|
Just
as the elements of fire, earth, air and water are the building blocks
of life, in an astrological chart they are the essential indicators of
an individual’s health and well-being.
Even
the rudimentary knowledge of which element the Sun occupies, whether it
is in fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), earth
(Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) or water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), can provide
significant information about your body’s constitutional makeup, what
it needs to thrive and how imbalance will manifest. The element of your
Sun sign indicates how your body responds to stress. Stress causes imbalance,
with subsequent excess or deficiency of that element.
A
medically-oriented astrologer delves deeper than the Sun sign, taking
into consideration all the planetary positions as well as the Ascendant
in creating a more accurate picture of elemental balance. Most of us have
a dominant element in our astrological makeup, as well as one that is
least represented or lacking. Generally, I will recommend support measures
for the weak element as the first step toward restoring health.
In
Using Astrology to
Determine Dietary Needs Part One, I described health challenges
and healing modalities for the fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius)
and air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius). In this article, I will cover
the earth (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) and water (Cancer, Scorpio, and
Pisces) signs.
Water Constitution (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
The
water element rules (is linked to) the reproductive and lymphatic systems
and body liquids—including blood, mucus and lymph. Water lubricates, flushes
and cools the body. Water signs are exceptionally sensitive to their environment,
particularly to fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Health
issues for water signs generally have a strong emotional component. Water
sign people easily pick up negativity from others. They tend to brood
on their health and imagine problems to be greater than they are. Their
health problems tend to recur in cycles.
Excess
Water
These
people tend toward sluggish digestion, poor assimilation and slow metabolism.
Stagnant excess water may manifest as mucus, cysts, tumors and swellings,
as well as systemic candida. Excess water can manifest as weight problems.
It is seldom helpful to decrease dietary intake alone. Better results
come from increasing the metabolic rate, decreasing the liquid intake,
changing the diet and increasing physical activity.
Excess
Water is balanced by foods that are hot, dry and light. Vegetables are
well tolerated, steamed and served with spices, with minimal salt. Sweets
accentuate water. If eaten, they should be consumed separately from other
foods. Avoid heavy, oily foods, dairy, sweets, yeasty foods, breads and
salt. Beans and fruit are good, but avoid large quantities of melon.
Excess
Water can use digestive stimulants and expectorants such as sage, basil
and thyme. Diuretics such as parsley, uva ursi and juniper berries help
drain excess water from boggy tissue. Chapparal, garlic and olive leaf
extract all clear bacteria, fungi and viruses from the system.
Low
Water
Low
Water constitutions have trouble flushing toxins from their systems, and
lack lubrication to their systems. They tend to be stiff and dehydrated
and have difficulty sleeping. They suffer from conditions similar to excess
air, such as skin and hair dryness and difficult absorption of nutrients.
They find it hard to accept emotional nourishment. Take baths, drink plenty
of liquids, and live near water.
A
diet strong in wheat, rice, oats, seaweed, dairy products and natural
sugars supports low water. Melons, cucumbers and other moist and fleshy
vegetables help balance this constitution. Avoid beans and natural diuretics
such as carrots, celery, cabbage and asparagus. Don't fast, take care
with extreme exposure to heat or sunlight and take extra salt with exertion
or warm weather.
Low
Water should use herbs sparingly as they tend to be diuretics, except
for licorice (sweetened with honey). Fruit juices add water to the system.
Earth Constitution (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)
The
earth element rules the skeletal and eliminatory systems. The earth element
is essential to growth, reproduction and repair of tissue. Earth signs
tend toward weight problems, tumor growth or glandular disorders (especially
involving the thyroid). Overeating and a diet of heavy foods create excess
earth, which is aggravated by lack of exercise and sedentary habits. They
often have beautiful strong teeth.
The
earth signs have strong sense impressions and thrive on contact with the
earth. Theirs is a strength of endurance and persistence. They are more
resistant to transient colds and flu than fire or air signs, but may find
it harder to throw off bugs once they have taken hold.
Excess
Earth
Excess
earth is prone to heaviness in the body and sluggishness in the system,
and the struggle to overcome inertia. Their digestion and metabolism are
slow, increasing density of body tissue—i.e. thick skin, sclerosis, calcium
deposits, tumors and increased body hair.
Light
foods are indicated for this constitution, such as fruit, salads, sprouts
and steamed vegetables with spices added to increase fire . Meals that
consist of liquids, juices, soups and teas are better than heavier diets.
The main meal should be taken at midday when digestive fire is strongest.
Avoid dairy and fried foods. Fasting is helpful, as earth signs tend to
retain toxins.
Earth
people can use bitter tonics such as gentian or Swedish bitters, and hot
spices such as ginger, black pepper and cayenne to add fire to their systems.
Low
Earth
Low
earth needs grounding. These people tend to ignore their bodies and are
not instinctive about what they need. They need routines that stabilize
them and give a sense of security. They need more sleep than other elements,
and benefit from physical contact with the earth.
Foods
need to be heavy and nutritious, such as potatoes, unrefined grains, root
crops and dairy. Use vegetables steamed and served with cheese and butter.
Reasonable amounts of sugar, butter and oil are well tolerated. Keep fruits
and raw foods to a minimum. To improve the digestion, cook with plenty
of spices, garlic and onions.
Low
Earth can use demulcents such as licorice and slippery elm, seaweed and
minerals. Ginseng is grounding, as is astragalus and the auryvedic herb
ashwaganda. Low earth benefits from meat in the diet.
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.
|
