THE RENAISSANCE ASTROLOGER JULY, 2019 By Judith Hill © 2019 

MARTIAN VS LUNAR “BLOOD CLEANSING HERBS” 

I’m currently obsessed with defining the precise difference in action between two families of herbs, both famous for their “blood cleansing” and “lymphatic assisting” properties. 

These two herbal groups are segregated by color. One potent group of cleansing herbs encompasses plants with pink-magenta or pink-violet hues, observed somewhere in any one of their many parts (but typically, not all): leaves, stalks, flowers, berries, fruits, seed pods, seeds. or roots. This color range is not exactly purple or pure violet - there is always a strong pink or magenta component. This specific color is that rare hue observed in raspberries, cranberries and beets. 

This magenta hued group of herbal cleansers includes favorites such as Red Clover, Red Root, Poke Root, Burdock, Echinacea, Rhubarb, Beets, Pink Garlic, red-purple Plums, Dark Cherries, Cranberries, Raspberries and Watermelon. The alternate group of herbal blood and lymphatic cleansers include an assortment of mild-tasting, moist-textured, light green, cooling, and demulcent herbs. These qualities are all energetically akin to the Moon. This moist, light green fraternity of “cleansing herbs” and foods includes Celery (juice and seed), Cucumber (water and fruit), green Cabbage, Chickweed, and green Grapes. Aloe Vera, while light green and gooey, is however, intensely bitter, so cannot qualify as an exclusively Lunar herb. . By-in-large, herbs renowned for clearing toxic waste from the blood and lymph system fall fairly neatly (with some notable exceptions), into these two color camps. 

LUNAR CLEANSING HERBS We note that the light green demulcents are softening and moisturizing to hot, irritated tissue. These comfort the “war torn” acidic state. They cool, soothe and purify the intracellular and extracellular fluids and mucous membrane. By nature, these soft, juicy Lunar herbs are perfect for allaying painfully inflamed maladies (gout, arthritis, ulcer, et al.). We also observe their traditional topical use for hot, dry skin conditions. They are often prescribed for assisting lymphatic and blood wastes. In particular, both celery seed and cucumber water are renowned for their gout removing properties. 

MARTIAN CLEANSING HERBS Although many of the pink-magenta and pink-purplish cleansers are effective lymph movers, and “blood cleansers”, (as are the light green cleansers discussed formerly), many appear more obviously in herbal formulae for inducing diuresis (activating kidney filtration and urination), stimulating catharsis(laxative), blood building; removing stagnant, septic conditions (boils, gangrene, pus, etc.), and countering unwanted bacterial infection. In fact, many (most?) pink-magenta herbs have pronounced laxative properties! Poke Root, Red Root, Plums, Beets and Rhubarb all get those bowels flowing, whereas Watermelon flesh is famously diuretic! 

Flower essence enthusiasts well know the preeminent Bach “cleansing remedy”, Crab Apple; a lovely tree sporting tart, cranberry colored fruits. In Dr. Bach’s own words: “This is the remedy of cleansing.” 

Interestingly, many pinkish herbs are traditional anticarcinogenics - prime examples being: Red Clover, Poke Root, Sanicle and Burdock. This pink-magenta or pink-purplish tint appears either in the root, or stalk, leaves, berries, seed or flower. For serious cleansing, this is the color to take note of! 

It appears that the magenta “coded” family of herbs and foods is adept at pushing waste out of the body, stimulating bodily excretion through the kidney, and bowel, and relieving torpor and stagnation, and sometimes antibiotic. These are distinctly Mars functions, also true to “his” home sign Scorpio, the sign that governs the excretory system, including the nose, sweat glands, bladder, uterus, genitals, rectum and colon. 

Today, I brought this curious topic to the floor of herbalist Matthew Wood’s class today. Judy Lieblein said that she associated the pink-purple color the clearance of dangerous septic situations. This rings so true. Conversely, the bright pinkish hue can warn of poison! The pink spots seen on the stalks of the poison Hemlock come to mind. In fact, the brilliant berries of Poke Root are poisonous is large doses ,and we all know what too much Rhubarb pie can do! 

Poke Root (phytolacca americana) is renowned for its boil, carbuncle and breast cancer removing miracles; and magenta-hued cranberries are famed for preventing bacteria from clinging to the wall of the bladder (a Scorpio-ruled organ)! Personally, I’ve discovered plum juice to be effective in purging the body from the aftermath of food poisoning. A wild herbalist friend who lives in a remote Oregon coastal forest, imparted to me that pink garlic is in fact, more potent than its more commonly used white cousin. 

Just now, I recalled a tract read years ago about the herb Sanicle’s extraordinary powers of toxin routing, tumor shrinking heroics, even in far-gone cases. Could Sanicle have pink flowers, roots or stalks? Googling “Sanicle flowers” revealed that some Sanicle flowers are indeed pink tinted, and there is even a commodious species of deeply “Pink Sanicle”. 

In counter-balance, Matthew added that the light green family of demulcent Lunar herbs were typically alkalizing to the system, and salty. 

This subject remains an ongoing source of fascination. In blood and lymph “cleansing”, how else do the Lunar and Martian herbs differ in their specific actions? 

Those who are fascinated with herbal medicine and astrology might enjoy Astrological Medicine and Renaissance Herbalism with Matthew Wood and Judith Hill at the link below. This is a super affordable six class video course that you can begin at any time take at your own speed. 

https://www.matthewwoodinstituteofherbalism.com/courses/astrological- medicine-renaissance-herbalism 

ECLIPSE TRIGGERS (Ridgecrest Quake for example) For advanced astrology students 

What is an eclipse trigger? The idea of an eclipse “trigger” is simple enough - all eclipses occur on a specific “degree” of the zodiac. As we know, there are 360 possible zodiacal degrees. Solar and Lunar eclipses set up a magnetic force field on the zodiacal degree of their eclipse. This little understood vortex appears to lie dormant, awaiting a planetary trigger later in the week, quarter, or even year. How does that astrologically occur exactly? 

When any planet, but most particularly Mars, the Sun, or the planet ruling the sign of the recent eclipse, transits a zodiacal degree that is either conjunction, square or opposed to the zodiacal degree of any eclipse that has occurred in the past twelve months - then, one might well expect an notable event. 

The exact date of the notable event can occur slightly early by a few days, or conversely, slightly later by a few days, awaiting for the transit Moon to also catch up and conjoin one of these same degrees, thus adding her weight! 

Personally, should you have a natal planet in your birth chart that is located on a degree that is conjunct, square or in opposition to a previous eclipse that happened within the last twelve months, then “eclipse trigger dates” are event prone for you in some way! Look to the house, sign and especially the planet involved in your natal chart. Eclipse trigger dates herald all manner of remarkable personal life events from prom invitations to new puppies. 

Eclipse triggered events can be either positive or negative; are often striking, and will occur in the area of life suggested by your personal birth chart. I spilled oatmeal all over the kitchen floor on my eclipse trigger date in Cancer, but also received both happy and sad family news! (Curiously, kitchens, cooking and family are all ruled by Cancer.) 

It is of interest to this discussion that last week’s Ridgecrest earthquakes occurred as little Mercury, and our “alpha” trigger bodies Sun, Mars, were triggering previous eclipse degrees. We can now check if more planetary triggers are due to arrive upon on these identical zodiacal degrees in the near future, and thus, could more quakes be coming to the region? To be exact, these degrees are 15 ̊ Cancer-Capicorn, 0 ̊ Leo and 4 ̊ Leo (give one degree orb). 

Obviously, most of the world was not seismically sensitive to these same eclipse triggers. This result was a distinctively Ridgecrest phenomenon. 

So, let’s look more closely at these triggers operative during Ridecrest’s quakes, between July 4th-6th. First, here below is a list of the previous eclipse degrees for the last twelve months. (Dates are given from Pacific Time). Because Lunar eclipses encompass a sign polarity, I’ve listed the full, two-sign polarity for those events. 

LISTED IN PACIFIC TIME July 12th, 2018, Cancer, 20 ̊.41, Solar eclipseJuly 27th, 2018, Aquarius-Leo, 4 ̊.45 Lunar eclipse (in Aquarius) August 11th, 2018, Leo, 18 ̊.42, Solar eclipse January 5th, 2019, Capricorn 15 ̊.25,Solar eclipse January 20th, 2019, Leo-Aquarius, 0 ̊.52, Lunar eclipse (in Leo) July 2nd, 2019, 10 ̊.38 Cancer, Solar eclipse 

First, let’s examine transit Mars, our planet most noted for his eclipse triggering powers. What was “he” doing on the dates of the Ridgecrest events? Right away, we see Mars was transiting between approximately 1-3 ̊ of Leo. Luna added her weight as she conjoined Mars at approximately 1.25 Leo at 10:41pm Pacific 

Time, just eight hours previous to the first quake that occurred on Friday, July 5th at 5am, Pacific Time. 

The chart above shows us that this Mars-Moon conjunction triggered not one, but two previous eclipses, being located smack between them, and also closely conjunct to both their zodiacal degrees! What is more interesting is that little transit Mercury is here too, joined to transit Mars, and very slow in motion, stationing on the 7th. Obviously, the Ridgecrest region is sensitive to planetary stress applied to 0-4 Leo (and therefore, other fixed signs). What else? 

The transit Sun, another master eclipse trigger moved into opposition with “his” previous solar eclipse on January 5th, at 15 ̊ Capricorn, being now between 12-15 degrees of Cancer, and therefore within a tight orb opposition to 15 ̊ Capricorn. 

Naturally, the new eclipse that occurred on July 2nd at 10 ̊.38 Cancer, just days before the Ridgecrest event, added tremendous weight to the building seismic forces, but cannot legally be claimed an eclipse trigger in this instructional scheme. 

Obviously, some more trigger dates are fast arriving. Will they bring another quake to the Ridgecrest area, or to Southern California? Good question. Astrologers need to be alert to these influences. But first, we already know that the Ridgecrest event was triggered by planetary stress applied between 0-4 ̊ of Leo, and 15 ̊ Cancer-Capricorn. 

Are more stresses coming soon to these specific degrees? Yes. Mercury continues to sit between 0-4 ̊ Leo, clear through July 18th. Transit Saturn is backing up to 15 ̊ Capricorn (!), in August; while transit Jupiter quincunxes this same eclipse trigger degree. In truth, weighty Saturn will station near this de- gree in mid September and return again in October and November. This is a long sit for a major planet on an eclipse trigger degree! Then again, tiny Mercury returns a third time to 0-4 ̊ Leo between August 11-16. 

As we see, The transit eclipse triggers that released the seismic shifts at Ridgecrest, California are not yet over. There is a heightened possibility of continued, large aftershocks. That being said, it is equally possible that enough tension was already released to have exhausted this triggering wave. Take heed - we can never be certain as to when a triggering system has exhausted itself. It will do so at some point. The ancients were aware of this fact, and conceived various systems for determining the number of months or years that any one eclipse would remain active, and thus “triggerable”. 

In a general way, and not necessarily specific to Ridgecrest, Mars and the Sun must still trot along through 18.42 Leo, triggering last year’s eclipse of August 11th, 2018. This will release tension somewhere in the world. In just two weeks, the Sun will achieve 20.41Cancer, thus triggering off the previous eclipse degree of July 12th, 2018 (Pacific Time). 

For those suffering seismic aftershocks, (anywhere on earth) this is concerning. But more so is the new lunar eclipse on July 16th at 24 ̊ Capricorn. Personally, If I lived in in the vicinity of current aftershocks, I would sleep outside within 48 hours of this upcoming Lunar eclipse. This is just common sense, and nothing to do with eclipse triggers. If you are experiencing large aftershocks in your location, and here comes a Lunar eclipse, this heightens potential for an event. Due to their swelling powers, Lunar eclipses are provocative of seismic shifts any- where on earth they might be due, and pressures building. 

I’ve not yet compared these new eclipse trigger degrees against the astrological charts for previous seismic events in Ridgecrest, to ascertain if these coming trigger degrees stimulate important degrees and patterns in these previous earthquake charts. 

Departing “Ridgecrest’s” eclipse triggers, we astrologers, have a far more provocative set of zodiacal degrees awaiting their triggering by Mars and Sol this coming August, provided they are still “hot”. 

Previous to one year past, we had not one, but two powerful eclipses between 27-28 Leo-Aquarius. These occurred on Feb 15th, 2018 and August 21st, 2017. The first event, a total eclipse in Leo, (where its dramatic visibility was the source of considerable media attention and crowd partying). This fire-sign eclipse was was quickly proceeded by the great Columbia Gorge fire of September 2nd, a disaster for Oregon, coincident with multiple mega fires burning for months throughout several Western states. This coming August brings us all some significant planetary triggering of 27 ̊ Leo! 

Why am I now considering eclipses so far away? Because such “fixed” sign eclipses are known to hold for longer than one year! The traditional fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Also, we had two mirroring eclipses within one degree of each other. 

Mirroring eclipses strengthen the normal “holding” power of a magnetic force field. If this magnetic power vortex has not yet been “used up” by previous trigger dates, than one couldn’t find a better trigger than the upcoming crossing of Mars and the Sun at 27-28 ̊ Leo, next month! Third, these past mirror eclipses occurred at the traditional degree of influence for the kingly star Regulus, noted for colossal events of an explosive, fiery nature. 

Mars will transit 27-28 ̊ Leo, giving a slight orb, between the 13th-17th of this coming August, and the Sun will achieve these same degrees between August 19th-22nd, giving some orb. Luna will add her weight, triggering these same degrees when she conjuncts Mars in Leo on August 1st at 1:38 pm, Pacific Time. The full Moon in Leo-Aquarius on August 15th (USA) is of interest, as is Luna’s opposition to Mars on August 15th, at 6:02 pm,Pacific Time. She then glides through late Taurus, thus squaring these same eclipse degrees of Leo on August 22nd and early morning 23rd (Pacific Time). 

Leo being the hottest fire sign. Because previous fire-causing eclipses are being triggered in August, please be extra proactive this July, and especially August, against fire hazards of all kinds. It would be prudent to keep a sharp eye on ovens, kilns, lamps, combustibles. And of course, volcanoes, though I am no expert on those! It would be fun to see Smokey-the-Bear with an instructional astrological chart. 

Regarding political effects, I’m not in the business of public predictions. However, I’ll craft a veiled clue. Study the birth charts of the persons in greatest prominence in our governments today. There could be no more provocative, rousing trigger than the crossing of Mars and Sol over 27-28 ̊ Leo, especially for any persons in power born with these degrees in prominence in their natal chart. One must wonder what striking, despotic or war provoking act be may soon to occur on the world stage. 

Leo governs kings and dictators. This trigger is extremely provocative and newsworthy, especially so for anyone whose natal Ascendant, Sun or Mars is situated near 27-28 ̊ Leo. Such individuals will experience heightened force, assertiveness and temper. Act, they typically will. Will they use this substantial increase of their explosive, yet creative powers for peace or for war? Perhaps too, a great, positive leader will be born at this time, making his/her appearance in the next generation. One would hope. 

Study the house and sign in your natal chart where resides 27-28 ̊ of Leo. Ask yourself how you might best use this intensity for the good of all. 

Naturally, this oncoming surfeit of human created, despotic willfulness has its immense dangers for our forests and oceans. But ...how can we utilize these triggers positively?After all, Leo is at base, a positive sign. Planetary energy is readily molded by thought. 

We will all soon experience Mars, Sun, Venus and Mercury journeying together soon through the willful, sportive, cheerful, confident, creative and autocratic sign of Leo in August, and watch as they trigger off several potent recent eclipse degrees. Positively, this suggests a release of heightened energy, pas- sion, creativity and courage, combined with focused individual purpose. Leo is the also hottest sign, so seriously, the sunscreen should be handy! 

For those who choose to align their personal will (Leo) with the “Great Plan” (symbolized by Aquarius), these Mars triggers suggest a perfect time for conceiving and carrying forth emergency creative entrepreneurial solutions to our great world problems. Some will achieve significant acts of heroism, others may dedicate their muscle and might towards a universal ideal. Still others may introduce entrepreneurial schemes to save forests and oceans in the nick of time. Those who work to discover new, clean sources of energy may find their efforts rewarded because Leo governs the condensation of energy. This fire sign is strongly associated with nuclear energy, combustion, ovens, barbecue pits, et al. Maybe it’s time to shut those nuclear reactors off? 

ASTROSEISMOLOGY 

For those interested in Astroseismology, I’ve just reprinted fifteen copies of the renowned research compendium Astroseismology, (the 1980s-90s research work and findings of Hill and Polit.) This compendium includes all statistical studies published in the 1980s-90s, some recent work, and most significantly, some of the most astonishing graphics - if visual proof of planetary effects is what you want, this book will fascinate you. Also, some date histories on world earthquake groups that are quite useful for future research. A small article comparing the astrological history of Fukishima’s quakes: “Great Earthquakes of Northeastern Honshu” is included, reprinted from The Mountain Astrologer. This compendium also includes the pre-published prediction of the great 1989 Loma Prieta quake in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

This is a card stock, special edition, not available on the web. 

If you would like one, see my website, or contact me personally. 

For further and extensive description on this and next year’s Cancer-Capricorn polarity eclipses: Book: Eclipses and You 

SUMMER VACATION - TEACHING EXCHANGE ANYONE? Hello out there. I need to get to the beach. There is nothing I long for more than a few days on the Oregon Coast near Portland. However, the hotels are exorbitant. If anyone has a small group that would relish a few days of high quality astrological instruction and discussion, I am available to teach a workshop, or provide a few hours a day to your group in exchange for a clean, safe, drug free beach haven. 

NEW BOOK RELEASES For those who missed the last newsletter - my two new books are now available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and The American Federation of Astrologers, Inc (A.F.A., Inc.). MEDICAL ASTROLOGY IN ACTION: The Transits of Health 

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY FOR HEALTH PRACTITIONERS 

The Layman’s Prequel to Medical Astrology: A Guide to Planetary Pathology 

Those that have purchase the first book prior to June 3rd may contact me for a free revision copy (at cost of mailing). 

EVENT!!

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY IN ACTION The Transits of Health. Judith Hill Saturday, September 21st, 10am. 

Judith will expound upon the profoundly physical influences of the planets and demonstrate their medical influences in action. She will reveal visual proofs of this action, and discuss traditional remediations. We will share some fascinating chart samples. Cosmic influence as defined by planetary temperature, moisture and speed, is basic to all ancient branches of astrology. The “six planetary energetic states” resonate through all levels of our being! 

In this paradigm, the imbalance of planetary energies, as informed by their excess and deficiency in the birth chart, (or as caused by current transits to the birth chart), can produce physical disease. The transits of Saturn, Mars and the North and South Lunar Nodes are of particular interest to health. Although all planets exert their specific health-related imbalances. we will focus largely on these four (see workshop for detail on all planets). 

Judith will be celebrating the release of her two new books (twins!), and available for signing: Medical Astrology for Medical Practitioners; and, Medical Astrology in Action: the Transits of Health.. 

“A physician without astrology is like a pudding without fat” - Nicholas Culpepper (1616-1664) 

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY IN ACTION: REMEDIALS WORKSHOP Saturday, September 21st. Judith Hill 

Entitled after Hill’s latest book, this exciting workshop explores the physical effects of the planets, Lights and most especially, the transiting Lunar Nodes, and traditional remedials. Learn to time the onset and departure of planetary influences upon the body, and ancient methods to preempt them if necessary (stones, waters, nutrition, flower essences, herbs). Discover how to utilize transit Jupiter and Venus for assistance in surgical timing. 

We will observe the charts of Bruce Lee, Betty Davis, and Amy Winehouse, in relation to their known health conditions. Attendees will become aware of the twelve medical quincunxes, and learn about this mysterious, yet preeminent health transit. If time permits, we will consider the Moon’s role as “the herbalist’s companion” in the timing of harvest, decoction and administration of traditionally potentized herbs, and the impact of the Sun’s essential yearly cycle upon natives of all signs.