No one puts [insert plant here] in a box!
Dear friend,
Happy mid-Cancer season! Today’s missive is a discussion of correspondences (with a little challenge at the end), but before that, some housekeeping!
As you know, I’m a teacher by day, which means I have a lot of availability right now. I highly recommend booking with me this summer if you’re interested, as once late August hits, I’ll be reducing my hours.
With that said, let’s get into it.
For the past few weeks I’ve been making a point to go for walks, and I’ve also been doing a fair amount of foraging to make medicine for my family.
The solstice occurs during what I'm now calling the Month of the White Inflorescence (yes, this is Piranesi-core); it’s at this time when plants like Yarrow, Elderflower, Poison Hemlock and Queen Anne’s Lace begin to bloom where I live.
I’ve been reflecting on the concept of correspondences as I’ve meandered through the fields, cutting sprays of Elderflowers and snipping bits of Yarrow. All of these plants have a certain Mercurial quality, with their single stem that branches out into clusters of tiny flowers, attracting all types of pollinators. Their blooming also happens to coincide with constellational Gemini rising with the Sun.
Peering into my copy of Culpeper, though, only Queen Anne’s Lace (aka Daucus carota) is ruled by Mercury, while Yarrow and Elder are ruled by Venus. Other sources attribute Yarrow to Mars, for its relationship with blood and wounds, and Elder to Saturn (see Rowan and Sage’s Elderflower Monograph on Herbaria).
So who’s the real planetary ruler? My potentially controversial answer is all of them (don’t come for me, Broccultists).
Correspondences are shorthand that can hint to qualities of the plant, the action of the plant on the organism, and even sympathies with a planet in spell work. But no plant solely embodies the qualities of one planet, just as no person does.
But no plant solely embodies the qualities of one planet, just as no person does.
As an example, take California Poppy. It thrives in a hot and dry climate and has bright orange or yellow flowers that open for the Sun’s rays and close at night. It’s a Solar plant, for sure! But it also has a strong affinity with the nervous system (plus those frog-hand leaves), which points to its Mercurial nature. It’s also a powerful sedative and sleep-aid, which also brings to mind the Moon.
Plants are complete beings, with multiple facets. They are not just tools for humans to use. They have a complexity and a beauty that is beyond reducing them to an ingredient in a list. And I’d argue that every single thing on this Earth is similar.
Here’s my challenge for you the next time you do a planetary working. Think of it like a party you’re throwing for the celestial body in question. Who do they love and who would they love to see at that specific event? And who do you know well enough to invite to the party? Then, design your altar and choose your materia accordingly. (Shout out to Maeg Keane for inspiring this line of thought in their Strawberry Zine.)
If you decide to answer my call and party plan, please let me know how it goes and who you invited! If you want to talk more about magic and plants, I especially recommend my Makings of a Mage reading, in which we discuss your magical gifts through your birth chart, practices that might be especially good for you, as well as potential allies in your magical endeavors!
From outside the box,
Robert
Mercury Bound Astrology
PS: I wrote this for the Sun. I do reference the solstice and Gemini rising, partially because my devotional practice is heading towards a much more observational type of astrology. More on that another time.
Hymn to the Vernal SunO radiant light, escorted by the Twins, the Hunter’s outstretched arm your vernal throne, who endless day and warmth each solstice brings, come fiery Regent to your northern home.
O gen’rous Sun, whose rays alight the Earth, our bounty grows beneath your watchful eye; no coffer filled with jewels rivals your worth, You who from green to gold turns corn and rye.
O giver of aid, now your suppliants hear, grant warmth and nourishment to all that grows, let Nature’s plants and fauna persevere, that we may be prepared for Winter’s throes.