This old parchment shows the anciently-held link between the 12 signs of the Zodiac

and the various parts of the body

Medical astrology is an ancient medical system that associates various parts of the
body, diseases and drugs as under the influence of the Sun, Moon and planets, along
with the twelve astrological signs. Each of the astrological signs (along with the Sun,
Moon, and planets) are associated with different parts of the human body. Also, many
plants are referred to in old treatises on herbs as being "under the influence of" some
planet. This was used as a codification of associations of the signs with the parts of the
body are as follows:
• Aries - head, face, brain, eyes
• Taurus - throat, neck, thyroid gland, vocal tract
• Gemini - arms, lungs, shoulders, hands, nervous system
• Cancer - chest, breasts, stomach, alimentary canal
• Leo - heart, chest, spine, spinal column, upper back
• Virgo - digestive system, intestines, spleen, nervous system
• Libra - kidneys, skin, lumbar region, buttocks
• Scorpio - reproductive system, sexual organs, bowels, excretory system
• Sagittarius - hips, thighs, liver, sciatic nerve
• Capricorn - knees, joints, skeletal system
• Aquarius - ankles, calves, circulatory system
• Pisces - feet, toes, lymphatic system, adipose tissue
It has been noted that the 12 signs cover from head (Aries) to toe (Pisces), because
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac while Pisces is the last. When the Sun passes from
Pisces to Aries on or around March 21st, the Vernal equinox occurs, and thus the
beginning of a new tropical year. Many astrologers celebrate their New Year when the
Sun transits over this point, which is also known as the First Point of Aries.
This table, from an 18th century Icelandic manuscript, links astrological dates with
preparation of medicine.
According to Marcus Manilius (1st century AD) in his epic poem (8000 verses)
Astronomica, the signs of the Zodiac preside over the parts of the body as follows:
• Aries -- the head
• Taurus -- the neck and throat
• Gemini -- the lungs, arms, and shoulders
• Cancer -- the chest, breasts and stomach
• Leo -- the heart and upper back
• Virgo -- the abdomen and digestive system
• Libra -- the kidneys and lumbar region
• Scorpio -- the genitals
• Sagittarius -- the hips and thighs
• Capricorn -- the knees and bones
• Aquarius -- the calves, shins and ankles
• Pisces -- the feet
For Manilius' associations between body parts and the planets, see Solar system in
astrology.
The planets are also associated with certain portions and functions within the body:
Another version of the anatomical-astrological human
• Sun - heart, spine, and general vitality
• Moon - stomach, digestive system, female organs, lymphatic system
• Mercury - brain, central nervous system, thyroid gland, five senses, hands
• Venus - throat, kidneys, thymus gland, sense of touch, ovaries
• Mars - muscles, head, adrenal glands, senses of smell and taste
• Jupiter - liver, thighs, feet, growth, pituitary gland
• Saturn - skin, hair, teeth, bones, the body's defenses, spleen
• Uranus - parathyroid gland, neural activity, aura
• Neptune - pineal gland, psychic healing
• Pluto - pancreas, metabolism, elimination
After examining an individual's natal chart, a medical astrologer would give advice to
the client about the areas of the body they are most likely to experience trouble with --
for instance, an individual with the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, or many planets in the sign
of Aries is presumed to have more headaches than other people because of the
association of Aries with the head. A person with Taurus strong in the natal chart is
predicted to have many sore throats and problems with the voice because of the Taurean
association with that particular part of the body