The Stomach Pathway - 1

Stomach, breast health, Cancerian 4th house archetypes and more...

Astrologically the stomach is associated with the sign of Cancer--ruled by the Moon and the 4th house of home, mothering, nourishment, and early life (also the end of life, the tomb).

When we have planets in the 4th house or in the sign of Cancer, and on sensitive house cusps we may be sensitive digestively and need to pay particular attention to what feeds and nourishes us on every level.

Every person of course needs to pay particular attention, but even more so when the sign of Cancer or the 4th house is prominent in the horoscope (more is revealed by looking at the chart and planetary aspects...).

Cancer is emotionally sensitive, hence it's connection to the Moon and mothering. Mothering that lacks sensitivity (healthy bonding) or over-mothering is problematic and can lead to physiological and psychological challenges in childhood and adult life.

The earth organs, the stomach-spleen, in Chinese Medicine are considered the Mother organs linking our early mothering with the health of our Earth organs. Energetically they function on an emotional and spiritual level, as do all the organs.  

What we take in, literally, from the environment (and our homes, relationships, jobs...) affects our digestive wellness or lack there of.

When there has been deficient mothering,  or one has genetic mutations (read here for info on MFHTFR chromosome issues) health issues are more prevalent, and the possibility of dis-ease doubles from an integrative perspective (auto-immune, heart disease, breast health, and low bone density are linked to primary digestion). Undiagnosed malnutrition conditions in first world countries are at an all-time high.

The stomach meridian runs from the top of the head down through the throat, directly behind or through the breast, in alignment with the nipple, through the core of the body, quite close to the spine, through the groin, and down the leg (pictured here and above).

If there is pain in the hip, deep in the belly, chest and down the side of the leg and in the second and third toe, the stomach meridian may be talking to you. The gallbladder runs close by as well. Plus if there is a lack of appetite, heart-burn, and/or constipation, we might have hypochlorhydria.

Astrologically, the Virgo generation (those born 1959-1969) are doubly challenged as they have a double digestive function--Virgo relates to digestion and health, and Pluto is all about elimination. Pluto in Virgo get a double dose.

Any Cancer planets, especially personal planets, carry the possibility for digestive sensitivity. If one is also has Virgo planets or placements this is increased ten-fold and EMPATHY is a definite. Thus the need live in a nourishing environment, and learn nourishing ways to feed oneself. These souls also need good energetic hygiene. Virgo wants purity (pure food, pure medicine, pure clean energy (energetic and otherwise).

The latest research in nutrition, and neuroscience, bring the microbiome--our gut--into direct relationship with our moods, which brings us right back to the Cancer archetype.

Cancer, being a water sign, is linked to the emotional body (and crabbiness), which means the stomach is a main channel for emotional digestion.  

Many people are unaware, disconnected from the path energy takes (I'm talking about invisible things like worry, sadness, energetic cording...) and thus they unconsciously absorb other peoples emotions like an emotional sponge.  And then tend to over-eat or starve themselves to manage the energetic emotional crap they have absorbed from others.

Usually there is an emotional hunger that has gone unaddressed, or unmet and the person is then quite susceptible to absorbing the emotions of other people (or attracting them) and/or cords others via the chakra system, syphoning off their energy to fuel a sense of well-being, covering up a deep sense of lack and low self-esteem, and thus living through others rather than our own embodiment (energy alignment).  

When the emotional body is unattended to, and past emotions are unprocessed, patterns of over-eating or under-eating, over indulging in emotions, obsessing and obsession, worry and CARE-taking persist. Toxic emotions make us sick, not just the food we eat.

This is a dysfunctional pattern, which does not correct the core issue. It is a learned way of emotional survival or coping (whether it began because of a physiological or psychological issues).