ASTROLOGICAL MEDICINE and HERBALISM

A Traditional Marriage of Knowledge       

October 2024

copyright © 2024 by Judith Hill

Popularly respected systems of traditional alternative medicine include:

India’s Ayurvedic Medicine, China’s TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Homeopathy and Naturopathy. However, only erudite scholars have even heard of “Astrologo-Physick”, the major traditional medical system of pre-industrial Europe.  This seems incredible, considering how this system was in fact, a major arm of the European, university sanctioned medical system until approximately 1700.  Think: “astrology, herbs, plus patient examination”.

So what does Astrologo-Physick mean, anyway?

The term literally translates as “Astrological Medicine”.

Medieval and Renaissance Physicians practiced this triune medical system predicated upon astrology, herbalism, and patient examination (uroscopy, pulse, complexion, etc.) Astrological charts were used to diagnose, prognose, select herbs, remediate, plus time medical procedures and protocols. One might say that astrology was the crown jewel of this system, hence the overarching epithet “Astrological Medicine”. The Renaissance physician was at once a master herbalist, and a master astrologer!  And, he worked with six distinct branches of this inclusive science, designed to oversee almost all medical purposes.

So we have now learned that ‘Astrological Medicine’ refers to a distinctive traditional, historical medical system and approach to healing that flourished in Ancient Greece, the Medieval Middle East, and Renaissance Europe. Herbology and Astrology were continually paired. The craft achieved its grand pinnacle in England between 1500-1680, during the lifetimes of Queen Elizabeth, William Shakespeare, John Dee, and Nicolas Culpeper. Most European doctors of this period used this system with confidence in their practices.

The English Renaissance produced exhaustive astro-medical chart collections, astro-medical diaries, and popular “how to” guides by practitioners Joseph Blagrave, Richard Saunders, William Lily, Elias Ashmole, etc. Additionally, Gutenberg’s printing press contributed to the widening availability of astrological literature to the reading public.

‘The Enlightenment’ exploded upon the cusp of the 18th century, ushering in a determined campaign to repress the bizarre excesses and superstitions that infested period medicine. Regretfully, the astrological baby was tossed out with bathwater of the past. What a tragedy!

Plus a gradual shift from natural herbs to chemical medicines began.

The similar ‘energetics’ systems of Ayurveda and TCM didn’t suffer these ignorant scourges and wholesale repressions endured by Europe’s indigenous ‘Astrological Medicine’ in the late 1600’s. This negative image crafting campaign - as pursued by Enlightenment politicians, scientists and London’s Royal College of Physicians, was quite successful.

You might have wondered why Europe’s native medical past is almost always introduced with disparaging or comic representations such as “leeches and bleeding”? 

Or, why we are rarely informed that ‘Astrological Medicine’ was officially sanctioned by the Church and completely legal? Or, that period doctors were astrological experts, having passed sophisticated astrological exams during their University training (until 1666)?

The intentional suppression buried and besmirched the best of Europe’s “indigenous” medical past, its prevalence, roots, and use. ‘Astrological Medicine’ was forced underground, though never died! Fortunately, renegade physicians continued using horoscopes in their practices all down through the centuries. Some experimented and wrote books. Today, our old science enjoys a springtime of serious interest.  The happy partnership of Herbology and Astrology is alive and well! These two ancient essentials combined with a modern awareness of symptomology, etiology, anatomy, plus cosmic timing, produce a revived and improved ‘Astrological Medicine’. We elect to resurrect the true and honorable name of this medical knowledge base!

So then, how does ‘Astrological Medicine’ differ from ‘Medical Astrology’? Or does it? Let us begin with the former.

Converse to the complete medical system known as ‘Astrological Medicine’, the popular term “Medical Astrology” refers to any use of cosmic indicators for medical use, for any culture, place or time.  Neither does popular term ’Medical Astrology’ refer to any distinctive or historic system of medical study or practice. But, yes, it can be used in that context, and sometimes we do!  After all, it’s easier to say.

 However, to honor correct terminology, our school is entitled:

‘The Academy for Astrological Medicine’. Our program includes all levels, and all six branches of this profound and ancient craft, including an entire course bundle distinctly designed for the astrological herbalist. Our school exists for educational, astrological, and historic purposes. We do not advise unlicensed persons to practice medicine.

The Herbal-Astrological history of this craft informs our 5th conflated astrological-herbal event, though first online, international ‘Herbalism & Medical Astrology Summit’ under the Direction of Melissa Behm, with co-production from Judith Hill.  We hope to see you there!

ASTROLOGICAL TUTORING SERVICES

Our esteemed Academy Tutor, Marcus Romano, can be reached at: https://www.hillromanoastrology.com