Tarragon

What this is

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus). The little dragon, its species-name from the Latin for a small serpent, said to take its likeness from the coiled root or the leaf shaped like a serpent's tongue. Sacred like its Artemisia kin to the moon-huntress, it is carried for courage, calm and protection, the dragon's steady heart.

What it governs

Tarragon answers to Mars and the element of Fire. Its seat in the zodiac is Aries, and its day is Tuesday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waxing moon. In the old practice its office is plain: A little in the wine at the working that honours the dragon-currents of the land.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning tarragon is warm and dry, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the leaf. 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 dragon-courage in many hands: the Arab and Greek physicians named it the little dragon and set it against serpent-bite; the cooks of France crowned it king of herbs; folk craft carries it for a calm and fearless heart. Serpent-herb and king of herbs are one plant, the steadying nerve that meets the dragon without flinching.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Tarragon on Today's Herb, Angelic Herb, Today's Gathering, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its office: A little in the wine at the working that honours the dragon-currents of the land. 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

Tarragon gives a dragon's calm courage. Its bent is the steady heart that neither rages nor flees, protection held in stillness. It asks you to meet what frightens you with composure rather than heat, and to let calm itself be your guard.

Correspondences

planet

Mars

element

Fire

zodiac

Aries

number

5

sephirah

Geburah

day

Tuesday

colour

scarlet red

metal

iron

stone

emerald, ruby

tarot

The Magician