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Astrology
and chiropractic both share the idea that the universe is one living being
in which there is an innate intelligence at work. Both practices are designed
to align individuals within themselves and to bring them into greater
balance with their environment.
According
to modern humanistic astrology, humans are born with a set of natural
abilities to use in relating with their environment, while chiropractic
is a form of healing that assumes the body has a natural ability to maintain
health. Chiropractic recognizes that the body is whole, that the person
is whole, and this view is also held by astrology.
Chiropractic
understands that, throughout the body, there is an intelligence that is
communicated through the nervous system. When one part of the nervous
system is shut off from the rest, the natural intelligence and energy
cannot flow. When the spinal vertebrae (or other bones) are pushed out
of their normal position, they put pressure on the nerves. This is called
a subluxation, a blockage that interferes with the communication of neurological
impulses necessary for health.
Subluxation,
or misalignment, can be caused by an external force or internal stress,
including physical injury or strain, poor posture or nutrition habits
and mental or emotional imbalance. The point in chiropractic is not to
identify and blame the "bad" cause, but to re-align the bones
through manual manipulation so that inner communication is restored and
the body can resume its natural ability to heal itself.
Astrology
likewise acknowledges the basic unity of the individual with the universe,
as expressed in the phrase, "As above, so below." Astrology
recognizes the importance of maintaining communication and the flow of
energy, both within the individual (below) and between the individual
and the universe (above). Astrological misalignment results when we are
disconnected, shut off from the interactive flow. Then our rigidity or
lack of adaptability renders us unable to react in a constructive manner
to challenging aspects. The point in astrology is not to identify and
blame the "cause" as bad planets, but to use the astrological
principles to re-align ourselves appropriately with respect to stressful
situations.
Astrology
teaches that "the wise man rules his stars," an idea that corresponds
to a chiropractic principle concerning health; namely that there is a
wise intelligence within the human body and there are ways to get in touch
with it. Understanding and working with this intelligence is the key in
chiropractic, just as learning astrology is a key to maintaining a wholistic
relationship with the universe. All the reactions and functions of the
human body are coordinated through the nervous system, just as the movements
of the celestial bodies are coordinated through the intelligence of the
universe.
Partners
in Alternative Healing
It
is possible to determine the astrological corresponences to vertebrae
by studying the planets and signs that rule the various organs and parts
of the body and then tracing the nerve supply back to the spinal column.
Through the use of x-rays, palpation and orthopedic examination, chiropractors
can discover the location of blockages. In medical astrology, examination
of the birth chart can be used to indicate where problems are likely to
occur.
The
spinal vertebrae, which house the spinal nerves, form the central keyboard
of the body. At the top are the cervical vertebrae; in the mid-back are
the thoracic vertebrae; in the lower back are the lumbar and sacral spine.
From top to bottom, the vertebrae follow an order approximately similar
to the signs of the zodiac. In the upper cervicals, nerves go to the head,
ruled by Aries. The lower cervical nerves go to the neck (Taurus); the
upper thoracics go to the arms and hands (Gemini). The mid-thoracic vertebral
nerves go to the stomach (Cancer) and heart (Leo). The lower thoracics
go to the intestines (Virgo) and kidneys (Libra). The lumbar nerves go
to the sex organs (Scorpio) and the legs, knees, ankles and feet (Sagittarius,
Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces). Problems in these areas of the body are possible in a person born with challenging aspects between planets and
signs ruling these areas.
Skeptics
Are a Pain in the Neck
As
partners in alternative health, astrology and chiropractic have both suffered
from ridicule and doubt cast by mainstream society. The famous American
astrologer Evangeline Adams was arrested in 1914 for fortunetelling. She
defended herself successfully in court by proving that she did not forecast
the future, but simply explained to her clients what a horoscope was supposed
to mean. Daniel Palmer, the founder of modern chiropractic, was jailed
in 1906 for practicing what he had discovered. As he stood before the
judge and received his sentence, he remarked, "I have never considered
it beneath my dignity to do anything to relieve human suffering."
The
discrimination against astrology and chiropractic continues even today.
Both practices are lumped together and attacked as fraudulent by organizations
of debunking scientists and medical doctors. For example, organized skeptics
have recently succeeded in delaying and possibly preventing the merger
of a chiropractic college with York University (Toronto, Canada). Their
damning statement was, "If chiropractic is granted worldwide legitimacy
through affiliation with York University, can other topics like astrology
be far behind?" Let's hope so.
Notes
For
more information on the debunking of astrology, see debunking
and
rebunking.
Two
websites entirely devoted to debunking chiropractic are Chirobase
and Chirowatch.
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