Chamomile

What this is

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). The ground-apple (chamai-melon), the gentle Sun-daisy that smells of apples and mends what is bruised. Strewn on floors, planted on lawns to be walked on, it was called the plant's physician for reviving the sick herbs growing beside it. A solar flower of Leo.

What it governs

Chamomile answers to Sun and the element of Fire. Its seat in the zodiac is Leo, and its day is Sunday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the full moon. In the old practice its office is plain: A hot cup before sleep quiets the anxious mind; pinched in the pocket draws luck.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning chamomile is warm and dry, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the flower. Its working colour follows Sun, gold and solar yellow; its metal is gold, its stones are yellow calcite, amber, its number 6, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Tiphareth. 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

Calm and quiet gold everywhere: the gambler's hand-wash to draw luck in conjure; the bedtime tea against sleeplessness and bad dreams the world over; flowers strewn round the house to lift a curse and bring peace. Soothed and fortunate at once, sleep and luck from the same warm cup.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Chamomile 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 hot cup before sleep quiets the anxious mind; pinched in the pocket draws luck. As the Angelic Herb it stands under Michael; read its rising as that intelligence laying a hand on your day, with solar warmth and the will to shine. 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

Chamomile calms and draws good fortune softly, never by force. It is for the day that needs steadying rather than pushing. It asks you to rest the matter and let luck come to ease.

Correspondences

planet

Sun

element

Fire

zodiac

Leo

number

6

sephirah

Tiphareth

day

Sunday

colour

gold, solar yellow

metal

gold

stone

yellow calcite, amber

tarot

The Sun