The Green Kingdom

Take a walk through any wild, untended patch of land. You are standing in a library. It is older than writing itself. Long before books were made, plants grew. And people knew them.

They knew which leaf to crush on a sting. Which root to bury under a door for protection. Which flower to lay on a grave. Which to weave together for a wedding. This knowledge of plants was never separate from knowledge of the sky above. The same minds that watched the Sun move from Aries across to Leo also watched the marigold open when dawn came and close at dusk. They did not think these things were only alike. They saw them as one thing shown in two different places. The marigold is the Sun itself. Kept small and gold, held in the soil you can touch.

This is the heart of the Green Kingdom. It is the part of the Oracle given over to plants. Every herb here is read through four layers at once. These four layers are not four different opinions about a plant. They are four faces of one single fact. The first is its planet — the heavenly power whose nature it carries. The second is its element — the raw temper it leans toward: fire or water, air or earth. The third is its Galenic temperament (a way old doctors read herbs as warm or cool, wet or dry). The fourth is its angel — the planetary intelligence who governs it. Learn that rosemary is ruled by the Sun, that it is hot and dry, made of fire, and stands under Michael. Then you have not learned four separate things to memorise. You have learned one thing said four ways. Each way is a door into the same room.

These four parts hang together because the old tradition believed something important. It believed the cosmos rhymed with itself. A plant ruled by Venus runs cool and moist. It is soft to the touch. It is sweet to the nose. It turns the heart toward love and ease. This is not because softness and sweetness and love have an effect of Venus. It is because softness and sweetness and love are Venus herself. She shows herself wearing leaf and petal. A Mars herb stings or burns or bristles. It guards and cuts and drives. This is not an effect of Mars. This is what Mars is. You meet Mars in the hedge. The warm ones do warm work. The cool ones do cool work.

The Green Kingdom appears on six tiles. Each tile is the same garden. But you see it from a different window.

Today’s Herb is the plant the day belongs to. It is the green character of all the hours ahead. If it is chamomile, the day asks you to be steadied. If it is nettle, the day asks you to set a boundary and mean it. Herb of the Hour makes this even closer. It narrows down to the planetary hour you stand in right now. It is the wide shot brought down to close-up.

Moon’s Companion belongs to the night and the tide. It surfaces the herbs whose work happens by moonlight. They work best with the turning phase of the moon behind you. These are the dreamers and soothers. These are plants of feeling. Their work is better done after dark than chased under the bright noise of day. Angelic Herb lifts the plant up to its governing intelligence. Each herb stands under one of the seven planetary angels. When one rises here on this tile, that angel is laying a hand on your day. She does it through a plant you can hold.

Today’s Gathering marks a plant ripe to take up now. The moon’s phase is right. The day is right. A herb cut at the right hour carries more virtue than one pulled by chance. Scent of the Hour is for the herbs whose message comes through the nose. Let its smell reach you. Or let its smoke set the temper of the hour.

One word before the list of herbs begins. Plants are not only symbols. Some are food. Some are medicine. A few are dangerous. Read everything here as the lore of carrying, scenting, and keeping a small green thing wherever you keep what matters. A leaf in a pocket. A sprig over a door. A pinch of resin burned on a coal. Petals in the bath. The rule is simple and clear. Nothing here asks you to eat anything you would not already trust on a plate. Where an entry names a tea or a fresh leaf, these are the kitchen-safe herbs. The tradition has eaten them for centuries. The rest are carried. They are hung. They are burned. They are set aside. Never swallowed. The poisonous herbs are flagged. The potent ones are flagged. Honour the flags.

Agrimony

A slender, yellow-spired field herb. The Anglo-Saxons called it garclive. They prized it as something that stops blood flow. They used it as a charm against the night-hag. A Jupiter herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the aerial part of the flower. Its office: Carry a pinch in your left pocket. It turns ill-wishes back toward their sender.

Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · Wheel of Fortune

Aloe

The succulent of mercy. Its thick leaves hold a cool gel inside. Split the leaf open and the gel soothes a burn the moment you touch it. A Moon/Sun herb made of Water. It is cool and moist. It stands under Gabriel. Keep the leaf gel. Its office: Split a leaf. Apply the gel to a minor burn or sore skin. Feel immediate relief.

Moon · Water · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · moonstone, pearl · Monday · The Moon

Angelica

The root of the Holy Ghost. It was named this way because of what it is. A Sun/Venus herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the root. Keep the seed. Its office: Burn a fragment of root as incense. This consecrates a new space.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · sunstone, topaz · Sunday · The Sun

Anise

A warm, sweet seed. It comes from the carrot family. A Jupiter/Mercury herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the seed. Its office: Set a small dish of seeds by the bed. This protects sleep from nightmare.

Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · turquoise, amethyst · Thursday · The Empress

Basil

The royal herb (basilikon). It is beloved and feared at the same time. A Mars/Sun herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the leaf. Its office: A fresh leaf in the purse brings prosperity. A pot on the threshold brings protection.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Lovers

Bay

The laurel of Apollo. It was woven into the victor’s crown. It was woven into the poet’s wreath. A Sun herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the leaf. Its office: Write a wish on a dry bay leaf. Burn it. The smoke carries your petition.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · diamond, citrine · Sunday · The Sun

Betony

Wood betony. The Anglo-Saxons called it betonice. The Roman Antonius Musa wrote a whole book about it. He listed forty-seven different cures. A Jupiter herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the aerial part in flower. Its office: A sprig tucked at the breast before entering an unfamiliar place. It steadies the nerve.

Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amethyst, sapphire · Thursday · The Hierophant

Borage

Ego borago gaudia semper ago. I, borage, always bring courage. A Jupiter herb made of Water. It is cool and moist. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the flower. Keep the young leaf. Its office: A blue star flower in the lapel before a hard conversation. Courage without hardness.

Jupiter · Water · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · lapis lazuli, blue topaz · Thursday · The Six of Wands

Burdock

The great cleaving bur. The root goes deep and dark. A Venus/Saturn herb made of Earth. It is cool and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the root. Its office: A piece of dried root at the crossroads removes what has been wronging you. It works slowly.

Venus · Earth · Netzach · green and rose · copper · jet, smoky quartz · Friday · The Hermit

Calendula

The pot marigold, calendula. It opens with the sun. It closes at dusk. A Sun herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the flower. Its office: Petals in the bath bring a blessing-day. The gold flower is the Sun’s direct gift.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · amber, sunstone · Sunday · The Sun

Catnip

Nepeta. The cat’s delight. A gentle Venusian herb of friendship. A Venus herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the aerial. Its office: A sachet brings light flirtation and beauty. It also feeds a cat-familiar if you have one.

Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · rose quartz, jade · Friday · The Lovers

Chamomile

The ground-apple (chamai-melon). The gentle Sun-daisy. It smells of apples and mends what is bruised. A Sun herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the flower. Its office: A hot cup before sleep quiets the worried mind. Pinched in the pocket draws luck.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · yellow calcite, amber · Sunday · The Sun

Cinnamon

The high, hot bark. The Phoenicians traded it. They gave it a weight in gold. A Sun/Mars herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the bark (dried quill). Its office: Burn a piece of quill on charcoal. This is the great incense of prosperity and solar invocation.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · ruby, carnelian · Sunday · The Emperor

Clove

The hot nail-shaped bud. Latin clavus means a nail. This is where the name comes from. It scented the courts of China. It scented the markets of the Moluccas. A Sun/Mars herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the bud. Its office: A single clove chewed stills a tooth’s ache. Whole cloves burned stop the tongue of gossip.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · carnelian, ruby · Sunday · The Tower

Comfrey

Knitbone. Boneset. The deep-rooted Saturnian herb of Capricorn. A Saturn/Venus herb made of Earth. It is cool and moist. It stands under Cassiel. Keep the leaf. Keep the root (for outward use only). Its office: A piece in the luggage before travel. This is the old charm of safe return. Root for outward use only.

Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hanged Man

Dandelion

The lion’s tooth (dent-de-lion). The bright Jupiter weed. But it also has a hand of Saturn. A Jupiter/Saturn herb made of Earth. It is cool and moist. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the leaf. Keep the root. Keep the flower. Its office: Blow the seed-head once. Carry a wish with your breath.

Jupiter · Earth · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · citrine, smoky quartz · Thursday · The Star

Dill

From the Norse dilla, which means to lull. The soothing Mercury seed of the cradle and the kitchen. A Mercury herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the seed. Keep the leaf. Its office: A sprig over a cradle or child’s room. This is the old protector.

Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · Page of Swords

Dogwood

The flowering dogwood. A Saturnian tree of Capricorn. Its wood is hard. A Saturn herb made of Earth. It is cool and dry. It stands under Cassiel. Keep the bark. Its office: A small cross of dogwood wood on the hearth keeps household loyalty.

Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, onyx · Saturday · Judgement

Echinacea

The purple coneflower. A Mars-and-Jupiter herb of Scorpio and Sagittarius. A Mars/Jupiter herb made of Fire. It is cool and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the root. Its office: A few drops of tincture at the first scratchy throat of cold. This often cuts it short.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · bloodstone, garnet · Tuesday · Strength

Elder

The Elder Mother. Hylde-Moer in the old language. The Venusian tree-witch of Libra. But there is a hand of Saturn too. A Venus/Saturn herb made of Water. It is warm and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the flower. Keep the berry. Its office: Hot elderflower tea at the first fever opens the sweat. It breaks the fever gently.

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · black tourmaline, jet · Friday · The High Priestess

Fennel

The herb in whose hollow stalk the gods’ fire was carried down to humankind. That is the Prometheus story. A Mercury/Sun herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the seed. Keep the leaf. Its office: Chew a pinch of seeds after a heavy meal. This sharpens the wit and settles the stomach.

Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · jade, malachite · Wednesday · The Magician

Feverfew

Featherfew. The chamomile-cousin. It belongs to Venus and Jupiter. A Venus/Jupiter herb made of Air. It is warm, dry, and bitter. It stands under Anael. Keep the leaf. Its office: A sprig in the travelling bag. This is the traveller’s herb against small accidents.

Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · moonstone, peridot · Friday · The Chariot

Frankincense

Olibanum. The pure incense of the temple. A Sun herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the resin. Its office: The reference incense.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · amber, topaz · Sunday · The Sun

Garlic

The stinking rose. The Mars-and-fire bulb of Aries and Scorpio. The pyramid-builders ate it by the basket. The vampire fears it at the door. A Mars herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the bulb. Its office: One clove raw with the first meal. This is the body’s oldest shield against winter’s ills.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · hematite, bloodstone · Tuesday · The Tower

Ginger

The hot horned root (Sanskrit srngavera). It belongs to Mars and the Sun. A Mars/Sun herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the rhizome. Its office: A slice in hot water with honey. This is the quickest warming drink for cold hands.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · garnet, carnelian · Tuesday · The Chariot

Ginseng

The man-root (jen-shen). The Sun-and-fire root of Leo. It is shaped like a human body. A Sun herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the root. Its office: Root carried in the pocket on long undertakings. Longevity and a centred self.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · tiger’s eye, topaz · Sunday · The Hermit

Hawthorn

The May-tree. The fairy-thorn. A Mars-and-Venus hedge of Scorpio and Taurus. Its white blossom crowns Beltane. Lone hawthorn trees are not cut. People fear the good folk. A Mars/Venus herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the flower. Keep the berry. Its office: May-blossom on the altar for the month of May only.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · rose quartz, ruby · Friday · The Empress

Hops

The strobile of the hop-bine. A Mars-and-Saturn herb of Scorpio. It bitters and keeps the ale. A Mars/Saturn herb made of Water. It is cool and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the strobile. Its office: A pillow of dried cones brings deep, dream-rich sleep.

Mars · Water · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · amethyst, jet · Saturday · The High Priestess

Hyssop

Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean. A Mercury/Jupiter herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the aerial. Its office: A sprig dipped in blessed water. Sprinkle it on the threshold. This is the psalmist’s purge.

Mercury · Fire · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · sapphire, lapis lazuli · Wednesday · Judgement

Juniper

The Sun-and-fire evergreen of Leo and Aries. Its smoke purified the sickroom. Its smoke purified the temple. A Sun/Mars herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the berry. Its office: Berries burned on a charcoal. This purifies houses on the cusp of the new year.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · amber, garnet · Sunday · The Sun

Lavender

From the Latin lavare, which means to wash. A Mercury-and-Venus herb of Gemini. A Mercury/Venus herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the flower. Its office: A sprig under the pillow brings peaceful sleep.

Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · amethyst, lapis lazuli · Wednesday · The Star

Lemon Balm

Melissa. The bee-herb. A Jupiter-and-Moon plant of Sagittarius and Cancer. A Jupiter/Moon herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the leaf. Its office: Paracelsus’ elixir of life. A cup of fresh leaves steeped lifts a dull mood by afternoon.

Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · citrine, moonstone · Thursday · The Empress

Lily

The white Madonna lily. A Moon-and-Venus flower of Cancer. Sacred to the great goddesses. Sacred to Mary. A Moon/Venus herb made of Water. It is cool and moist. It stands under Gabriel. Keep the flower. Its office: A single lily on the altar for the feasts of the Virgin.

Moon · Water · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · pearl, moonstone · Monday · The High Priestess

Linden

The lime-tree. The linden. A Jupiter-and-Venus tree of Sagittarius. A Jupiter/Venus herb made of Air. It is warm and moist. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the flower. Its office: Tilleul tea with a little honey. This is the French household’s answer to anxious evenings.

Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · emerald, blue topaz · Thursday · The Hierophant

Mandrake

The root that wears a human shape. The most storied talisman-plant of the West. A Saturn herb made of Earth. It is cold and dry. It stands under Cassiel. Keep the root. Not a beginner’s herb. Never for casual internal use. Carry it or set it aside. Handle it with care.

Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Devil

Marjoram

Sweet marjoram. Rounder and gentler than oregano. A Mercury herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the aerial. Its office: In the wedding bouquet brings lasting happiness. On the grave brings joy beyond.

Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Lovers

Marshmallow

The soft mallow of the marsh. Its Greek name comes from althein, which means to heal. A Venus/Moon herb made of Water. It is cool and moist. It stands under Anael. Keep the root. Keep the leaf. Keep the flower. Its office: Cold-steep root overnight. This is the demulcent supreme for dry throats and inflamed linings.

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Empress

Mint

The bright tribe of runners. They fill any damp corner. A Mercury/Venus herb made of Air. It is cool and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the aerial. Its office: A leaf on the tongue before speaking. The tongue’s own quickening.

Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Magician

Mistletoe

The plant that grows in the air. A Jupiter/Sun herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the leaf. Keep the twig. Its office: A sprig above the door at winter solstice. Blessing for the coming year. Its berries are poisonous. Never eaten.

Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · The Hierophant

Motherwort

The lion-hearted herb. Its names declare both offices at once. A Venus/Moon herb made of Water. It is cool and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the aerial. Its office: A tea for nervous heart-flutters. For steadying the matriarch before a hard day.

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Empress

Mugwort

The grey-green wayside herb. Sacred to Artemis. A Moon/Venus herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Gabriel. Keep the aerial. Its office: Under the pillow brings prophetic dreams.

Moon · Air · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · moonstone, pearl · Monday · The High Priestess

Mullein

The tall woolly spire of waste ground. A Saturn/Jupiter herb made of Earth. It is cool and dry. It stands under Cassiel. Keep the leaf. Keep the flower. Its office: Flowers infused in oil bring relief from earache. The dried stalk becomes a torch for the dark paths.

Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hermit

Myrrh

The bitter resin of the desert tree. A Saturn/Moon herb made of Earth. It is warm and dry. It stands under Cassiel. Keep the resin. Its office: Burned at All Souls or at any memorial. This consecrates sorrow.

Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · Death

Nettle

The stinging guardian of the hedge. It defends itself the instant it is touched. A Mars/Saturn herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the leaf. Keep the seed. Keep the root. Its office: Young spring leaves in a soup. This is the mineral-rich cleanser after the winter’s heaviness.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Tower

Oak

The king of trees. Sacred to every thunder-god. A Jupiter herb made of Earth. It is cool and dry. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the bark. Keep the acorn. Its office: An acorn buried with an intention gives that intention a lifetime.

Jupiter · Earth · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · The Emperor

Parsley

The kitchen herb with an underworld shadow. A Mercury herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the leaf. Keep the root. Keep the seed. Its office: Fresh parsley after garlic freshens the breath. It belongs to the crossings and farewells.

Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · Death

Passionflower

The intricate crown-flower. Missionaries read it as the wounds and crown of the Passion. A Venus/Moon herb made of Water. It is cool and moist. It stands under Anael. Keep the aerial. Its office: Tea before bed for the racing mind at 3am.

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Hanged Man

Plantain

The flat ribbed rosette of every trodden path. A Venus/Mars herb made of Earth. It is cool and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the leaf. Its office: Fresh leaf chewed and applied on an insect sting. The first-aid herb of the path.

Venus · Earth · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Fool

Raspberry

The bramble whose fruit feeds and whose thorned cane guards. A Venus herb made of Water. It is cool and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the leaf. Its office: Leaf tea for the womb. The classical tonic of pregnancy (second trimester onward).

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Empress

Rose

The queen of flowers. Sacred to every love-goddess. Thorn and bloom together. A Venus herb made of Water. It is cool and moist. It stands under Anael. Keep the petal. Keep the hip. Its office: Petals strewn in the bath. The Lady’s own anointing.

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Lovers

Rosemary

The dew of the sea. The dark fragrant shrub. Its name in every tongue carries one meaning. A Sun/Mars herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the aerial. Its office: For remembrance. At a wedding. At a wake. Before a trial.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · sunstone, topaz · Sunday · The Sun

Rue

The blue-green bitter herb of grace. Sprinkled with holy water to bless and to banish. A Mars/Sun herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the aerial. Its office: A sprig in a little bag against the evil eye. The Mediterranean’s strongest ward. A herb of real force. Not for casual internal use.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Tower

Sage

The wise one’s herb. Named from the Latin for health. It shares a root with the word for the wise. A Jupiter/Sun herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Sachiel. Keep the leaf. Its office: Burned as a smudge brings long-life wisdom. Brings the cleansing of heavy rooms.

Jupiter · Fire · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · The Hermit

Skullcap

The calming herb of vows. Its little hooded flowers give it its name. A Mercury/Moon herb made of Water. It is cool and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the aerial. Its office: Tincture for nervous exhaustion with sharp anxiety. The helmet that guards the mind.

Mercury · Water · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Hanged Man

Slippery Elm

The red elm whose inner bark is used. A Saturn/Moon herb made of Earth. It is cool and moist. It stands under Cassiel. Keep the inner bark. Its office: Powder whisked into warm water. This is the gentlest remedy for any inflamed membrane.

Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hermit

St John’s Wort

The herb of midsummer. Blazing yellow at the year’s height. A Sun herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Michael. Keep the flower. Its office: Hung over the door at midsummer. The Sun’s victory over the spirits of night.

Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · sunstone, topaz · Sunday · The Sun

Tansy

The flat gold buttons that flower late. They keep their bitter leaf long. A Venus/Saturn herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the aerial. Its office: Dried leaves in drawers. This is the old household moth-repellent. Also a symbol of Easter. A herb of real force. Not for casual internal use.

Venus · Fire · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · Death

Tarragon

The little dragon. Its species-name comes from the Latin for a small serpent. A Mars herb made of Fire. It is warm and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the leaf. Its office: A little in the wine at the working that honours the dragon-currents of the land.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Magician

Thyme

The low aromatic herb of the dry hillside. A Venus/Mars herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the aerial. Its office: A pillow of thyme brings clairvoyant courage. Burned, it draws the fairy folk.

Venus · Fire · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · Strength

Valerian

The pale froth of flower over an earthy musk-rooted herb. A Mercury/Saturn herb made of Earth. It is warm and dry. It stands under Raphael. Keep the root. Its office: A capsule before sleep for the restless mind.

Mercury · Earth · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Moon

Vervain

The Druids’ holy herb. Gathered with honey at the dark of the moon. A Venus/Mercury herb made of Air. It is cool and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the aerial. Its office: The Druidic sacred herb.

Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The High Priestess

Violet

The shy sweet flower of the shaded bank. A Venus/Moon herb made of Water. It is cool and moist. It stands under Anael. Keep the flower. Keep the leaf. Its office: A posy of spring violets. The tender affection that opens quietly.

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Monday · The Star

Willow

The waterside tree that weeps its branches toward the stream. It bends where others break. A Moon/Saturn herb made of Water. It is cold and dry. It stands under Gabriel. Keep the bark. Its office: A willow wand for lunar magic.

Moon · Water · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · moonstone, pearl · Monday · The Moon

Witch Hazel

The shrub whose forked branch was the diviner’s dowsing-rod. A Saturn/Mercury herb made of Earth. It is cool and dry. It stands under Cassiel. Keep the leaf. Keep the twig. Its office: Forked twigs for dowsing. Distillate at any bruise.

Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hermit

Wormwood

The silver-grey bitter sister of mugwort. The byword for bitterness itself. A Mars/Saturn herb made of Fire. It is hot and dry. It stands under Samael. Keep the aerial. Its office: Burned as a banishing incense for the most stubborn of unwanted presences. A herb of real force. Not for casual internal use.

Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Tower

Yarrow

The thousand-leaf. Named for Achilles. He used it to stanch his soldiers’ wounds at Troy. A Venus/Mars herb made of Air. It is warm and dry. It stands under Anael. Keep the aerial. Its office: Staunches a cut. Under the pillow brings dreams of love.

Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Lovers

Ylang-Ylang

The flower of flowers. The heavy sweet bloom of the tropics. Its oil is the heart of the richest perfumes. A Venus herb made of Water. It is warm and moist. It stands under Anael. Keep the flower oil. Its office: A drop on a pulse point brings sensual opening. Tropical Venus at her most opulent.

Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Lovers

The Roster of the Green Kingdom

Sixty-seven herbs. Each one has its star. Its element. Its angel.

Herb	Latin name	Planet	Element	Angel
Agrimony	Agrimonia eupatoria	Jupiter	Air	Sachiel
Aloe	Aloe vera	Moon / Sun	Water	Gabriel
Angelica	Angelica archangelica	Sun / Venus	Fire	Michael
Anise	Pimpinella anisum	Jupiter / Mercury	Air	Sachiel
Basil	Ocimum basilicum	Mars / Sun	Fire	Samael
Bay	Laurus nobilis	Sun	Fire	Michael
Betony	Betonica officinalis	Jupiter	Air	Sachiel
Borage	Borago officinalis	Jupiter	Water	Sachiel
Burdock	Arctium lappa	Venus / Saturn	Earth	Anael
Calendula	Calendula officinalis	Sun	Fire	Michael
Catnip	Nepeta cataria	Venus	Air	Anael
Chamomile	Matricaria recutita	Sun	Fire	Michael
Cinnamon	Cinnamomum verum	Sun / Mars	Fire	Michael
Clove	Syzygium aromaticum	Sun / Mars	Fire	Michael
Comfrey	Symphytum officinale	Saturn / Venus	Earth	Cassiel
Dandelion	Taraxacum officinale	Jupiter / Saturn	Earth	Sachiel
Dill	Anethum graveolens	Mercury	Air	Raphael
Dogwood	Cornus florida	Saturn	Earth	Cassiel
Echinacea	Echinacea purpurea	Mars / Jupiter	Fire	Samael
Elder	Sambucus nigra	Venus / Saturn	Water	Anael
Fennel	Foeniculum vulgare	Mercury / Sun	Air	Raphael
Feverfew	Tanacetum parthenium	Venus / Jupiter	Air	Anael
Frankincense	Boswellia sacra	Sun	Fire	Michael
Garlic	Allium sativum	Mars	Fire	Samael
Ginger	Zingiber officinale	Mars / Sun	Fire	Samael
Ginseng	Panax ginseng	Sun	Fire	Michael
Hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna	Mars / Venus	Fire	Anael
Hops	Humulus lupulus	Mars / Saturn	Water	Samael
Hyssop	Hyssopus officinalis	Mercury / Jupiter	Fire	Raphael
Juniper	Juniperus communis	Sun / Mars	Fire	Michael
Lavender	Lavandula angustifolia	Mercury / Venus	Air	Raphael
Lemon Balm	Melissa officinalis	Jupiter / Moon	Air	Sachiel
Lily	Lilium candidum	Moon / Venus	Water	Gabriel
Linden	Tilia cordata	Jupiter / Venus	Air	Sachiel
Mandrake	Mandragora officinarum	Saturn	Earth	Cassiel
Marjoram	Origanum majorana	Mercury	Air	Raphael
Marshmallow	Althaea officinalis	Venus / Moon	Water	Anael
Mint	Mentha × piperita	Mercury / Venus	Air	Raphael
Mistletoe	Viscum album	Jupiter / Sun	Air	Sachiel
Motherwort	Leonurus cardiaca	Venus / Moon	Water	Anael
Mugwort	Artemisia vulgaris	Moon / Venus	Air	Gabriel
Mullein	Verbascum thapsus	Saturn / Jupiter	Earth	Cassiel
Myrrh	Commiphora myrrha	Saturn / Moon	Earth	Cassiel
Nettle	Urtica dioica	Mars / Saturn	Fire	Samael
Oak	Quercus robur	Jupiter	Earth	Sachiel
Parsley	Petroselinum crispum	Mercury	Air	Raphael
Passionflower	Passiflora incarnata	Venus / Moon	Water	Anael
Plantain	Plantago major	Venus / Mars	Earth	Anael
Raspberry	Rubus idaeus	Venus	Water	Anael
Rose	Rosa damascena	Venus	Water	Anael
Rosemary	Salvia rosmarinus	Sun / Mars	Fire	Michael
Rue	Ruta graveolens	Mars / Sun	Fire	Samael
Sage	Salvia officinalis	Jupiter / Sun	Fire	Sachiel
Skullcap	Scutellaria lateriflora	Mercury / Moon	Water	Raphael
Slippery Elm	Ulmus rubra	Saturn / Moon	Earth	Cassiel
St John’s Wort	Hypericum perforatum	Sun	Fire	Michael
Tansy	Tanacetum vulgare	Venus / Saturn	Fire	Anael
Tarragon	Artemisia dracunculus	Mars	Fire	Samael
Thyme	Thymus vulgaris	Venus / Mars	Fire	Anael
Valerian	Valeriana officinalis	Mercury / Saturn	Earth	Raphael
Vervain	Verbena officinalis	Venus / Mercury	Air	Anael
Violet	Viola odorata	Venus / Moon	Water	Anael
Willow	Salix alba	Moon / Saturn	Water	Gabriel
Witch Hazel	Hamamelis virginiana	Saturn / Mercury	Earth	Cassiel
Wormwood	Artemisia absinthium	Mars / Saturn	Fire	Samael
Yarrow	Achillea millefolium	Venus / Mars	Air	Anael
Ylang-Ylang	Cananga odorata	Venus	Water	Anael

Lay the table beside the six windows and the design stands clear. The marigold and the bay both answer to the Sun. Both stand under Michael. They do the same bright work in different shapes. The rose and the marshmallow both belong to Venus. Both soften what they touch. When a herb surfaces on any tile you are shown one note of the day. That note is played on an instrument you can hold. You can carry it. You can set it over your door. Learn the kingdom and you will never again see only a weed in the pavement crack. You will know which star sent it. You will know what it came to say.