Nettle

What this is

Nettle (Urtica dioica). The stinging guardian of the hedge, defending itself the instant it is touched. That habit, harm returned to whoever offers harm, made it the herb of fierce protection and of the proverb that to grasp the nettle boldly is to be stung the less.

What it governs

Nettle answers to Mars and the element of Fire, with a second hand from Saturn. Its seat in the zodiac is Aries and Scorpio, and its day is Tuesday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waxing moon. In the old practice its office is plain: Young spring leaves in a soup — the mineral-rich cleanser after the winter's heaviness.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning nettle is warm and dry, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the leaf; seed; root. Its working colour follows Mars, scarlet red; its metal is iron, its stones are emerald, ruby, its number 5, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Geburah. It is gentle, safe to use as the practice describes.

Where else it appears

One defended boundary in many skins: the Saxons named nettle among the Nine Herbs that drive out the flying venom; the Norse gave it to Thor, the iron-handed protector; Himalayan ascetics drew strength from the plant that fights back. The thing that protects itself teaches you to protect yourself; the sting is a boundary made visible.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Nettle on Today's Herb, Angelic Herb, Today's Gathering, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its office: Young spring leaves in a soup — the mineral-rich cleanser after the winter's heaviness. As the Angelic Herb it stands under Samael; read its rising as that intelligence laying a hand on your day, with martial heat and decisive force. As Today's Gathering it marks a plant to take up now, while waxing moon and the day are with it.

Why it matters

Nettle defends and returns harm to its sender. It asks whether you are letting yourself be stung rather than learning, plainly, to set a boundary, and reminds you that to grasp the difficult thing boldly is to suffer it less.

Correspondences

planet

Mars

element

Fire

zodiac

Aries, Scorpio

number

5

sephirah

Geburah

day

Tuesday

colour

scarlet red

metal

iron

stone

emerald, ruby

tarot

The Tower