Stephanie Gailing - The Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care: A Holistic Approach to Wellness for Every Sign in the Zodiac

a holistic approach to wellness for every sign in the zodiac

STEPHANIE GAILING

Years ago, to my delight, I discovered that there was a healing art that combined two of my greatest passions: astrology and health. Always looking for ways to inspire people to achieve their optimal well-being, I embarked on learning more about this approach, known as medical astrology.

With a long and legendary past, medical astrology is a healing art that views planetary placements as guiding stars to assess health and propose therapeutic treatments. It was documented by ancient Greek scholars, taught in medieval medical schools, and practiced by Renaissance physicians. In fact, up until the early twentieth century, many doctors employed its observations alongside other health-care methods. The study of the stars was so integral to the work of many healers that none other than the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates himself, was noted to have said, He who does not understand astrology is not a doctor but a fool.

At the same time that I discovered medical astrology, I noticed that we were in the midst of a self-care revolution. People were realizing that the experience of health extended far beyond the absence of diseasethat it also included their feeling their very best, in their mind, body, and spirit. We were becoming more active agents in our health care, on a quest for alternative approaches to feel more empowered, in control, and connected to nature and each other; to this aim, multitudes turned to natural and holistic therapies, practices, and remedies with more regularity in their pursuit of greater vitality.

Against this backdrop, I realized that the fundamental tenets of medical astrology could also be applied to the realm of wellness promotion. Rather than just focused on diagnosing and treating illness, it could be used as a framework to help us tap into more energy, reduce stress, gain greater awareness, and feel more aligned.

Recognizing the value of what Ive come to call wellness astrology prompted me to write the pioneering book Planetary Apothecary over a decade ago as well as weave astrological self-care into my client and education work, helping people the world over to access a stellar approach to well-being. Over time, I have come to appreciate that this healing art has even more benefits than I initially realized; in addition to our planetary profile helping us personalize our self-care regimen, a wellness-astrology orientation can gift us a universe of other rewards. Since astrology is a tool that helps us understand the different phases of life we pass through, it also gives us a method to identify and address our wellness needs at different life stages. And, because it offers us a way to further understand the kairos, the opportunity inherent within different moments (see ), we can see how the paths of the planets can help inform the paths we can take at different periods to bolster our sense of vibrancy. The Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care addresses all of these facets, providing you with a timeless resource that will help you access a galaxy of salutary knowledge.

At this point, you may be wondering: What is the connection between astrology and health? At the heart of medical astrology is the axiom as above, so below, reflecting the long-held belief in the connection between the celestial bodies and our own bodies. Throughout history, the zodiac signs and their ruling planets have been associated with various body parts, physiological functions, and emotional tendencies. The signs and planets have also been accorded signature correspondences with different members of the plant, mineral, and animal kingdoms. Additionally, knowing which ones are playing a starring role in the sky at any time can help us zero in on the invitations that different moments offer, allowing us to orient in ways that minimize stress and optimize well-being.

A Manual for Stellar Self-Care

of this book features sections for each of the twelve zodiac signs, each including details on scores of wellness strategies that are particularly aligned with their unique temperaments and tendencies. And while you may want to focus on honing in on those highlighted for your personal astrology profile, dont limit yourself to just reading those sections. Thats because with the spectrum of wellness suggestions featured in The Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care, it can serve as a veritable guidebook to support your well-being and that of your family and friends.

Awareness as Self-Care

Awareness can be an antidote to stress. If were caught off guard by an experience, we may feel rattled and filled with disquietude. Yet, if were cognizant that a certain moment in time will bring with it certain opportunities and/or challenges, we can then view experiences that unfold through this lens. This not only gives us the ability to better understand what may be occurring but also approach situations more calmly. Its for this reason that being aware of the unique invitations that different moments yieldwhether the Stellar Life Stages ()can be an important step in finding ways to feel a greater sense of well-being. As we know, knowledge is power, and in this case a powerful self-care strategy.

What Youll Discover in This Book

The Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care covers a gamut of wellness astrology topics, organized into four parts:

PART 1: ZODIAC SIGNS

In the first part, youll find twelve sectionsone dedicated to each of the zodiac signs. Each section includes individualized wellness profiles as well as holistic health approaches targeted for each unique astrological personality.

PART 2: STELLAR LIFE STAGES

In the second part, youll discover a cosmic road map that will help you navigate your wellness needs throughout life, from your twenties through your eighties. Youll learn about the invitations of different phases of life as well as the self-care strategies that may help you bolster your vitality.

PART 3: THE MOONS

Here youll discover how to align your well-being with the lunar cycle. Youll learn about the different Moon phases as well as access details on the wellness opportunities and challenges offered by the twenty-four different New Moons and Full Moons we experience each year.

PART 4: PLANETARY RETROGRADES

These sections demystify the retrograde cycles of Mercury, Venus, and Mars, showing you how you can make the most of these times. Youll access perspectives and self-care strategies that can help you feel more connected and aligned.