Stef's natal & tracking migraines

[Stef]

Hi there!

I'm a new member, but a longtime lurker. My friend Mike finally convinced me to make an account so I can participate in discussion. I'm fairly new to the study of astrology but I have found sidereal to be much more accurate for me than tropical. I don't have any fancy astrology software at this time.

I have a rare type of migraine called hemiplegic migraine, a type of migraine with aura (visual/audio/light-sensitive disturbances), that presents stroke-like symptoms that cause no permanent damage. Given that the symptoms are so obvious and sudden, and I have the dates and times of previous occurrences, I would like to see if there are any astrological trends I can spot and also try to predict the conditions that might precede the next one.

My birth data:
Date: December 23, 1989
Time: 12:03pm (as far as I know from my parents, it's not on my birth certificate)
Location: Ridgewood, NJ

Current location: Morristown, NJ

Dates/times of migraines:
September 1, 2018, around 8pm
April 24, 2019, around 11pm
July 30, 2019, around 6pm
November 2, 2019, around 2pm
November 17, 2019, around 2pm

So far, I have a feeling that Mars and Neptune are present but any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Please let me know if I should move this post or if you need additional information. I'll post more information here as I get it.

Thank you!

[Jim Eshelman]

Stef, welcome aboard and thanks for providing an interesting research opportunity.

There are so many things to check, I'll start with some quick transit checks just to see if anything pops out.

September 1, 2018, around 8pm

t Pluto ssq. r Mars; t Saturn conj. r Sun, ssq. r Pluto;
t Jupiter conj. r Pluto, ssq. r Sun
Moon in Taurus

April 24, 2019, around 11pm

t Pluto conj. r Mercury
t Venus sq. r Uranus, conj. r EP
Moon in Sagittarius

July 30, 2019, around 6pm

t Pluto conj. r Mercury, t Uranus sq. r Venus, t Saturn conj. r Saturn [rising]
Moon in Gemini

November 2, 2019, around 2pm

t Saturn conj. r Saturn
t Mars ssq. r Mars, t Mercury ssq. r Neptune
Moon in Sagittarius

November 17, 2019, around 2pm

t Mercury conj. r Moon
Moon in Cancer [exact Moon-Mars sq.]

So far, I have a feeling that Mars and Neptune are present but any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Please let me know if I should move this post or if you need additional information. I'll post more information here as I get it.

As I get the time, I'll research (or perhaps you can summarize?) current medical thoughts on causation and things that accelerate risk factors. For example, if Mars and Neptune are triggers, are we talking heightened blood pressure? Changes in chemistry? Toxins? Just stress?

Have you had them all your life? Did they begin at a particular point? Is the point (age or life situation) typical of this type of migraine or simply when you started getting them?

[Stef]

Thanks for your fast response Jim! I thought this would be interesting to research.

September 1, 2018, around 8pm
t Saturn ssq. r Venus, t Jupiter sq. r Mercury
t Mars sqq. r Neptune, t Mercury sqq. r Saturn
Moon in Sagittarius

This first instance was a result of a bad inhale on a vape, couldn't breathe for some time, seems to have triggered the specific condition as I had regular migraines with aura for my whole life.

As I get the time, I'll research (or perhaps you can summarize?) current medical thoughts on causation and things that accelerate risk factors. For example, if Mars and Neptune are triggers, are we talking heightened blood pressure? Changes in chemistry? Toxins? Just stress?

Hard to say because it's rare and still being studied. The migraine with aura is hereditary on my mother's side (Moon-Neptune?), but the hemiplegic condition seems to have been triggered by this first incident. No high blood pressure or any other serious health issues on my end. Triggers could be hormones, light, food, exercise, still trying to figure it out.

[SteveS]

Stef wrote:

...but any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Stef and welcome again to the forum. The one astrologer who has done the most research with Biological Correspondence is the German Cosmobiologist, Reinhold Ebertin. He published a most important book, “The Combination of Stellar Influences” (COSI) IMO, it should be on every serious astrologer's book shelve, Jim endorses this book. The primary foundation for COSI are midpoints between two planets, and cosmobiologists consider a direct midpoint involving 3 or more planets a very important Natal Structure.

In Ebertin's book COSI, the one midpoint which has a-lot to do with migraines is Mercury/Uranus. Ebertin says about the Biological Correspondence for Mercury/Uranus:

The spinal cord as defined by Burdach and Goll, disturbances of equilibrium (facial and migraine).

It Just so happens in your Natal Chart you have the direct midpoint structure of Mercury/Uranus = Saturn (1,06 orb)! Ebertin allows a one and half degree orb for direct midpoints. Your Mercury/Uranus midpoint is 18,55 Sag. Note: Saturn and Uranus are two of the three planets structured in your direct midpoint of Mercury/Uranus = Saturn; and, Ebertin says about the Principle for Saturn/Uranus:

Irritability and inhibition, tension.

So, we can easily see here your Natal Chart was structured with a biological influence for migraines (Me/Ur), forming a direct midpoint with Saturn (tension-inhibition). At what age did you start experiencing migraines? You may be able to learn more about certain timings for your migraines by monitoring partile 0,90,180 transits (1 degree orb or less) to 18,55 Sag.

[Stef]

Have you had them all your life? Did they begin at a particular point? Is the point (age or life situation) typical of this type of migraine or simply when you started getting them?

Sorry, just seeing the edits now - I've had migraine with aura since I was a child, started probably around elementary school age, but the hemiplegia and frequency of this type just began in the past year, conveniently coinciding with my Saturn return.

I realize the location of the September 1, 2018 occurrence would actually be Freehold, NY. Unsure if that will affect anything.

It Just so happens in your Natal Chart you have the direct midpoint structure of Mercury/Uranus = Saturn (1,06 orb)!

Steve, thank you, this is super interesting and seems spot on! I will look into it more. Even though I don't have Mercury-Uranus natally, I read the aspect interpretation on here and find it relevant: "mental renewal," a quite, clear, sharp expression of words - one of the side effects of this type of migraine is temporary aphasia, "an inability to comprehend or formulate language" or difficulty speaking. I can see how Saturn present could result in a pressuring, stunting or constricting ability on speech and communication faculties.

[SteveS]

Stef wrote:

I've had migraine with aura since I was a child, started probably around elementary school age, but the hemiplegia and frequency of this type just began in the past year, conveniently coinciding with my Saturn return.

Robert Hand, an expert US Cosmobiologist, wrote about midpoints:

The effects of individual midpoints will be seen most clearly when they are set off by dynamic factors such as transits, solar arc directions, or progressions.

Stef, with Robert Hand's above quoted words, it now is becoming obvious to me 'the hemiplegia and frequency' for your recent new phase of migraines was probably set-off with transiting Saturn going over your Natal Mercury-Uranus direct midpoint (your Saturn Return); and secondary progressed Neptune now at 18,13 Sag partile conjunct your direct midpoint of Mercury-Uranus.

Robert Hand says about Natal Direct Midpoints:

I find that direct midpoints are as important as major aspects in influencing a natal chart; if you use no other type of midpoint, use them.

Stef, with secondary progressed Neptune partile conjunct your Direct Mercury-Uranus midpoint, along with your recent Saturn Return, on a scale of 1-10, with the higher number indicating recent increased problematic 'inhibitions' with your migraines, what is the number? I am curious for my own learning curve with Robert Hand's analysis using direct natal midpoints. Thanks.

[Stef]

Stef, with secondary progressed Neptune partile conjunct your Direct Mercury-Uranus midpoint, along with your recent Saturn Return, on a scale of 1-10, with the higher number indicating recent increased problematic 'inhibitions' with your migraines, what is the number? I am curious for my own learning curve with Robert Hand's analysis using direct natal midpoints.

Hi Steve, I'm sorry this reply took so long! I'm actually not quite sure what you mean by "increased problematic 'inhibitions"? It seems to have been a hallmark of this year - before the first one in September, I had visual aura disturbances (like temporary blindness with light, sensitivity to light/sound/smells) with migraines occasionally for my whole life, but none with the speech/cognitive impairments and numbness/facial paralysis until this year.

[Jupiter Sets at Dawn]

I've had what amounts to minor migraines since I was a child, but I know people who have the audio and visual aura you describe. I have a friend who used to have migraines every few days. He also had a heart murmur, and developed high blood pressure. His doctor was monitoring him closely to titrate the BP meds and noticed his murmur was getting worse. He was also having more migraines with worse symptoms.

The hole in the valve in his heart causing the murmur was tearing open. He ended up having open heart surgery to repair the valve. Over the next two years his high blood pressure resolved, and he has maybe one or two migraines a year, and he says nothing like the ones he used to have.

I've heard of two other people who've had both murmurs and migraines. Don't know if they're related. This is just anecdotal.

[SteveS]

Hi Stef, My sister & law has had migraines most of her life. I recommended my acupuncturist (Dr. Lundy) and my sister/law has had excellent success relieving her migraines. Of course this does not mean you may see the same success with acupuncture with your migraine situations. I contacted Dr. Lundy's office hoping there would be an acupuncturist in your area from the same school as Dr. Lundy and got this reply:

Ive done some research and could not find an acupuncturist in that area with the same schooling as Dr Lundy. Out of the ones in close proximity, I have found one that offered both acupuncture as well as Medicinal herbs! Ive listed the info below!
 
New Jersey Acupuncture and Wellness Center
973-998-8433
 
We always recommend scheduling a consultation to feel things out and see if its a good fit!

This may offer an option for better management with your migraine situation. Good luck.
 

[Stef]

Hey Jupiter Sets At Dawn and Steve - thank you both for you replies! I've heard of migraines being connected with heart murmurs, will definitely keep that in mind in the future (luckily my BP is good), and acupuncture is something I've been meaning to try!

I've been thinking a lot about the qualities of a Saturn transit to Mercury-Uranus (particularly the idea of pressure on the mental faculties) and also reviewed Jim’s post summarizing medical astrology correlations.

For Mercury, Jim writes:

MERCURY. Nervous system, including brain (especially forebrain) and spinal tissues. (Nervous sensitivity.) The senses as part of the nervous system and channels of data and communication.

So the idea of Saturn literally putting pressure on the nervous system and communication faculties so they can no longer function makes a lot of sense, at least for my case.

I had an interesting experience today where I had a small panic attack - not the same as a migraine but in this case I think they might function similarly for me. I know panic is often interpreted as having the quality of Mars-Neptune, however this is a good medical example because the transit shows clearly. I’ve been in a really good, calm mental state for the past two weeks and usually when I’ve had panic attacks, they’ve been preceded by obvious stressors and poor mental health. In this case, the attack was triggered by a new breathing machine I had to use at the doctor for a routine asthma test that just freaked me out:

Location & Time: Riverdale, NJ around 9:15am EST
Transits exact today (I don’t have the degrees):
t. Saturn conj. r. Mercury
t. Mercury conj. r. Saturn

Other transits exact today that didn’t seem to have an impact:
t. Saturn conj. solar Pluto
t. Jupiter smsq. solar Mars

My current SLR also shows foreground, which looks pretty harsh:
r. Saturn 0*
r. Moon 2*
r. Neptune 7 *

t. Sun 1*
t. Uranus 3*
t Mercury 7*

So it seems to be the Saturn-Mercury link is a key factor here, so this is definitely helpful for me to watch and contemplate.

[SteveS]

Stef wrote:

...and acupuncture is something I've been meaning to try!

Stef, 5 years ago Western Medicine diagnosed me with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and Western Medicine does not have answers for this disease. Eastern Medicine (Acupuncture) has definitely improved my kidney functions and I strongly feel it offers me more quality of life. Maybe Acupuncture can offer you better quality of life with your condition .

[Jupiter Sets at Dawn]

I think we often tend to dismiss Mercury transits because they move so fast and it's transits are so often close to the more interesting Sun and Venus transits. But I think they can have a great effect especially on our health, and especially because they are usually so short-lived.
Nice catch.