Mullein and Gentleness
Verbascum thapsus
The first time a friend saw mullein growing in my yard, she said, “You know that’s a weed, right?” Mullein is a medicinal herb that grows in abandoned areas, and, yes, some people think of it as a weed. I hadn’t planted this particular mullein plant—the seed had blown into my yard and established itself among the rose bushes, but it was welcome in my yard.
Mullein is a biennial, which means it takes two years for the plant to run through its life cycle. The first year, there is simply a rosette of soft and velvety green leaves. The second year, it sends up a tall flower stalk from the middle of the plant. In late summer, the top of the stalk is covered with a myriad of small, soft, yellow flowers. Mullein hardly qualifies as a weed since it is not invasive and can easily be pulled out if it is growing in the wrong place. It might be thought of as a weed because it grows wild along roadways, but this is because mullein grows easily in hot, dry conditions. I think the plant looks majestic growing in the yard.
Mullein has been used medicinally by Native Americans and Western herbalists. The plant has demulcent properties, which means it is soothing to mucous membranes. The leaves and flowers can be brewed into a tea to relieve coughs and bronchial problems. In the past, smoking the herb was recommended for asthma and coughs. The flowers have also been blended with olive oil to soothe ear infections.
Gentleness is the correspondence for mullein, reflected in its soothing and gentle medicinal properties. We sometimes equate gentleness with weakness, but mullein is a reminder that they are not the same. Mullein can grow four or five feet tall and makes a bold statement in a yard or along the roadside. It is a hardy plant that stands tall, yet it exhibits softness and gentleness.
Gentleness can include patience and tolerance, and there is a strength with both of those words as well. Gentleness can also be a choice grounded in strength and exhibited by thoughtful actions.
When considering this correspondence, be aware of where and how gentleness manifests in your life. Pay attention to whether or not you sometimes confuse gentleness with weakness.
Morning Attunement Questions
• What connections do I have with mullein and gentleness?
• Where else in the green world or in my life do I observe gentleness?
• What does this correspondence feel like?
• How can I describe this energetic attribute of gentleness in words or pictures?
• Where does this correspondence of gentleness resonate most strongly in or around my body or in my life?
Daily Integration Questions
• In what ways is the world reflecting mullein or gentleness back to me?
• What nuances and shades of meaning do I notice about mullein and gentleness?
Evening Reflection Questions
• Where and how did I experience mullein or gentleness today?
• How did I embrace gentleness today?
• What wisdom does mullein’s correspondence of gentleness bring to my life?