In this episode of Soft Human Voice Podcast, host Jessica Shepherd sits down with Kira Sutherland (naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, and medical astrologer) to explore the intersection of astrology, health, and practical self-care.
Kira shares how her background in science, natural medicine, and a lifelong exposure to astrology shaped her approach to medical astrology as a tool for prevention and practical wellbeing, not prediction or fear.
Together, Jessica and Kira discuss why charts can illuminate patterns and pressure points in the body and psyche, how to work ethically (especially around illness and prognosis), and why health change often needs structure, timing, and compassion, not perfection.
They also get wonderfully specific: the Moon’s link to nourishment and emotional eating, how planets like Venus and Jupiter can show modern overindulgence patterns, and why Mars and Saturn (often labelled “hard”) can be allies for movement, discipline, and sustainable change.
The conversation wraps with accessible ways to “cooperate with the cosmos” through lunar cycles, personal lunar phase returns, and weekday planetary rhythms, plus a brief look at Kira’s upcoming monthly series diving into each zodiac sign’s health themes.
Key Themes Covered
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Kira’s origin story: blending science + “other realms” into naturopathy and medical astrology.
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Medical astrology as a wellness system: using the chart as a framework for awareness and prevention.
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Where Kira looks first in a chart: Sun, Moon, Ascendant, chart ruler, 1st house, 6th house.
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Ethics and boundaries: why Kira avoids predictive medical astrology and disease “naming.”
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North Node as a health lever: alignment, stress patterns, and why nodal work can reduce pressure.
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Health change psychology: grace, timing, accountability, and why people change when it hurts enough.
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Food and the Moon: nourishment, digestion, emotional regulation, and craving drivers.
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Modern diet through a planetary lens: Venus/Jupiter excess vs Mars/Saturn “healthy underuse.”
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GLP-1 medications: nuanced discussion on biochemistry, stigma, addiction applications, and judgment.
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Practical timing tools: waxing vs waning moon approaches, cyclical dieting, lunar phase returns, and weekday planetary scheduling.
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Resources + what’s next: Kira’s website/Instagram and her monthly zodiac sign deep-dive series (starting with Aquarius).
What The Body Wants
Podcast Timestamps
0:00–1:48 — Welcome + intro to Kira
Jessica introduces the show’s theme (connection, not being alone) and reads Kira’s bio.
1:53–6:03 — Kira’s path: science + natural medicine + astrology
Raised with both “science and sacred,” Kira describes her training in nutrition and naturopathy, then discovering medical astrology as “the missing Western system.”
6:08–10:56 — Jessica’s origin story + why health is often the doorway to astrology
Jessica shares her experience with a long-term mystery illness as a teen and how astrology became a compass.
11:14–13:05 — Where Kira looks first in a health-focused natal chart
Sun (vitality), Moon (nourishment/hormones), Ascendant (physical body), chart ruler, plus the 1st and 6th houses.
13:11–16:42 — Symptoms over labels + transits as triggers (not verdicts)
Kira explains how she uses health history and symptoms to target systems, and how transits can time triggers—physical or emotional.
18:20–21:51 — Why Kira doesn’t do predictive medical astrology
A clear ethics section: no disease predictions, no “you’ll be better by X date,” and why certainty can be harmful (and demotivating).
22:17–24:22 — Nodal path work for alignment and resilience
Kira shares why North Node work can shift life satisfaction and reduce internal pressure; mentions Astrology for the Soul (Jan Spiller).
24:30–26:46 — Self-care isn’t selfish (and martyrdom is not a health plan)
A candid discussion about prioritising self-care, projection, and why the body forces “self-focus” when it’s ignored.
28:44–34:11 — Why clients don’t always follow through (and how Kira handles it)
Grace + realism: give options, allow timing, and still be direct. Also: what happens when clients claim “nothing worked.”
34:31–42:22 — Food, cravings, and the Moon’s role in nourishment
Moon as digestion/emotions; carbs/serotonin, sugar/dopamine, dairy as lunar comfort; Venus (sweet tooth), Jupiter (overdoing), Neptune (alcohol).
Also: “ultra-processed” food and hyper-palatability.
42:22–46:31 — Mars/Saturn as health allies + GLP-1 nuance
Mars: movement and inflammation. Saturn: structure/restriction and weight-loss symbolism.
Kira talks about GLP-1s as biochemically sophisticated and points to stigma around weight-loss supports.
46:31–53:41 — Cravings: biology vs emotion vs sensitivity
Sleep, blood sugar swings, dopamine crashes, nutrient drivers, plus the “can’t stop eating it” red flag and food sensitivities (including dairy).
Kira’s approach: “occupy” the Moon and other planets with non-food nourishment.
53:04–55:07 — The natal chart as a classroom/orchestra
A memorable metaphor: ignored planets act out; each planet needs to be seen and expressed constructively.
55:43–1:02:07 — Working with lunar cycles + personal lunar phase returns
Kira uses the waxing phase for “hard work” health changes; discusses cyclical dieting (two weeks on / two weeks off), and adapting timing for menstrual/hormonal phases.
Also: how to find your birth lunar phase and use phase returns.
1:02:12–1:05:33 — Days of the week as planetary medicine
Scheduling practices by weekday rulers (Sun/Sun-day, Moon/Mon-day, Mars/Tues-day, Mercury/Wednes-day, Jupiter/Thurs-day, Venus/Fri-day, Saturn/Satur-day).
Examples: Venus-Friday pleasure; Saturn-Saturday “get it done”; Mars-Tuesday harder exercise.
1:06:19–1:11:37 — Closing reflections + where to find Kira + upcoming series
Practical “small and doable” practices to build connection. Kira shares her monthly zodiac deep dive series (12 x 2-hour sessions) starting with Aquarius, plus resources via her website/Instagram and newsletter.
