Since Mercury and Venus can never be more than 76 degrees apart in orbit, there are no possible negative aspects between the two planets; however, the semi-sextile (30 degrees) and the semi-square (45 degrees) may furnish potential irritation if Venus is likewise afflicted by any of the outer planets— Saturn, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto. There is
speculation that a semi-square can bring about an imbalance of niacin and thiamine, ruled by Venus and Mercury respectively—an imbalance that can contribute to ailments such as a malfunctioning thyroid. With Venus ruling both Taurus and Libra the deficiency of thiamine may result from a love of sweets and other carbohydrates.
With a hard aspect between Mercury and Venus and an accompanying hard aspect from Saturn potential problems with the Gemini-ruled tubes of the body may occur. For example, the tubes may become less elastic and flexible, indicating a potential loss of copper (Venus) and vitamin C (Saturn). Or there may be problems with the capillaries. Because Mercury rules Virgo as well as Gemini, an aspect between Mercury and Venus may produce Virgo-related ailments. Intestinal disorders, such as sprue and celiac diseases, may occur because of insufficient copper. A lack of vitamin E (Venus) can produce pancreatic disturbances: if Mars is also in hard aspect, there may be
inflammation of the pancreas; if Saturn is in hard aspect, the gland may be sluggish. And with Jupiter and/or Virgo implicated, there is the possibility of liver disturbances because of a deficiency of vitamin E.
The general health of the nervous system may also be affected, particularly if Mercury is in Aquarius with a hard aspect from Pluto. Such a placement indicates possible
degeneration of the myelin sheaths about the nerves. If Saturn is also in hard aspect, multiple sclerosis may develop from lack of copper.
Mercury-Mars
Nervous disorders are definite possibilities with a hard aspect between Mercury and Mars. There may be general inflammation of the nerves. Or since Mars rules Aries, which has domain over the face, there is the potential for Bell's palsy. Nerve transmission may be faulty, too, causing unexplained tenseness because of a deficiency of phosphorus (Mars). And the central nervous system may become impaired, possibly resulting in a shuffling gait, slurred speech patterns and eventual paralysis—all connected with a deficiency of vitamin B-12 (Mars). There is speculation that as well as general nervous tension epilepsy may result from a hard aspect between Mercury and Mars because of an imbalance of sodium (Mars) affecting the central nervous system. And Mars in Virgo in poor aspect with Mercury may incite a case of nerves that will probably be helped by adequate dosages of thiamine (Mercury).
In fact, a deficiency of thiamine is highly likely with a hard aspect between these two planets, especially since Mars regulates how we burn our energy and how we exert ourselves mentally and physically. Mars in a fire or air sign will tend to induce a deficiency of thiamine more readily than if the planet is found in water or earth signs: Mars in Cancer in hard aspect to Mercury may even infer that supplemental thiamine should be avoided because of too much hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Another possibility is that too little thiamine is assimilated from lack of sufficient phosphorus. Intestinal disturbances may also occur. A hard aspect between Mercury and Mars may mean a deficiency of folic acid (Mars). Without enough of this important vitamin
diseases such as diarrhea, diver-ticulosis or sprue could possibly manifest. Diarrhea could occur from a lack of fats in the digestive process as well. And since Mars rules chlorine, colitis caused by too much intake of chlorinated water and the eventual destruction of flora bacteria in the intestinal tract could also develop.
Other Virgo-related problems possible with a hard aspect between Mercury and Mars are liver dysfunction from a lack of natural chlorine in the body for maintenance of the organ, especially with an additional hard aspect from Jupiter; and pancreatitis or impairment of the pancreatic functions with a hard aspect from Saturn.
An accompanying hard aspect from Saturn can also indicate that the tubes of the body will be blocked: i.e., cholesterol deposits may build up in the bile duct, kidney tubules, etc., if fatty acids (Mars) are missing.
A hard aspect between Mercury and Jupiter can point to a moderate deficiency of thiamine. If a hard aspect from Saturn is present as well, this deficiency may be caused from a lack of manganese (Jupiter). A lack of vitamin B-6 (Jupiter) can also prevent thiamine from being assimilated properly, causing
46
Medical Astrology
symptoms, of a thiamine deficiency. Since Jupiter rules Sagittarius, which holds sway over the thigh and sciatica nerve, there may be inflammation of that area without adequate thiamine.
Lack of vitamin B-6 can cause a variety of ailments. For example, since Mercury rules Virgo, diseases such as diabetes, hypoglycemia or pancreatitis may occur when vitamin B-6 is in short supply over a long period. Vitamin B-6 is also known to keep the central nervous system healthy: lack of the vitamin can induce nervousness, a well-known disorder of Mercury. And it is speculated that with Jupiter in Gemini clogging of the arteries could occur from lack of vitamin B-6, causing atherosclerosis.
Since Gemini rules the lungs as well as the bronchi and bronchial tubes, respiratory ailments, indicating a deficiency of pangamic acid (Jupiter), are possible with a hard aspect between Mercury and Jupiter. Especially if Saturn is in Gemini, bronchial asthma may occur. Emphysema is also possible with Jupiter in Gemini and an accompanying hard aspect from Neptune—a configuration that that indicates a weakening in that area of the body from distension of the sacs with excess air. With a hard aspect from Saturn and a lack of pangamic acid angina can result, showing constriction that could bring on possible suffocation.
There may also be diseases of the pancreas (Virgo). A potential deficiency of zinc (Jupiter), for example, could manifest a diabetic condition. With a hard aspect from Saturn there could be insufficient manganese to control glucose levels. A lack of chromium (Jupiter) could also affect the glucose process. In addition, there is some speculation that insufficient inositol (Jupiter) can contribute to diabetes. And there is the possibility that biotin (Jupiter) is not being unbound for assimilation, thus affecting the splitting-up process of the pancreas as well as the liver and the intestine: the glands located in the pancreas (the isles of Langerhans) are co-ruled by Jupiter, Cancer and Virgo, so that glucose and insulin production may be affected, pointing a potentially higher need of biotin to keep insulin levels normalized in diabetic cases.
Nerve disorders are other possibilities with a hard aspect between Mercury and Jupiter. Some impairment of the central nervous system has been noted with a lack of biotin. And if either planet is in Virgo, with a hard aspect from Uranus, nerve degeneration or "faulty wiring" is indicated—a condition that can be helped with manganese.
Furthermore, the thyroid, coruled by Mercury and Taurus, may be adversely affected when Mercury is in hard aspect with Jupiter. There is speculation that with an
accompanying hard aspect from
Saturn too little cholin (Jupiter) could halt production of tyrosine so that thyroxine would not be available—a condition that could trigger hypo-thyroidism. If Jupiter is also sextile or trine Pluto, too much manganese may settle in the thyroid. And with a hard aspect from Neptune estrogen supplements may be responsible for lowering the basal metabolism of the thyroid.
Finally, an additional hard aspect from Saturn, indicating a deficiency of chromium, could point to liver disorders. . ,; ••••, -., , ,
Mercury-Saturn , ;
With Mercury ruling Virgo a hard aspect between Mercury and Saturn may cause intestinal disorders. Virgo rules the intestinal tract and everything concerned with it, including the growth of healthy bacterial flora. There is speculation that Mercury in hard aspect to Saturn can indicate a lack of flora, which, in turn, may cause poor synthesis of PABA and vitamin K, both ruled by Saturn. As a result there may be such problems as diarrhea and colitis. Possible intestinal tract malabsorption may also indicate that
bioflavonoids (Saturn) are not being utilized properly, creating further complications with the capillaries. Moreover, with an additional aspect from Neptune or with Mars in
Cancer, Pisces or Virgo, as well as involved in the configuration, there may be poor assimilation of thiamine, producing duodenal ulcers.
Other ailments may result from a probable lack of thiamine. For example, poor bone growth in infants can be attributed to a deficiency of thiamine. Skin disorders, such as herpes and its various manifestations (simplex, zoster and zoster ophthalmicus), may also occur. The teeth are affected by the amount of thiamine in the body, too, and not enough thiamine can aggravate the pain and discomfort before and after dental surgery. Finally, insufficient thiamine may inhibit the functions of sulfur (Saturn). Especially if the sign Taurus is involved, the thyroid gland may be interfering with the sulfur uptake, since thyroxine is necessary for the mineral to be used successfully. With a deficiency of sulfur the insulin functions of the pancreas may be malfunctioning.
A hard aspect between Mercury and Saturn may also cause a lack of calcium (Saturn). If one of the planets is in Taurus and especially if Saturn is retrograde in Taurus, the thyroid may be hypofunc-tioning, producing a deficiency of calcium and related arthritic
problems. Without enough calcium nerve ailments such as tremors, shaking, insomnia, restlessness, morbid states of mind and depression can occur. With an accompanying hard aspect from
The Hard Aspects and Health 47
the Sun nervousness may indicate too little magnesium (Sun) to work with calcium to stop tremors, restlessness or vague nervousness.
Mercury-Uranus
Since a person with this configuration will be inclined toward great nervousness anyway, care should be taken to make sure the nerves are well supplied with all vitamins and minerals affecting the nervous system, especially thiamine. There will probably be sporadic needs for thiamine because of sudden stress. Although Mercury is said to be a coordinator and cooperator, in negative aspect, especially with Uranus, it can mean incoordination, spasm or twitching—all helped by thiamine. In addition, Uranus rules Aquarius, which governs the spinal cord, and thiamine in short supply can cause potential damage to the spinal cord.
Mercury-Neptune .
A deficiency of thiamine is a strong possibility with a hard aspect between Mercury and Neptune, although because of the deceptive nature of Neptune the problem may be misdiagnosed or overlooked. For instance, since Virgo rules much of the pancreatic function, a case of "hidden" diabetes may occur: a five-hour glucose tolerance test will determine if diabetes does indeed exist; instead, the ailment may be a carbohydrate problem that can be straightened out with adequate dosages of thiamine to provide better oxidation in the metabolic process. Moreover, the antivitamin vitamin enzyme thiaminase may be at work destroying thiamine through a diet of raw fish, oysters and mussels. Addiction to alcohol can produce an added need for the vitamin. Without adequate thiamine there may be a general weakness of the thyroid.
With Mercury ruling Virgo there may also be intestinal complaints from a lack of flora, perhaps caused by insufficient pantothenic acid (Neptune).
The possibility of cancer of the lungs, pancreas or liver should not be discounted when Mercury is in hard aspect to elusive Neptune, especially with an additional hard aspect from Saturn or Pluto. The sign Gemini or Virgo must also be implicated.
Mercury-Pluto
First and foremost, a hard aspect between Mercury and Pluto may imply either a lack of or an overabundance of thiamine, situations probably caused by a person's diet.
Especially if Mercury is conjunct Pluto, a severe deficiency may occur, with resultant thyroid ailments. Furthermore, since Pluto rules Scorpio, which governs the colon, the root of
Fixed Cross diseases, an imbalance of thiamine could indicate heart problems as
discussed under the section about the aspects of the Sun to Mercury. The pancreas could also be involved. And there could be a hormonal imbalance in general.
There is some speculation that a hard aspect between Mercury and Pluto provides a possible link to multiple sclerosis, since Mercury rules the central nervous system. Mercury in Aquarius in hard aspect with Pluto is especially suspect of creating this disease because of a deficiency of orotic acid (Pluto). But since so little valuable
information has yet become available on orotic acid, this idea should be treated purely as hypothetical until there is enough data to compare multiple sclerosis with other diseases that seem to be caused by deficiencies of orotic acid.
Mercury-Ascendant .,.,...-.,.
When Mercury is conjunct the Ascendant, a person is apt to run on nervous energy, producing frayed nerves. He or she needs to learn to relax and turn off the mind and its careening mental faculties. Since such an individual will probably never sit still, he or she should use a rocking chair to be able to sit in one place and yet be in motion. Worry is a great deteriorator of health with a conjunction between Mercury and the Ascendant, and only attitudinal change can assuage this tendency. A person with this configuration in a natal chart must be encouraged to use his or her native acumen—without worry.
HARD ASPECT OF VENUS Venus-Mars
There is the potential for a lack of vitamin E (Venus) when Venus is in hard aspect with Mars. The deficiency may be aggravated by the ingestion of too much chlorinated water, since Mars rules chlorine and overdoses of that mineral can destroy vitamin E in the body. Vitamin E also needs fatty acids (Mars) for assimilation, and there may be a lack of these fatty acids, especially if there is a hard aspect from Saturn as well; thus the normal functions of the glands, particularly the thyroid and the adrenals, could be interrupted, and the kidney (Venus) could malfunction. With Mars governing the adrenal glands, insufficient vitamin E and fatty acids could cause low secretion of hormones, affecting the sexual drive.
Of course, with insufficient vitamin E a person can suffer skin ailments, especially since there may also be a deficiency of folic acid and/or selenium, both ruled by Mars. With an attending hard aspect from Saturn, wrinkling may occur, and insufficient selenium may precipitate the aging process. In addition, scars from burns (always a possibility when 48
Medical Astrology
Mars is in aspect) may need applications of vitamin E to heal properly. And if Uranus is also in aspect, scars from surgery or accidents may require applications of vitamin E. With an accompanying hard aspect from Saturn there could also be poor absorption of iron (Mars) because of insufficient vitamin E, necessary to assimilate natural iron. A hard aspect from Neptune could create a potential negative chemical reaction between vitamin E and iron, too, if the iron is from an inorganic source.
When Mars is in hard aspect, blood disorders are always possible. There is speculation that with a hard aspect becween Venus and Mars menstrual irregularities, such as decrease or cessation, may be linked to a dual need of vitamins E and B-12 (Mars), especially if a hard aspect from Saturn is present. With Saturn involved there may also be
problems with the veins, such as high blood pressure, possible hemorrhaging or stroke. High blood pressure is especially probable, since the kidneys help control the blood pressure. Hardening of the arteries is another possibility, which may be avoided through the use of less sodium and more vitamins E and C (Saturn). An accompanying hard aspect from Saturn can also indicate that the cobalt-copper (Mars-Venus) relationship is out of balance, inducing anemia that an iron supplement alone will not cure. An
imbalance of copper can result in other problems. A deficiency in copper may create poor iron absorption. High concentrations of copper might induce a deficiency of molybdenum (Mars), especially with an accompanying hard aspect from Saturn; on the other hand, a hard aspect from Pluto could hint at an excess of molybdenum, creating a deficiency of copper.
With a hard aspect between Venus and Mars there may also be insufficient niacin (Venus). Too little niacin in the body may be caused from lack of phosphorus (Mars) to help niacin become assimilated. Especially with a hard aspect from Saturn or Pluto the calcium-phosphorus metabolism may be out of balance. The tendency to eat too many sweets or white sugar products will also generally interfere with phosphorus assimilation. At any rate, a deficiency of phosphorus can deplete the niacin, causing such problems as swollen lips, sore tongue, canker sores, trench mouth or migraine headaches— all Mars- related problems.
Other disorders indicated by a hard aspect between Venus and Mars are an acid-alkaline imbalance, especially with a hard aspect from Pluto; dropsy, correctable in part with dosages of vitamin B-12 and folic acid; reproductive problems caused by a deficiency of selenium, if a hard aspect to the Moon
and/or Saturn is also present; muscle damage that may be chronic, debilitating or transforming in nature, occurring because of a lack of vitamin E, if Saturn and Pluto are also implicated.
Venus-Jupiter
A person with Venus in hard aspect with Jupiter in a natal chart might require larger- than-average quantities of vitamin E. With a deficiency of vitamin E and an
accompanying hard aspect from Saturn, there may be arterial damage. With Saturn involved there may also be the possibility of certain types of muscular dystrophy, which seems to respond to a joint application of vitamin E and inositol (Jupiter). With
insufficient pangamic acid (Jupiter) as well, heart ailments are other possibilities. A lack of cholin (Jupiter), in addition to a deficiency of vitamin E, may also cause problems with the kidneys. And a lack of vitamins PABA, E and B-6 (Jupiter) can result in cholesterol problems.
Furthermore, there is always the potential for sugar-related ailments when Venus is in hard aspect with Jupiter. Both Venus and Jupiter can indicate overindulgence, especially of sweets. With an accompanying hard aspect from Saturn there can be diabetic
If either Venus or Jupiter is in Virgo or its opposite sign, Pisces, liver problems may also be indicated. With a trine from Pluto to Jupiter and the sign Virgo involved
hepatolenticular disease could occur, signalling an above-average need for copper. A deficiency in copper can create other disorders. For instance, if the copper-zinc
(Venus-Jupiter) balance is disturbed, there may also be an imbalance of iron (Mars). And insufficient zinc (Jupiter) can result in skin problems. In addition, there may be a
metabolic block in the copper enzyme factor synthesis from a missing cofactor, vitamin B-6, if a hard aspect from Saturn is present. If either Venus or Jupiter is in Leo with an aspect from Saturn, there can be possible rupture of the aorta or arteries, caused by inelasticity of the artery walls from a loss of copper and vitamin C (Saturn).
A person with a hard aspect between Venus and Jupiter in a natal chart may have an above-average need for niacin, too. And a deficiency of niacin can reduce the availability of vitamin B-6.
Finally, with a hard aspect between Venus and Jupiter and an additional hard aspect from Saturn it's possible that whatever sign Jupiter is in could pinpoint the site of an aneurysm,