By Cat Gina Cole
This week as I turn the page to my very disorganized herbal journal, I wrote years ago; I find Plants of the Zodiac. These are the magical spiritual uses for these herbs. Please know that this list is not a complete compendium, rather it is my study notes. The source for these notes is the book, Garden Witches Herbal by Ellen Dugan.
Knowing the planets an herb is ruled by and its astrological assignment can assist with either the magical working or the medical need. For example, my brother a Taurus unexplainably loved horehound and cherry. It is thought the alignments will increase the medicinal effectiveness and that the plant is at its prime when cultivated under the moon of its ruling planet.
CAPRICORN: Ruled by Saturn- Plants- cypress, hemlock, holly, nightshade, pine, rue, snowdrop, solomons seal, spruce, and yew.
AQUARIUS: Ruled by both Saturn and Uranus- Plants- blackthorn, foxglove, mullein, pine, snowdrop, and valerian.
Note: Uranus resonates with Mars, so they share some herbs.
PISCES: Ruled by Neptune and Jupiter- Plants- anise, catnip, clove, eucalyptus, gardenia, honeysuckle, jasmine, lemon, sandalwood and sea plants.
Note: Neptune and Venus resonate and share herbs.
ARIES: Ruled by Mars-Plants- allspice, cactus, chili powder, fennel, frankincense, garlic, ginger, pepper, snapdragon, and thistle.
TAURUS: Ruled by Venus- Plants- apple, birch, catnip, cherry, daisy, lilac, myrtle, rose, thyme, violet, honeysuckle, walnut, yarrow, and ylang ylang.
GEMINI: Ruled by Mercury- Plants- almond, bergamot caraway, clove, dill, fennel, horehound, lavender, lemongrass, mace, mint, pecan, and pomegranate.
CANCER: Ruled by the moon-Plants- gardenia, jasmine, lilac, lotus, myrrh, lemon balm, pumpkin, sandalwood, and white rose.
LEO: Ruled by the Sun-Plants- bay, cinnamon, forsythia, frankincense, heliotrope, juniper nutmeg, oak, orange, peony, palm, rosemary, sunflower and witch hazel.
VIRGO: Ruled by Mercury- Plants- bergamot, clover, dill, fennel, hazelnut, lavender, lemon verbena, mandrake, mint, mulberry, and peppermint.
LIBRA: Ruled by Venus-Plants- apple, chamomile, cat nip, heather, lilac, mugwort, orchid, thyme, tulip, vanilla, sweet pea, vervain, violet and yarrow.
SCORPIO: Ruled by Pluto and Mars- Plants- allspice, basil, holly, ginger, mushroom, pine, and poppies.
Note: Pluto and Mars resonate and share some herbs.
SAGITTARIUS: Ruled by Jupiter- Plants- Chestnut, cinquefoil, dandelion, honeysuckle, hyssop, linden, meadowsweet, mugwort, nutmeg and salvia.
Cat Gina Cole is a Hereditary Witch and author of Psychic Skills for Magic and Witchcraft (Llewellyn, 2022). She is the founder of The Coven of the Rising Phoenix and Staff Coordinator for “Green Egg Magazine.” You can reach her at www.catginacole.com.