Theosophy

Richard Hiltner – USA

[This talk was given during 15th Annual International Theosophy Conference held in August 2013 in New York. The theme title of the conference was “How to Awaken Compassion? - H. P. Blavatsky and the Eternal Secret Doctrine”]

The Secret Doctrine has three propositions: Boundlessness, Cyclic Appearance and Disappearance. As above, so below or the identity of all souls with the Universal Oversoul. Being a child of the Boundless, you carry boundless capacities in yourself.

Helena P. Blavatsky [H. P. B.] states in The Secret Doctrine that the elements are very important for our understanding of the Universe and in this paper emphasis is placed on human health.

In H. P. B.’s Collected Writings Volume 12, page 661 (the Esoteric Instructions), she states the seven elements, starting with the most divine Akaśa. It is stated very clearly that everything originates from the Boundless. There are no words that can express the Boundless; and, therefore, nothing can be specifically said in this context. However, when manifestation presents in whatever hierarchy, the Elements originate from the most divine, then the Divine Flame, followed by Ether. Since our senses or perception have no real experience with the preceding three, we will start with the lower four: Fire, Air, Water and Earth.

Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] has listed for about 2000 years the various five elements. The five elements are, specifically: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. TCM relates all health to Yang [or Spirit, Heat, etc.] and Yin [Matter, Cold, etc.] If one just looks at the water element, one notices the Fu [or Yang] organs that tend to be more hollow and move more. This would be the Urinary Bladder as opposed to the Zang [or Yin] that is more solid and moves less; in other words, is more material. Observing the five senses, it is related to the ears. The five tissues: the bones, etc. etc.

 Another example of a major form of medicine associated with the elements is Ayurvedic Medicine. “Ayur” means life. “Vedic” relates to “Book”. It speaks of the THREE FAULTS or TRIDOŚA. These include Vata = Ether + Air. Pitta = Fire + Water. And Kapha = Water + Earth. There is not room in this paper to go into much detail. Ayurveda also uses Medical Astrology for diagnosis.

There are two other medicines in India that go back hundreds or thousands of years. Unani originated in Persia and was brought over into India. It also speaks of the elements, mainly: Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Another form of traditional medicine in India is called Siddha. It was developed in southern India and use by the Tamils. It also utilized the four elements. Medical Astrology has been associated with these two forms of indigenous medicines in India.

 Since it would take some space to go into details on the elements in the above medicines in their clinical aspects, I would like to concentrate in this article on Medical Astrology revealing the four elements. Please see list of the Fire, Air, Water and Earth Signs.

The thoughts and emotions associated with the Fire signs are: Drive to express self and faith. Air signs are associated mainly with: communication, socialization conceptualization. The Water signs are mostly related to emotion, empathy and sensitivity. Earth signs deal primarily with practicality, caution and the material world. The concept of modality relates to the position of the signs in the four divisions of the zodiac. I wish not to get too complicated on this and keep it fairly simple. Basically the Cardinal signs which are dealing with action, initiative and great vitality. The Fixed signs are associated mainly with resistance to chang and great will power. Mutable signs are depict adaptability.

I wish now to present a case of a boy who was six years old when I saw him in 2003. If you refer to the chart of the elemental balances, you will see that its primarily elements are Fire and Air and Earth. There is no Water. This is a boy who had Attention Deficit Disorder and had difficulty with relationships; specifically, on being too forceful and and abrupt. Water deals with sensitivity, emotion and feeling of empathy. Even though this boy has some difficulties with concentration, he was quite bright [as noted by the Air, Fire and Earth elements] and had relationship difficulties with other children and adults. His mind was quite active, but not as concentrated as one would like. He tended, in general, to be more on the chillier side both physically and emotionally. He loved salt and sweets. Homeopathically, he presented the picture of Tuberculinum with intermittent Phosphorus. He could be very dramatic and outgoing, but also easily change to quite cold and withdrawn.

For example, I might ask him something about his diet and he might become quite agitated and walk out of the room. Over the last 10 years, this boy has become quite interested in computers is brilliant. He has become more diplomatic and sensitive to other people’s feelings. However, he still has that earth element of practicality with computers. Very strong Fire with enthusiasm and Air associated wth the mind. Because of the lack of the Water element, he still must be careful on becoming to strong and abrupt in his relationship with people.

This next case deals with the 7 y/o girl whom I first saw in 2012 for anxiety disorder and attention deficit disorder. By looking at her elemental balance, you will know that she’s primarily Fire, Air and Water. There is no earth. Therefore, it is noted that with these strong elements of fire and air, as with the previous boy, there will be enthusiasm and intelligence. But, because of the lack of Earth, there is a problem with concentration, and therefore, attention deficit. If you notice with the previous boy’s case, there was a lack of water. So this young girl has a good water element showing sensitivity. But the earth did not help her to be grounded. This girl also needed Tuberculinum and Phosphorus and did well. These two remedies, like many of the Polychrest [or homeopathic medicines that help with many symptoms and have much experience] have a certain amount of polarity. In other words, Phosphorus can be very sensitive and kind; but also can have certain harshness as in the previous case. Likewise, with Tuberculinum, however, it is more often related to cold feelings. So, one can see that by knowing the elemental balance of these two patients, it is more clear that one is less grounded and sensitive; and the other is very grounded and practical, but lacks the sensitivity to others’ feelings.

Next patient is a 72-year-old man with loss of control of knees and and unable to The next patient is a 72-year-old man with intermittent loss of control of knees and difficulty in standing still. He was first seen in 1998 at 57 y/o. He also had a diagnosis of Hepatitis C diagnosed when 50 years old. His elemental balance showed mainly Earth. He had a number fears [Caution], including: heights, falling and driving over bridges. The Earth element is known for practicality, but also many fears and phobias. His homeopathic remedies included: Nux Vomica [a plant], Sulfur, lArgentum Nitricum [Silver Nitrate]. He eventually was able to control his knees and standstill. His hepatitis C titer became negative by 2012.

This man had difficulty with alcohol, marijuana and caffeine. He was highly sensuous both sexually and in general. It was necessary to eventually restrict all these toxic materials [very material and down to earth]. Undoubtedly, this lessening of toxicity was also helpful. Nux Vomica was primarily needed to curtain the toxicity. Sulfur was constitutional. Argentum Nitricum fit many of the emotional and neurological symptoms. It is of note that Sulfur and Argentum are both earth elements and both dealing with fire; he was warm-blooded.

The next patient is a 73-year-old lady whom I live first saw in 2003 because of chronic insomnia for 30 years. She was highly Earth with some Fire; with no Air or Water. She was very impulsive, claustrophobic and fears [Caution] of heights and prowlers. She was very warm-blooded and she had difficulty in turning off her thoughts at night. The lack of Water affected her sensitivity and Air her ability to concentrate. She was given the following homeopathic medicine: Argentum Nitricum [Silver Nitrate] in Q potencies. It was gradually increased in the symptoms improved considerably.

In summary, the use of the elements can be helpful in a variety of medical approaches. I would be able to present many more cases where Medical Astrology Element Analysis was beneficial. One does not rely solely on them, but as a tool to help evaluate the situation. It is necessary to do a complete history and physical. However, I have found this use of the elements as depicted through the aid of Medical Astrology to be helpful in looking towards certain medicines and restoring harmony.