Feverfew

What this is

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). Featherfew, the chamomile-cousin of Venus and Jupiter, ruled by Libra, that the Greeks set on fevers and the English on the megrim, the great old remedy for the migraine and the traveller's small misfortunes.

What it governs

Feverfew answers to Venus and the element of Air, with a second hand from Jupiter. Its seat in the zodiac is Libra, and its day is Friday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waxing moon. In the old practice its office is plain: A sprig in the travelling bag — the traveller's herb against small accidents.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning feverfew is warm, dry and notably bitter, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the leaf. Its working colour follows Venus, green and rose; its metal is copper, its stones are moonstone, peridot, its number 7, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Netzach. 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

Guarding and easing everywhere: a sprig in the travelling bag against the small accidents of the road in folk craft; planted round the door to purify the air and ward sickness; chewed against the headache. To clear the way and ease the head, the same cooling, journey and skull.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Feverfew 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 sprig in the travelling bag — the traveller's herb against small accidents. As the Angelic Herb it stands under Anael; read its rising as that intelligence laying a hand on your day, with Venusian sweetness and attraction. 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

Feverfew guards the journey and cools the head. It is for setting out steady and for the pounding that will not stop. It asks you to look ahead and clear the small dangers before they trip you.

Correspondences

planet

Venus

element

Air

zodiac

Libra

number

7

sephirah

Netzach

day

Friday

colour

green, rose

metal

copper

stone

moonstone, peridot

tarot

The Chariot