Slippery Elm

What this is

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra). The red elm whose inner bark, ground and wetted, turns to a soothing slick paste. In conjure it is the herb against slander, burned to seal the mouth of a backbiter, the smooth bark that stops a rough tongue.

What it governs

Slippery Elm answers to Saturn and the element of Earth, with a second hand from Moon. Its seat in the zodiac is Capricorn, and its day is Saturday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waning moon. In the old practice its office is plain: Powder whisked into warm water — the gentlest remedy for any inflamed membrane.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning slippery elm is cool and moist, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the inner bark. Its working colour follows Saturn, black and indigo; its metal is lead, its stones are jet, malachite, its number 3, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Binah. It is gentle, safe to use as the practice describes.

Where else it appears

One stilling of the tongue in many hands: the conjure-worker burns slippery elm to halt gossip and quiet a liar; the herbalist steeps the same bark to soothe a raw throat; the old physic poulticed it over an inflamed place. The thing that soothes a sore throat is reached for to soothe the harm a throat can do.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Slippery Elm on Today's Herb, Angelic Herb, Today's Gathering, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its office: Powder whisked into warm water — the gentlest remedy for any inflamed membrane. As the Angelic Herb it stands under Cassiel; read its rising as that intelligence laying a hand on your day, with Saturn's patience, depth and binding. As Today's Gathering it marks a plant to take up now, while waning moon and the day are with it.

Why it matters

Slippery Elm seals the slandering mouth and soothes the raw place. Its bent is to take the friction out of words, both those said against you and those said in pain. It asks you to still the rough tongue, your own as well as another's, and let the soreness settle.

Correspondences

planet

Saturn

element

Earth

zodiac

Capricorn

number

3

sephirah

Binah

day

Saturday

colour

black, indigo

metal

lead

stone

jet, malachite

tarot

The Hermit