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Originating in India several thousand years ago, Ayurveda (Sanskrit for
"science of life") is a system that classifies physical ailments and mental
conditions according to one's basic constitution, or body type. Called
doshas (Sanskrit for "temperament"), these three distinct types are categorized
as Pitta (hot and sharp), Kapha (heavy and water-retaining) and Vata (dry
and windy). Pitta is intense, active and volatile with a craving for spicy
foods and caffeinated drinks. Kapha is even-tempered, slow, depressive
and tends to overeat. Vata is meticulous, moody, nervous and often suffers
from poor digestion. When Pitta is overstimulated, Kapha indulges or Vata
becomes irritable, conditions and ailments associated with these doshas
erupt.
To
allay the symptoms and promote the dosha's positive qualities, Ayurvedic
practitioners recommend specific lifestyle changes including diet, exercise,
environment and even attitude. In this article, I will examine the Vata
dosha. Part
One of this series covered Pitta, and Part Two covered Kapha.
Vata
Personality and Body Type
Just
as hot Pitta is prone to heartburn and ulcers, and heavy Kapha tends toward
weight gain and asthma, Vata is a cold, dry dosha (temperament) whose
physical complaints include joint ailments, brittle bones and intestinal
disorders. At their best, Vata types are brilliant, talkative, quick-witted
and detail-oriented. Under stress, however, they easily become anxious,
fearful and irritable. Their overactive minds may cause them to worry
unnecessarily, become depressed, suffer from insomnia and even experience
panic attacks. Drinking warm milk and taking a hot bath before retiring
may help Vata to unwind and ensure a good night's sleep. If that doesn't
do the trick, try drinking naturally relaxing herbal teas like chamomile,
valerian or vervain. Most important, restrict the intake of caffeinated
beverages to the morning hours only.
Proper
Diet Helps Vata
Eating
three meals at regular intervals, and getting sufficient rest will counteract
Vata excitability and strengthen the nervous system. While raw fruits
and vegetables are recommended to Pittas, who need to cool off, and to
Kaphas who should eliminate excess water, Vata
types must avoid gaseous foods that are hard to digest, and aggravate
the intestinal tract. Instead of salads, thin, overactive Vata people
should consume soups, stews, hot cereal and fresh baked bread and butter,
which will warm and nourish this cold, dry dosha. Though fat should never
be eaten too liberally, Vata is the only temperament who can add light
sauces and gravies to their diet. Above all, Vata types need structure,
regularity and a lifestyle that is stimulating, yet organized and calm—if
that is at all possible.
Woody
Allen: The Vata Profile
With
his slight frame, self-mocking humor and reputation as a perfectionist,
writer-director Woody Allen, whose latest film is Small Time Crooks,
seems to fit the Vata profile. His neurotic, high-strung personality and
tendency toward depression are mirrored in the personas of the many characters
he portrays on screen. During the years that he and Mia Farrow enjoyed
a personal and professional partnership, they always maintained separate
residences. While Farrow relished spending time at her home in the Connecticut
countryside, Allen, a self-confessed workaholic, found the insect population
and cricket noises anything but relaxing. In his award-winning movie Annie
Hall, Allen's character, who reflected his own sentiments, cannot
wait to leave Los Angeles, the land of fruits and nuts, and return to
noisy, bustling, yet intellectually-stimulating New York City.
Astrologically
Vata
Quick-witted
Gemini, efficient Virgo, work-oriented Capricorn and sociable Aquarius
are all categorized as Vata signs. (Due to its association with the bowels
and need for control, Scorpio, a Pitta sign, also falls in the Vata category.)
Vata planets include Mercury (linked to Gemini and Virgo), Saturn (linked
to Capricorn and Aquarius) and Uranus (linked to Aquarius). When any of
these planets are prominent, i.e. angular, or are the rulers of the Sun,
Moon, or Ascendant in a birth chart, Vata personality traits and physical
complaints are likely to occur.
Woody
Allen's Chart: An Exercise in Vata
 In
Woody Allen's horoscope, Mercury (which is conjunct the Imum Coeli) and
Saturn (which is conjunct the Descendant) are angular. His Virgo Ascendant
is Mercury-ruled; and the Moon is placed in Uranus-ruled Aquarius. With
each Vata planet prominently positioned in Allen's chart, it is no wonder
that he is wildly innovative, serious-minded, yet highly strung.
Like
most others with Virgo rising, Allen is a fastidious, detail-oriented
perfectionist. Mercury, the Ascendant ruler, provides his clever, quick
wit, while its exact square from Saturn makes him morose and a loner.
Mercury is also the apex of a mutable t-square involving Saturn, which
conjoins the descendant, and the Virgo Ascendant, which Mercury rules.
Because his Sun, Jupiter and Mercury are in optimistic Sagittarius, Allen
has been able to channel his self-deprecation and sullen qualities into
a lucrative career and creative lifestyle. (In addition to writing and
directing, Allen plays the clarinet and performs with a jazz band most
Monday nights.)
Given
the fact that Allen's t-square is comprised of Vata signs and planets,
it is likely that any emotional and physical complaints come from that
source. With Saturn, which is associated with skin, joints and bones,
opposing the Ascendant, which rules the body, he may suffer from Vata-related
eczema, psoriasis, arthritis or intestinal disorders. His well-documented
depression and pessimistic outlook is also understandable with Saturn's
exact aspect to Mercury, which rules the mind. We do not know if Allen
has been on any anti-depressant medication, but psychoanalysis has played
a major role in his life for over 40 years. Without a therapist to speak
to regularly, who knows how well Allen would have been able to confront
his demons?
Within
the coming year, Jupiter and Saturn will transit the sign of Gemini, forming
a grand cross with Allen’s natal Ascendant, Mercury and Saturn. In spring,
2001, transiting Uranus conjoins his Aquarius Moon. If he hasn't already,
Allen may experience some of the above Vata complaints. With Allen as
guarded as he is, we may have to wait for another film to know how the
transits have actually played themselves out.
Editor’s
note: The health information given in this article is not meant as
a substitute for care from a qualified physician. This information is
given for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or
prescribe. StarIQ.com is not responsible for any mishaps that occur as
a result of using this information.
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