Introduction to Decumbiture , livre ebook

The Wessex Astrologer - Wanda Sellar

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154 pages

English

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A decumbiture chart, taken from the time a patient 'takes to their bed' (Latin decumbere, to lie down), is a traditional technique used in medical astrology to help discover the causes of an illness and to ascertain if the treatment is working and whether recovery is likely. Very few of us have the luxury of taking to our beds these days but the time for a doctor's appointment or the onset of a fever for example are equally valid and the resulting chart can be very informative. Wanda Sellar teaches the techniques in a clear and easily understandable format then demonstrates their use in a wide variety of case histories

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Astrology

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Publié par	The Wessex Astrologer
Date de parution	01 septembre 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781902405988
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	2 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0675€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Introduction to Decumbiture
Wanda Sellar
Published in 2014 by
The Wessex Astrologer Ltd,
4A Woodside Road
Bournemouth
BH5 2AZ
www.wessexastrologer.com
Wanda Sellar 2014
Wanda Sellar asserts the moral right to be recognised as the author of this work.
Cover Design by Jonathan Taylor
A catalogue record for this book is available at The British Library
ISBN 9781910531006
Charts created using
Solar Fire Esoteric Technologies Pty. Ltd and Astrolabe Inc.
Information contained in this book is for interest only and does not constitute medical advice.
No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.
A reviewer may quote brief passages.
To Ayako Berg, in Tokyo, whose encouragement and help was the inspiration to write this book
Other books by Wanda Sellar:
The Consultation Chart: A Guide to What it is and How to use it An Introduction to Medical Astrology
Contents
1 An Introduction
2 The Houses
3 The Zodiac Signs
4 The Planets
5 Planetary Strength and Weakness
6 Fixed Stars and Azimene Degrees
7 Antiscia, Arabic Parts and Midpoints
8 Aspects
9 The Constitution
10 Illness
11 The Physician
12 The Terminal Triangle
13 Physic
14 The Humours
15 Timing and Length of Disease
16 Plants, Aromatics and Astrology
17 Material Medica
18 Steps to Judgement
19 Case Histories
20 Pet s Corner
21 Terminal Cases
22 Famous Decumbitures
Conclusion
Abbreviations for books referenced in order of appearance:
CA
Lilly, Wm. Christian Astrology , Regulus, 1647.
AJD
Culpeper, N. Astrological Judgement of Diseases from the Decumbiture of the Sick , 1655, Astrology Classics.
CH
Culpeper, N. The Complete Herbal and English Physician Enlarged , Meyerbooks, 1997.
AG18
Morin Jean-Baptiste, Astrological Gallica, Book Eighteen. The Strengths of the Planets , translation from Spanish 2004, AFA.
BI
Al Biruni 1029 AD, The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology.
EMA
Cornell, H.L. Encyclopaedia of Medical Astrology , Weiser, 1972.
TEMP
Greenbaum, Dorian Giesler. Temperament, Astrology s Forgotten Key , The Wessex Astrologer, 2005.
AA
Bonatus, Guido. The Astrologer s Guide or Anima Astrologiae.
CM
Tobyn, G. Culpeper s Medicine , Element Books, 1997.
HAR
Barclay, O. Horary Astrology Rediscovered , Whitford Press, 1990.
CSI
Ebertin R. Combination of Stellar Influences , AFA, 1972.
1 An Introduction
The true crisis is best of all taken from that moment of time when first the sickness invaded the infirm.
Christian Astrology , William. Lilly, p.291
Grounds for Decumbiture
That someone might remember to look at their timepiece at the onset of illness, more particularly at the time of taking to their bed, would show a remarkable presence of mind. But this is the foundation of the technique of decumbiture in astrology. Indeed, the expression decumbiture derives from the Latin decumbere , meaning to lie down . The process of lying down is more likely symbolic of the vital spirits or the life force no longer burning so brightly or flowing so freely, and that there was a need for recuperation, and almost inevitably the services of a physician. 1 If the physician was also an astrologer, he might set up a horoscope for the moment the patient took to his bed, and judge it accordingly.
It was also possible to apply decumbiture rules to a chart drawn up for the moment a patient took a vial of his urine to the physician/doctor.
Accept of that time when the sick parties Urine was first carried to somebody, to enquire of the disease, whether the party enquired of was physician or not . 2
The inspection of urine (uroscopy) was a routine procedure amongst those who practised physic, and was thought to indicate the performance of body fluids, important in humoural medicine. Physicians who specialised in urine examination were colloquially referred to as pisse prophets . 3
The time of meeting between patient and physician could also constitute a valid decumbiture chart, which may have been a likely choice in most instances, since not everyone would have possessed a timepiece or have the presence of mind to run out into the garden and consult the sundial. Or indeed, thought of taking their urine to the physician.
Quite possibly, any breakdown in health or enquiry into a health matter does constitute credible grounds for the erection of a decumbiture chart, so it is quite likely that such a chart not only refers to the time a person takes to his or her bed, but also to any situation where there is a possible disruption of the life force. Culpeper mentions various occasions where decumbiture charts are drawn up for reasons other than succumbing to a supine position.
He examines a chart 4 for the moment where a 60-year-old man has been run through with a sword causing injury to his arm. Another chart describes a similar sword wound to a young man s knee. Not a likely occurrence these days, but injury with a knife could of course occur. Another chart describes someone falling sick whilst travelling. We may consider various possibilities upon which a decumbiture may be erected:
a) Accidents
b) A fall
c) Sting by insect
d) Heart attack
e) IVF treatment
f) Patient arriving for any kind of therapeutic treatment
g) Waiting for results of a medical test
h) Horary questions about one s own health, or that of another
i) Entering a convalescent or nursing home
j) An epidemic
Astrological Judgement
Astrologers William Lilly (1602-1681) and Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) recommend rules of delineation which may appear formulaic, but judgement rests with the astrologer, as always. Some of the aphorisms (truths or maxims) associated with this form of astrology may seem as if they are absolute pronouncements of certainty, but in fact they may only indicate possibilities rather than probabilities.
The decumbiture chart enables the astrologer/physician/therapist to help the client/patient deal with their condition, indicate a possible outcome, to monitor their feelings, make helpful suggestions and if the therapist is properly qualified, outline a course of treatment, orthodox or complementary.
The popularity of the decumbiture chart was at its height seemingly in the 17th century when herbs constituted the prescribed method of treatment, but it would appear that essential oils, as used in aromatherapy today, were also available, as well as minerals. Culpeper mentions the use of essential oils and minerals in his herbal. 5 Minerals or crystals were often used internally, not a method anyone would advocate in present times! (Like some plants, they can be toxic.)
The usual therapeutic use of minerals these days is through crystal healing, a therapy which purportedly has an effect on the subtle bodies and the meridians, which wasn t apparently taken into account in times gone by.
Naturally, to suggest medications, the astrologer should also be a qualified practitioner in a recognised therapy; nevertheless, the decumbiture chart can still be a useful aid in helping the astrologer to understand the genesis, and possibly predict the outcome of the condition.
In the past, with little regulation in medical matters, prescribing medicines in accordance with an astrological chart, and even diagnosing the disease, was not deemed unethical. Even predictions of death seemed to be a normal occurrence. Indeed there are many astrological aphorisms which warn of the impending presence of the grim reaper.
Where astrologers are not doctors, caution is necessarily exercised in making a definite diagnosis of illness and whether it is likely to be fatal or not. It would be more advisable for the astrologer to pinpoint areas of the body which may be subject to weakness, as well as inform on critical days, rather than be too definite about naming a particular disease.
The method of charting the progress of illness is one of the most useful aids in a decumbiture, if the client/patient attends regularly for treatment. If the condition is acute, minor, and brief (clears up after a month), it is judged by the transit of the Moon. For chronic conditions the Sun s movement is considered. Methodology is examined in the chapter on Timing and Length of Disease.
The decumbiture chart is basically an event chart, but since there is information sought, it links very well with horary astrology. The various strictures associated with horary are without doubt useful to contemplate in judgement, but should not obviate judgement as one might with a horary chart. For instance, an early or late degree rising does not deem that the chart is unfit to be judged, rather that the illness or condition is either at its inception or culmination, respectively. If the Moon is void of course (making no applying aspect to another traditional planet before leaving the sign), it does not mean that nothing will happen , rather that the condition will not change for better or for worse in the near future. It is a subtle difference, and even a helpful pronouncement, or indeed, the reverse!
Rules of delineation, strictures and aphorisms are given for guidance and as helpful aids for the astrologer s own judgement. Above all, it is imperative to keep the patient positive, as far as possible.
In the first instance the chart is judged by examining the seven traditional planets (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) and the Ptolemaic aspects (conjunction sextile, trine, square and opposition), thereafter other aspects and outer planets might be considered.
A Question of Time
An occurrence such as a fall, an operation or an accident may have designated moments of time, so no question arises about validity. Some astrologers practising decumbiture prefer to set up a chart for the moment someone may telephone (or some other relevant means of communication) for an appointment. Other astrologers prefer to use the actual meeting in the con