While the Zodiac signs govern the body parts than either can be healthy or get struck by illness, the actual forces at play are represented by the planets and similar points in the horoscope. They are the active parts of the horoscope. The Zodiac and the Houses are their backgrounds. Zodiac signs give character to the planets, and Houses reveal in what environment of your life they are active.
     A Zodiac sign with no planet is not very active, so the body part governed by it is not likely to either excel or cause serious trouble (except for the signs of Houses 12, 6, and 8). If there is a planet in a Zodiac sign, it is enhanced and activated. This normally means increased health, but can sometimes lead to serious problems as well. It depends on the planet, and the aspects to it.
     Mainly, it depends on how much the force that the planet represents is allowed to act. If its ability is diminished or held back, it sort of retaliates by causing illness or other problems. A planet that can't act according to its positive nature will react in a negative way. Almost all health problems are caused by planetary powers in the horoscope held back or obstructed.
     Each planet has its own way of affecting the health – both in a positive way, when correctly stimulated, and in a negative way when obstructed. Here are the planets and similar points, and their general effects on your health:




Zodiac Man in the geocentric cosmos.

The sun causes general fatigue and weakness when obstructed, especially but not only in the body part of the Zodiac sign where it is situated. When the sun is stimulated or enhanced in some way, it leads to general strength and endurance. Because the sun is a general resource of the horoscope, its health influence is mostly quite general.
     It is almost impossible to over-stimulate the sun, but when it hap­pens, you might become complacent, even lazy, losing interest in the world around you. It can also unbalance your body by bringing too much power to the body part of the Zodiac sign the sun is in.
     The sun is not particularly weakened in any Zodiac sign, except maybe to a minor degree in Pisces. It is particularly strong – and demanding – in Leo and Aries, also in Capricorn and to some extent in Libra.

The moon creates sadness and gloom when obstructed or held back. A lack of fulfillment that can lead to depression. At length it may also lead to imbalance in bodily fluids. Similar to the sun, the moon does not only affect the body part of the Zodiac sign where it is in the horoscope, but your general well-being, especially in regard to your emotions.
     When the moon is enhanced and stimu­lated, it leads to patience, a strong sense of fulfill­ment, and a persistently good mood. An over-stimulated moon leads to sentimentality, maybe even manic depression outbursts, and a loss of touch with the world.
     The moon is somewhat weakened in Virgo and Capricorn, sometimes also in Gemini. It is parti­cularly strong – and demanding – in Cancer, also in Taurus, Pisces, and Scorpio.

Caduceus, the staff of the god Mercury (Hermes) separating fighting serpents. Traditional symbol for medicine.

Mercury creates some nervousness and erratic behavior, when obstructed. You may get some ticks in your motions, and have trouble to express yourself, or to make your conscious mind work as quickly and smoothly as you expect it to. The planet deals mainly with mental things, whatever Zodiac sign it is in.
     When Mercury is enhanced and stimulated it leads to a sharpened mind and an enhanced ability to communicate. An over-stimulated Mercury can lead to neurotic behavior, restlessness, and a slightly chaotic mind.
     Mercury is weakened in Taurus and Cancer, and somewhat alienated in Scorpio. It is parti­cularly strong – and demanding – in Gemini, also in Virgo, Libra, and to some extent in Pisces.

Venus creates vulnerability and all kinds of minor complications, when obstructed. A sense of discomfort, especially in the body part governed by the Zodiac sign where it is in the horoscope. When enhanced and stimulated, Venus leads to pleasure and well-being, again especially in the body part of its Zodiac sign.
     Venus is not that prone to cause trouble, so it needs to be seriously obstructed before it leads to illness or any un­pleasantness. An over-stimulated Venus can lead to indulgence and one or other kind of gluttony. Loss of self-discipline is also likely.
     Venus is not really weakened in any Zodiac sign, except to a minor degree in Aquarius, maybe also a bit unfit for Aries. It is particularly strong – and demanding – in Taurus, Libra, Cancer, and Virgo, but not really to the extent that it gets troublesome.

Mars creates irritation, aggression, and pain, when obstructed or held back. It can also cause accidents and dramatic illnesses, although rarely very dangerous ones. They will be somehow connected to the body part governed by the Zodiac sign where Mars is. It is important not to block the Mars power too much in the horoscope, or the complications will be severe. Always pay attention to the body part of the Zodiac sign of Mars, and try to find a way of expressing your Mars power better as soon as you sense some trouble with that body part.
     An enhanced and stimulated Mars leads to strength, power, and a health that seems to persist just about any threat. An over-stimu­lated Mars can lead to some manic behavior, loss of temper, even very aggressive impulses. You may become destructive to yourself as well as others, and there's a risk of wearing yourself down. Mars is just as dangerous when over-stimulated as when held back.
     Mars is particularly weakened and frustrated in Pisces, to a lesser extent also in Aquarius, Cancer, Taurus and Gemini. It is particularly strong – and demanding – in Aries, Capricorn, Leo, and Sagit­tarius. Whether weakened or strong, Mars can cause trouble.


Zodiac Man in the Shepherd's Calendar, c. 1495. Here, also the planets are associated to body parts.

Jupiter creates all kinds of complications when held back or seriously obstructed. Things that should be easy become difficult, abilities you can normally trust suddenly fail you, and so on. It's the planet of solutions out of nowhere, so it isn't easily obstructed to the extent that it starts to make trouble. But it can happen – especially if you refuse the successes that seem to befall you out of the blue. It can also lead to a lack of control of the body part governed by the Zodiac sign the planet is in.
     When enhanced, Jupiter can cure just about any problem or illness, just like that – especially those connec­ted to the body part of its Zodiac sign. An en­hanced Jupiter simply makes fate serve you well. An over-stimulated Jupiter can lead to dizziness, inability to focus, and a serious lack of control – especially of the body part governed by the Zodiac sign the planet is in.
     Jupiter is slightly weakened in Libra, to some extent also in Aquarius. But the planet is not that out of place in any Zodiac sign. It is particularly strong – and demanding – in Sagittarius, also in Gemini.

Saturn creates depression and aches when obstructed that can last very long and go very deep. Saturn can cause very serious and lasting problems, so it should be watched with caution. Mostly, the problems strike at the body part of the Zodiac sign the planet is in – but not only that. Saturn's malice is able to reach beyond body parts, and affect your life as a whole.
     When enhanced and stimulated, it is still tricky and can cause some side-effects, so to speak. Its power is rather grim by nature. When over-stimulated it can create almost a kind of prison of yours, a life limited and narrowed down, with burdens or obligations that become too much to carry on your shoulders. That will probably start to be felt as a gnawing discomfort in the body part of its Zodiac sign. Balance your life, so that Saturn doesn't get too much of it.
     Saturn is weakened and frustrated in Pisces, Gemini, and Scorpio. It is particularly strong – and demanding – in Capricorn, and to some extent in Aquarius, Libra, and maybe Aries. Whatever Zodiac sign Saturn is in, it can cause serious problems.


Zodiac Man and the influence of the planets, according to Benjamin Banneker, 18th century.

Uranus creates melancholia and a sense of meaninglessness when obstructed or held back. It can also lead to diminished intellectual capacity and some loss of memory. When stimulated, it causes a contemplative mind, and a positive attitude toward life. It is a thing of the mind, almost exclusively, whatever the body part governed by the Zodiac sign the planet is in.
     When Uranus is over-stimulated, it can cause confusion, introspection, and loss of sense of reality, sort of like a mind wandering far off in deep meditation. But that's only after quite a lot of over-stimulation, and not necessarily a bad thing.
     Uranus is slightly weakened in Taurus and Aries, but not to the extent that it leads to trouble in itself. It is particularly strong – and demanding – in Aquarius, Sagittarius, and somewhat in Gemini and Libra.
     Uranus moves slowly through the Zodiac, taking about seven years to pass a sign. So, its position in the Zodiac is shared by all people born within a few years of each other. Therefore, there are trends in human mentality, also to some extent in ailments of the mind.

Neptune creates nightmares and somewhat haunting fantasies when obstructed or significantly held back. The ailments and problems it can create are all in the imagination – not like hypochondria, but real mental issues and disorders.
     When Neptune is stimulated, it creates splendid dreams, fascinating fantasies, and a rich inner life, with which to enjoy the world even when other things might be demanding. Creativity and its catharsis are also enhanced. Inspiration flows. When over-stimulated, Neptune causes far too vivid dreams and fantasies, risking to tear down the wall between the real and the unreal, so that you might lose contact with reality, and the ability to relate to it in a meaningful way.
     Neptune is weakened in Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, to some extent also in Aries and Libra. It is particularly strong – and demanding – in Pisces and Scorpio, to some extent also in Cancer, Aquarius, and Sagittarius. Neptune can cause real ailments and problems, but only indirectly in other body parts than the brain.
     Neptune moves very slowly through the Zodiac, taking almost 14 years to pass through a sign. So, its position in the Zodiac is shared by all people born within several years of each other. Therefore, there are tendencies in human dreams, imagination, and artistic preferences. There are similar trends in mental disorder and diseases of the mind, especially disorders that might only be figments of the mind.

Pluto can cause serious accidents and crucial illnesses when severely obstructed or held back. It is a dramatic planet, so it should be handled with care. The changes that Pluto causes tend to be lasting, so ailments of its making might be chronic.
     When Pluto is stimulated it can create solutions to problems that seemed impossible, also in the case of illnesses or other health problems. Or it changes other circumstances, so that such problems are no longer of any hindrance. If over-stimulated, Pluto can create a chaotic situation where nothing is sure, and nothing seems to be what it should be. That can be quite catastrophic, too, although adventurous.
     Pluto is weakened and frustrated in Taurus, Virgo, Gemini, and Aquarius. It is parti­cularly strong – and demanding – in Scorpio and Leo, also somewhat in Libra, Aries, and Sagittarius. Whatever Zodiac sign it occupies, Pluto can cause severe and lasting problems.
     Pluto is the slowest of the planets, taking 248 years to go through the whole Zodiac. Its elliptic orbit makes the speed vary between 11 and 32 years to pass a sign. So, its position in the Zodiac is shared by all people born within several years of each other. Therefore, there are tendencies in the character and nature of personal human drama and drastic change, also in diseases – especially the global and most serious ones. The threats to mankind follow the orbit of Pluto.

Pluto's speed through the Zodiac.

The Ascendant (AC) makes you neglect your looks and appearance, when obstructed or held back too much. Others will find you less attractive and less sympathetic. When stimulated, it makes you charming and inviting to others. Someone they like to get to know, and remember even after a short encounter.
     If over-stimulated, the Ascendant can make people take you less seriously, almost like a clown or a caricature. The Ascendant does not cause illnesses or other health problems, but it can make you look like you have them.
     The Ascendant is slightly weakened in Pisces, but not significantly so. It is certainly enhanced – and more demanding – in Leo and Aries, also somewhat in Libra and Capricorn. Still, the Ascendant adapts quite well to any Zodiac sign.

Medium Coeli (MC) makes you doubt your own capacity and ability, when obstructed or held back. You might create problems for yourself just because of your own mis­understandings or pessimistic expectations. You may even develop hypochondria.
     If stimulated, MC makes you self-confident and optimistic about your possibilities and abilities. That alone can be enough to grant you success in your efforts. If over-stimulated, MC makes you over-confident and unnecessarily daring. You make mistakes by underestimating complications and trusting your possibilities almost blindly. MC doesn't create illnesses by itself, but it can certainly make you believe that you have them.
     Medium Coeli is slightly weakened in Scorpio, maybe also in Leo and Gemini, but not to the extent that it causes problems on its own. It is slightly enhanced in Aquarius and Cancer. But MC really adapts similarly to any Zodiac sign.

© Stefan Stenudd
     1. Your health in your horoscope
     2. The Zodiac and your health
     3. The Planets and your health
     4. The Houses and your health
     5. The Aspects and your health
     6. The Transits and your health
     7. Disease in your horoscope
     8. Examples: Madonna, Justin Timberlake
         Angelina Jolie, David Beckham