The Planets & Tissues of the Body (2024)

by Gary O'Toole
Adapted from Cosmic Bodies

In Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra, the most comprehensive text on Vedic astrology,it states that ‘bones, blood, marrow, skin, fat, sem*n and muscles are the primary ingredients’ and that ‘the lords of these are respectively the Sun and the other planets’.Therefore, bones are ruled by the Sun, blood by the Moon, marrow by Mars, skin and plasma by Mercury, fat by Jupiter, reproductive fluid by Venus and muscle by Saturn.

This gives great insight into the workings of the body when viewing the position and strength of each planet in the horoscope in order to ascertain the strength or weakness of a particular tissue in the body. Bodily organs also correspond to each of the planets and, of course, groups of organs make up systems in the body. This corresponds to the intricate interplay between systems in the body and the planets in the horoscope.

The Sun represents the ruling force in the horoscope which represents the skeleton; that which holds us up – just as our star keeps the planets spinning in space.

The bones are nourished by blood, represented by the Moon, which is the nurturing force in the horoscope.

The muscles (Saturn) do the work of moving the bones. Mars represents the nerves, which give the order to the muscles to move, much like the armed forces and police forces (Mars) give orders to the masses (Saturn) that are handed down by governments (Sun).

​Mercury relays this message throughout the body, much like the media (Mercury) relay this information to the public. The fat and fluids are represented by the benevolent 'planets' – Jupiter, the Moon, Venus and Mercury, which protect the body and maintain homeostasis.
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The Sun & Bone
The Sun represents the bones, the heart, stomach and the right eye. Afflictions to the Sun can cause any number of diseases owing to its general signification of health and vitality, but more specific diseases caused are heart, eye, bone disease and conditions relating to the spine.

The Moon & Blood
The Moon rules the blood tissue, lymph, breasts, uterus, ovaries, mucous membranes and the left eye. It rules over the fluids in the body, and any difficulties with these are indicated by a disturbance to the Moon. Mental and emotional problems are the result of an afflicted Moon.

Mars & Nerves
Mars rules the nerve tissue, which has its origin in the bone marrow. It rules the haemoglobin in the blood, the liver, spleen, gallbladder, bile, uterus, head and eyebrows.

Mercury & Plasma (Lymph)
Mercury rules the plasma, hips, skin, forehead, throat, mouth and tongue. Any afflictions to Mercury will bring up issues in relation to these areas.

Jupiter & Fat
Jupiter rules the fat tissue, belly, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas and ears.

Venus & Reproductive Fluid
Venus rules the reproductive fluid, the face and eyes, the kidneys, the endocrine and urinary systems, and the reproductive organs. Venus has an excess of air andwater in its constitution.

Saturn & Muscle
Saturn represents the muscle tissue, thighs, colon, rectum, knees, legs and joints. In Ayurvedic terms, it is seen as tamasic (toxic)air and causes most diseases. Ayurveda has 80 classifications of disease for the air humour, only 40 for the fire humour and 20 for the water humour. Saturn being the primary planet of air confirms its role in health-related issues.

Rāhu
In Ayurvedic terms, the north node is seen as toxic air, just like Saturn. It is likened to Saturn in many ways, both representing the air element. However, the north node shows a distortion of air and can create many disturbances because of this.

Ketu
It is seen as representing toxic heat in the same vein as Mars. However, the results can be harder to predict, owing to the hidden aspect of an eclipse. The south node causes illnesses that are difficult to treat. They are usually more intense in nature than 'Mars-type' illnesses. The south node represents the legs, hair and extrasensory functions.

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