Plant Magick: Yarrow, Achillea millefolium
from Episode 37: Fortune & Flora - The Tower and Yarrow
”Yarrow for courage to face the time ahead, and to release the time that has passed.” - Labyrinthos Tarot
In brainstorming for a Plant Spirit to pair with the energies of the Tower Card, it didn’t take long for Yarrow to show up. This is another instance where, rather than sharing properties with a tarot card, the plant spirit offers assistance in the face the adversity that comes with the experiences associated with the card. This is how Yarrow came to be partnered with the Tower…
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is native to Eurasia, found widely from the UK to China, as well as North America, where both native and introduced genotypes can be found throughout. The plant has showy flower heads composed of many tiny, tightly-packed flowers rising above clusters of ferny foliage. The flowers may be yellow, red, pink, or any shade in between. Yarrow is pest-resistant, drought-resistant, attracts butterflies - as well as many other extremely essential pollinators - and is excellent for cutting and drying.
The genus name Achillea is derived from mythical Greek character Achilles, who reportedly carried Yarrow with his army to help treat wounds and, as legend states, to help them find their courage at the time of battle.
The English name for yarrow comes from its Saxon (or Old English) name gearwe, which is related to both the Dutch word gerw (or, alternately yerw) and the Old High German word garawa. In the eastern counties it may be called yarroway.
In France, Yarrow was called 'herbe de St. Joseph' after a Christian revision of the Achilles story in which Jesus uses the plant to heal his adoptive father. It has, at times, been referred to as 'carpenter's weed' for this reason.
Some more notable folk names for Yarrow include: Soldiers' Woundwort, Staunch Grass, Old Man's Mustard, Devil's Plaything, Nosebleed, Old Man's Pepper and Devil's Nettle (because it was believed to be one of the Devil's favorited plants). In Sweden it is known as Field Hops and has been used to make beer.
Yarrow is also an aromatic herb that has many healing properties and a long history of medicinal use dating back thousands of years.
Historic Medicinal Uses
Wound Healing: Yarrow has been used for centuries as a wound-healing herb. The leaves and flowers contain compounds that can help stop bleeding and promote clotting. It was often applied to wounds and used as a poultice. Some Native Americans used ground yarrow infused in water as a wash to treat sunburns.
Fever Reduction: Yarrow was traditionally used to reduce fever and induce sweating. It was thought to help the body expel toxins and reduce fever during illnesses like colds and flu.
As a Digestive Aid: Yarrow has been used to treat digestive issues such as indigestion, gas, and diarrhea. It was brewed into teas or used as a bitter tonic to stimulate digestion.
Anti-Inflammatory use: Yarrow was applied topically or taken internally to reduce inflammation associated with various conditions, including arthritis.
Menstrual Support: Yarrow was used to alleviate menstrual discomfort and regulate menstrual flow. It was often brewed as a tea for this purpose.
And Respiratory Support: Yarrow was used to treat respiratory conditions like coughs and bronchitis. It was believed to have expectorant properties that helped clear the airways.
Modern Medicinal Uses
Wound Care: Yarrow is still used today in natural and herbal medicine for wound care. Its astringent and antibacterial properties can help clean and disinfect minor wounds and promote healing.
Anti-Inflammatory: Yarrow is used to reduce inflammation in conditions like arthritis and can be found in various herbal remedies and supplements.
Digestive Health: Yarrow is sometimes used to relieve indigestion and gastrointestinal discomfort, although its use for these purposes has decreased with the availability of other remedies.
Menstrual Support: Some women still use yarrow to manage menstrual symptoms, such as cramps and heavy bleeding.
Immune Support: Yarrow is sometimes included in herbal formulations for immune support, especially in traditional herbal medicine systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Aromatics and Relaxation: Yarrow's aromatic properties make it a popular ingredient in herbal teas and bath blends for relaxation and stress relief.
Yarrow has a long history of use but scientific research on its effectiveness is limited and, therefore, its use should be approached with caution. As with all things, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using yarrow for medicinal purposes, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have underlying health conditions. Additionally, yarrow can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, so a patch test should be performed before topical use.
Witchcraft and Folk Practices
Yarrow has a rich history in witchcraft and various folk practices, often regarded as a powerful and versatile herb with a wide range of powers and abilities.
Here are some notable uses for Yarrow in witchcraft and folk traditions throughout history, as well as today:
1. Divination and Love Spells:
Yarrow stalks were traditionally used in the I Ching, a form of Chinese divination, to seek guidance and answers to questions.
In Europe, yarrow was associated with love divination. It was used in spells and rituals to reveal one's true love or to predict the outcome of a romantic relationship.
Yarrow is thought to symbolize everlasting love and in the Victorian language of flowers its meaning was for that of a cure for a broken heart. When paired with Hawthorn, it was said to convey the message of HOPE that things would get better – something to keep in mind whenever a Tower card experience arises.
2. Protection and Warding:
Yarrow has a long history of being used as a protective herb. It was often hung over doorways or placed under a pillow to ward off negative energies, evil spirits, or malevolent entities and It is believed to be able to exorcise evil from a person, place or thing.
In some cultures, yarrow was believed to offer protection during travel and was worn as an amulet or carried in a sachet.
It is also said that when held in the hand, yarrow has the ability to stop all fear, and grant courage.
3. Healing and Medicine:
Yarrow's medicinal properties also made it an important component in folk medicine and healing practices. It was used to treat wounds, fevers, and various ailments.
In some traditions, yarrow was used in rituals to facilitate physical and emotional healing.
4. Divination and Dreamwork:
Yarrow was used in dream pillows to enhance dream recall and promote prophetic dreams. It was believed to open the psychic channels and connect with the dream realm.
It was also used as a tool for dream divination, where the patterns and shapes of yarrow stalks or leaves were interpreted to reveal insights about the future.
5. Purification and Cleansing:
Yarrow was used in purification rituals to cleanse spaces, objects, and individuals of negative energies or influences.
It was often burned as incense or added to ritual baths for spiritual cleansing and purification.
6. Enhancing Psychic Abilities:
Yarrow was believed to enhance psychic abilities and intuitive powers. It was sometimes used in rituals to increase one's sensitivity to spiritual energies and enhance divinatory skills by way of an infusion or tea that was imbibed during ritual – especially when combined with cinnamon.
It is also said that braiding yarrow into your hair may allow you to more easily tap into your inner wisdom.
7. Love and Marriage Spells:
Yarrow was used in love and marriage spells to attract love, strengthen existing relationships, and promote marital harmony.
It is said to be able to draw the attention of loved ones that you wish to see or hear from.
It was also sometimes used in bridal bouquets and wedding decorations to symbolize love and fidelity.
A bunch of yarrow used in wedding decorations is said to grant a lasting love for at least 7 years.
8. Ritual Tools and Offerings:
Yarrow was incorporated into various ritual tools, such as wands, staffs, and altar decorations, to infuse them with its protective and magical properties.
It was offered as a symbolic gift to deities or spirits in rituals and offerings.
9. Enhancing Psychic Protection:
Some practitioners used yarrow as an ingredient in protective charms and amulets to shield against psychic attacks and negative influences.
In modern witchcraft, pagan and folk practices, yarrow is an extremely valuable herb with a wide range of abilities and applications. Often used in spellwork, herbal magic, and ritual practices for divination, protection, purification, and healing, it is a plant spirit ally that you may want to cultivate a relationship with. However, the specific uses and rituals involving yarrow will vary widely among different traditions and individual practitioners. Always exercise caution and respect when working with any herbs or plants in spiritual practices, and consider their historical and cultural significance as well.
Correspondences
Planetary Rulers: Venus, Mars
highlight both the love and warrior aspects of the plant’s magical abilities
Ruling Elements: Water, Air, Earth
complimenting the Fiery nature of the Tower Card
Tarot: The Tower from Episode 37: Fortune & Flora - The Tower and Yarrow
