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HERBAL ASTROLOGY
Another invisible influence of plants is related to the astrological signs associated with them. These associations are a helpful guide to the alchemical properties and effects of the herbs. Here is a brief guide to plant alchemy.*17
Plants have an affinity both to a sign of the zodiac and to the planets, Sun, and Moon of our solar system. The listing of plants below these associations shows which will help guide their effective use. As we have seen, herbs tend to direct their energies to unique organ systems and bodily functions. Some herbs will go to the lungs, others to the bowels, yet others to the skin, and so on. Planetary herbology is yet another system of plant classification where plants with specific affinities for certain emotional states, organs, and body parts are grouped together under a planetary ruler.
PROPERTIES INDICATED BY PLANETARY BODY†2
Solar plants bestow positive ego strength, enhance personal will, and increase generosity, ambition, courage, dignity, and self-reliance. Managerial skills and personal authority are fostered, as is creativity.
Lunar plants facilitate past-life recall and channeling and help remove addictions and habits by relieving past-life traumas. They bring a resurgence of interest in the home and in domestic matters. They help you unwind and appreciate the simple gifts of life. They also help you be graceful and more sensitive and in tune with others. They will increase imagination.
Mercury-ruled plants enhance mental keenness, versatility, and wit and are especially helpful to writers and speakers. Mix these plants with solar and lunar herbs to increase psychic perception and the ability to manifest through the spoken word. When they are mixed with lunar herbs, psychic receptivity is increased. When mixed with solar herbs, telepathic sending is strengthened.
Venus-ruled plants increase personal magnetism and attractiveness and refine the senses. Venus promotes affection, friendship, and style. Those who seek to communicate with all types of people—musicians, actors, and artists—will find their effectiveness increased. Harmony and balance are fostered, as is communication with subtle Nature realms.
Mars-ruled plants stimulate the passions and make the user more gregarious and action-oriented. These plants can help develop the powers of telekinesis. Add them to formulas to liberate the potential of other plants. Combined with herbs of Mars, the Moon, and Mercury, they enhance the powers of manifestation.
Jupiter-ruled plants provide an expansive, affectionate mental outlook and promote an intuitive understanding of deep spirituality and of ritual. Healers, clergy, lawyers, and anyone working with pomp and circumstance will have their efforts enhanced. Jupiter is particularly allied with prosperity consciousness. Mixed with solar herbs, Jupiter-ruled plants increase an awareness of divine mercy. Mixed with Mercury-ruled plants, these herbs increase the understanding of philosophy and cosmic principles. The lighthearted, expansive joy of these herbs helps dispel depression and gloom.
Saturn-ruled plants bring sobriety and help one understand the karmic limitations of life. They bring steadying, solidifying, subtle, diplomatic, and patient energies. They are grounding to the user and will help a person focus on and finish projects. Add these herbs to any formula to ground plans and make their physical manifestation a reality.
Neptune-ruled plants are helpful in dream work and in bringing physical concepts to the next plane.
Uranus-ruled plants are often hybrids and easy to transplant, as Uranus is the planet of sudden changes. These are herbs that jump-start projects, energize, stimulate, and promote inspiration.
Pluto-ruled plants are helpful for enhancing sexuality and for harmonizing the physical and spiritual aspects of a personality.
Properties Indicated by Zodiac Affiliation
Plants of Aries deal with issues of the head, eyes, heat, headaches, and allergies.
Plants of Taurus deal with the neck, the throat, and overindulgence of food.
Plants of Gemini are for the arms and hands, nervous tension, pain, and the lungs.
Plants of Cancer benefit the stomach and the womb.
Plants of Leo help the heart, back, and spine.
Plants of Virgo are for the abdomen, intestines, and nerves.
Plants of Libra help the kidneys and issues of body weight.
Plants of Scorpio deal with the reproductive tract and stagnation in the body.
Plants of Sagittarius benefit the hips, thighs, and liver.
Plants of Capricorn help the knees, bones, and teeth.
Plants of Aquarius are for the lower legs and circulation.
Plants of Pisces benefit the feet and the lymph system.
| ASTROLOGICAL NATURE OF SELECTED PLANTS | ||
| PLANT | PLANETARY BODY | ZODIAC AFFILIATION |
| Agrimony | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Alfalfa | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Aloe | Mars | Aries |
| Angelica | Sun | Leo |
| Arnica | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Ashwagandha root | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Astragalus | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Barberry root | Mars | Aries |
| Bayberry, Wax Myrtle | Sun | Leo |
| Black Alder, Buckthorn bark | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Blackberry | Venus | Taurus |
| Black Cohosh | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Black Haw | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Bladderwrack, Kelp | Moon | Cancer |
| Blessed Thistle | Mars | Aries |
| Blue Cohosh | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Blue Flag | Moon | Cancer |
| Borage | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Buchu | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Bugleweed | Venus | Taurus |
| Burdock root | Venus | Taurus |
| Butternut Tree, White Walnut | Sun | Leo |
| Calendula | Sun | Leo |
| Cannabis, Da Ma (Chinese) | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Cascara Sagrada | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Catnip | Mars | Aries |
| Cayenne | Sun | Leo |
| Cedar, Arborvitae, Thuja | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Celery seed | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Chamomile | Sun | Leo |
| Chasteberry | Moon | Capricorn |
| Cinnamon | Sun | Leo |
| Coltsfoot | Venus | Taurus |
| Comfrey | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Coriander | Mars | Aries |
| Corn silk | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Cotton root | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Cramp Bark | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Damiana | Pluto | Scorpio |
| Dandelion | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Devil’s Claw | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Dodder | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Dong Quai | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Dragon’s Blood | Mars | Aries |
| Echinacea | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Elder | Venus | Taurus |
| Elecampane | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| False Unicorn root | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Fennel | Mercury | Virgo, Taurus |
| Fenugreek | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Feverfew | Sun | Leo |
| Flax | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Garlic | Mars | Aries |
| Gentian | Mercury | Virgo |
| Ginger | Sun | Leo |
| Ginseng | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Goldenseal | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Gotu Kola | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Ground Ivy, Creeping Charlie | Venus | Taurus |
| Guaiacum | Venus | Taurus |
| Guarana | Mars | Aries |
| Hawthorn | Mars | Aries |
| Hops | Sun | Leo |
| Horsetail | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Hydrangea root | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Hyssop | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Juniper berry | Mars | Aries |
| Lady’s Slipper | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Lavender | Mercury | Virgo |
| Lemon Balm | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Licorice | Mercury | Virgo |
| Limeflower, Linden | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Lobelia | Venus | Taurus |
| Mandrake root | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Marshmallow root | Venus | Taurus |
| Milk Thistle | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Mistletoe (European) | Sun, Moon, Jupiter | Leo, Cancer, Sagittarius |
| Motherwort | Venus | Taurus |
| Mugwort | Moon | Cancer |
| Mullein | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Myrrh | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Nettles | Mars | Aries |
| Oak | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Orange peel | Sun | Leo |
| Oregon Grape root | Mars | Aries |
| Osha | Mercury | Virgo |
| Parsley | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Partridgeberry | Moon | Cancer |
| Passionflower | Moon | Cancer |
| Pennyroyal | Venus | Taurus |
| Peppermint | Venus | Taurus |
| Pine | Mars | Aries |
| Pipsissewa, Prince’s Pine | Moon | Cancer |
| Plantain | Venus | Taurus |
| Pleurisy Root | Mercury | Virgo |
| Poke | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Prickly Ash | Mars | Aries |
| Psyllium seed | Venus | Taurus |
| Queen of the Meadow, Joe Pye Weed, Gravel Root | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Raspberry leaf | Venus | Taurus |
| Red Clover | Mars | Aries |
| Redroot, New Jersey Tea | Moon | Capricorn |
| Rehmannia | Moon | Capricorn |
| Rhubarb root, Chinese Rhubarb root | Mars | Aries |
| Rose | Venus | Taurus |
| Rue | Sun | Leo |
| Sage | Venus | Taurus |
| Saint-John’s-Wort | Sun | Leo |
| Sassafras | Mars | Aries |
| Saw Palmetto | Pluto | Scorpio |
| Scarlet Pimpernel | Sun | Leo |
| Shatavari root, Indian Asparagus | Moon | Cancer |
| Shepherd’s Purse | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Siberian Ginseng | Pluto | Scorpio |
| Skullcap | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Slippery Elm | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Tansy | Venus | Taurus |
| Turmeric | Mars | Aries |
| Usnea | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Uva- Ursi | Venus | Taurus |
| Valerian | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Vervain | Venus | Taurus |
| Wahoo bark, Spindle Tree | Mercury | Virgo, Gemini |
| Watercress | Moon | Cancer |
| White Willow | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Wild Cherry bark | Venus | Taurus |
| Wild Lettuce, Prickly Lettuce | Moon | Cancer |
| Wild Yam | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Witch Hazel | Saturn | Capricorn |
| Yarrow | Venus | Taurus |
| Yellow Dock | Jupiter | Sagittarius |
| Yucca | Moon | Cancer |