Astrological Techniques For Your Herbal Medicine: Lunar Technique

 There is no doubt that the connection between plants and planets is visceral and deep, after all the Earth is a planet participating in the celestial dance of the solar system. Of course our planet's living and breathing embodiment is influenced by and converses with other planets. But how do we really know this?

The connection between planetary influences and plants and metals found on Earth have been scientifically tested by chemist Lily Kolisko in the 1930s. Her results found that during planetary transit conjunctions metals ruled by those planets would have reactions all the way down here on Earth. In fact, the metal created a reaction to filter paper specifically 15 mins after the exact degree conjunction, meaning the effects of the planets take roughly 15 minutes to reach down to Earth. Another note is that the speed of the planet also effected how long the reaction would occur, Saturn as example being slow would show results lasting for several days, while the Moon being fast would last for several minutes.

Although this experiment has yet to be continually tested by others outside the Anthroposophical Society, or rather, those in the mainstream scientific community it's effects are rather impressive. This method of astrological effects on plant material and metals on Earth is called the Kolisko Effect.

What this tells me, as someone who fuses astrology and herbalism, is that plants are more so effected by astrological transits then the astrological day/time scheme created during the Renaissance. Alchemists would create their spagyrics on the day of the week that is ruled by the planet who's influence they want to infuse in their herbal preparation. Judith Hill, medical astrologer who has written several primers on Medical Astrology and who introduced me to Kolisko's work, points out that this system was actually developed for the layperson during the Renaissance so alchemical work could be more accessible to those who may not have a telescope or the means to calculate exact transits yet. Many people wouldn't know at that time when Saturn would conjunct Mars for example, even amateur alchemists. Which is something I truly do admire about this system, making information accessible is important. But these days, it is very accessible for anyone to access astrological transit information, which by the help of Kolisko, we can see just how more potent the effects of transits are over working with the days of the week.

Therefore, in making herbal medicine one might first want to get an idea of what you want to create. What planetary rulership would that medicinal intention or area of the body fall under? Look to see when that planet is creating a strong aspect and create medicine on that day. The rays of the planet will literally be infusing in your medicine. Of course, there are a lot of variables, but that's the general idea. 

If you need to make medicine fast, use the sign of the Moon. For example, heart medicine would be made under a Leo Moon, digestive bitters under a Cancer Moon, etc. 

Lunar Technique

Lunar conjunctions to planets or angles are far more powerful and influential than just working on a day of the week or the planetary hour. Generally speaking, use the sign of the transiting Moon to apply to your work. If it happens to line up on a Monday (ruled by the Moon), excellent, if not that's ok, the sign of the Moon is more important then the day.

The reason why we might use the Moon is because you don't have to wait months or years for the right moment and it nourishes or moistens, lubricates that area of the body that is ruled by the sign it is moving through. Therefore, the plants that heal or effect that area and organ system are potentized by the effects of the Moon that day and with the same intention, nourish and heal that area of the body.

You can also apply the energy of the lunar phase to your work as well. If you have the opportunity for both the moon sign and phase to match your healing intention this is excellent, but not necessary for potent medicine. Always match the moon sign first, then worry about moon phase.

To nourish an area, decoct/infuse/prepare/harvest/administer when the moon is in that sign associated with that area of the body, or at least when its in a similar element. 

When an area of your body is swollen, you may not want to use when the moon is in the sign governing that part of the body as it could bring in too much water or extra sensitivity. 

Moon Elements for Herbal Application

Fire Moons best element for exercise and movement therapies. Thought to be a good element to work on removal, like weeding, but not great for harvesting (with the exception of a last quarter fire moon which might be good for preservation). Stimulants work most effectively in fire sign moons. This element excites the arterial and cardiac system and can overheat the body, the brain, and the nerves. Fever and temper prone, and can increase inflammation. In the sign of Leo, it can increase bile production in the gallbladder. Pulls energy to the muscles. Can be dehydrating, drying, but good for reducing excess fluid. If it creates excess heat or fire in the body for some, it can be balanced with sedatives, cooling fruits, and fluids. 

Earth Moons are excellent for building for long term, planting root crops, and strengthening the body. Here we’re seeing that earth moons can be tonifying, mineralizing, astringent, concentrating, and building. We would want to work with herbs that are muscle and bone builders. The liver can slow down, so Virgo and Capricorn Moons have a history of suggested use to fast on or at least eat a light, low fat diet that day. While at the same time a Taurus Moon is traditionally considered the best moon to feast on because it enhances flavor and the enjoyment of food. Excellent time to work with roots.

Air Moons govern the flow of electrical current within the body, spasm, circulation of blood, most especially through the veins (Aquarius, Venus), and the capillaries (Gemini). Air excites nerve impulses and increases electrical charge, it speeds neurotransmission, and improves mental and verbal speed. However air does not absorb nutrients well, and it increases gas in the gut. Gemini and Aquarius specifically have a history of strange reactions to chemical drugs, but they need air. Herbs with lots of minerals ground excessive air, and nervine herbs strengthen overworked nerves. Balance excess air with calming, grounding therapies. It’s thought that clear crystals create an excess of air, so try using stones that are opaque and more earthy. Libra moons however are associated with flowers, so flower harvests are appropriate under Libra. Otherwise, it’s traditionally considered an element to not harvest under. 

Water Moons expel downward, are the most receptive and absorptive of all elements. Mucous producing, excites the excretory system, pulls fluid to lymph nodes, swells. Highly fertile, best element for decoction or water infusions. Hydrating and cathartic. Balance with warm stimulating herbs and exercise. 

* if treating a dry condition, work under a water moon

* if treating wet condition, use fire moons to balance excess water

Moon Signs for Herbal Application

Aries

Intention: Enhances action, courage, independence

Energetics: Hot/Dry

Body System: Head, brain, upper jaw and teeth, eyes, automatic nervous system response (flight/fight), adrenals, solar plexus and root chakra

Taurus

Intention: Grounding/stabilizing, beautifying, anxiety relief, relaxation, enhances senses, earthly pleasure

Energetics: Warm/Slow, Moist

Body System: Ears, Throat, neck, lower brain, lower jaw, tongue, mouth, trachea, upper esophagus, thyroid, cervical vertebrae, root and throat chakra

Gemini

Intention: Quickens alertness, curiosity, mental awareness, language/speech, playfulness, improvisation, dexterity

Energetics: Interchangeable between Warm/Cool (depends on certain aspects to other planets), awakens as it stimulates the mind

Body System: Shoulders, arms, hands, bronchial tubes, upper lungs, vocal chords, peripheral nerves, speed of neural connections, throat chakra

Cancer

Intention: Swells or influx of water, comforting, recovering self abandonment, nurturing, nourishing, softening, opens space for emotions to breath or flow

Energetics: Cool/Moist

Body System: Breasts, ribs, sternum, elbow, arm pits, stomach, lower lung, spleen, posterior pituitary gland, gums, memory (water of the brain), pericardium (water of the heart), heart and sacral chakra

Leo

Intention: Creativity, self expression, radiance, courage to be yourself, increases willfulness, affection, pleasure, romance

Energetics: Warm/Dry

Body System: Heart, upper back, spine, gall bladder, solar plexus and heart chakras

Virgo

Intention: Enhances work efficiency, work stamina and focus, team work, detail, cleaning/purifying, discernment/judgement

Energetics: Cool/Dry

Body System: Upper intestine, pancreas, liver, spleen, inner efficiency, functioning, processing of the internal organs, and assimilation of the outside world in the terrain of the body, solar plexus chakra

Libra

Intention: Magnetic, charming, sociability, companionship, reasonability, diplomacy, logic, fairness, justice, calms aggression, equanimity

Energetics: Warm/Moist

Body System: Kidneys, ovaries, lower back (lumbar), glandular balances, throat chakra

Scorpio

Intention: Courage through long term battles, aphrodisiac, passion, intense emotion/desire, strong healing moon, cathartic and releasing

Energetics: Warm/Damp

Body System: Genitals, colon, bladder, reproductive organs, nose, sweat glands, sacrum, solar plexus and sacral chakras

Sagittarius

Intention: Questing, questioning, traveling, teaching, athleticism, independence, philosophical, spiritual

Energetics: Warm/Dry

Body System: Hips, thighs, gluts, sciatic nerve, spinal cord, coccyx, sacrum, arteries and motor muscles, third eye and throat chakra

Capricorn

Intention: Enhances planning, goal achievement, hard work, strengthen, parenthood (or project), durability, order making, reality, authority, responsibility

Energetics: Cold/Dry

Body System: Knees, skin, ligaments, tendons, nails, bones, anterior pituitary gland, gall bladder, root chakra

Aquarius

Intention: Greatest electrical charge of the mo(o)nth, stimulating to ideas, invention, imagination, community, idealized visions, intuitive discoveries, sense of humor, however unpredictable changes in body and reactions to medicine

Energetics: Cold/Dry

Body System: shins, ankles, peripheral circulation, spinal nerves, eyesight, veins, oxygenation of blood, third eye and crown chakras

Pisces

Intention: Relaxing, letting go/accepting, spirituality, lowers psychic boundaries, diffusing, sleep, most receptive both physically and psychically

Energetics: Cool/moist

Body System: Feet, lymph system, immune system, third eye and crown chakra

Moon Phases for Herbal Application

New Moon Birth/fresh new energy ripe with potential but still little movement. Tends to be good for planting seeds that you harvest aerial or above ground parts when plant is ripe for harvest. Remember that after this phase the light grows, as well as the energy on earth, so you’ll want to continue growing things that you intend to start at this phase. I’ve also heard that the new moon prevents hemorrhage but I haven't applied this technique in my own practice yet.

Waxing Moon tends to nourish, absorb, strengthen, add to the body, build, grow. This is still an ideal time (before the full moon) to plant or harvest crops if above ground. Increasing blood flow, and accepting something into the self.

Full Moon swells, bursts, concludes, fulfills, pulls fluid to the bodily region of the sign the full moon is in, or it’s opposite sign sometimes. Sensitizes.

Waning Moon expels, purges, cleanses, resting, retiring. It’s fast acting in it’s removal of parasites. This is the best time to work on banishment or protection. The waning half of the lunar cycle is best for planting or harvesting crops that grow underground like roots, tubers, even including flowering bulbs.

Balsamic Moon the period when the moon is invisible in the sky, the day or two before the first sliver of light that is the New Moon. This phase is the more specific and precise time to work on banishment and protection. According to my teacher Judith Hill, this is the “best time to get sick” because the pathogen won’t grow in the body. 

New Moon = Birth, Sprouts

Crescent Moon = Emerge, Shoots

First Quarter Moon = Growth, Bark

Gibbous Moon = Expand, Branches, Leaves

Full Moon = Peak, Flowers, Fruits

Disseminating Moon = Scatter, Nuts, Seeds

Last Quarter Moon = Let go, Bark

Balsamic Moon = Retreat, Roots

References

Judith Hill, Medical Astrology in Action. Stellium Press, 2019

Judith Hill, Astrology & Your Vital Force. Independently Published, 2017

Robert Carl Jansky, Astrology, Nutrition, and Health. Schiffer Pub Ltd, 1997