Chapter 10 of 18
The Green Kingdom
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Walk out into any patch of unkept ground and you stand in a library older than writing. Before there were books there were plants, and people who knew them: which leaf to crush on a sting, which root to bury under the doorstep, which flower to lay on a grave and which to weave for a wedding. That knowledge was never separate from the knowledge of the sky. The same minds that watched the Sun cross from Aries to Leo also watched the marigold open at dawn and close at dusk, and did not think the two merely alike but one thing met in two places: the marigold is the Sun, kept small and gold in soil you can hold.
This is the heart of the Green Kingdom, the part of the Oracle given over to plants. Every herb here is read on four registers at once, and the registers are not four opinions about a plant but four faces of one fact: its planet, the heavenly governor whose nature it carries; its element, the raw temper it leans to, fire or water, air or earth; its Galenic temperament, the old physician’s reading of warm or cool, moist or dry; and its angel, the planetary intelligence under whose hand it stands. Learn that rosemary is a Sun herb, hot and dry, of fire, under Michael, and you have learned not four things to memorise but one thing said four ways, each a door into the same room.
The four hang together because the tradition that gathered them held that the cosmos rhymes with itself. A plant ruled by Venus runs cool and moist, soft to the touch and sweet to the nose, and turns the heart toward love and ease, because softness and sweetness and love are not effects of Venus but Venus herself wearing leaf and petal. A Mars herb stings or burns or bristles, and guards and cuts and drives, because that is what Mars is, met in the hedge. The warm ones do warm work, the cool ones cool.
The Green Kingdom surfaces on six tiles, each the same garden from a different window.
Today’s Herb is the plant the day belongs to, the green character of the hours ahead: if it is chamomile, the day asks to be steadied; if nettle, to set a boundary and mean it. Herb of the Hour narrows that to the planetary hour you stand in, the close-up to the wide shot.
Moon’s Companion belongs to the night and the tide, surfacing the herbs whose work is done by moonlight or with the turning phase behind you, the dreamers and soothers and plants of feeling; their work is better done after dark than chased in the bright noise of day. Angelic Herb lifts the plant to its governing intelligence: each herb stands under one of the seven planetary angels, and when one rises here it is that angel laying a hand on your day through a plant you can hold.
Today’s Gathering marks a plant ripe to take up now, while the moon’s phase and the day are both with it; a herb cut at the right hour carries more virtue than one pulled carelessly. Scent of the Hour is for the herbs whose message comes through the nose: let its smell, or its smoke, set the temper of the hour.
One word before the roster. Plants are not symbols only; some are food, some medicine, and a few are dangerous. Read everything here as the lore of carrying, scenting, and keeping a small green thing wherever you keep what matters: a leaf in a pocket, a sprig over a door, a pinch of resin on a coal, petals in the bath. The rule is simple: nothing here asks you to eat anything you would not already trust on a plate. Where an entry names a tea or a fresh leaf, those are the kitchen-safe herbs the tradition has eaten for centuries; the rest are carried, hung, burned, or set aside, never swallowed. The poisonous and the potent are flagged at their own headings; honour the flags.
Agrimony
A slender, yellow-spired field herb the Anglo-Saxons called garclive and prized as a wound-staunch and a charm against the night-hag. A Jupiter herb of Air, warm and dry, under Sachiel; keep the aerial in flower. Its office: Carry a pinch in the left pocket to turn ill-wishes back to their sender.
Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · Wheel of Fortune
Aloe
The succulent of mercy, its thick leaves holding a cool gel that soothes the burn the moment it is split open. A Moon/Sun herb of Water, cool and moist, under Gabriel; keep the leaf gel. Its office: Split a leaf; apply the gel to a minor burn or sore skin — immediate relief.
Moon · Water · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · moonstone, pearl · Monday · The Moon
Angelica
The root of the Holy Ghost, so named because. A Sun/Venus herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Michael; keep the root; seed. Its office: Burn a fragment of root as incense to consecrate a new space.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · sunstone, topaz · Sunday · The Sun
Anise
A warm, sweet seed of the carrot family. A Jupiter/Mercury herb of Air, warm and dry, under Sachiel; keep the seed. Its office: Set a small dish of seeds by the bed — protects sleep from nightmare.
Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · turquoise, amethyst · Thursday · The Empress
Basil
The royal herb (basilikon), beloved and feared at once. A Mars/Sun herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Samael; keep the leaf. Its office: A fresh leaf in the purse for prosperity; a pot on the threshold for protection.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Lovers
Bay
The laurel of Apollo, woven into the victor’s crown and the poet’s wreath. A Sun herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Michael; keep the leaf. Its office: Write a wish on a dry bay leaf and burn it — the smoke carries the petition.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · diamond, citrine · Sunday · The Sun
Betony
Wood betony, the Anglo-Saxon betonice, of which the Roman Antonius Musa wrote a whole treatise listing forty-seven cures. A Jupiter herb of Air, warm and dry, under Sachiel; keep the aerial in flower. Its office: A sprig tucked at the breast before entering an unfamiliar place — steadies the nerve.
Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amethyst, sapphire · Thursday · The Hierophant
Borage
Ego borago gaudia semper ago, I, borage, always bring courage. A Jupiter herb of Water, cool and moist, under Sachiel; keep the flower; young leaf. Its office: A blue star flower in the lapel before a hard conversation — courage without hardness.
Jupiter · Water · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · lapis lazuli, blue topaz · Thursday · The Six of Wands
Burdock
The great cleaving bur, root deep and dark. A Venus/Saturn herb of Earth, cool and dry, under Anael; keep the root. Its office: A piece of dried root at the crossroads removes what has been wronging you, slowly.
Venus · Earth · Netzach · green and rose · copper · jet, smoky quartz · Friday · The Hermit
Calendula
The pot marigold, calendula, that opens with the sun and closes at dusk. A Sun herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Michael; keep the flower. Its office: Petals in the bath for a blessing-day; the gold flower is the Sun’s direct gift.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · amber, sunstone · Sunday · The Sun
Catnip
Nepeta, the cat’s delight, a gentle Venusian herb of friendship. A Venus herb of Air, warm and dry, under Anael; keep the aerial. Its office: A sachet for light flirtation and beauty; also: feeds a cat-familiar if you have one.
Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · rose quartz, jade · Friday · The Lovers
Chamomile
The ground-apple (chamai-melon), the gentle Sun-daisy that smells of apples and mends what is bruised. A Sun herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Michael; keep the flower. Its office: A hot cup before sleep quiets the anxious mind; pinched in the pocket draws luck.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · yellow calcite, amber · Sunday · The Sun
Cinnamon
The high, hot bark the Phoenicians traded for its weight in gold. A Sun/Mars herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Michael; keep the bark (dried quill). Its office: Burn a piece of quill on charcoal — the great incense of prosperity and solar invocation.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · ruby, carnelian · Sunday · The Emperor
Clove
The hot nail-shaped bud (Latin clavus, a nail) that scented the courts of China and the markets of the Moluccas. A Sun/Mars herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Michael; keep the bud. Its office: A single clove chewed stills a tooth’s ache; whole cloves burn to stop the tongue of gossip.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · carnelian, ruby · Sunday · The Tower
Comfrey
Knitbone, boneset, the deep-rooted Saturnian herb of Capricorn. A Saturn/Venus herb of Earth, cool and moist, under Cassiel; keep the leaf; root (ext. only). Its office: A piece in the luggage before travel — the old charm of safe return. Root for outward use only.
Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hanged Man
Dandelion
The lion’s tooth (dent-de-lion), the bright Jupiter weed with a hand of Saturn. A Jupiter/Saturn herb of Earth, cool and moist, under Sachiel; keep the leaf; root; flower. Its office: Blow the seed-head once, carrying a wish.
Jupiter · Earth · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · citrine, smoky quartz · Thursday · The Star
Dill
From the Norse dilla, to lull, the soothing Mercury seed of the cradle and the kitchen. A Mercury herb of Air, warm and dry, under Raphael; keep the seed; leaf. Its office: A sprig over a cradle or child’s room — the old protector.
Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · Page of Swords
Dogwood
The flowering dogwood, a Saturnian tree of Capricorn whose hard. A Saturn herb of Earth, cool and dry, under Cassiel; keep the bark. Its office: A small cross of dogwood wood on the hearth for household loyalty.
Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, onyx · Saturday · Judgement
Echinacea
The purple coneflower, a Mars-and-Jupiter herb of Scorpio and Sagittarius. A Mars/Jupiter herb of Fire, cool and dry, under Samael; keep the root. Its office: A few drops of tincture at the first scratchy throat of cold — often cuts it short.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · bloodstone, garnet · Tuesday · Strength
Elder
The Elder Mother, Hylde-Moer, the Venusian tree-witch of Libra with a hand of Saturn. A Venus/Saturn herb of Water, warm and dry, under Anael; keep the flower; berry. Its office: Hot elderflower tea at the first fever opens the sweat and breaks it gently.
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · black tourmaline, jet · Friday · The High Priestess
Fennel
The herb in whose hollow stalk the gods’ fire was carried down to humankind in the Prometheus story. A Mercury/Sun herb of Air, warm and dry, under Raphael; keep the seed; leaf. Its office: Chew a pinch of seeds after a heavy meal — sharpens the wit and settles the stomach.
Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · jade, malachite · Wednesday · The Magician
Feverfew
Featherfew, the chamomile-cousin of Venus and Jupiter. A Venus/Jupiter herb of Air, warm, dry and bitter, under Anael; keep the leaf. Its office: A sprig in the travelling bag — the traveller’s herb against small accidents.
Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · moonstone, peridot · Friday · The Chariot
Frankincense
Olibanum, the pure incense of the temple. A Sun herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Michael; keep the resin. Its office: The reference incense.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · amber, topaz · Sunday · The Sun
Garlic
The stinking rose, the Mars-and-fire bulb of Aries and Scorpio that the pyramid-builders ate by the basket and the vampire fears at the door. A Mars herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Samael; keep the bulb. Its office: One clove raw with the first meal — the body’s oldest shield against winter’s ills.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · hematite, bloodstone · Tuesday · The Tower
Ginger
The hot horned root (Sanskrit srngavera) of Mars and the Sun. A Mars/Sun herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Samael; keep the rhizome. Its office: A slice in hot water with honey — the quickest warming drink for cold hands.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · garnet, carnelian · Tuesday · The Chariot
Ginseng
The man-root (jen-shen), the Sun-and-fire root of Leo shaped like a human body. A Sun herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Michael; keep the root. Its office: Root carried in the pocket on long undertakings — longevity and centred self.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · tiger’s eye, topaz · Sunday · The Hermit
Hawthorn
The May-tree, the fairy-thorn, a Mars-and-Venus hedge of Scorpio and Taurus whose white blossom crowns Beltane and whose lone trees you do not cut for fear of the good folk. A Mars/Venus herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Anael; keep the flower; berry. Its office: May-blossom on the altar for the month of May only.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · rose quartz, ruby · Friday · The Empress
Hops
The strobile of the hop-bine, a Mars-and-Saturn herb of Scorpio that bitters and keeps the ale and, dried. A Mars/Saturn herb of Water, cool and dry, under Samael; keep the strobile. Its office: A pillow of dried cones brings deep, dream-rich sleep.
Mars · Water · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · amethyst, jet · Saturday · The High Priestess
Hyssop
Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean. A Mercury/Jupiter herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Raphael; keep the aerial. Its office: A sprig dipped in blessed water and sprinkled on the threshold — the psalmist’s purge.
Mercury · Fire · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · sapphire, lapis lazuli · Wednesday · Judgement
Juniper
The Sun-and-fire evergreen of Leo and Aries whose smoke purified the sickroom and the temple. A Sun/Mars herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Michael; keep the berry. Its office: Berries burned on a charcoal — the purification of houses on the cusp of the new year.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · amber, garnet · Sunday · The Sun
Lavender
From the Latin lavare, to wash, a Mercury-and-Venus herb of Gemini. A Mercury/Venus herb of Air, warm and dry, under Raphael; keep the flower. Its office: A sprig under the pillow for peaceful sleep.
Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · amethyst, lapis lazuli · Wednesday · The Star
Lemon Balm
Melissa, the bee-herb, a Jupiter-and-Moon plant of Sagittarius and Cancer. A Jupiter/Moon herb of Air, warm and dry, under Sachiel; keep the leaf. Its office: Paracelsus’ elixir of life — a cup of fresh leaves steeped lifts a dull mood by afternoon.
Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · citrine, moonstone · Thursday · The Empress
Lily
The white Madonna lily, a Moon-and-Venus flower of Cancer sacred to the great goddesses and to Mary. A Moon/Venus herb of Water, cool and moist, under Gabriel; keep the flower. Its office: A single lily on the altar for the feasts of the Virgin.
Moon · Water · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · pearl, moonstone · Monday · The High Priestess
Linden
The lime-tree, the linden, a Jupiter-and-Venus tree of Sagittarius. A Jupiter/Venus herb of Air, warm and moist, under Sachiel; keep the flower. Its office: Tilleul tea with a little honey — the French household’s answer to anxious evenings.
Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · emerald, blue topaz · Thursday · The Hierophant
Mandrake
The root that wears a human shape, the most storied talisman-plant of the West. A Saturn herb of Earth, cold and dry, under Cassiel; keep the root. Not a beginner’s herb and never for casual internal use; carry or set it aside, handle with care.
Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Devil
Marjoram
Sweet marjoram, rounder and gentler than oregano. A Mercury herb of Air, warm and dry, under Raphael; keep the aerial. Its office: In the wedding bouquet for lasting happiness; on the grave for joy beyond.
Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Lovers
Marshmallow
The soft mallow of the marsh, its Greek name from althein, to heal. A Venus/Moon herb of Water, cool and moist, under Anael; keep the root; leaf; flower. Its office: Cold-steep root overnight — the demulcent supreme for dry throats and inflamed linings.
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Empress
Mint
The bright tribe of runners that fill any damp corner. A Mercury/Venus herb of Air, cool and dry, under Raphael; keep the aerial. Its office: A leaf on the tongue before speaking — the tongue’s own quickening.
Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Magician
Mistletoe
The plant that grows in the air. A Jupiter/Sun herb of Air, warm and dry, under Sachiel; keep the leaf; twig. Its office: A sprig above the door at winter solstice — blessing for the coming year. Its berries are poisonous, never eaten.
Jupiter · Air · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · The Hierophant
Motherwort
The lion-hearted herb, its names declaring both offices at once. A Venus/Moon herb of Water, cool and dry, under Anael; keep the aerial. Its office: A tea for nervous heart-flutters, and for steadying the matriarch before a hard day.
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Empress
Mugwort
The grey-green wayside herb sacred to Artemis. A Moon/Venus herb of Air, warm and dry, under Gabriel; keep the aerial. Its office: Under the pillow for prophetic dreams.
Moon · Air · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · moonstone, pearl · Monday · The High Priestess
Mullein
The tall woolly spire of waste ground. A Saturn/Jupiter herb of Earth, cool and dry, under Cassiel; keep the leaf; flower. Its office: Flowers infused in oil for earache; the dried stalk a torch for the dark paths.
Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hermit
Myrrh
The bitter resin of the desert tree. A Saturn/Moon herb of Earth, warm and dry, under Cassiel; keep the resin. Its office: Burned at All Souls or at any memorial — the consecration of sorrow.
Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · Death
Nettle
The stinging guardian of the hedge, defending itself the instant it is touched. A Mars/Saturn herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Samael; keep the leaf; seed; root. Its office: Young spring leaves in a soup — the mineral-rich cleanser after the winter’s heaviness.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Tower
Oak
The king of trees, sacred to every thunder-god. A Jupiter herb of Earth, cool and dry, under Sachiel; keep the bark; acorn. Its office: An acorn buried with an intention gives that intention a lifetime.
Jupiter · Earth · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · The Emperor
Parsley
The kitchen herb with an underworld shadow. A Mercury herb of Air, warm and dry, under Raphael; keep the leaf; root; seed. Its office: Fresh parsley after garlic freshens the breath; of the crossings and farewells.
Mercury · Air · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · Death
Passionflower
The intricate crown-flower the missionaries read as the wounds and crown of the Passion. A Venus/Moon herb of Water, cool and moist, under Anael; keep the aerial. Its office: Tea before bed for the racing mind at 3am.
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Hanged Man
Plantain
The flat ribbed rosette of every trodden path. A Venus/Mars herb of Earth, cool and dry, under Anael; keep the leaf. Its office: Fresh leaf chewed and applied on an insect sting — the first-aid herb of the path.
Venus · Earth · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Fool
Raspberry
The bramble whose fruit feeds and whose thorned cane guards. A Venus herb of Water, cool and dry, under Anael; keep the leaf. Its office: Leaf tea for the womb — the classical tonic of pregnancy (second trimester onward).
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Empress
Rose
The queen of flowers, sacred to every love-goddess, thorn and bloom together. A Venus herb of Water, cool and moist, under Anael; keep the petal; hip. Its office: Petals strewn in the bath — the Lady’s own anointing.
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Lovers
Rosemary
The dew of the sea, the dark fragrant shrub whose name in every tongue carries one meaning. A Sun/Mars herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Michael; keep the aerial. Its office: For remembrance — at a wedding, at a wake, before a trial.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · sunstone, topaz · Sunday · The Sun
Rue
The blue-green bitter herb of grace, sprinkled with holy water to bless and to banish. A Mars/Sun herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Samael; keep the aerial. Its office: A sprig in a little bag against the evil eye — the Mediterranean’s strongest ward. A herb of real force, not for casual internal use.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Tower
Sage
The wise one’s herb, named from the Latin for health and sharing a root with the word for the wise. A Jupiter/Sun herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Sachiel; keep the leaf. Its office: Burned as a smudge for long-life wisdom and the cleansing of heavy rooms.
Jupiter · Fire · Chesed · royal blue and purple · tin · amber, sapphire · Thursday · The Hermit
Skullcap
The calming herb of vows, its little hooded flowers giving it its name. A Mercury/Moon herb of Water, cool and dry, under Raphael; keep the aerial. Its office: Tincture for nervous exhaustion with sharp anxiety — the helmet that guards the mind.
Mercury · Water · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Hanged Man
Slippery Elm
The red elm whose inner bark, ground and wetted. A Saturn/Moon herb of Earth, cool and moist, under Cassiel; keep the inner bark. Its office: Powder whisked into warm water — the gentlest remedy for any inflamed membrane.
Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hermit
St John’s Wort
The herb of midsummer, blazing yellow at the year’s height. A Sun herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Michael; keep the flower. Its office: Hung over the door at midsummer — the Sun’s victory over the spirits of night.
Sun · Fire · Tiphareth · gold and solar yellow · gold · sunstone, topaz · Sunday · The Sun
Tansy
The flat gold buttons that flower late and keep their bitter leaf long. A Venus/Saturn herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Anael; keep the aerial. Its office: Dried leaves in drawers — the old household moth-repellent, also symbol of Easter. A herb of real force, not for casual internal use.
Venus · Fire · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · Death
Tarragon
The little dragon, its species-name from the Latin for a small serpent. A Mars herb of Fire, warm and dry, under Samael; keep the leaf. Its office: A little in the wine at the working that honours the dragon-currents of the land.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Magician
Thyme
The low aromatic herb of the dry hillside. A Venus/Mars herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Anael; keep the aerial. Its office: A pillow of thyme for clairvoyant courage; burned, draws the fairy folk.
Venus · Fire · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · Strength
Valerian
The pale froth of flower over an earthy musk-rooted herb. A Mercury/Saturn herb of Earth, warm and dry, under Raphael; keep the root. Its office: A capsule before sleep for the restless mind.
Mercury · Earth · Hod · orange and shot-silk mixed hues · quicksilver · blue lace agate, agate · Wednesday · The Moon
Vervain
The Druids’ holy herb, gathered with honey at the dark of the moon. A Venus/Mercury herb of Air, cool and dry, under Anael; keep the aerial. Its office: The Druidic sacred herb.
Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The High Priestess
Violet
The shy sweet flower of the shaded bank. A Venus/Moon herb of Water, cool and moist, under Anael; keep the flower; leaf. Its office: A posy of spring violets — the tender affection that opens quietly.
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Monday · The Star
Willow
The waterside tree that weeps its branches toward the stream and bends where others break. A Moon/Saturn herb of Water, cold and dry, under Gabriel; keep the bark. Its office: A willow wand for lunar magic.
Moon · Water · Yesod · silver and pale blue · silver · moonstone, pearl · Monday · The Moon
Witch Hazel
The shrub whose forked branch was the diviner’s dowsing-rod. A Saturn/Mercury herb of Earth, cool and dry, under Cassiel; keep the leaf; twig. Its office: Forked twigs for dowsing; distillate at any bruise.
Saturn · Earth · Binah · black and indigo · lead · jet, malachite · Saturday · The Hermit
Wormwood
The silver-grey bitter sister of mugwort, the byword for bitterness itself. A Mars/Saturn herb of Fire, hot and dry, under Samael; keep the aerial. Its office: Burned as a banishing incense for the most stubborn of unwanted presences. A herb of real force, not for casual internal use.
Mars · Fire · Geburah · scarlet red · iron · emerald, ruby · Tuesday · The Tower
Yarrow
The thousand-leaf, named for Achilles who staunched his soldiers’ wounds with it at Troy. A Venus/Mars herb of Air, warm and dry, under Anael; keep the aerial. Its office: Staunches a cut; under the pillow brings dreams of love.
Venus · Air · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Lovers
Ylang-Ylang
The flower of flowers, the heavy sweet bloom of the tropics whose oil is the heart of the richest perfumes. A Venus herb of Water, warm and moist, under Anael; keep the flower oil. Its office: A drop on a pulse point for sensual opening; tropical Venus at her most opulent.
Venus · Water · Netzach · green and rose · copper · emerald, rose quartz · Friday · The Lovers
The Roster of the Green Kingdom
Sixty-seven herbs, each with its star, element, and angel.
| Herb | Latin name | Planet | Element | Angel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agrimony | Agrimonia eupatoria | Jupiter | Air | Sachiel |
| Aloe | Aloe vera | Moon / Sun | Water | Gabriel |
| Angelica | Angelica archangelica | Sun / Venus | Fire | Michael |
| Anise | Pimpinella anisum | Jupiter / Mercury | Air | Sachiel |
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Mars / Sun | Fire | Samael |
| Bay | Laurus nobilis | Sun | Fire | Michael |
| Betony | Betonica officinalis | Jupiter | Air | Sachiel |
| Borage | Borago officinalis | Jupiter | Water | Sachiel |
| Burdock | Arctium lappa | Venus / Saturn | Earth | Anael |
| Calendula | Calendula officinalis | Sun | Fire | Michael |
| Catnip | Nepeta cataria | Venus | Air | Anael |
| Chamomile | Matricaria recutita | Sun | Fire | Michael |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum | Sun / Mars | Fire | Michael |
| Clove | Syzygium aromaticum | Sun / Mars | Fire | Michael |
| Comfrey | Symphytum officinale | Saturn / Venus | Earth | Cassiel |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | Jupiter / Saturn | Earth | Sachiel |
| Dill | Anethum graveolens | Mercury | Air | Raphael |
| Dogwood | Cornus florida | Saturn | Earth | Cassiel |
| Echinacea | Echinacea purpurea | Mars / Jupiter | Fire | Samael |
| Elder | Sambucus nigra | Venus / Saturn | Water | Anael |
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | Mercury / Sun | Air | Raphael |
| Feverfew | Tanacetum parthenium | Venus / Jupiter | Air | Anael |
| Frankincense | Boswellia sacra | Sun | Fire | Michael |
| Garlic | Allium sativum | Mars | Fire | Samael |
| Ginger | Zingiber officinale | Mars / Sun | Fire | Samael |
| Ginseng | Panax ginseng | Sun | Fire | Michael |
| Hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | Mars / Venus | Fire | Anael |
| Hops | Humulus lupulus | Mars / Saturn | Water | Samael |
| Hyssop | Hyssopus officinalis | Mercury / Jupiter | Fire | Raphael |
| Juniper | Juniperus communis | Sun / Mars | Fire | Michael |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Mercury / Venus | Air | Raphael |
| Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis | Jupiter / Moon | Air | Sachiel |
| Lily | Lilium candidum | Moon / Venus | Water | Gabriel |
| Linden | Tilia cordata | Jupiter / Venus | Air | Sachiel |
| Mandrake | Mandragora officinarum | Saturn | Earth | Cassiel |
| Marjoram | Origanum majorana | Mercury | Air | Raphael |
| Marshmallow | Althaea officinalis | Venus / Moon | Water | Anael |
| Mint | Mentha × piperita | Mercury / Venus | Air | Raphael |
| Mistletoe | Viscum album | Jupiter / Sun | Air | Sachiel |
| Motherwort | Leonurus cardiaca | Venus / Moon | Water | Anael |
| Mugwort | Artemisia vulgaris | Moon / Venus | Air | Gabriel |
| Mullein | Verbascum thapsus | Saturn / Jupiter | Earth | Cassiel |
| Myrrh | Commiphora myrrha | Saturn / Moon | Earth | Cassiel |
| Nettle | Urtica dioica | Mars / Saturn | Fire | Samael |
| Oak | Quercus robur | Jupiter | Earth | Sachiel |
| Parsley | Petroselinum crispum | Mercury | Air | Raphael |
| Passionflower | Passiflora incarnata | Venus / Moon | Water | Anael |
| Plantain | Plantago major | Venus / Mars | Earth | Anael |
| Raspberry | Rubus idaeus | Venus | Water | Anael |
| Rose | Rosa damascena | Venus | Water | Anael |
| Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus | Sun / Mars | Fire | Michael |
| Rue | Ruta graveolens | Mars / Sun | Fire | Samael |
| Sage | Salvia officinalis | Jupiter / Sun | Fire | Sachiel |
| Skullcap | Scutellaria lateriflora | Mercury / Moon | Water | Raphael |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | Saturn / Moon | Earth | Cassiel |
| St John’s Wort | Hypericum perforatum | Sun | Fire | Michael |
| Tansy | Tanacetum vulgare | Venus / Saturn | Fire | Anael |
| Tarragon | Artemisia dracunculus | Mars | Fire | Samael |
| Thyme | Thymus vulgaris | Venus / Mars | Fire | Anael |
| Valerian | Valeriana officinalis | Mercury / Saturn | Earth | Raphael |
| Vervain | Verbena officinalis | Venus / Mercury | Air | Anael |
| Violet | Viola odorata | Venus / Moon | Water | Anael |
| Willow | Salix alba | Moon / Saturn | Water | Gabriel |
| Witch Hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | Saturn / Mercury | Earth | Cassiel |
| Wormwood | Artemisia absinthium | Mars / Saturn | Fire | Samael |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Venus / Mars | Air | Anael |
| Ylang-Ylang | Cananga odorata | Venus | Water | Anael |
Lay the table beside the six windows and the design stands clear. The marigold and the bay both answer to the Sun and stand under Michael, and do the same bright work in different shapes; the rose and the marshmallow both belong to Venus and soften what they touch. When a herb surfaces on any tile you are shown one note of the day, played on an instrument you can hold, carry, or set over your door. Learn the kingdom and you will never again see only a weed in the pavement crack, but which star sent it and what it came to say.