The idea that the planets and stars rule over every object found on earth has been around for a very long time. These ideas form the basis of most western esotericism and the magic we in Europe practice today. In my opinion, the most thorough observation of this comes from Agrippas ‘Three Books of Occult Philosophy’. The planets rule the days and hours. The planets interact with the stars and pass through the zodiac. Each sign of the zodiac imparts certain traits and habits. Due to this we probably all know a fiery Leo, a quiet Virgo and a spooky Aquarius.
The planets impart their virtues also, Mars brings protective and warlike energies. Venus brings us healing and love. Jupiter expands as Saturn contracts. According to much of western occultism, each plant, rock and thing on this earth has a planetary ruler. The signs are grouped under their respective planets. The watery Moon rules Cancer, the fiery Sun, Leo. Abundant Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces. Gentle Venus rules Libra and Taurus. Capricious Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo. And binding Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius.
All the worlds' plants, rocks and things possess some planetary virtue. In my practice as a magical herbalist, I have found that when starting out, it is usually easier to start working with plants that align with the planetary rulers of your sun and moon signs. As a Capricorn sun and an Aries moon I have an easier time working with the two plants I suggest for each sign. This article could be taken as magical advice, but I’m also writing for the fun of finding out which plant fits your signs. The best astrology is fun astrology.
Aries/Hrúturinn
The first sign of the zodiac, Aries is a fiery sign with a lot of fight, quick to anger but also quick to forgive. Maríuvöndur - Field gentian (Gentianella campestris) is very much an Aries energy. Ruled by Mars and worked with for protection and getting things done. It grows all over Iceland and can be found in summer standing straight up with its purple flowers on display. It is worked with for sex magic as well as cleansing. A wash can be made with it to cleanse tools and crystals that will be worked with for protective magic. Those with a lot of Aries in their birth charts would benefit from working with this plant to help focus and control their own fiery personalities.
Taurus/Naut
Gentle but firm Taurus is known to struggle in love and finds it hard to let go. For this reason, I recommend they work with Burnirót - Rose root (Rhodiola rosea). Ruled by Venus this plant is worked into all manner of love spells, but the focus here should be on self-love and acceptance. A wonderful plant to help Taurus heal as well as encourage them out of their comfort zones. Roseroot may have also been used for sleep, something Taurus is no stranger to. The plant helps combat depression as new scientific studies are beginning to back-up. Taurus would benefit in many ways from this plant, helping to keep them from some of the negative typical traits of their sign.
Gemini/Tvíburar
Gemini tends to get a bad rap in modern astrology. We’ve all seen the memes. In my opinion this often-misunderstood sign doesn’t deserve the hate. Ruled by Mercury, Myrasóley - Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) is very much a Gemini energy. Another plant worked with to lift the spirits and help fight off depression, especially in winter. This ‘grass’ is not a grass at all but a rather magical looking flower that can be found all over Iceland in summer, even in the highlands. Mrýasóley helps Gemini balance their often-chaotic energies. It is worked with for healing, powdered and added to healing charm bags for this. Gemini should try meditating with this flower in the nature during summer and feel the benefits of this for themselves.
Cancer/Krabbi
The Moon rules over Cancer with full force. Due to this an excellent plant ally to work with for Cancer is Tungljurt – Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria). This plant is quintessentially lunar, aiding in psychic works, sleep and emotional issues. The occasional emotional overflow Cancer knows all too well can be calmed by this plant spirit. Worked with in Icelandic folk magic to unlock doors, this plant helps us to unlock emotional blocks. Cancer could sit with this plant spirit and ask for its help to learn the best ways to manage emotions. Tungljurt also aids in all psychic works and helps to open up your mind to the world at large.
Leo/Ljón
The lion, another fire sign, ruled by the Sun. The confidence of a Leo can go two ways. On the one hand it reassures those around them and inspires confidence in others, but push it too far and it leads to Leo being thought of as overbearing and at worst arrogant. Leo’s leadership is a wonderful asset but should be watched so as not to burn up those around them. Hvönn - Angelica (Angelica archangelica) is the Leo of the plant world, great at everything, standing tall and strong and admired by many. This plant, once known as masterwort, works all sorts of magic. A perfect substitute for many missing plants makes it a useful plant ally to work with for all sorts of charms and spells. Hvönn can work wonders in balancing Leo and instilling that cool and calm self confidence that doesn’t overbear.
Virgo/Meyjan
The maiden, industrious and often falling into the earth sign trap of being unable to sit still, unless being productive. Virgo is a brilliant worker, shining when showing off their individual achievements. Due to this Garðabrúða - Valerian (Valeriana officinales) is very much aligned with Virgo. A strong natural sedative, this plant is ideal to help Virgos slow down. Its low-key energy works well with somewhat reserved Virgo. Its connection to dreams and the mystical makes sense with Mercury as its ruler. Hard working Virgo would do well to sit with this plant, maybe working it into teas for restful sleep after long days of being that dependable friend. Garðabrúða wants us to slow down, and is more than willing to help us do so.
Libra/Vogin
Ever balanced and somewhat indecisive Libra is ruled by Venus. And as such may struggle in love and matters of the heart. Due to this Maríustakkur - Ladys mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) makes a great plant ally for Libra. Easing pain and indecision, Maríustakkur opens the heart and helps one to see the bigger picture. The bigger picture is very much Libra’s realm, so this plant makes a wonderful ally.
Scorpio/Sporðdreki
I feel that along with Gemini, Scorpio gets the most hate in the zodiac. Their intense passion comes from their ruling planet Mars. Scorpios defend that which they care about. Because of this, Fjandafæla - Highland cudweed (Omalotheca norvegica) is very much aligned with them. Fjandafæla repels unclean spirits and evil forces, its strong protective energy is worked into boundry spells and all sorts of workings to keep things safe. We burn it for this purpose much like non-native sage species. The spirit of this plant is less commonly worked with but very willing. Scorpio's intensity may be cooled by working a little bit of fjandafæla into their magic. Even carrying the dried plant around with them may help them to focus less energy on the fight. Scorpios tend to be the spooky friend in the group, making fjandafæla even more appropriate for them as a plant worked with to call in spirits and fend off ghosts.
Sagittarius/Bogmaðurinn
Another fire sign, this time ruled by Jupiter. Sagittarius love a party, less is never more with them, making it clear to see why they are ruled by the planet of abundance. Blóðberg - Arctic thyme (Thymus praecox) grows absolutely everywhere in Iceland. It has the power to both calm and centre. As well as inspire movement, speed and give you a good kick. I suggest this as the plant for Sagittarius because this sign tends to need both an upper and a downer fairly regularly. Some Sagittarius’ run on fumes until they burnout, while others can be homebodies who need a little push. For the relaxed Sag I suggest working with this plant spirit in tea form. For the fast-paced Sag I suggest the same. In my experience this plant knows what you need, and will give you just the right push in either direction if you take the time to sit with it.
Capricorn/Steingeit
Industrious Capricorn values logic and efficiency above all. With five Capricorn placements in my natal chart, I very much know the pressure of being a self-motivated achiever. Caps are their own biggest fans as well as their own greatest rivals. Ruled by Saturn and truly embodying his steadfast ways, I find Caps have an easier time getting to know Holtasóley - Mountain Avens (Dyras octopetala). Holtasóley in Icelandic lore is very similar to the mandrake root. This powerful plant is connected to all things Saturnine and undead. A great summoner of spirits, this plant also brings money, but in a very frugal way, there's none of Jupiter's abundance here. Capricorns plan long game style and Holtasóley has just that energy. It encourages us to look deeper and really dig out roots into the land, something that ambitious Capricorn needs on a regular basis. Sit with this plant in some quiet place and let it draw you down into the earth.
Aquarius/Vatnsberinn
Another oddball of the zodiac, Aquarius tends to love all things weird and mysterious. Ruled by Saturn, in my opinion this makes Tröllstakkur - Red Lousewort (Pedicularis flammea) a perfect plant to meet Aquarius’ energy full on. Tröllstakkur, so named for its connection to the spirits, is worked with in Iceland very infrequently. This plant spirit is tricky and mischievous just like the Álfar and spirits it is named after. This energy works well with Aquarius and can help them both fully accept themselves for who they are, as well as help attune them with energies around them, both otherworldly and mundane. Carrying this plant should help Aquarius feel more in sync with the world around them.
Pisces/Fiskar
Lastly, we come to Jupiter ruled Pisces, the plant I chose for this is the Jovial Umferðingur - Tufted vetch (Viccia cracca). Vetch grows abundantly in Iceland; its earthy energy reminds Pisces to keep one foot on the ground and not stray too far into their own fantasies. Another balancing plant, this time much more aligned to Pisces. Vetch works in both a contracting and expanding way within folk magic. Pick some vetch and carry it with you, sit with it and ask it to balance your thoughts and feelings.
I recommend working with plant spirits as part of your own practice enough. Personally, it has helped me to elevate my practice to a higher level and really deepened my understanding of the animistic world around us. For more info on plant magic check out some of my other articles @ Nornahorn.is
Albert
-podcast host at Nornagaldur and strong Capricorn energy.
Albert has been practicing witchcraft for over 14 year, growing up in the south of England with ties to Ireland and Scotland, his practice revolves around mix of seiður, magical herbalism and folk magic from his homeland and beyond.
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