Dandelion

What this is

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The lion's tooth (dent-de-lion), the bright Jupiter weed with a hand of Saturn, that follows the sun across the sky and turns to a clock of seeds for wishing. Every part is food, drink, and medicine; ruled by Sagittarius and Capricorn.

What it governs

Dandelion answers to Jupiter and the element of Earth, with a second hand from Saturn. Its seat in the zodiac is Sagittarius and Capricorn, and its day is Thursday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waxing and waning moon. In the old practice its office is plain: Blow the seed-head once, carrying a wish. The wind is a willing messenger.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning dandelion is cool and moist, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the leaf and the root and the flower. Its working colour follows Jupiter, royal blue and purple; its metal is tin, its stones are citrine, smoky quartz, its number 4, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Chesed. It is gentle, safe to use as the practice describes.

Where else it appears

Wishing and the unseen everywhere: the seed-clock blown to send a wish or count the hour in childhood across Europe; the root roasted to call spirits and aid divination in folk craft; the leaf eaten to clear the body. Message and divination, one breath sent out on the wind.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Dandelion on Today's Herb, Angelic Herb, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its one office: blow the seed-head once, carrying a wish. The wind is a willing messenger. 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.

Why it matters

Dandelion sends the wish. Its whole nature is to give a thing to the wind and trust the wind to carry it. It asks you to name the wish, blow once, and then let go of the outcome.

Correspondences

planet

Jupiter

element

Earth

zodiac

Sagittarius, Capricorn

number

4

sephirah

Chesed

day

Thursday

colour

royal blue, purple

metal

tin

stone

citrine, smoky quartz

tarot

The Star