Jaw tension, dental issues, mindless snacking | Mineral repletion, oral care, thorough chewing, grounding rituals |
| 3rd | Communication, learning, siblings, short trips | Neck, throat, shoulders, arms, lungs | RSI, vocal strain, anxious breathing | Mobility breaks, nasal breathing, magnesium, posture resets |
| 4th | Home, roots, inner life, family | Heart, chest, lungs, stomach | Reflux, chest tightness, sleep and environment mismatch | Warm meals, evening wind-down, sleep sanctuary, breath softness |
| 5th | Creativity, joy, romance, children | Upper abdomen, stomach, heart, liver, gallbladder | Overindulgence, liver congestion, stress eating | Joyful movement, bitters, play, balanced feasts |
| 6th ★ | Daily work, habits, service, health routines | Lower abdomen, kidneys, intestines, immune system | Overwork, IBS patterns, UTIs, under-recovery | Meal rhythm, fibre diversity, glycaemic balance, micro movement, downshifts |
| 7th | Partnerships, close relationships | Lower back, urinary tract, reproductive organs | Lumbar strain, UTIs, boundary fatigue | Hydration and minerals, core and glute support, relational boundaries |
| 8th ★ | Shared resources, sex, transformation | Reproductive organs, bladder, elimination systems | Infections, pelvic congestion, crisis cycles | Elimination support, pelvic floor care, trauma-informed pacing |
| 9th | Beliefs, higher learning, long travel | Thighs, hips, liver, blood | Sciatica, liver load, over-commitment | Brisk walks in daylight, hip mobility and strength, liver-friendly meals |
| 10th | Career, public role, reputation | Knees, bones, joints | Joint strain, mineral deficits, tension holding | Strength training, collagen and minerals, posture and ergonomics |
| 11th | Friends, networks, future goals | Shins, ankles, left ear | Ankle sprain, circulation stagnation, isolation | Ankle mobility, hydration, community support, light social contact |
| 12th ★ | Solitude, subconscious, retreat, endings | Feet, left eye, sleep | Insomnia, sensitivities, hidden drains such as noise, light and toxins | Sleep ritual, yoga nidra and coherence breath, inputs audit, sensory dignity |
Educational only, and not a substitute for medical care. Speak to your GP about diagnosis or anything urgent.
Aspects and conditions
Core aspect archetypes plus two solar conditions. Read these together with the sign, the house and the overall condition of the planet.
| Aspect | Geometry | Keywords | Watch-outs | Care themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conjunction | 0 degrees, co-present, tight orb | Fusion, amplification, focus | Overconcentration of one theme, and if malefic, heat or strain | Balance with buffers, alternate day loading, diversify supports |
| Sextile | 60 degrees | Opportunity, easy activation, learning window | Missing the window through inconsistency | Habit stacking, small daily reps, cue, routine and reward loops |
| Trine | 120 degrees | Flow, resilience, low-friction healing | Complacency, drifting into excess because it feels easy | Leverage strengths, set gentle ceilings, sustainability focus |
| Opposition | 180 degrees | Polarity, oscillation, mirroring | Pendulum swings, over-correction, flare and remission cycles | Integration, alternating protocols, boundary work, rhythm anchors |
| Quincunx | 150 degrees, also called inconjunct | Adjustment, mismatch, hidden friction | Odd symptoms, sensitivities, scheduling conflicts | Titration, fit-finding, elimination trials, time of day dosing |
| Combust | Planet within roughly 8 degrees of the Sun | Overheated, overexposed, depleted | Burnout, dehydration, inflammatory flares, decision fatigue | Cooling cadence, simplify stacks, shade breaks, antioxidants, rest |
| Cazimi | Planet in the heart of the Sun, classically within 1 degree | Clarity, potency, precision window | Overconfidence, short-lived surge | Initiate carefully, anchor gains, debrief, follow with recovery |
Educational only, and not a substitute for medical care. Speak to your GP about diagnosis or anything urgent.
Questions to ask your own chart
When you look at your natal chart through a medical astrology lens, the quality of what you find depends almost entirely on the quality of the questions you bring. These are the ones I work through.
Overall health foundation
- What does my Ascendant sign and its element suggest about my physical constitution and resilience? Fire and Earth ascendants are traditionally considered more robust.
- What condition is the ruler of my Ascendant in? Mine is Scorpio rising, ruled by Mars, and my Mars sits in debility in the 12th house in Libra, conjunct Venus and Pluto. He is not strong there, and that tells me a great deal.
- What does my Sun's placement say about vitality, life force and energy reserves, including heart function and metabolism? The Sun is the vigour, the Moon is the bodily health.
- What does my Moon say about bodily health, emotional wellbeing, fluid balance and eating habits? For women the Moon carries particular weight, given its rulership of the reproductive system and hormonal rhythm. It is also the main distributor within the body.
- What does the sign, house and aspect condition of my chart ruler add about inherent strengths and weaknesses? This planet stands for the physical body itself.
- What is my temperature picture, read through the condition of Saturn and Mars, too hot or too cold?
- Where are the excesses and deficiencies, read through the lunar nodes?
Daily habits and health maintenance
- What does the sign on my 6th house suggest about health routines, nutritional needs and the kind of exercise that suits me? An earth sign here might point towards mindful eating and a need for routine.
- What do any planets in my 6th house, and their nature, reflect about daily stressors, work habits and my approach to self-care?
- What does the placement and condition of my 6th house ruler suggest about maintaining health through lifestyle?
Illness, healing and deeper patterns
- What does my 6th house and its ruler suggest about predispositions to illness, particularly chronic or recurring patterns, and those most responsive to diet and lifestyle?
- What does my 8th house say about capacity for deep psychological healing, and about my relationship with trauma and transformative experience?
- What does my 12th house indicate about sleep quality, mental health and the ability to rest and recover? It is considered the second most prominent house for illness.
- Are there recurring signatures in my chart, a pile-up in one modality, or a marked excess or deficiency of an element?
Underlying energetic dynamics
- How does the balance of elements shape my temperament, my vitality and my likely health tendencies?
- What does the balance of modalities, cardinal, fixed and mutable, reveal about how my energy moves, and about acute versus chronic tendencies?
- How does the Lot of Fortune and its ruler relate to physical wellbeing and the capacity to work through challenges?
Planetary and aspect insights
- Where do challenging aspects, squares, oppositions and quincunxes, point to friction or imbalance in a particular body system?
- What does essential dignity, rulership, exaltation, detriment, fall or peregrine, tell me about how strongly a planet can express its physiological function?
A natal chart shows predisposition and potential, never a predetermined outcome. Its purpose is clarity, so you can make better informed decisions about your health in partnership with the people who care for you clinically.
If you have a medical problem, contact your healthcare provider. Everything here is educational.
Good to know
These guides complement medical care, they do not replace it. They also work best with whole-chart thinking: the planet tells you what, the sign tells you how, the house tells you where, all of it moderated by aspect and by timing.
Take any single line here in isolation and it will mislead you. Read the whole picture and it starts to become genuinely useful.
Want the deeper map?
Start free with your own constitutional blueprint, or book a full medical astrology report and we will relate all of this to your actual chart, your history and where you are heading.
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