Parsley

What this is

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum). The kitchen herb with an underworld shadow, slow and uncertain to rise, said in the old saw to go nine times to the Devil before it sprouts. The Greeks crowned both their dead and their victors with it, the herb of death and rebirth in one green sprig.

What it governs

Parsley answers to Mercury and the element of Air. Its seat in the zodiac is Virgo and Gemini, and its day is Wednesday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waxing moon. In the old practice its office is plain: Fresh parsley after garlic freshens the breath; of the crossings and farewells.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning parsley is warm and dry, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the leaf; root; seed. Its working colour follows Mercury, orange and shot-silk mixed hues; its metal is quicksilver, its stones are blue lace agate, agate, its number 8, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Hod. It is gentle, safe to use as the practice describes.

Where else it appears

One passage in many hands: the Greeks laid parsley on graves sacred to Persephone, queen of the dead and the returning spring, and crowned their athletes with it; the Romans set it on the plate against death and drunkenness; English lore kept its underworld dread alive. Grave and victor's brow share the one herb, for death and renewal are a single crossing.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Parsley on Today's Herb, Angelic Herb, Today's Gathering, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its office: Fresh parsley after garlic freshens the breath; of the crossings and farewells. As the Angelic Herb it stands under Raphael; read its rising as that intelligence laying a hand on your day, with Mercury's quickness of mind and word. As Today's Gathering it marks a plant to take up now, while waxing moon and the day are with it.

Why it matters

Parsley marks the crossing of death and renewal. Its bent is purification, the clearing that comes after a hard passage. It asks you to trust the slow return, and to recognise when you have already come back up into the green.

Correspondences

planet

Mercury

element

Air

zodiac

Virgo, Gemini

number

8

sephirah

Hod

day

Wednesday

colour

orange, shot-silk mixed hues

metal

quicksilver

stone

blue lace agate, agate

tarot

Death