The title Spagyric is derived from the ancient Greek words spao (to draw out) and agerio (to gather). This term highlights the basic technique underlying the many forms of Spagyric medicines: Separate, purify and recombine.
Lets explore the relationship between Plants & Planets. In Alchemy, the system used to categorize and describe the nature of substances (such as herbs, mushrooms etc.) is Astrology. This is the study of the Macrocosmic forces of Nature, their rhythm, influence and manifestation in the Microcosmic material plane.
Plants, minerals, and metals having come before humans, serve a different role in Nature. They display more consistent and pure reflections of these grand archetypal, creative and animating forces.
Plants are our Elders. Even older and purer reflections of the macrocosm are the minerals and metals. The plants are considered mixti being comprised of mixed planetary influences, although they usually have one dominant influence.
The word plant means to “fix in a specified position”, while planet means “wanderer”. These definitions illuminate the deeper and intimate relationship of the plants and the macrocosmic forces of astrology.
The vibrations of the Macrocosm (the Planets and Stars), are like a symphony, singing everything into being. These Stars and Planets also exist within ourselves, albeit much more prone to falling out of tune (dis-harmony and dis-ease).
By their embodied, potent and clear celestial signatures, plants help our bodies re-calibrate. They tune our body, soul and mind’s songs of health; our unique and inherent, higher potential. Famous 20th century Alchemist Frater Albertus simply called Alchemy “the raising of vibrations”. This quote refers to the release from leaden shells into True Gold. Learning to “sing” the songs of the Gods and Goddesses, the Planets and the Stars.
Everything in the manifest universe can be categorized under the Stars and Planets. This calendrical system aids us in understanding, experiencing and navigating the process of consciously co-creating and ameliorating the Universal Song.
Astrology provides us a framework and technique to live and work in lockstep with Nature. To re-balance, re-tune, and evolve towards a unified goal in an individualized and unique way (due unique birth charting).
A birth chart in a sense, acts as an individual perspective and experience of the One and only True thing. Order and chaos, fate and freewill, above and below existing simultaneously…and even paradoxically.
All plants fall under the banners of the seven classical planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. These planetary rulerships take into account many attributes such as:
The net sum of all these factors (and more) help guide us in understanding which plantets(s) rule which plants.
Planet: Sun
Metal: Gold
Herbs: St.John’s Wort, Frankincense, Calendula, Lime, Lemon, Eyebright, Rosemary, Ashwagandha
Energies & Archtypes: Vitality, Self-Knowledge, Confidence, Courage, Dignity, Vitality, Success, Authority, Fame, The King, The Father
Body Parts & Systems: Heart, Circulation, Pituitary Gland, Thyroid Gland, Male Reproductive System, Fertility, Spine, Body Heat, Eyes, Vagus Nerve
Planet: Moon
Metal: Silver
Herbs: Calamus, Fennel, Mugwort, Jasmine, Privet, Water Lily, Willow, Ghost Pipe, Gotu Kola
Energies & Archetypes: Subconscious Mind, Dreaming, Psychic Ability, Imagination, Emotions, Intuition, Instincts, Rhythms, The Queen, The Mother
Body Parts & Systems: Stomach, Brain, Body Fluids, Menstruation, Childbirth, Fertility, Female Reproductive System, Posterior, Ovaries, Hypothalamus, Lymphatic System, Ovum
Planet: Mars
Metal: Iron
Herbs: Ginger, Cayenne, Gentian, Tulsi, Wormwood, Bloodroot, Barberry, Tobacco
Energies & Archetypes: Force, Sexual Instinct, Sexual Desire, Instinct, Victory, Aggression, Energy, Action, Assertiveness, Strength, The Warrior
Body Parts & Systems: Circulation, Formation of Blood, Body Heat, Bile, Male Reproductive System, Testicles, Gall Bladder, Muscular System, Adrenal Medulla/Sympathetic Nervous System, Pancreas
Planet: Mercury
Metal: Mercury/Quicksilver
Herbs: Acacia, Valerian, Caraway, Dill, Elecampane, Lavender, Gotu Kola
Energies & Archetypes: Bridging Mind/Body/Soul, Communication, Transmission, Magic, Science, Language, Learning, Divination, Intellect, Translation, Writing, Medicine, Alchemy, The Trickster, The Divine Hermaphrodite
Body Parts & Systems: Nervous System, Brain, Lungs, Smell, Taste, Hearing, Speech, Pineal Gland, Thyroid Gland, Mental Processes
Planet: Jupiter
Metal: Tin
Herbs: Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Garden Sage, Pine, Cedar, Spruce, Fir, Ginseng, Maca, Turmeric, Sassafras
Energies & Archetypes: Expansion, Benevolence, Compassion, Law, Philosophy, Education, Spiritual Growth, Ambition, Luck, Career, Healing, Progenerative
Body Parts & Systems: Liver, Pituitary Gland, Reproductive Glands, Fertility, Enrichment of Blood, Fatty Tissues, Semen
Planet: Venus
Metal: Copper
Herbs: Echinacea, Honeysuckle, Rose, Yarrow, Lady’s Mantle, Datura, Vervain, Motherwort, Benzoin
Energies & Archetypes: Art, Music, Harmony, Sensuality, Pleasure, Desire, Beauty, Attraction, Balance, Love, Comfort, The Maiden, The Goddess
Body Parts & Systems: Kidneys, Urinary System, Face/Complexion, Skin, Cellular functions, Immune System, Thymus, Female Reproductive System, Adrenal Cortex/Parasympathetic Nervous System
Planet: Saturn
Metal: Lead
Herbs: Cannabis, Mullein, Comfrey, Horsetail, Solomon’s Seal, Yew, Boneset, Patchouli, Garlic, Skullcap, Henbane
Energy & Archetype: Form, Grounding, Stability, Time, Discipline, Occult Knowledge, Protection, Patience, Endurance, Restriction, Boundaries, Limits, Contraction, Karma, Death, The Dying/Old God, Father Time, The Grandfather
Body Parts & Systems: Aging process, Skeletal System, Joints, Ligaments, Knees, Hair, Teeth, Fingernails, Spleen, Adrenals, Vagus Nerve
Whether or not one believes in the literal connection of astrology and all things manifest on Earth, at the least this system provides a system of great utility. It simplifies vast and complex subject matter with concise symbolism and meaning.
To conclude let us ponder this question:
If all of Nature on Earth is so intricately connected, also including the Sun and Moon…why discount the other Stars and Planets?
MICROCOMUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS, MALACHAIS GEIGER 1651