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.
Water Constitution (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
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)
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.
Fire Constitution: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
Excess Fire
Fire signs, when unbalanced to excess or overstimulation, are prone to burning themselves out. They do not naturally conserve or pace themselves. Excess fire burns with adrenalin energy, is ardent and excitable. Excess fire can be impatient and angry, or internalizes it into hypertension, heart problems, ulcers or inflammations. Excess fire is brought back into balance by foods that are cold, moist and heavy, or slow-burning foods that ground energy, such as grains and root vegetables.
Anything that stimulates the system aggravates excess fire, such as spicy foods or red meat. Herbs, particularly relaxants (such as chamomile or lemon balm) and sedatives (skullcap, valerian) serve to cool the system, draw energy down and disperse excess fire.
Low Fire
When your fire is low, it may be hard to burn off or fight disease. Digestion and absorption of food are inadequate. Eat foods that are hot, light, dry and aromatic. Avoid cold foods. Hot spices and sour foods such as lemons and yogurt are good, as are whole grains cooked in oil. Bitter greens such as kale, mustard or collard greens support digestion. Keep dairy and meat to a minimum, and eat frequent light meals.
A main meal eaten at lunchtime takes advantage of maximum fire at midday. Use digestive stimulants such as cayenne, mustard and cloves, circulatory stimulants such as cinnamon and garlic, or ginger, which is stimulating to both the digestive and circulatory systems.
Air Constitution: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Excess Air
Overactive, restless, sensitive minds and nervous exhaustion plague air signs, as does dry skin, hair and mucus membranes, insomnia and memory loss from systemic overload. Excess air benefits from scheduled windows of quiet, with minimal stimulation, to allow the nervous system to recharge itself.
Air energy tends to collect high in the body, and benefits from a diet rich in earthy foods that draw the energy down, such as grains and root crops. Raw foods aggravate excess air and should be avoided, except in the summer months. Instead, use lightly steamed or even boiled vegetables served with oil dressing, nuts or croutons. Avoid yeasty foods and refined sugars. Enzymes allow nutrients to be better absorbed.
Low Air
When the air element is low, there is difficulty with the flow of energy through the body. A weakened nervous system benefits from mineral supports such as calcium and magnesium, and circulatory stimulants such as gingko, cayenne, garlic and ginger. Gotu kola and FoTi stimulate brain activity. Low air responds well to dairy (especially easily-digested yogurt, kefir).
Foods that are light, drying and stimulating are supportive. Avoid heavy foods, eat plenty of raw foods, vegetable juices and sprouted seeds. Oats in any form—oatmeal, oat straw tea or oat tincture, are good for a weak nervous system without being sedating. Bitter tonics such as dandelion root or angostura bitters stimulate the digestive process and draw energy down through the body.
Any adept astrologer can easily offer an analysis and offer the following predictions:-
1. When and what disease is anticipated to appear in future.
2. If you are already bearing a disease then the next period of its reappearance. Conditions will improve or become severe
3. Remedial measures
4. Food groups that are contributing to reduce the disease
5. Ayurvedic herbs recommendations if necessary
6. Change of lifestyle so as to counter the disease
