My Herbal Tarot Deck studies continue with The High Priest and his very appropriate herb, Sage!  (I find it very appropriate also that I am currently enjoying a cup of Sweet Sage tea while I undertake my studies!)

4 The High Priest

The High Priest stands between two pillars - one light and one dark.  The herb, Sage, grows tall and proud in front of him and is flowering!  The High Priest himself wears a white turban (topped with red) and an under-robe of light blue with a purple hem (which reminds me very much of the High Priestess).  His coat is purple decorated with red and blue triangles from the shoulders to the hem and also a white stripe with purple dots around the armhole seams.  He gazes knowingly at the viewer.  His left hand is hidden, but in his right hand he is holding the ankh (a symbol which also appeared in the High Priestess and the Emperor).

In the Herbal Tarot, the High Priest symbolises our own inner teacher and our spiritual guide.  The traditional RWS meanings seem much less relevant here and he actually reminds me more of the RWS High Priestess (particularly with the two pillars).  The two pillars represent practical knowledge and spiritual knowledge and the High Priest represents the path that connects them.  His garment seems to merge together those of the Emperor and those of the High Priestess again, representing the connection between the masculine and feminine sides of each of us.  He is the guide who can harmonise our two sides together to make one whole.

I have never before seen this link between the High Priest with the Emperor and the High Priestess!

Sage

Family Name: Labiatae (mint, dead nettle, sage family)

Botanical Name(s): Salvia officinalis

The companion book calls this the Herb of Sacredness.  Even its botanical name comes from its repute as a powerful healing herb - salvia comes from salvare which means 'to save'.  Its power is testified in various proverbs and such like, here are some examples (found in my book 'The Complete Book of Herbs' by Lesley Bremness):

"The desire of sage is to render man immortal." (from a late medieval treatise apparently)

"How can a man grow old who has sage in his garden?" (the essence of an ancient Chinese/Persian proverb)

Herb of Sacredness also attests to what is one of the herbs must common uses today - as a smudging herb used to cleanse and purify anything and everything - including to help provide clarity of thought.  Physically, it has been used to help treat and prevent indigestion, bladder infections, colds, flu and also to aid in the recovery of injuries and wounds.  A lot of uses for one herb!  And as a bonus, it thrives in the conditions in my garden with very little effort from me!

The Fool stands on edge of a cliff at the edge of a forest, beyond he cliff's edge is blackness.  It looks like it is winter time because the trees in the background are bare.  a golden light from the sky falls on The Fool.  The Fool himself is dressed in clothes of yellow and blue.  In one hand he carries his bag, in the other a red rose which he looks to be smelling.  His hair is curly and auburn and his hat is purple with a red feather.  The herb of Ginseng grows in the foreground of the picture, partly obscuring the Fool.

The Fool can indicate many things depending on its position in the reading, but in general, I feel that the Fool represents a feeling of boundless energy because he is ready for anything, ready to travel the world - to me he feels a little like a student who is taking a gap year to go backpacking around the world, wanting the new and exciting adventures and not knowing where they'll be sleeping from night to night and is excited about this.  He is new to the ways of the world, and encourages us to have a moment of 'child mind' where we just put our complete and utter faith in the path beneath our feet and trust it'll lead us right.  This leads on to his innocence - he doesn't know he's approaching the edge of the cliff, he trusts his path so much that he's willing to spend time smelling the roses on his way and not looking at his feet, completely innocent of what might be about to happen!

This is the Fool at the start of his journey, before he meets the Magician or The High Priestess, before the Tower experience occurs.  He is free, limitless and full of vitality and energy.  I also love his innocence and childlike manner.

The herb is Ginseng which I don't actually know much about, except that I had a lovely tea that contained it a while back so I started off my research with the companion book (I'm not going to provide all the detail from the book because that would be unfair to the publishers, but some of the infomartion is useful here!).  For the major arcana this book gives each herb a name.  Ginseng is the Herb of Cosmic Energy.  This means it can apparently provide pure motivation and creative energy within a person.  This links well with the Fool to me because it compliments his boundless energy and excitement and motivation to move onwards along his path.  Still working from the companion book, medicinally it can be a power herb for strengthening all weaknesses and lack of energy, which again I feel links well to the Fool here.  I've noticed that a lot of the herbs that I consider as more fiery (ginseng, ginger, chilli, cayenne) often seem to be herbs that strengthen and motivation and help to create a fire inside.  I love how fitting this is!

I then turned to my herb book to discover that because it is isn't usually grown in a UK herb garden it wasn't in there.  So obviously I turned to the internet into to research this herb.  I started off at www.herbsguide.net as I'm familiar with it which is where most of the following information is based from.

Ginseng

Family: Araliaceae

Botanical name: Panax Ginseng

Naturally, it would appear to grow damp woodlands (herbsguide.net reckons that it likes the damp woodlands of Manchuria which is a region in Northeast China).

In general it seems that only the root is used, which means that I'm surprised that the artist chose not to include the root on the card as they have done with (for example) the Eight of Pentacles (Ginger).  The root can grow to a length of 60cm (2 feet) or more!  It seems to have many medicinal uses for all sorts of things, so guess its appropriate that is the herb of Cosmic Energy.  I think of Cosmic Energy as a force that can heal the minds energy, so it seems appropriate that this herb can heal much of the human body.

Finally, I looked up a picture of the plant to see if the drawing was accurate and was very happy to discover that it was!

I do feel that looking even just this deep into this card and spending time with the Fool has really aided my understanding of this card.  I feel I've barely scratched the surface here but I thought I'd share a recipe for Ginseng Tea which I really like tp make on the rare occasions I have dried ginseng around.

- Add about 1 teaspoon of dried ginseng root per cup to an infusing teapot, add boiling water and allow to steep for 5 - 10 minutes (or longer if you prefer).  Serve and drink while still hot (but not so its burning your tongue!)

4 The Emperor

The Emperor sits in a green meadow on a solid, red throne.  A river flows behind him and the landscape disappears into the distance with a wood, some green hills and eventually white mountains.  He is wearing a purple robe, trimmed with gold at the sleeves and fur about his shoulder.  On his head he wears a royal crown decorated with four red gems.  In his right hand he holds the 'sceptre of the ankh' and in his left hand a sword.  The herb grows in two places - proudly out of the meadow in front of him and also up the back of his throne.

The Emperor symbolises a father figure in the tarot (represented by his elder appearance) and can symbolise the power of organisation, authority, and protection (symbolised by the sword).  The mountains symbolise his wisdom while the river represents the more feminine aspects of his personality - it is a continuation of the High Priestess and her intuitive wisdom which also flowed through the Empress's card.  The purple of his robe symbolises his power and authority and his higher consciousness.  The symbol of the ankh represents life in all aspects and here seems to show his powerful life force.

Atractylodes

This a herb I'd never heard of until I got this deck, so now seems a great time to look into more detail at it.  Most of my information comes from the deck's companion book.

Family: Compositae (the daisy or sunflower family)

Botanical Name(s): Atractylodes macrocephala

Atractylodes is a warming herb that comes from China and is used in Traditional Chinese Meditation.  The root (or rhizome) is used for ailments affecting the spleen and stomach.  A quick research online suggests that it has many active compounds and has been used for a wide variety pf uses.  It is also a 'drying' herb and can help to rid the body of excess of fluids while also being able to build energy ('qi') and strengthening the muscles.

According the the companion book, this herb is called the Herb of Power and can fire up the Emperor inside each of us so we can feel more energised to accomplish our goals.  Apparently a nice balance can be made using Dong Quai as well, which is the Empress's herb, to counter a lack of wisdom and to reduce some of the fiery energy! 

------

The book also mentions a few other combinations relating to other cards which is interesting but I'm not going to study those just yet as I feel I'm working on an overview of the symbolism of each card currently.

3 The Empress

In this card, we see the pregnant empress dressed in yellow with a neckline of blue.  She is seated on a rock admit a forest of fir trees, staring straight at us with a stern expression on her face.  To her right, the small stream flows down a small waterfall in a pool and continues off the card.  In one hand she

holds a sceptre and on her head is a crown of twelve stars representing the Zodiac signs and the expressions life that they signify.  Beside her is the astrological sign for Venus while in front of her grows the beautiful herb of Dong Quai.

The Empress can represent many things!  The yellow of her gown and where she is seated indicates her understanding and intelligence of nature.  Her pregnancy indicates her fertility both literally and mentally - she is 'pregnant' with ideas.  The blue stream behind her and the blue of her neckline shows her intuitive side and her link to the High Priestess.  The symbol of Venus indicates her femininity, beauty, harmony and love.  She seeks the fulfilment from pleasures and her hearts desires.  Her sceptre indicates her ability to rule wisely and compassionately.  In this deck, she is like Mother Nature herself!

Dong Quai

Family Name: Umbelliferae

Botanical Name(s): Angelica Sinensis

This herb is also known as Angelica, which can be confused with herb found on The Sun card.  Appropriately for the setting of the Empress, this herb is generally found in damp areas - riverbanks, damp meadows and well-watered mountain ravines.  In general only the roots are used.  In the companion book it is called the Herb of Femininity which is exactly how I see the Empress - the picture of feminine beauty.  Appropriately, it is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of many ailments which are very female in their nature - anaemia, regulating the menstrual cycle and helping to correct PMS, aiding fertility and also to help women through the menopause.  Spiritually it can help to build up the yin, creative energy within us and help to become 'pregnant with ideas' as the companion book puts it!

----

I feel very much in touch with this card at the moment as I work through a period of my life where I wish to embody the qualities of The Empress.  She feels like a 'guide' to me at this moment and I think will continue to do so while I continue to work towards attaining my desire of being a mother.

2 The High Priestess

The High Priestess sits on an outdoor throne in a field that leads away to the mountains behind her.  The sky is blue and cloudy.  The throne is made up of two pillars (one white one grey-ish brown), a white backdrop and a decorative band of blue and red across the top.  The High Priestess herself sits on the throne with one foot resting on the symbol of the crescent moon.  Her left hand cradles a purplish orb while her right hand remains hidden.  Her garments are blue and flowing and has the symbol of the ankh (which symbolises life, possibly even eternal life) at her breast.  She wears an ornate necklace and her eyes are blindfolded.  Her headdress is also ornate and is also blue.  In front of her, the herb Peony grows and blossoms.

The High Priestess symbolises many things.  She is one of the most mysterious cards in the tarot deck.  Her focus is inwards and she spends her time in exploring her inner world - the conscious and the subconscious - and exploring the mysteries of the world (the why behind the creations of this world).  She is a symbol of feminine beauty and can represent the yin, or female, aspects of ourselves (be we male or female or anything else).  The pillars symbolise the equilibrium in which she lives.  The blue of her garment and the clouds in the sky symbolise the element of water which she reigns over, in fact, many of the rivers shown within this deck are said to be an extension of her flowing, blue garments.

Peony

Family Name: Paeoniaceae

Botanical Name(s): Radix Paeoniae Alba

This herb is sometimes called White Peony or Chinese Peony Root and is native to Asia and Europe.  The companion book calls this the Herb of Inner Knowing.  Spiritually it can be used to help us get in touch with our feminine side and ensure a good balance between the yin and yang energies within us.  If used by a woman it said to help her to understand and accept her cycle of life through the stages of childhood, puberty, motherhood and wise crone.  Medicinally it is used to strengthen and aid the woman's natural cycle by helping cleanse the blood and work with the hormones.  It is also able to relax the muscles to ease spasms and pain.

According to the companion book, just meditating with a picture of the flower is said to help us attune to the High Priestess within us.

6 The Lovers

The Lovers stand in a beautiful field.  The grass is green and a river flows across the plain.  Beyond the river is the hint of more greenery and then blue mountains rising up into the sky.  The sky is yellow and a golden light shines out of the clouds and onto the Lovers, specifically the woman.  There are also some birds in the sky.  The Lovers themselves are naked and holding one hand with each other.  The man has a serious expression with long brown hair to his shoulders and looks towards the woman.  The woman is looking towards the golden light coming from the clouds and her free hand is raised towards it.  She wears a necklace of red beads at her deck and her hair is up and adorned with light blue-purple flowers.  The herb, parsley, grow up from the ground at the front of the card and seems to entwine around them.

In the Herbal Tarot, The Lovers represent attraction and magnetism, it can represent relationships and love and the balance of the female and masculine energies within us.  The woman reaches towards the golden light which I feel is perhaps an acknowledgement of the Divine that is accessed through the traditionally feminine energies - intuition and inner knowing.  This is also represented on this card in the form of the river which can often be seen in this deck as an extension of High Priestess's garments.  The way that the man looks towards the woman shows to me a sense that the yang parts of us sometimes need guidance which can only be obtained through connection with the yin parts.

Parsley

Family Name: Umbelliferae

Botanical Name(s): Petroselinum crispum

The companion book calls Parsley the Herb of Discrimination because it supposedly allows us to observe and remove blockages that may be stopping out yin and yang being in balance and harmony with each other.  The Greeks held this herb in high esteem and used it to crown victors at the Isthmian Games.  They also used it to decorate tombs.  It is apparently the Romans who first ate parsley and realised its power for countering strong odours.

Parsley grows naturally in rocky soils and its root are deep and strong and can help break up those rocky soils (I can attest to this in my own garden!) so it is a very useful herb.  In the kitchen, both the leaf and roots can be used.

1 The Magician

The Magician stands outside on the grass with a yellow sky.  There is a small outcrop of rock nearby upon which rest the symbols of the tarot suites and hence the elements - a cup (water, emotions and feelings and the flow of ideas), a pentacle (earth, material assests and worldly matters), a sword (air, thoughts and the power of the mind) and a wand (fire, energy, actions and creativity).  Just in front of him grows the Astragalus plant reaching skywards and near the top are small yellow flowers which blend in with the yellow background.

The Magician himself stands tall and proud, looking directly out at us.  He is wearing a robe of pure white, delicately adorned about the neck.  Over this this he wear a red mantle with blue sleeves.  His left hand is raised and holding a crystal ball while his right hand points down towards the earth.

The magician symbolises the power of creation in all forms.  He is perfectly grounded yet is receptive to the energies around him (shown by the crystal ball) and able to direct those energies so he can create as he desired (symbolised by the right hand pointing downwards).  He able to use all energies around him (shown by the cup, pentacle, sword and wand).  When he appears in a reading I feel that he symbolises an ability to understand the energies around us and be receptive to new inspirations while also giving us the power to outwardly make those things happen in our lives.

Astralagus

This a herb I'd never heard of until I got this deck, so now seems a great time to look into more detail at it.  Some of my information comes from the deck's companion book, some from herbsguide.net

Family: Fabaceae (this is the legume or pea family which makes sense as I've always thought the drawing of the herb looks rather like members of the pea family!  Its drawing is again fairly accurate as well.)

Botanical Name(s): Astragalus membranaceus

This herb has various common names, the ones I know are Milk Vetch and Yellow Emperor (although I didn't realise they were the same plant!)  Other names are Huang qi, goat's horn and green dragon.  It is another chinese herb and is indigenous to northern and eastern parts of China and parts of Mongolia.  In general the root is most commonly used.

The companion book calls Astralagus the Herb of Creativity which fits in perfectly with the power of the Magician.  Spiritually, it can be used to increase our energy and reduce the 'gap' between the ideas in the mind and physical reality in order to bring about creations that we desire.  It can also help us to be grounded.  Medicinally, it has been proven to help strengthen the immune system and to help digest food (and experiences).

So all in all, a rather interesting herb that perfectly matches the power of the Magician!

My hope is to study each card in depth looking at the symbolism (RWS or otherwise) in each card, the herbal symbolism in each card, how they link together and anything else about the card that is important to you.

I'd love you to join me in this journey with this deck!  This thread is for general discussion and gradually threads for all the cards of the deck will appear - but if its not there and you want to discuss it, feel free to make it!  You don't have to go in order, just drop in and out as you like.  I'll put an index of each of the card threads in this post as they get started too for easy access 🙂

INDEX

Major Arcana

0 The Fool (Ginseng)

1 The Magician (Astragalus)

2 The High Priestess (Peony)

3 The Empress (Dong Quai)

4 The Emperor (Atractylodes)

5 The High Priest (Sage)

6 The Lovers (Parsley)

7 The Chariot (Cyperus)

8 Strength (Cayenne)

9 The Hermit (Licorice)

10 Medicine Wheel (Slippery Elm)

11 Justice (Plantain)

12 Suspended Person (Kelp)

13 Death (Elder Flowers)

14 Temperance (Echinacea)

15 Pan (Lobelia)

16 The Tower (Garlic)

17 The Star (Skullcap)

18 The Moon (Lemon Balm)

19 The Sun (Angelica)

20 Judgement (Goldenseal)

21 The World (Comfrey)

Swords

Ace (Chamomile)

Two (Passionflower)

Three (Pleurisy Root)

Four (Mullein)

Five (Mistletoe)

Six (Vervain)

Seven (Wood Betony)

Eight (Black Cohosh)

Nine (Valerian)

Ten (Ephedra)

Page (Dill)

Knight (Wild Cherry Bark)

Queen (Lady's Slipper)

King (St. Johnswort)

Wands

Ace (Yarrow)

Two (Basil)

Three (Saffron)

Four (Fennel Seed)

Five (Turmeric)

Six (Hawthorn)

Seven (Wild Ginger)

Eight (Sassafras)

Nine (Bayberry Bark)

Ten (Prickly Ash Bark)

Page (Shepherd's Purse)

Knight (Aconite)

Queen (Raspberry Leaf)

King (Cinnamon)

Cups

Ace (Lotus)

Two (Uva Ursi)

Three (Trillium)

Four (Burdock)

Five (Horsetail)

Six (Watermelon)

Seven (Juniper Berries)

Eight (Gravel Root)

Nine (Squawvine)

Ten (Marijuana)

Page (Damiana)

Knight (Sarsaparilla)

Queen (Lady's Mantle)

King (Saw Palmetto)

Pentacles

Ace (Whole Grains)

Two (Yellow Dock)

Three (Gentian)

Four (Cascara Bark)

Five (Mugwort)

Six (Hops)

Seven (Rhubarb)

Eight (Ginger)

Nine (Dark Grapes)

Ten (Wild Yam)

Page (Blue Flag)

Knight (Elecampane)

Queen (Marshmallow)

King (Alfalfa)

So my question is - the herb on the card, is that the herb the card rules and is therefore beneficial to u?