Years ago Dean
Martin sang a romantic ballad
about the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie ("That's Amore")
and certainly managed to include all the lunar symbolism he could in
one sentence: food, circles, eyesight and emotional satisfaction.
The moon in the
birth chart deals with
everything from old habits and whether or not we leave dirty socks in
the living room to the amount of indigestion we have from
overindulgence in things like that pizza pie.
The body's ability
to function is ruled by the
moon. The biological material we inherit at birth is dealt with by the
sun, but how well it all works is the moon's department. The sign the
moon occupies at birth will always be important in health
considerations and its aspects will tell us much about what can go
wrong--and why. This is in addition to any information we can obtain
through the study of the person's sixth house, of course.
As a general rule,
it has greater influence over
women and deals with the entire female reproductive function,
pregnancy, nursing and menopause. It is the primary indicator of
fertility and tells the astrologer whether the woman will bear children
and about how many.
The fire signs are
the least fertile. The moon
in Leo is particularly apt to be slow to get pregnant. Afflicted,
especially in the 5th house, it shows the woman unlikely to have
children at all. The moon in Leo tends to produce one--possibly two
children--but seldom more unless extremely well aspected.
The water signs of
course are the most fertile.
A water sun and moon combination can practically get pregnant by seeing
a cute baby. Without birth control, any well-aspected moon can produce
a full house. Earth signs are next most fertile. Air signs come in
third.
In a man's chart,
however, the moon points to
the same areas of the body that it does in the female: the breasts,
stomach and abdomen. It also has influence over the endocrine system in
both sexes although it does not carry sole rulership in that area.
Swelling and fluid retention belong to the moon, as well as sweating
(too much or too little).
There is also
another point to be mentioned. All
moon positions partake of the cross--that is, all cardinal moons can
produce any of the cardinal-type problems, all fixed moons can produce
symptoms of any of the fixed signs and so also, the mutable signs. For
instance, a Leo moon can have a Taurus throat problem as well as an
Aquarian circulation difficulty or a Scorpio irritable bowel and the
resultant diarrhea.
In Aries, the moon
points to migraine headaches
(usually caused by certain types of food intolerance) and sinus
troubles. There can be difficulties with the mouth and tongue, and if
the individual smokes or uses snuff, an afflicted Aries moon can
produce very nasty results as well as a constant pain and a postnasal
drip. There is usually lactose intolerance in the adult and if the moon
is afflicted, the child may have to switch to soy milk or something of
the kind. Fevers can be quite high. All types of dental problems and
jaw infections come under Aries. They like to "psych themselves out of
health problems" and create their own health. They believe in mind over
matter.
Taurus is a good
place for the moon and a
well-aspected Taurus moon is usually quite healthy. Under stress, the
throat and neck are problems. Mumps is a Taurus illness, as is strep
throat (which, by the way, often produces kidney problems via Libra,
the other Venus-ruled sign). The thyroid gland is here and goiter was a
huge problem in the days before iodized salt. It still is in parts of
the world where iodized salt is uncommon. All sore throats and
difficulties with the esophagus and vocal cords come under Taurus.
Since singers and public speakers rely heavily on these organs, those
with the moon in Taurus have learned to take good care of them. There
is also a problem with ear aches (the Eustachian tube leads from throat
to ear). Warmth of the throat is a big help in preventing problems.
There can be arthritis in the neck, and blockages of veins (Venus
ruled).
Gemini moons are
prone to bronchitis and
bursitis, colds, coughs and chronic runny noses. There can be pleurisy,
inflammations of the pleura, the sac around the lungs, and emphysema.
Gemini deals with the body's ability to absorb oxygen and those with
Gemini moons need plenty of fresh air, open windows and outdoor
activity. They react sharply to air borne allergens and pollution of
all kinds and can manifest Pisces-type weird symptoms if there is an
unknown pollutant in the air. They shouldn't be around smokers.
Problems with the arms and shoulders all come under Gemini, as do
problems with the hands, wrists and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is
a Gemini problem.
The Cancer moon is
never comfortable. Something
is always upsetting their stomach or giving them palpitations or making
them nervous. This is an extremely touchy position if afflicted at all.
Good aspects settle it down considerably. It is prone to drinking,
usually begun during a bout of "discomfort" of some type or other, but
will suffer from it in the long run. The gall bladder is often a
problem and hiatal hernias quite common. Heartburn should not be
ignored. It is quick to ulcers and should avoid emotional distress,
never eating when upset. Food can be a problem--too much, too little or
the wrong kind. There is often sensitivity to "hot" foods, or acid
foods or spicy foods. The breasts are a weak area and cysts and lumps
may show up in both sexes. Many are unimportant but all should be
checked.
The Leo moon is the
connoisseur. This is the
individual who wants to indulge in good food and wine and often has
indigestion brought on by too much good living. There can be heart
problems and high blood pressure brought about by insistence on having
one's own way. The sign tends to dramatize its symptoms, however, and
loves to play sick when the person knows perfectly well he/she really
is not. When there is a serious symptom, the person usually becomes
frightened, shuts up and sees a doctor immediately. In women there are
usually a number of female problems, and regular gynecological exams
should be given. The back can be a big problem. This is one of the
signs that spends a lot of money on chiropractors.
The Virgo moon is a
walking invitation to an
allergy party. Virgo can develop all the Gemini problems plus an array
of allergies that boggles the mind. An afflicted Virgo moon can have
trouble eating, breathing, or getting dressed. They can have difficulty
with the carpet in the room, nylon stockings, or the plant on the
window sill. A Virgo moon child should NEVER be forced to eat or use
anything they object to. They will develop allergies at the drop of a
hat and any emotional trauma will show up in some food sensitivity or
hay fever or asthma. An afflicted Virgo moon is a mess. Getting them to
talk about their problems helps and there is some evidence that
counseling can alleviate allergy problems. Meanwhile, keep the
anti-histamines handy. Virgo also deals with the body's ability to
absorb nutrition and problems such as Crone's disease come under Virgo,
as well as worms and appendicitis. They should avoid working with
chemicals because of the hyper-sensitivity to them. Even the rubber
gloves can be an irritant.
The moon in Libra
brings difficulty in the
kidneys, bladder and the ovaries in women. Many inflammations of the
kidney can be traced to earlier strep infections of the throat (the
Taurus connection to Venus) and any strep infection should be carefully
watched for this reason. Sexually transmitted diseases that cause mild
inflammations in the ovarian tubes and more difficult problems as well
can show up, but those are usually in conjunction with a Mars
affliction. Occasionally this produces so-called tubular pregnancies in
women, but, again, there is usually a coordinating aspect from some
other planet. Libra moons are sensitive to water-borne pollution and
can absorb toxins or infectious agents quickly from swimming pools or
hot tubs as well as skin-applied products, such as cosmetics. The skin
requires cleanliness or boils and in-grown hairs can result, as well as
infections of the skin. While skin infections are less common today,
they still occur and can act like hives or produce open sores, as in
impetigo and the like.
The Scorpio moon
guarantees problems in the
genital and/or rectal areas of both men and women. A common one is
constipation, particularly on trips or in any situation which disrupts
the normal pattern of elimination. This often contributes to
hemorrhoids and flatulence, which are also common, as is the irritable
bowel syndrome which produces diarrhea-like symptoms. It is usually
caused by food or tension. This is the sign of prostate problems for
men, pregnancy and delivery problems of all kinds for women. For women
it can start with menstrual difficulties and go on to difficulty in
intercourse, the so-called "tipped uterus" and every imaginable
gynecological development in the books. Fertility is not usually a
problem with this sign but cases in which seeming difficulty in
launching a pregnancy is treated with fertility drugs can boomerang
mightily, producing multiple births. In the male, impotence can appear,
as can the reverse, priapism.
The Sagittarian
moon often produces growths,
cysts and tumors, thanks to the link to Jupiter. This sign has
particular sympathy with the liver and the urge to "party" so typical
of this position can bring on cirrhosis if there is a lifetime of such
overindulgence. Jaundice will show up readily if other diseases stress
the body and travel infections (malaria or rarer diseases) should not
be overlooked. Where the chart indicates a long life, there will be
difficulties in walking or hip problems in the later years. Hormonal
disturbances that cause growth problems can show up here. Exercise will
often cure all kinds of health problems and the tendency to gain
weight. It is the first remedy that should be tried. Sometimes the
last.
Capricorn moons
show bone, teeth and skin
problems will be emphasized. This is another sign that often produces
lactose intolerance and the subsequent lack of adequate calcium can
bring on a lifetime pattern of weak bones and constant breakages.
Combinations of aspects can show where the breakages occur. This is the
sign that deals the most with old age and often points to joint
replacement as the bones lose their cushioning and begin to rub on one
another. The teeth can be lost to decay, breakage or neglect and this
is one of the signs that repays neglect furiously. Light sensitivity is
found here, as well as clinical depression brought on by physical
causes. It also deals with nails and ingrown toenails or nail
deterioration can appear, as well as nail fungus.
The Aquarian moon
is arthritis prone, as
rigidity is usually a problem, and points to hardening of arteries as
well as varicose veins (particularly in the legs) and circulatory
difficulties. Both Leo and Aquarius deal with circulation and both
signs choose warmer climates if possible, in old age. The Aquarius moon
sometimes produces a wide array of strange symptoms when the individual
is under severe stress. Simple routines and a regular amount of food
and sleep are vital and can often produce remarkable improvement. Hair
problems come under this sign and so do all neurological diseases and
strange responses, such as a tic that won't go away. This is the sign
that used to cause children to be considered "high strung." Fresh
air-particularly breezes-are healthful.
The Pisces moon
gets the foot problems.
Carefully fitted shoes, frequent changes of socks to prevent excess
moisture and prompt attention to complaints should be every parent's
concern for the child with a Pisces moon. A sliver in a toe can blow up
into life-threatening blood poisoning. Athlete's foot as well as gout
come here. Diet helps gout, cleanliness and dryness prevent athlete's
foot. This sign deals with the endocrine system and diabetes can cause
severe foot problems as well as other difficulties. This is another
sign of sensitivity to allergens and something like poison ivy can be a
constant trouble if the individual is not careful.
Let me add several
more caveats to this list.
When one attempts to list a few of the health concerns of any sign, it
is with the understanding that the moon does not operate alone in the
birth pattern. The sun sign can greatly modify or re-direct ailments
and the sixth house is extremely significant for all of us. In
addition, there is the reciprocity found between signs of the same
quadruplicity.
Take a detached
retina, for instance. One would
expect it to show up with an Aries moon, an Aries sun, or perhaps an
affliction from the sign Aries. In fact, it can show up in any cardinal
area because all of the cardinal signs resonate to each other and
opposites can attract problems as well as lovers. Hence, we might have
a Libra with such an Aries problem and an Aries with a kidney stone.
Judgment of any
chart is a blending of the
various elements. The moon is only one element, though a vital and
important one.
Copyright by Pat Geisler
2006
