Borage

What this is

Borage (Borago officinalis). Ego borago gaudia semper ago, I, borage, always bring courage. The blue star-flower steeped in the stirrup-cup of knights and crusaders, a Jupiter herb on the water of Sagittarius, the herb of the glad and steadied heart.

What it governs

Borage answers to Jupiter and the element of Water. Its seat in the zodiac is Sagittarius, and its day is Thursday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the full moon. In the old practice its office is plain: A blue star flower in the lapel before a hard conversation — courage without hardness.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning borage is cool and moist, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the flower and the young leaf. Its working colour follows Jupiter, royal blue and purple; its metal is tin, its stones are lapis lazuli, blue topaz, its number 4, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Chesed. It carries well on the body, kept in a pocket or a small sachet and it is gentle, safe to use as the practice describes.

Where else it appears

Courage poured everywhere: floated in wine to hearten the Roman soldier; given to lift melancholy by the Tudor herbalist; worn for psychic strength and gladness in later craft. The lifted heart, one gift in many cups.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Borage on Today's Herb, Angelic Herb, Today's Gathering, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its one office: a blue star flower in the lapel before a hard conversation — courage without hardness. As the Angelic Herb it stands under Sachiel; read its rising as that intelligence laying a hand on your day, with Jupiter's expansion and good fortune. As Today's Gathering it marks a plant to take up now, while the full moon and the day are with it.

Why it matters

Borage heartens, but gently, courage without hardness. When the spirit has sunk before something hard, it lifts you to meet it kindly. It asks you to take heart and go forward where you had stalled.

Correspondences

planet

Jupiter

element

Water

zodiac

Sagittarius

number

4

sephirah

Chesed

day

Thursday

colour

royal blue, purple

metal

tin

stone

lapis lazuli, blue topaz

tarot

The Six of Wands