It starts with a conversation
Getting to know you and the reason for your visit provides an opportunity for going beyond your medical condition. We expand into how you are truly experiencing life: what are your frustrations, stressors, beauty, joy and layers of support. All of these translate into physical, emotional and mental states you are dealing with: chronic pain, digestive issues, PMS, exhaustion, depression, sadness, grief, or anxiety.
As we move through this terrain together, I might hear about difficult life situations such as relationship stressors, a struggling marriage, a demanding job that doesn’t feel like the right career path, a fast-paced and stressful life, or feeling as if everything in life is suddenly changing at once. These circumstances pique my curiosity to learn about what is happening astrologically as your astrology chart allows a view into the big picture, bringing more clarity and understanding. Therefore, if it feels right, our session can naturally flow towards looking at your astrology chart to offer more perspective on what is happening in your life.
Astrology: Uniquely You
Your personal astrological chart showcases the Sun, Moon and 8 planets mapped out in their positions in the sky as seen according to the location, date and the exact time* of your birth. It’s a snapshot of the sky imprinted upon you. Analysis of this dynamic array brings insight and understanding to the planetary energies you were born under, offering another lens to view life through.
A full astrological reading not only looks at aspects of your health, but also describes your personality, natural gifts and abilities as well as difficult or challenging life patterns. We can learn what areas of your life need work and growth. Equally significant is to learn how the ever-moving, transiting planets continue to make contact with the planets of your birth chart, giving rise to major themes and changes happening in your life right now.
Laura Allmacher, LAc: A professional astrologer since 2008
I have seen time and time again; when people start hearing what their astrology chart shows, something inside them is more acknowledged, starts to move open to shift, and light up. It’s powerful when that thing they’ve felt deep inside becomes named, recognized, and validated by the archetypes of the planets’ positions and interactions with each other at the moment of birth. In this awareness, a new portal for healing becomes available.
Astrology provides a language to come home to ourselves by offering a well-labelled map of our unique, lifelong personal qualities.
The synthesis of astrology and acupuncture
Astrology guides us to understand what specific areas of our life require personal growth and transformation. Acupuncture works to open the qi flowing throughout the body towards that transformation. These two approaches go hand-in-hand; before we can change our ways of being in the world, we need to connect internally and create an open and energetic flow in our bodies. In tandem with Chinese medicine assessments, astrology further points to the internal dynamics interfering with this flow. Planets in the astrology chart can afflict each other, creating patterns of internal stress, restriction, or conflict, affecting the health of the individual. As an acupuncturist, this special awareness informs me of additional meridians and points to use during your treatment to help bring this dynamic into balance.
In my experience, if things are not flowing in your life, acupuncture can serve to promote the movement towards health on the inside, while astrology can offer another piece of clarity as to where and how to direct this movement. I have had patients come back after just a few acupuncture treatments expressing how the same stressful situations are still in their lives, but the way they manage and flow with it is has vastly improved. Feeling a sense of ease, a shift towards a new direction begins to occur.
One particular patient, who previously had a full astrological reading from me, stood up from the treatment table at the end of their acupuncture session and expressed, “I’m free”. This individual explained it wasn’t that they were necessarily free from their circumstances, but they were feeling the freedom from the inside and were recognizing they had options to be with the circumstance differently. Over a short period of time, I witnessed this patient go from being on the verge of marital separation to having a big healing and coming together in their relationship. Their back and neck pain, which they had been seeing me for, also improved.
One particular patient, who previously had a full astrological reading from me, stood up from the treatment table at the end of their acupuncture session and expressed, “I’m free”.
Acupuncture and Astrology have been their own complete systems for centuries. Integrating them is my own authentic creation born out of knowledge and experience. It is exciting to see how each of these come more alive when combined. It’s important to note while China has its own astrology, known as BaZi, I am trained in traditional western astrology. I find this works well for me as a practitioner as well as for the individuals I treat.
Concluding your session…
The most common experiences people report when finishing their treatment are:
…I feel really relaxed…
…my body feels at ease…
…my pain isn’t there and I just feel clear, like I am back in my body…
Healing not only comes from these remarkable openings of the body, but also from how you move through your life. Adding astrology to your session brings a greater sense of understanding, connection and clarity towards yourself and life situations and an ability to go forth with direction and perspective.
These two ancient arts have a unique way of coming together and supporting each other’s impact on your wellbeing and healing journey. I am amazed at the infinite varieties they can work together.
Laura Allmacher RN, LAc is an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner at Heart Spring Health, a holistic health clinic located in Southeast Portland, Oregon. Laura received her Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine. Dedicated to the healing arts since 2000, Laura brings a well of knowledge cultivated over years of experience with a background in western medicine as a registered nurse, in herbal medicine and natural health therapies, and as a professional astrologer. Specializing in acute/chronic pain, digestive issues, women’s health, and mental and emotional wellbeing, Laura loves to bring all her resources to life in support of individuals healing at the deepest and most transformational level they are ready for. Click here to learn more about Laura.
To schedule an appointment with Laura or any of our providers, please contact us at 503-956-9396 or [email protected]
*Exact time is best, but an astrology reading can still be done if you’re unable to obtain this data.