Clove

What this is

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum). The hot nail-shaped bud (Latin clavus, a nail) that scented the courts of China and the markets of the Moluccas, where a tree was planted at each child's birth. A Sun-and-fire spice with the edge of Mars, ruled by Leo and Aries, for drawing and for stilling tongues.

What it governs

Clove answers to Sun and the element of Fire, with a second hand from Mars. Its seat in the zodiac is Leo and Aries, and its day is Sunday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waxing moon. In the old practice its office is plain: A single clove chewed stills a tooth's ache; whole cloves burn to stop the tongue of gossip.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning clove is hot and dry, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the bud. Its working colour follows Sun, gold and solar yellow; its metal is gold, its stones are carnelian, ruby, its number 6, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Tiphareth. It is a herb of scent, working through the nose as much as the hand, 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

Drawing and silencing everywhere: burned to attract money and visitors in conjure; a clove-studded fruit hung to stop slander and gossip; chewed against the toothache the world over. To draw the good and shut the harmful mouth, one warm nail, many uses.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Clove on Today's Herb, Scent of the Hour, Angelic Herb, Today's Gathering, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its one office: a single clove chewed stills a tooth's ache; whole cloves burn to stop the tongue of gossip. As the Scent of the Hour its message arrives through the nose, so let its smoke or its smell set the temper of the hour. 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 waxing moon and the day are with it.

Why it matters

Clove draws toward you and stops the wagging tongue against you. It is for prosperity and for friendship cleared of backbiting. It asks you to choose what you want spoken of you and silence the rest.

Correspondences

planet

Sun

element

Fire

zodiac

Leo, Aries

number

6

sephirah

Tiphareth

day

Sunday

colour

gold, solar yellow

metal

gold

stone

carnelian, ruby

tarot

The Tower