In June, I received an email from an unknown (and wanting to remain anonymous) person who wrote that he was in his late 30s, active, healthy, and successful, but living in fear that he and his long-term girlfriend were drifting apart due to a decrease in his desire for sexual intimacy with her. He explained that he loved her deeply, but was having trouble feeling passion for her anymore. Internet searches had led him to consider that he might be experiencing “Low T” (low testosterone levels). He told me that he’d found a website where he could discreetly purchase medication to address the issue, and wondered if I’d cast a horary to determine if he should pursue this treatment.

I’ll be honest, the email was long and seemed sincere enough, but it was such an unexpected question, full of graphic details, that I wondered if someone was ‘trolling’ me. I sat on it until the next day before responding. In my response, I made it clear to him that I was not a doctor, nor did I specialize in medical-related astrology. I told him he should speak to his doctor, really. But if he wanted me to cast a chart and try to tell him what I could see in it, I’d do so; he’d just have to pay upfront - which he promptly did.

(Not sure how to insert an image at this exact place (where I'd like it to be) so the chart's at the bottom of the post, as an attachment)


Scorpio rises, making Mars the signifier of the querent. The 6th house has Aries on the cusp, giving Mars jurisdiction over illness, too. Mars has an association with passion, genitals, and (I assume) testosterone. Located on the MC of the chart, Mars dominates the inquiry and also inserts itself into the treatment (10th house) so I deemed the chart radical.

My understanding of medical astrology is limited. I can recall a few aphorisms, but their source is beyond my remembering. I do have notes I jotted down once that state when a planet rules the 6th in a medical question and describes the affliction asked after (like Mars might for impotence and Low-T), treatment should involve sympathy with the planet – or reinforcing its nature.

So, in my emailed reply to him, I once again advised him to see a medical professional. I told him that the testosterone treatments could possibly be a solution. I also made it clear that I advised against his just ordering treatments from unknown sources on the internet – he should see an actual doctor, with credentials and experience in these things.

Since he’d taken the time to describe a very personal problem at length, I felt moved to try and give him an answer that was more than just ‘see a doctor, possibly yes to the testosterone treatments.’

Mars, his health & its afflictions signifier, doesn’t have many aspects in the chart besides its application to Uranus by square. With Uranus in the 7th, I wondered whether he’d felt the need to break away from his girlfriend or experience something exciting or different with her. I noticed that Venus, also on the MC and the ruler of the 7th, had its antiscia in partile conjunction with Uranus. And the Moon, a descriptor of the flow of events, is also disposed of by Venus, and separates from a conjunction to Uranus while applying to Neptune in the 5th house (of pleasurable sex).

I advised him to talk with his girlfriend. To try and be open with her about how he was feeling, share his desires and fantasies freely - inquire about hers. I told him that the simple act of discussing his own sexual needs openly with her, and allowing her to do the same with him, might bring them closer (or break them up; set them both free) – without a need for medication. Finally, I advised again that he should speak to a doctor if he still considered medication necessary.

I never heard back from him. Once in a while, I wonder how things turned out.

I guess I’m posting this here wanting to know what other astrologers might see or have done differently.

Any replies are appreciated.

I noticed that Venus, also on the MC and the ruler of the 7th, had its antiscia in partile conjunction with Uranus. And the Moon, a descriptor of the flow of events, is also disposed of by Venus, and separates from a conjunction to Uranus while applying to Neptune in the 5th house (of pleasurable sex).

I wondered the same thing - that conjunction between Venus and Mars hovers close for quite a while without perfecting, and then Venus goes retrograde in July and they separate from each other - symbolic of the two of them trying to keep it together but eventually recognising a need to drift apart.
My eye was also caught by the Moon on the 8th cusp (diminished fertility) applying to the aspect of Neptune (drugs) in the 5th house (sex, procreativity), which made me wonder if the drugs he was taking to aid his issue were having a more negative underlying effect despite short term relief. The 10th house describes the treatment applied for an ailment, so the 10th-ruler Sun also applying next to Neptune heightens that theme.

It is a pity he did not respond to you. Have you thought of emailing and asking for an update or for feedback on what you provided?

BTW, to place an image someone else in your post - after you have uploaded it as an attachment, click the link in the attachment box that says "place inline". That will place it where your cursor is - if you want to move it around just cit and paste that bit of code.

Deb wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2023 12:28 pm I wondered the same thing - that conjunction between Venus and Mars hovers close for quite a while without perfecting, and then Venus goes retrograde in July and they separate from each other - symbolic of the two of them trying to keep it together but eventually recognising a need to drift apart.
My eye was also caught by the Moon on the 8th cusp (diminished fertility) applying to the aspect of Neptune (drugs) in the 5th house (sex, procreativity), which made me wonder if the drugs he was taking to aid his issue were having a more negative underlying effect despite short term relief. The 10th house describes the treatment applied for an ailment, so the 10th-ruler Sun also applying next to Neptune heightens that theme.

Deb, thanks for the reply. Yes! I saw the chart and my initial feeling was - this guy wants to break up his relationship or see other people. But I would have felt bombastic just saying that to him since he approached me so carefully and anonymously. Maybe that was my hang up. Maybe he just needed permission from an outside source? I alluded to it in my email to him, but delicately. Reading your thoughts make me realize there might have been more to the story: was he already using the drugs? did she want to have a baby and that was a problem?

Deb wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2023 12:28 pm It is a pity he did not respond to you. Have you thought of emailing and asking for an update or for feedback on what you provided?

I'm going to try that today. If I hear back I'll update this thread.

Deb wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2023 12:28 pm BTW, to place an image someone else in your post - after you have uploaded it as an attachment, click the link in the attachment box that says "place inline". That will place it where your cursor is - if you want to move it around just cit and paste that bit of code.

Good to know. I'll try that next time. Appreciate you taking the time to explain that. :)

MarsL1 day chart - Out of sect (acting as a malefic), Angular (important), Occidental to the Sun and Free of beams (there is a cure). Mars hot and dry in Leo hot and dry, barren by nature shows an inflammatory condition.
I would question a possible prostate condition. Maybe you can approach him with these questions
- Frequent urge to urinate especially during the night
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain or burning urination
- Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvic, rectal or upper thighs area.


Culpeper's rules for treatment
1) Fortify the body with treatments of the nature of the Lord of the ASC
Mars in Leo
Magnesium phosphate, Vit. A, D, calcium, B complex.
Herbal teas (motherwort, chamomile, dandelion, lime blossom and valerian.) as per Kiera Sutherland.
Food (bran, oats, nuts, cabbage, peas green leafy vegetables and especially round vegetables) Avoid boiled eggs which will cause a worsening of his condition.

2) Fortify the grieved organ with sympathy and the disease with antipathy.

3) If the Lord of the 10th be strong, make use of his medicines
Mars also represents the cure in the 10th House and by refranation with VenusL7, he is moving away from medical treatments. And the midpoint Venus/Mars = Neptune = MC (Autonomic disturbances in the bowels and kidneys as per Ebertin.) Many ghosts in the closet in this relationship. Or a denial of sexual intercourse or infectuous diseases.
SunL10 in the 8th, he should look for alternative treatments. Activity, spas and hiking in the nature.

Ouranos, I appreciate you taking the time to parse all of that for me. That's a lot to digest, never mind convey! My concern with acting on this question from a medical standpoint is that I'm not a professional (scientifically or astrologically) and I don't want to pretend to be one or act as if I am one on the fly due to a single chart.

I'm going to write this guy back today and if he responds I might use some of the information you provided to inform my questions (if he seems open to that).

Otherwise, I thank you for your response and information.

On a personal level - I'll add it to my understanding and files.

Your thoughts are well received. Thanks for them :)

I emailed the querent last week (thanks for the suggestion, Deb) and woke up to his response this morning. I figured I’d share an update here since Deb and Ouranos were kind enough to share their thoughts.

His reply details how he did end up going to see his physician. He did not mention this in his original email but now tells me that he’d become deeply involved with weightlifting about a year ago and had started using steroids. The doctor advised that the steroids were the culprit in his low sex drive. He was using too much. The doctor had lectured him about obtaining these steroids illegally and educated him on some of their effects that he wasn't aware of and given him a schedule for tapering off of them slowly and safely.

So, Deb, hats off to you for mentioning:

Deb wrote: My eye was also caught by the Moon on the 8th cusp (diminished fertility) applying to the aspect of Neptune (drugs) in the 5th house (sex, procreativity), which made me wonder if the drugs he was taking to aid his issue were having a more negative underlying effect despite short term relief. The 10th house describes the treatment applied for an ailment, so the 10th-ruler Sun also applying next to Neptune heightens that theme.

And Ouranos to you for mentioning:

Ouranos wrote: Mars hot and dry in Leo hot and dry, barren by nature shows an inflammatory condition...

...Mars also represents the cure in the 10th House and by refranation with VenusL7, he is moving away from medical treatments.

His email also goes on to describe how he and his girlfriend did end up separating over the summer but remain on amicable terms. He says that after the break up he took some time off of work and hiked the Appalachian mountains for a few weeks and stayed at a lakeside cabin Airbnb (again, Ouranos, you mention hiking as a treatment; Deb, you agreed with me that the relationship looked to be winding down).

In summary, he thanked me and said he's feeling a lot better these days and currently trying to date.

Thanks to both of you for your input!

Great to get that update Jason - and I am glad you re-established contact.

Jason,
Feedback is always appreciated!
Thank you,
Ouranos