If you read my post, “INTRO TO ASTROLOGY”, you’ll remember that HERBAL ASTROLOGY is part of a larger category, MEDICAL ASTROLOGY. Medical astrology is a highly complex subject, whose incredible breadth and depth is so great, I could not do it justice by attempting to discuss it at length on this site. It is quite simply, healing the body with the aid of the zodiac. If you have been unable to cure an afflictment with modern medicine, I suggest contacting a medical astrologer, who might just cure your tricky ailment!

EACH BODY PART IS UNDER THE RULERSHIP OF A SPECIFIC SIGN:
Aries = Head area ruled by Mars
Taurus = Neck & Throat area ruled by Venus
Gemini = Respiratory system, Arms ruled by Mercury
Cancer = Stomach, Breasts ruled by the Moon
Leo = Cardiac system & Vertebrae behind heart ruled by the Sun
Virgo = Bowels, Abdomen ruled by Mercury
Libra = Kidneys & surrounding area ruled by Venus
Scorpio = Bladder & Genetalia ruled by Mars & Pluto
Sagittarius = Musculature & Pelvis area ruled by Jupiter
Capricorn = Bones & Skin ruled by Saturn
Aquarius = Ankle area & Circulatory system ruled by Mercury & Uranus
Pisces = Feet area & Lymphatic system ruled by Neptune
LIKEWISE, BODILY ILLNESSES ALSO HAVE A RULING PLANET & SIGN.

It was believed in Roman & Medieval times that everyone and everything was divided into four temperaments:
1. CHOLERIC = hot & dry = Mars, Sun
2. SANGUINE = hot & moist = Venus
3. PHLEGMATIC = cold & moist = Moon
4. MELANCHOLIC = cold & dry = Saturn
(Uranus, Neptune & Pluto are not listed because they were discovered after these ancient principles were established.)

These terms were so impactful that each one is still in the English language today, as of course, are the twelve signs of the zodiac. At Medieval banquets, it was auspicious to serve a mixture of dishes that contained these four temperaments. This is so that the meal, and the guest’s constitution, was balanced.

When the milkmaid had a tummy ache a few hundred years back, she would treat it with astrology (no Tums back then)! The stomach has been determined to by ruled by the sign of Cancer. Cancer is a cold, wet, phlegmatic sign. The ancients knew that our world is a balance of positive & negative, good & evil, yin & yang, ya da ya da ya… This would make the opposite of cold and wet, be hot and dry. Therefore, to cure this lassie’s pain, something of the latter quality would be prescribed. This method is referred to as “antipathy” or “sympathy”. Symptoms were treated either with a like-minded herb, or a completely opposite natured herb. Admittedly, the milkmaid’s astrological chart might have been consulted to aid in the determination of treatment. But I have a feeling that antipathy was more commonly used than sympathy in ancient astro-medicine.

This is where HERBAL ASTROLOGY comes in. The plant, chamomile, is ruled by the sun. This is believed due to the flower’s appearance: a bright yellow center with rays of light petals around its circumference. Now… Chamomile is ruled by the sun – but it might be grown in an entirely different sign! For each environment is governed by it’s own planet as well. If the chamomile was picked from a field, that would lend a Libran influence to it (as fields are ruled by Venus). This would temper the hot dryness of the chamomile with some warming Venusian moisture. If it were collected from a mountaintop, the chamomile would have an Geminian influence to it. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, which is regarded as cold and dry. The hot dryness of the chamomile would then be tempered with the cooling properties of Mercury. I know I’m getting a bit detailed here, but I just want to convey what exactly went into a traditional astro-medical diagnosis. For our intent and purpose, we will be looking strictly at the qualities of the actual plant and not the environment in which it grew. Obviously the sun is dry and hot (and will stay that way for some time, god willing). Hence this herb would be taken to counteract the milkmaid’s tummy ache, as the stomach is cold and wet. To this day it is common knowledge that a cup of chamomile tea settles the stomach.

Enter Nicholas Culpeper, father of Western Herbalism, circa 1500. So popular were this medical prophet’s teachings, that his books are unbelievably still in print today! All though, sadly some of his original text has been altered during the editing process without any indication to the reader that they are not actually reading Culpeper’s words. But I digress. In fact, Culpeper’s book was the second manuscript to be published in America–after the bible. This renowned astrological physician of the 17th century led a short, chaotic and heroic life; 1616 – 1654. He was born in Britain, a Scorpio with Capricorn rising (a serious, focused, dramatic, intense sign coupling to have).

Against his religious father’s wishes for him to join the ministry, Culpeper studied medicine at Cambridge University. Well, it wasn’t soon after that this passionate fellow decided to elope with his fiancé. Unbelievably, she was struck dead by lightning en route to their secret meeting place! The devastated student was so wrought with grief that he dropped out of the esteemed school he was so privileged to attend. Disinherited, he chose to start anew and ended up apprenticing with several apothecaries. Little did he know that the stage was being set to lead a revolutionary crusade against the oppressive “medical monarchy” on behalf of England’s common and ravaged people. Culpeper did find love again, and formed a stormy marriage that would bear 8 children, only one of whom would survive. The latter part of his life was spent feverishly translating Laten medical text into English so that “the people” may understand, and publishing inexpensive and educational medical books so that they may also “heal thyself” with countryside herbs. When he did succumb, it was to an old war wound exacerbated by tobacco of all things! You know what they say about the cobbler’s kids having no shoes…

The science–arts of astrology and astronomy have existed for thousands of years. No one can prove which predates the other. Kind of like the chicken or the egg… I personally believe that it was astrology that gave birth to astronomy. Both can be traced back through ancient myths and artifacts found in Egypt, Brasil, and what was known as Assyria and Babylon, among others. Astronomy’s results are tangible–-easily understood in today’s physical world. More difficult to prove, is the reality of astrology. This is where astronomical outcomes are subjectively and intuitively translated into language by astrologers. “Scientifically” unproven, it is no wonder that astrology has its skeptics!

To my own surprise, I am often able to guess outright a person’s “zodiac” or “sun” sign. In my friends whose charts I have done, I see how their “rising” or “ascending” sign is often times more present than their sun sign in their personality. Allow me to over-over–simplify: knowing your sun sign is knowing only 30% of your astrological self! There’s a whole ‘nother 30% of personality traits in your rising sign, and another 40% packed into the rest of your chart. The rest of your chart, meaning, your “natal” or “birth” chart-–a mish-mosh of intricate synestries between planets, houses, degrees, aspects, transits, luminaries, eclipses, lineups, qualities, etc. It’s very complex schtuff! It is for this very reason, that I believe it’s so important to have your own chart drawn up. And today, with the help of precise mathematical computer programs, it’s easy to aquire your own natal chart. Studying your astrological profile can be great entertainment and also sincerely helpful as a life guide. Little problem here is, you NEED to know your exact time and location of birth. To receive a copy of a birth certificate that CONTAINS this information (state issued certificates often don’t), contact the county clerk’s office where you were born. I know it’s a pain in the butt, but it is SO worth it! If the time of birth is unknown, contact a RECTIFICATION ASTROLOGER to provide one. By studying past events and using special astrological formulas, a time of birth can be determined.

Everything from people, to pets, to plants, to buildings, to countries, to a new job, has a beginning… a point of conception. With humans, that is the moment we breathe our first breath. Imagine a snapshot being taken of us as we enter this world. The background of the photograph is composed of all the planetary alignments occurring at that minute. That momentary and fleeting essence would be captured forever on film; reflected in our self–portrait and our very beings. We are but a moment in time–a frozen piece of the universe-–whose personality and destiny will be shaped to some extent by the unique positioning of the celestial bodies. Throughout the course of our lifetime, cosmic patterns will influence us down here as they are also acted out above. A clear example of this would be the phases of the moon, which is physically manifested in the tides and our emotions. The moon is just one of many, many planetary movements that affect us here on earth.

ANANATOMY OF A NATAL CHART:

SUN SIGN = Birthday Suit! This is the REAL you. Representative of your identity and destiny-–it is what you’ll strive to become in this lifetime. As a Capricorn, I’m supposed to occupy the corner office. Yeah, I’ll keep ya posted on that…

RISING SIGN = All dolled up! This is how you act and appear towards other people. It’s like, you with make up on. As this requires a precise birth time and geographical location to formulate, many people are unaware of their rising sign. One thing is certain though, if you are reading this blog, then you have definitely have MARTINI RISING!!!

MOON SIGN = The warm fuzzies! What you crave and actually NEED to feel good and comfortable. For some, it’s this season’s Prada bag. For someone else, it might be living in a wolf den.

MERCURY = Head-case! The way you think and communicate. Are you a chatty cathy or the strong silent type? The placement of Mercury in your chart is the reason why.

VENUS = La planet d’amoure! Married your high school sweetheart? Been divorced six times? Blame (or thank) Venus.

MARS = Go get ‘em tiger! Unbridled passion paired with tireless energy creates a zeal for haute couture shoes, saving fuzzy kittens, or world domination. Depends on where mars falls in your chart. But you’re definitely passionate about something.

JUPITER = Big, fat, lucky ducky! This is the biggest planet and whatever section of your chart it lands in will be BIG. Expansive mentally (through study), or physically (through say travel or food). Jupiter makes you want more of it, and because this is the lucky planet, chances are you’ll get it.

SATURN = Karmic Buzzkill! It won’t come easy, but it will come-–Saturn makes you work hard for that lesson you need to learn. We’re all working towards our own unique goal, dictated by the area of your chart that Saturn occupies.

URANUS = Lotsa jutzpah! This planet will make whichever area of your chart it falls in very different from the societal norm. Maybe you grew up on a farm that raised it’s own meat, and you came from a family of hunters, and all your friend’s were huge carnivores. And you were a vegetarian. Different like that.

NEPTUNE = Deep thinker! Neptune plunges you into the foggy recesses of your mind, and propels your brain into the stratosphere of fantasy. Depending on it’s location in your chart, you’ll be pondering something intangible and feeling something unexplainable. Hard to grasp? So is Neptune.

PLUTO Size doesn’t matter! Officially not a planet, Pluto is considered a “dwarf planet”. But this little lady packs a powerful punch. Death, rebirth, sex, intensity, hell… all friends of Pluto! That’s some party, huh? I should know, it’s my rising sign and all I can say is ouch.

CHIRON = No pain, no gain! Ms. Chiron is considered a large asteroid. But let’s refer to her as a heavenly body, shall we? This is the healing planet; to heal oneself and to heal others. As out of darkness comes light; from each wound comes a lesson. Generationally, Chiron is forcing us to see how we’ve mistreated earth, and is pushing us to fix our planet. Individually, we all have our own crosses to bear–and repair.

NODE = Skeletons in your closet! This relationship between the moon, earth and sun is sometimes underestimated. The nodes are essentially your past—good, bad and everything in between. The section of your chart in which they fall will be inevitably and powerfully impacted by your collective past lives–your karma. Hope you’ve been a good girl!

MIDHEAVEN = Career woman! This point in your chart represents what you want from your work. That can mean navigating the mommy-track, climbing the corporate ladder, or climbing mount Everest—literally. You go girl!

OTHER TYPES OF HOROSCOPES:

ELECTIONAL HOROSCOPE = Omigod, What next!?! Used regularly by non other than President Ronald Reagan, is the electional or horary horoscope. This scope predicts the best time to take action regarding a specific situation. Like say, i dunno, the Berlin Wall and when to dismantle it?
“Virtually every major move and decision the Reagans made during my time [1985-1987] as White House Chief of Staff was cleared in advance with a woman in San Francisco who drew up horoscopes to make certain that the planets were in a favorable alignment for the enterprise.” —Donald Regan
Generic electional horoscopes, in the form of daily, weekly or monthly profiles are readily accessible and do provide relevant insight. Many astrologers feel that in addition to your sun sign, you should also read your rising sign’s profile.

SYNASTRY HOROSCOPE = Can we be friends? Also referred to as a compatibility horoscope. This combines two natal horoscopes into a third composite chart–-obviously practical for marriages and business partnerships. So girls, remember, prenups and synastry charts are our friends!

MUNDANDE ASTROLOGY = What’s up world? Mundane, judicial or world astrology predicts and analyzes past and future world events. Dictatorships, tornadoes, iconic deaths, societal shifts, groundbreaking discoveries… this is the astrological big leagues we’re talking about here.

ESOTERIC HOROSCOPE = Bare your soul! This highly complex and increasingly popular type of astrology focuses solely (pun intended) on a person’s soul evolution and future.

ZODIACAL WEATHER FORECASTING = Hello, Sunshine! Who knew…astrological weather predictions are sold in bookstores across the country every year.

FINANCIAL ASTROLOGY

MEDICAL ASTROLOGY = A planet a day keeps the doctor away! Each area of the body is ruled by a different sign. For example, our hearts are ruled by Leo. So next time you’re in for a check up, be sure to tell your doctor what sign you are…

HERBAL ASTROLOGY = A plant a day keeps the doctor away! Technically under the umbrella of medical astrology, Herbal astrology is enjoying a small renaissance at the moment. As each body part is a different sign, so also, is each plant. This knowledge can be helpful in curing afflicted parts of the body. INTOXICATED ZODIACâ„¢ is primarily involved with this type of zodiacal study (see herbal astrology post for more info). Rose thyme martini anyone?

ASTROLOGY QUOTES:

“We are born at a given moment in a given place and like vintage years of wine we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything else.”—Carl Gustav Jung Zürich (Leo w/ Aquarius rising)

“There’s not even a blade of grass, however infinitesimal, that is not ruled by some star”—One Rabbi Eleazar, quoted in the 13th-century Zohar a mystical work compiled by Spanish Jews.

“A medic without the knowledge of astrology has no right to call himself that.”— Hippocrates

“Courteous Reader, Astrology is one of the most ancient Sciences, held in high esteem of old, by the Wise and the Great. Formerly, no Prince would make War or Peace, nor any General fight in Battle, in short, no important affair was undertaken without first consulting an Astrologer.”—Benjamin Franklin

“Astrology is a science and it contains the knowledge that enlightens. It taught me a lot and I owe it a lot. Geophysical proofs are discovering the power of the stars and the planets in relation to the Earth. In return, the astrology confirms it. That is why astrology is a life elixir of humanity”— Albert Einstein

WHO CAN ARGUE WITH ONE OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SEERS TO EVER LIVE? CHEERS TO ASTROLOGY, AND ALL THE OUT OF THIS WORLD COCKTAILS IT INSPIRES US TO CREATE : )

Here are some pics from a Bar Cheffing Class / Tasting Party we held a lil’ while back. Everyone had a rockin time learning the basics of bar cheffing. The never-ending stream of infused liquor cocktail shots certainly helped boost the mood! Above are some homemade infusions that everyone sampled, and sampled, and sampled… And below Moi is giving tastings.

For all you infusion newbies out there: it’s SO easy to make your own custom liquor infusions, try it! here’s how:
–––1. Take a resealable container (my preference is old glass jars).

–––2. Fill the jar about 1/4 full with the ingredient (s) you’d like to flavour your alcohol with. I prefer fresh ingredients, but canned, frozen or dried will do just fine. Spices, fruits, vegetables, chocolate– your imagination is the limit! Do stay away from unidentifiable varieties of mushrooms and rusted nails though. A vegetarian myself, i hate meat. But hey, you want a pork chop cocktail, go for it! You’ll find through experimentation what works and what doesn’t.

–––3. Allow to sit (preferably in a cool, dark location) for anywhere from two days to two months. Keep stirring and tasting it, and when you like the intensity of the flavour, then it’s finished! Strain into a final storage container such as the original bottle. Enjoy neat or mixed in a lovely libation. Or allow someone else to enjoy it as a special gift : )

Hands down everyone LOVED my nasturtium-infused gin, which had a pleasant, citrus-chili bite. We reached a unanimous decision that my radish infused vodka DOES NOT work. Maybe i let the radish infuse too long? But let me tell ya, it was RANCID RADISH we tasted that night. ew.

My salad-infusion didn’t go over too well either (tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and carrots). Maybe in my next Bloody Mary this particular vintage can find a home… The candied ginger vodka was a big hit. And after sipping the serrano peppar tequila i wanted to swallow the sink. I thought my lips were going to melt off my face. Careful and comprehensive notes were taken to avoid anymore “radish” incidents in the future!


SPEAKING OF LOVELY LIBATIONS, ONTO BAR CHEFFING 101… LET’S SHAKE, MUDDLE AND RIM!
––– RIM
If you will be rimming your glass with sugar, salt, or some other powdery concoction, of course you want to prepare that first. Wet the edge of the glass with a small wedge of lemon, cantaloupe, sponge, or whatever– slit up the middle. if you use a piece of fruit, it will give an extra layer of yummy flavour when taking a sip.

Then roll the edge of the glass gently, in a circular motion in a dish of sugar, salt or other powdery concoction.

Voila! Le glass c’est finis!

––– MUDDLE
Muddle, macerate or mush your fresh ingredients using a muddler, spurtle of end of a wooden spoon.

Place in steel cocktail shaker along with the ingredients of the drink. If you’re making a basil margarita, then you will add the basil leaves, the tequila, the cointrea and the lime juice all in there together and muddle away. Press the bottom of the muddler downward in a spiral motion for several minutes. The longer you do this the stronger the flavour will be. A little tiresome I admit, but worth it–especially for the biceps! Spring is just around the corner…

––– SHAKE IT BABY
When you’re finished muddling, add a handful of ice to the muddled mixture. Place the lid or shaker cup over shaker and shake vigorously for ten seconds. Now there are two options: Strain into a cocktail glass (chilled is nice). Or, pour the whole mixture, ice and all, into a highball glass and enjoy the mash. Adding another ingredient such as seltzer to this mixture is a nice way to make it last a little longer and taste less intense.

CHEERS TO A GREAT CLASS!

(thanks to mary claire miraldi for the great photos)