 |  |
 |  |
| Figure 2:Â The
Bee Sting Chart |
Astrology and Health:
an introduction to decumbiture [part 3]
To demonstrate the astrology
of decumbiture in action, please see the Bee Sting Chart in Figure 2, where
a simple incident of a bee sting created a very precise moment in time
for basing a decumbiture.
I had been studying medical astrology for most of a morning when I decided that it must be lunchtime. However when I saw the kitchen clock, I realised that it was
too early for lunch. I decided instead to return to my studies. Precisely
at that moment the kitchen door burst open and in rushed one of our herbal
dispensers. She dramatically exclaimed, "Dylan, Dylan I have just been
stung, what shall I put on the sting?"
She had been outside gathering
lime flower blossoms to make into a tincture, when she was stung by a bee
on her right hand, precisely at the tip of the index finger. Closer inspection
revealed the sting embedded in her finger with the venom sacs still pulsating and injecting the venom into it. I immediately pulled the sting out with my finger nails and then rushed to get an onion. I quickly cut the onion
in two and pushed her finger tip into one of the halves.
Onion is a very effective
remedy for bee and wasp stings when it is applied immediately after the
incident. After two minutes all pain and swelling had gone from her finger
tip. When I resumed my studies I suddenly realised I had noted the time
just before the door burst open. This proved to be a particularly fascinating
moment in time.
Analysing the Decumbiture
For the purpose of illustration
for those who are unfamiliar with astrological concepts, the sequence of
signification in this chart has been simplified by using letters of the
alphabet. Please look for the letters in sequence in Figure 2.
The ascendant
(A) is 9°50' Libra. As Venus (B) rules Libra, her placing at 27°31' Leo
in the 11th house indicates the dispenser.
The 6th house cusp (C) is 17°57'
Pisces. As Jupiter (D) rules Pisces, he signifies the dispenser's disease.
Appropriately Jupiter is located in his own sign at 22°51' Pisces,
in the 6th house of illness. Additionally the 6th house also traditionally
rules work, while its ruler Jupiter according to Nicholas Culpeper rules
lime trees (tilea europea). Furthermore the 6th house also
rules small animals, so Jupiter is the significator for the bee. This signification
is particularly appropriate since bees are also traditionally ruled by
Jupiter.
Jupiter is mythologically King of the Gods who acts out his authority
by throwing down thunder bolts from the heavens. Bees have long been noted
by bee keepers to be particularly sensitive to thunder storms. At the first
flash of lightening they immediately fly back to their hive, hence they
are seen to be under the rulership of Jupiter. This combination of symbolism
reflects the dispenser in her work was harvesting lime flowers when she
was stung by the bee that caused her dis-ease.
Anatomical Sequence
Anatomically the sequence
of the twelve houses reflects the parts of the body connected with Zodiacal
signs. So that the first house through its association with Aries is also
connected with the head. The second house is connected with the neck and
shoulders, and so on through the sequence, finishing with twelfth house
and the feet.
Since the 3rd house cusp
(E), linked to the arms and hands, is found at 2°31' Sagittarius, Jupiter
(D) also rules the dispenser's hands. This combination of symbolism very
precisely links the disease with her hand. Furthermore Jupiter's location
in the Western hemisphere (placed to the right of the 4th/10th axis (F/K)
– at 12°44' Capricorn/Cancer) of the chart specifically indicates that
her left hand is diseased.
Mars and Saturn
Stings are naturally ruled
by Mars, the fiery god of war. Mars (G) is located at 17°54' Capricorn
separating from a sextile (60°) aspect to Jupiter at 22°50' of
Pisces. Its retrograde or backward motion accentuating the separation between
the Planets. This separating aspect suggests the bee going off to die leaving
its sting in the dispenser's index finger.
A detail further reflected
by Saturn (H) at 3°44' Sagittarius also retrograde in motion and placed
(conjunct) at the 3rd house cusp. The arrows of Sagittarius the archer
additionally suggest stings and burning. Saturn retrograding on to the
third house cusp also reflects the sting firmly embedded into her finger.
Jupiter's hot and moist nature located in the Water sign Pisces is particularly
descriptive of the inflammation and swelling associated with stings.
The Sun and Moon
The Moon (I) cosignificator
of the disease, located at 12°47' Leo – a Fire sign, indicates the
burning pain she must have felt with the sting. As Leo is also associated
with theatre, this placing of the Moon is also descriptive of the dispenser's
dramatic entrance through the door.
The 7th house cusp (J) which
rules the physician is 9°50' Aries, since Mars (G) rules Aries I am
thereby shown by Mars. Despite its retrograde motion, Mars is strongly
placed in Capricorn the sign of its exaltation, indicating I was in a good
position to cure the patient.
The 10th house cusp (K) shows
the medicine. As the 10th house cusp is located at 12°44' Cancer, the
Moon rules the medicine. The selection of the onion as a remedy was entirely
appropriate as onions are traditionally under the dominion of both Mars
and the Moon. Since the Moon is in the Fire sign of Leo, the hot and dry
temperature of the onion can be seen to counter the swelling indicated
by Jupiter in Pisces (cold and moist).
There is a powerful mutual
reception (a relationship between two Planets occupying positions of each
other's rulership, whereby they can symbolically swap places) between the
Sun and Moon.
The Sun (L) is placed at 16°59' Cancer, the sign ruled
by the Moon. Correspondingly, the Moon (I) is placed at 12°47' Leo,
the sign ruled by the Sun. Both of the luminaries are located in the 10th
house of medicine and healing. Since the Sun generates the vital force
and the Moon circulates it around the body, this is a particularly potent
indication of the dispenser's speedy recovery.
The most compelling detail
of this decumbiture chart once more returns to Jupiter ruling the dispenser's
hands (3rd house cusp) and her disease (6th house cusp). The index finger
on which she was stung is traditionally associated in cheiromancy with
the energies of Jupiter, hence the name Jupiter finger!
Here endeth the lesson.
|
| Forum | Postcards | Glossary | Links | Site Map
