Clary Sage and Clarity
Salvia sclarea
Clary sage, like its sister plant common sage, is strongly aromatic. The fragrance is musky and earthy, not at all flowery. Unlike common sage, clary is a biennial and only lives for two years. Its first year, clary sage produces a rosette of leaves close to the ground. In its second year, the stalk features pale lavender or white flowers with pronounced bottom lips. The flowers are enfolded by small lavender-colored leaves, so the whole stalk is alive with a range of purplish colors.
One of the many traditional uses of clary sage was as an eye wash. The seeds are mucilaginous (sticky), and soaking them in warm water for a few minutes creates a liquid that is helpful for washing debris out of the eye. Other names for the plant, like Clear Eye, See Bright, and Eyebright, reflect this use of the plant. Clary sage is most popular today for making essential oils.
Clarity, the correspondence for this plant, can almost be heard in clary sage’s name. Clarity is a state of transparency and clearness. It is a word often used when describing gemstones, which are rated by their cloudiness and transparency. Clary sage resonates with clear vision, which is a kind of wisdom.
In the early days of my women’s ritual group, we’d meet at the full moon and declare intentions. Mine were always about clarity. I longed for a crystal-clear vision of how to proceed in life. Many moons have passed since then, and I’ve come to understand that perfect clarity, as one might find in a gemstone, may be impossible. Everyone has cultural, familial, and human biases that muddy our vision. The world we think we know is more complicated than it appears. We are limited by our senses and our ability to predict the actions of others.
We don’t have to give up on achieving clarity, however. Rather than thinking of clarity as being able to clearly see the road in front of you, you might reframe the concept as simply knowing you are on the right road. Do this by tuning in to your values and choosing a direction based on those values. The path itself might not be clear, but you have clarity of purpose and direction. The wisdom is in knowing yourself and following your inner guidance. Clarity is an energetic feeling when you are aligned with your life purpose and proceed in the right direction, without knowing the outcome.
Immersing yourself in the green world can help you find clarity. Being in a garden can provide a respite from overthinking and help you clear your minds. There may be places in the garden that provide a feeling of clearness, openness, and clarity. Take advantage of that energy when seeking clarity about an issue or concern.
Morning Attunement Questions
• What connections do I have with clary sage and clarity?
• Where else in the green world or in my life do I observe clarity?
• What does this correspondence feel like?
• How can I describe this energetic attribute of clarity in words or pictures?
• Where does the correspondence of clarity resonate most strongly in or around my body or in my life?
Daily Integration Questions
• In what ways is the world reflecting clary sage or clarity back to me?
• What nuances and shades of meaning do I notice about clary sage and clarity?
Evening Reflection Questions
• Where and how did I experience clary sage or clarity today?
• How did I embrace clarity today?
• What wisdom does clary sage’s correspondence of clarity bring to my life?