CHAPTER XV
Medical Elections
The influences of the planets on human diseases appear with such persistence in the writings of the ancients that it is impossible to ignore their testimony in any orderly survey of the subject. While it is doubtless true that some of these references rest upon a basis of common superstition only; it is impossible to deny that many others appear to be founded upon careful observation and recorded experience.
The tithi and nakshatra, which are so important in Muhurtha, are based on the luni-solar movements. In the realm of astrology, the Moon is the sensorium, transmitter and collector of other planetary influences. In fact, seasonal changes, climate, electrical storms and our emotional behaviour are obviously correlated with the phases of the Sun and the Moon. Crises in acute diseases are marked by the transiting Moon which is the minute hand on the clock of destiny. The most serious crisis day in acute diseases is on the 14th day when the Moon is in opposition to his place when the disease started. When the Moon occupies certain positions, he disturbs the equalibrium of the patient's vitality so much so that medicine administered on such days would not prove efficacious. Hence the need for electing a proper time for undertaking medical and surgical treatments.
Medical astrology is a vast science and it is impossible to treat in this volume all the available information on the subject. Therefore I am giving such hints as would be absolutely necessary in the daily life of an average person.
Beginning Treatment. - If one is suffering from a chronic disease, the treatment should begin under Aswini, Rohini, Mrigasira. Punarvasu, Pushyami, Uttara, Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadra, Hasta, Chitta, Swati, Anuradha, Sravana, Dhanishta, Satabhisha, and Revati. In respect of ordinary complaints such as fever, biliousness, etc., no treatment would be necessary unless the person has fallen ill in Pubba, Poorvashadha, Poorvabhadra, Aslesha, Jyeshta, Aridra and Swati. Treatment is absolutely necessary when one takes to bed-under the following combinations, viz.: -
(a} Sunday coinciding with the 4th lunar day ruled by Aridra, Aslesha or Makha.
(b) Tuesday coinciding with the 9th lunar day ruled by Jyeshta, Swati, or Bharani, and
(c) Saturday coinciding with the: 14th lunar day ruled by Pubba, Poorvashadha and. Poorvabhadra.
Similarly, an illness that sets in under one's Janma Nakshatra or the 3rd, 5th and 7tb therefrom will cause much distress.
In regard to long-standing diseases or recurrent fevers, the best time for taking medicine is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, coinciding with Hasta, Aswini, Chitta and Punarvasu respectively and especially at the time when the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus occupy their own vargas and a moveable Rasi or Amsa is rising. -
Persons suffering from Typhoid or enteric should begin treatment on a Sunday coinciding with the 4th, 9th or 14th lunar day not ruled respectively by Aridra, Bharani and Visakha.
Any treatment commenced under Ugra yogas are supposed to prove successful. Ugra yogas arise when the 3rd (or 9th), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 12th (or 3rd) and 13th lunar days coincide respectively with Rohini, Uttara, Sravana, Mrigasira. Revats, Krittika, Pushva, Anuradha. Krittika (or Makha).
Treatment for Venereal Disease. - Select a time when Aries or Cancer is rising on a New Moon day ruled by Kshipram. Ugram and Chara constellations.
Treatment for Rheumatisms - The 3rd, 8th and 13th lunar days are good. Select Thursday ruled by Aslesha or Aswini.
Treatment for Gonorrhoea. - Wednesday is the best. Let the lunar day be the 4th, 9th or 14th ruled by Kshipra, Ugra or Chara constellations.
Treatment for Leprosy. - The rising sign should be Kumbha, Makara, Mesha, Simha or Vrischika. Place a powerful malefic in the 8th house. Select (a) Tuesday coinciding with Mrigasira, Chitta and Dhanishta, (b) Saturday ruled by Pushya. Anuradha and Uttarabhadra, and (c) Sunday coinciding with Krittika, Uttara and Uttarashadha. The lunar day must be the 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th or the 14th.
Treatment for Epilepsy. - Let the Lagna be a common sign or a moveable sign occupied by the Sun and the Moon. Fixed signs should be avoided.
Treatment for Consumption. - The lunar day must be free from Vishtikarana. The ruling constellation must belong to the Sadharana group and the Moon must be aspected by a retrograde planet.
Treatment for Ascites. - Tuesday is the best. The constellation must be Bharani, Krittika, Aridra, Aslesha, Visakha, Makha or Jyeshta.
Taking Purgative. - Purgatives may be taken on the 2nd, 6th or 12th lunar day. Any weekday (except Tuesday) may be chosen provided the ruling constellation be Punarvasu, Revati, Swati or Aridra. Afternoon must be avoided.
Taking Enemas. - Select either Saturday or Tuesday and avoid malefic planets in the 7th and 8th houses.
Dental Treatment. - The Ugra yoga above referred to is quite suitable for dental treatment also. See that the Moon is not afflicted and that Chandrashtama is also avoided.
Taking Infections. - Injections may be taken on Saturday or Monday. Aries, Taurus. Cancer and Virgo are auspicious. The 8th house must be unoccupied. See that Mercury'is free from affliction; as otherwise the pain wilt be severe and nervous weakness may set in.
Surgical Operations. - When possible, operate in the period of the intrease of the Moon. Never operate at the exact time of the Full Moon as the bodily fluids are running highest then. Let not the Moon at the time of the operation be in the same sign as at birth. No Operation should be done on the part of the body ruled by the sign through which the Moon is transiting at that time but wait a day or more until the Moon passes into the next sign below, and especially, if the Moon be in conjunction, or evil aspect to malefics at the time.
For surgical operations Tuesday or Saturday is recommended. Mars must be powerful. The 8th house should be unoccupied. And the ruling constellation is Aridra, Jyeshta. Aslesha or Moola coinciding with the 4th, 9th or 14th lunar day. It is very necessary to strengthen the house ruling the part of the body to be operated upon. This if the stomach is to be operated upon, the time selected should be such as to render the 5th house strong by benefic aspects. Mutual aspects between Mars and Saturn should be avoided.
Treatment for the Nose. - The ascendant must be Cancer, Leo of Virgo. The Moon must be free from affliction. Avoid Mars or for that matter any malefic in the 8th. The Sun should be unaspected by Saturn or Rahu.
To Prepare Medicines. - Preparation of medicines should be commenced when the Lagna is Chara or Dwiswabhava. Fixed signs should be invariably rejected. The 6th, 7th and 8th houses should be unoccupied. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are good. Auspicious lunar days are the 1st, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th and 14th.
Any panacea prepared when Saturn, Mars and the Sun are in Lagna or in a kendra from Lagna. is said to become an effective remedy for all diseases.
Taking First Bath after illness. - When one has completely recovered from an illness of long duration the first bath should be given on a day ruled by Aswini, Bharani, Krittika, Mrigasira, Aridra, Pushya. Pubba, Hasta, Chitta, Visakha, Moola, Poorvashadha and Poorvabhadra. There must be Tarabala also. Chandrashtamas should be avoided. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are good. The 4th, 8th, 9th, 14th and New Moon days should be avoided.
