【Chart Reading Notes】Looking at Health/Illness Through the 6th House
To read health/illness-related information from the 6th house, we first need to talk about【Medical Astrology】
Medical astrology is an ancient branch of astrology dedicated to studying the influence of the Sun, Moon, planets and the twelve signs on different parts of the human body, on diseases and on medicines. Every sign and planet is connected to a specific part of the body, and by analysing an individual's natal chart, medical astrology can shed light on the state of their body, mind and spirit. Used well, it helps a person understand their own physical and mental health more clearly.
Historically, applying this school of thought to the medical field has very ancient roots — in the traditional medical systems of India, China and Egypt, it has always played an important role. The Greco-Arabic medical system is one of the most representative systems of medical astrology. From the late Middle Ages to the early modern period in Europe, astrology reached its peak within medicine, becoming the theoretical foundation for almost everything.
Astrology holds that the zodiac governs different parts of the body (see the image), that the planets rule organs and systems, and that both are linked to diseases and medicines. The action of each sign and planet provides indications about health, and is also used in combination with other medical fields such as humoral theory and herbalism.
In the natal chart, the 6th house mainly concerns a person's everyday state of health, lifestyle habits, workplace stress and similar factors. The planets in the 6th house, the aspects they make, and the placement and condition of its ruler can all offer concrete guidance on health status and potential disease risks. When I do personal chart readings for people, I also use this to assess someone's health and the parts of the body where problems are most likely to arise. Since the 6th house is closely tied to health, daily habits and the working environment, it is a key reference point (of course I look at other houses, planets and aspects too, but this time we'll focus on the hard yards of the 6th house). The following are all features you can read:
1. The sign on the cusp of the 6th house:
The sign on the 6th house cusp: represents tendencies in physical health and the parts of the body most prone to problems. For example:
- Aries: head, face, eyes, brain.
- Taurus: throat, neck, vocal cords, thyroid, tonsils, oesophagus.
- Gemini: lungs, shoulders, arms, hands, nervous system, brain, bronchi.
- Cancer: stomach, breasts, digestive system, digestive tract, menstruation, uterus, emotions.
- Leo: heart, back, spine, upper back, blood circulation.
- Virgo: abdomen, intestines (large and small), digestive system, nervous tension, excretory system, sympathetic nervous system.
- Libra: kidneys, lower back, lumbar vertebrae, hips, skin, adrenal glands, bladder, ureters.
- Scorpio: reproductive system, sexual organs, excretory system, anus, rectum, cervix, prostate.
- Sagittarius: liver, hips, thighs, sciatic nerve, coccyx.
- Capricorn: knees, bones, skin, teeth.
- Aquarius: ankles, calves, circulatory system, nervous system.
- Pisces: feet (soles to toes), lymphatic and immune system, drug allergies, fatty tissue.
2. The ruler of the sign on the 6th house cusp / the 6th house ruler (for example: if someone's 6th house cusp sign is Cancer, the Moon is the ruler of Cancer, so the Moon is the ruler of that person's 6th house sign). The placement and aspects of the 6th house ruler are extremely important. Its house placement and aspects can offer further clues about health.
- Leo on the 6th cusp, the Sun as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — heart, spine, vitality, back, blood, circulatory system, arteries, eyes (right for men, left for women).
- Cancer on the 6th cusp, the Moon as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — stomach, digestive system, female organs, lymphatic system, abdomen, breasts, uterus and ovaries, menstrual cycle, eyes (left for men, right for women), neuroses, eating patterns, anaemia.
- Gemini/Virgo on the 6th cusp, Mercury as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — brain, central nervous system, thyroid, the five senses, hands and arms, nervous system, lungs, respiratory system, right brain, ears, prophetic ability.
- Taurus/Libra on the 6th cusp, Venus as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — throat, kidneys, thymus, ovaries, venous system, neck, thyroid, tonsils, illnesses caused by overindulgence.
- Aries/Scorpio on the 6th cusp, Mars as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — muscles, head, adrenal glands, red blood cells, bile, muscles, male reproductive system, gonads, adrenaline, inflammation, fever, surgery and operations, bleeding, burns and scalds, injuries from machinery/sport, illnesses caused by emotion/anger.
- Sagittarius/Pisces on the 6th cusp, Jupiter as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — liver, thighs, growth and development, pituitary gland, ribs, pancreas, arteries, hips, sciatic nerve, enlargement/poor metabolism, "diseases of affluence".
- Capricorn/Aquarius on the 6th cusp, Saturn as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — skin, teeth, bones, the body's resistance, spleen, joints, spleen, stones, rheumatism, long-term conditions that are hard to cure, depression.
- Aquarius on the 6th cusp, Uranus as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — parathyroid glands, nerve activity, nervous system, shin bone, calves, circulation in the lower body, nervous system, accidents.
- Pisces on the 6th cusp, Neptune as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — toes and soles, lymphatic system, pineal gland, organs secreting bodily fluids, allergic conditions, drug abuse
- Scorpio on the 6th cusp, Pluto as 6th house ruler: corresponding areas — metabolism, pancreas, excretory function, reproductive organs, ovaries and uterus, prostate, anus, rectum, or other hidden places that are hard to notice.
*Pisces/Aquarius/Scorpio have dual rulers; it's advisable to consider both rulers.
3. Planets falling in the 6th house
Planets in the 6th house: the specific planet falling in the 6th house reveals specific health influences. For example:
- Sun: usually indicates a person may be relatively healthy, but if afflicted, problems related to the heart and vitality are easily triggered.
- Moon: related to fluid metabolism and emotions; issues connected with water retention and emotional stress may appear, such as oedema or indigestion.
- Mercury: related to the nervous system and breathing; problems with the respiratory system, nerves or anxiety may appear.
- Venus: related to the kidneys, skin and hormones; when afflicted it may affect hormonal balance or skin health.
- Mars: usually brings on inflammation, accidents, acute illness or surgery.
- Jupiter: may be linked to weight, the liver and overeating, with more problems of excess or expansion.
- Saturn: indicates chronic illness, structural problems (such as the bones), or stiffness in the body.
- Uranus: sudden illness or health issues, possibly connected with the nervous system.
- Neptune: related to the immune system, sensitivity and medication; there may be immune deficiency or allergic reactions.
- Pluto: related to the reproductive system, detoxification processes and deep change; may bring about profound health transformations or severe illness.
3. Aspects between planets in the 6th house and other planets
- Hard aspects (square, opposition): when planets in the 6th house form hard aspects with other planets, health is more likely to be negatively affected. For example, when Mars or Saturn forms a square with a planet in the 6th house, it usually signals acute or chronic illness.
- Favourable aspects (conjunction, trine, sextile): favourable aspects may reduce the severity of health problems, or help the person maintain better health-management habits.
Finally,
When it comes to assessing physical health and potential illness, looking only at the 6th house or at a single indicator is not enough. The chart is a holistic tool: besides the 6th house, you also need to bring together the hints given by other planets, aspects and signs in order to understand someone's physical condition more accurately. That includes the corresponding planets, houses, signs, the Moon's placement, and health-related aspects. Only a comprehensive analysis can point to potential health problems or bodily tendencies.
If you'd like a deeper, more comprehensive chart reading, you're welcome to come and book an astrology consultation with me any time.
