(Eileen Nauman Medical Astrology)

MercuryVitamins: Thiamine (vitamin B-l).Since Mereury rules tbe nervous system, itsplacement in a natal chart can indicate mental attitudes,and inflexible attitudes can stress the hody.Although mental exhaustion is not normallymanifested with an afflicted Mercury, tbe nervaussystem may take a severe buffeting, perhaps resultingin nervousness, tension and the inability to relax.Such people need to control tbeir worrying, allowingthemselves to worry only when they haven't doneeverything within their powers to change the outcome.The proper attitudes are important for wellbeing,and if we mishandle our emotions we canbeeome siek.

We migfit also view the planet Mercury as a kindof traffie director influencing various movementswithin our bodies. The messenger of tbe gods, it isalso the messenger of the nerVQUS system, relayingsplit second commands throughout the body, Furthermare.in ruHng Gemini, Mercury has dominionover a11 the tubing in the body, the channels throughwhicb blood. hormones, enzymes and oxygen move.FinaJly. Mercury may partially rule the hormonesdispensed by the glands in the body: hormones arethemselves messengers sent out to gathet certain cells

together to initiate enzymic functions in the body sothat the metabolism can continue on a stahle course.everything within their powers to change the outcome.The proper attitudes are important for wellbeing,and if we mishandle our emotions we eaubeeome siek.

Mercury rules Virgo as well. Thus the planet isinvolved with the splitting up action and the pancreaticbreakdown of -sugar into glucose-a processthat may be affected when there is insufficientthiamine because of a faulty diet or apredispositiontoward too many processed foods. A thiamine deficiencyalso lowers the amount of hydrochloric acid(Hel) in the stomaeh; in turn, the food is onlysemidigested so that when the bHe is poured into theduodenum (the first 11 inches of the small intestine)it cannot properly break down the fats. Thismalfunction causes further problems, such as colitis,diverticulosis, flatulence, heartburn and diarrheamanyof which corne under Virgo's rulership.

Mercury is also c10sely associated with thethyroid, and it seems to have significance in thyroidproblems with or without the influence of Taurus,coruler of the thyroid. However, in thiamine-relateddeficiencies, the thyroid usually presents a second orthird symptom and is not a chronic indicator of a

thiamine deficiency.

When transiting Mercury is retrograde, it is probablya poor time to schedule an operation. Signals canget crossed: a woman might go in for a simple appendectomyand come out without a uterus! DuringMercury retrograde the wrong drugs might be givenor the dosage may be wrong for the individual.Misunderstandings may occur between doctors, doctorand nurses, nurses and patient or doctor and patient.Such a transit might even mean a second operationwill be necessary.

VenusVitamins: Niacin (vitamin B-3) and E.Minerals: Copper .Too many students of medical astrology tend tooverlook "sweet, I'n 01' Venus" because it has areputation of being harmless, a "soft" planet, incapableof any foul play. But V<.:rws can be interferedwith to such an extent that what it does eule becomesdiseased and ailing. Ruling over Taurus and Libra, Venus helps regulate the throat, thyroid and kidneys.Tbe planet also has dominion over half the circulatorysystem - the venous supply. And it is concerned withskin texture, its beauty and flawless character,

Venus can playa part in diseases of the blood. ltrules the venous circulatory system-an intricateseries of minute venules of blood vessels that startout as belng barely visible and then branch out. Theveins differ from the arteries in that they are targer,there are more of them, and they have thinner walls,with valves to prevent the backward wash of bloodcirculation. Velns, along with the kidneys (Libra) andthe heart (Leo), are especially important to bloodpressure in general, partially regulated by nlacin.Weak artery or veln walls as weil as aneurysms underproper configurations, are also Venus phenomena.And in some instances Venus seems to have a secondaryeffect on red blood cells, partially formed by copper.Venus-ruted vitamin E is also valuable in circulatoryailments, such as phlebitis, embolisms,thrombosis and dilation of the vessels of the arterialand venous systems: it keeps the body supplied with apure source of oxygen that in sufficiel't amountsgives the outer body a Venusian radiance or attractivenessand health.

Venus also governs slack musele tone in thebody. Although Mars rules the muscles, Venus hasan integral relationship with its sibling planet: Marsrepresents tight, healthy muscles, whereas Venus, itsopposite, indicates a potential lack of tone ortightness, soft or weakened muscles; without sufficient

niacin, there can be muscle cramping.

Venus also governs slack musele tone in thebody. Although Mars rules the muscles, Venus hasan integral relationship with its sibling planet: Marsrepresents tight, healthy muscles, whereas Venus, itsopposite, indicates a potential lack of tone ortightness, soft or weakened muscles; without sufficientniacin, there can be muscle cramping.

Finally, Venus as weIl as Jupiter controls whatone likes in terms of food-the texture, taste andquality. Since wrong foods can damage a person justas fast in bodily terms as wrong emotions can, Venusmust be carefully looked at in the natal chart. For example,its placement may indicate a person with a"sweet tooth" or one who tends towards obesity. Anindividual with a prominent Venus may go onbinges-gorging on sweets and gruning weight. SinceVenus also deals with the need for love, a person witha poorly aspected Venus mayaiso eat an inordinateamount of sweets to achieve a sense of affection he orshe feels is not supplied by others. Venus dictateshow we feel about ourselves. If we like ourselves,we'U probably have a good diet; if we dislikeourselves, we tend to abuse our bodies with less thannutritious foods.

MarsVitamins: B-12, folic acid and fatty acids(vitamin F).Minerals: Chlorine, cobalt, iron, molybdenum,phosphorus, selenium and sodium.

Ruling over the muscles and tbe adrenal glands,Mars is the energizer and stimulator of all aspeets ofour bodies. Whereas the Sun is our basic engine.Mars is the gas that fuels it. It is the key planetassociated with our physical get up and go, ourenergy levels.

Depending on its placement in a natal chart,Mars can indicate how active each of us iso For in·stance, in a fire sign Mars may produce extraordinaryathletes or aggressive people who must temper theirworkaholic tendendes with rest in between theirfurious spurts or activity. Mars in an air sign canmean great mental energies: these individuals may becerebra!, seeming to grasp scientific theories or equationswith ease, but they must be on guard againstmental exhaustion and nerve-related breakdowns.Mars in an earth sign often produces people whoprefer the sport of sitting in overstuffed arm chairs.And Mars seems least happy in a water slgn: energytends to be in short supply with these people, andthey need to monitor just how much they can dowithout being exhausted. Since everyone needs exereise,

Mars will help the medicaJ astrologer evaluatehow much and what kind each person needs .

This planet is also very important in indicatinghow quickly individuals can bounce back fromsickness. It seems to work best in the fire or air signs.In earth or water signs it usuaJly indicates slowrecuperation.

In terms of health problems an activated Marscan mean intlammation, rapid temperature increaseand acute onset of ailments. Depending on whichsign i1's located in, Mars can also indicate what maybe hyperfunctioning-in other words, that part ofthe body, whether it is tissue, bone oe organ, that isoperatillg fast and possibly overworking itself so thatit will wear out more quickly than other parts.

Mars has dominion over blood: it can be involvedin various blood disorders, such as anemia. Thus itis a natural ruler for vitamin B-12, folie acid, cobalt,copper and iron, all of which are essential in the productionof red blood cells. Particularly if Mars makesa negative aspect to either Jupiter or Saturn, there maybe poor absorption of vitamin B-12, which is c10selylinked with cobalt, copper and iron-mineralsnecessary for healthy red blood cells. Folie acid is alsoessential for red blood cell production and the proper

utilization of energy for the body's management: it'sa vita."1lin that seems to stimulate everything aroundit, including better liver production, hydrochloric acidsecretions in the stomaeh, cell multiplication andhealthy flora in the intestinal tract.

Mars rules acids in general. It is an active planet,symbolizing energy, and fauy acids playa direct part in making sure that the body has tbe necessary get upand go when we ask for it: in many intances blood fatlevels are connected with incidences of diabetes orhypog!ycemia. or imbalances of insulin and, consequently.energy.

Since chlorine is involved with maintaining theacid-alkaline balance within the body, it is naturalthat Mars have domain over that mineral. Furthermore,chlorine usually compounds with potassium.ruled by the Moon, or with sodium. another Marsruledmineral that supports many bodily functions.Because chlorine is such an active element (aMarslike function in ltsel!), it is responsib!e for musele,tendon and ligament health-other Mars-ruleddomains. Chlorine Is a highly active mineral. befittingMars' energy and constant movement: it makessure that the osmotic pressure in and out of the cellsis just right all the time. But too much chlorine (ortoo much sodium) reflects a typicaJ negative Mars

trait, unrestrained aggressiveness: too much of a goodthing can destroy.

In addition. Mars rules molybdenum. iron,phosphorus and selenium. It governs phosphorusbecause of that mineral's engagement in so manybodily aetivites: the brain will not funetion at peakperformance nor will nerve transmissions occurunless this mineral exerts its influenee. Furthermore.the eonfidence usually attributed to Mars is lessenedif there is a deficiency of this mineral-a person mayeower in his or her horne, afraid to move from thepremises, a very unMartian reaction. Selenium's activeinvolvement within the body also links it toMars. And the colors produced by selenium in industryare all Martian-red, orange and yellow.

The worst indieation for any type of surgery isprobably when Mars is retrograde. Mars retrogrademay mean heavy loss of blood, unexpected hemorrhagingor amistake on the part of the surgeon. SinceMars is the ruler of surgeons, when this planet goesretrograde, surgeons are often not their steadiest ormost reliable. There will be interference andmisdirected attention. lt does not mark a good timefor concentration, especially when microsurgery is tobe performed.

JupiterVitamins: B-6, biotin, cholin, inositol andpangamic acid (vitamin 8-15).,,-) Minerals: Chromium, manganese and zinc.The word expansion is usually applied to Jupiter.In medical terms Jupiterian expansion meansovereating and lack of control. Whereas Venus rulesour taste buds and how we react to certain foods, Jupitertends to make for gluttons. Jupiter-ruled peoplemay overeat rieh foods that are usually high in acid:

sooner or later urie acid gathers in the body aod goutis the result. Jupiter ean also iodieate swelling, abnormalexpansion or toD much of something.

Along with Virga, which governs the splitting upactions within tbc organ, Jupiter has subdominionQver the liver. When liver damage is apparent, a lackof cholin aod/or inosit01 could be indicated sincethese two vitamins cambine to make lecithin, whichin turn breaks down the fats aod dispenses with themso that they don't clog up the Iiver. lnsufficientamounts of either cholin or inositol ean cause cirrhosisof the liver. Pangamic acid may help in thealleviation of certain liver ailments, such as cirrhosisor hepatitis.

Jupiter also rules the fats of tbe body. their processof breaking down through enzyme reaction and

their proper utilization. Cholin is integrally linkedwith the proper use an4 assimilation of fats in thebody. Inositol, too, is essential for propermetabolization or fats. Another vitamin instrumentalin breaking down fats for utilization within the bodyis 8-6.

And if Jupiter is found in Gemini, one mustsuspect a potential problem in the arterial duct work,since Gemini rules the tubing of the body: that placementof Jupiter, linked with a deficiency of vitamin8-6, could initiate atherosclerosis (fats or cholesterolclogging the arteries of the body and impairing circulation).The "new" vitamin-pangamic acid-alsohas mueh to do with prevention and treatment ofatherosclerosis. Cholesterol levels, another Jupiterphenomenon, are somewhat eontroUed by theamount of pangamic acid in the tissue; furtherrnore,pangamic acid helps regulate the fat and carbohydratemetabolism. Manganese is also essential indetermining how much eholesterol inhabits the badyat any given time. This mineral is an essentialregulator of fatty acids, cholesterol and glucosemetabolisms-all Jupiter-related functions.