The Herbal Astrology Oracle

The Herbal Astrology Oracle is a very recent addition to my oracle card collection. I added it because I feel more and more drawn to explore the many ways plants can help us heal. This started with The Herbcrafter’s Tarot and continues with The Herbal Astrology Oracle. Each has something unique to offer.

Adriana Ayales created this deck “to bring us back to the original consciousness that prevailed on earth for millennia.” She then goes on to write, “Herbalism is the medicine of belonging, a gateway through which we keep alive a very sacred aspect to our source.” Josephine Klerks’ stunning artwork encourages these connections.

The Herbal Astrology Oracle Cards

Prior to buying this deck I knew nothing about astrological herbalism. Now it has me enthralled. I incorporate astrological associations and the various energies they bring to a situation when reading tarot. Now I have something tangible to connect it all together. I’m curious and excited to see where it all leads. Adriana Ayales explains that, “Astrological herbalism is rooted in understanding how planetary archetypes correspond to nature as well as the organs and systems of the body.” I find this fascinating. With each new deck I learn something new and get drawn down another pathway.

When I read that “Hippocrates, considered the father or modern medicine, classified dis-eases based on astrological phenomena, using planetary archetypes in deciding how to heal various illnesses,” I was once again shown how little I know. The intellectual me had to go and find out more.

A quick Google search led me to a chapter in The Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy written by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum. The chapter, “Astronomy, Astrology and Medicine,” confirms astrology and astronomy were combined with medicine for thousands of years beginning in Mesopotamia in the 2nd millennium BCE and continued in the 18th century.” Throughout this period, scientists cited the similarities between medicine and astrology. As many of us seek to return to a more holistic approach to health that honours and connect us with our body, these ideas are worth exploring. They look to uncover the source of dis-ease rather than merely treating the symptoms.

As the two cards pictured above, 2 Saint-John’s Wort Radiance and 49 Psilocybin Commune, express, we can leave behind anything, or anyone, that restricts us. Then we are free to seek those that support us both on a physical and spiritual plane. This relates to our health also. After all, numerous studies show how reconnecting with the natural world is incredibly beneficial for our physical and mental health. Nevertheless, we should be able to follow our own approach without feeling pressured or judged for our personal choices. Unfortunately, at this stage, there is still too much judgement from both sides of the fence. Live and let live, I say.

I am, first and foremost, a tarot reader so, I often make connections between my oracle and tarot cards. For example, when I look at both cards pictured above, I feel neither would be out of place in a tarot deck. I would have them illustrating VIII Strength and 0 The Fool respectively. In fact, I think 13 Motherwort’s version of Strength adds so much to the tarot’s Strength card meaning. The connection with the Divine feminine is so well captured in this card. I see her as a cross between III The Empress and VIII Strength and I like the combination. So much so that I will consider that idea when either card appears in my tarot spreads now.

I truly believe cards don’t just talk to us. They talk to each other as well. This occurs both within a deck and across decks.

When looking through this deck I saw cards 35 and 29 together and they felt like perfect partners. 35 Horsetail Patience aligns with the restriction and discipline of Saturn. The Venus aspect encourages us to find the beauty in the situation rather than focusing on what is hindering us. 29 Schisandra Grace, which reminds me of XIV Temperance, suggests the growth that is possible when we accept and balance dualities rather than reacting to, or battling against, them. This approach brings forth the loving and beautiful energy associated with Venus and becomes a beacon for others.

Even without knowledge of the herbal aspects, or the astrological associations, it is possible to read the imagery of the cards and discern the meanings. For example, when I see horses I think of personal power. Seeing the horse sitting quietly watching the waterfall rather than trying to struggle against it portrays the intended meaning. Sometimes the best thing we can do is sit and wait. Nevertheless, taking the time to learn the herbal and astrological information opens us up to even more.

Furthermore, I love it when cards remind me of actual people. It creates an immediate connection for me. The woman on 33 Arnica Teacher reminds me of my Mum in so many ways. The write up mentions trauma and healing. This confronts me with the duality mentioned earlier. There are many ways to teach and to learn. This is a card I will definitely spend a lot of time with.

It is very natural for me to pair the above two cards. I always burn Palo Santo when doing ancestral work and this card helps to explain why I felt guided to do so. Through this type of work, I have begun to understand more about my parents and to recognise the valuable lessons they taught me. I have also began to reconcile my wishes with the big picture that is slowly unravelling before me.

Doing this type of work has shown me how, and potentially why, past experiences and ancestral wounds shape our current reality. I believe it is so important to explore and understand what lies beneath and the impact these memories have on us. Fortunately I have found both this deck and The Herbcrafter’s Tarot have made this process much easier and much more accessible.

Rather than running through the physical aspects of the cards here, you’ll find that information for The Herbal Astrology Oracle in the Summaries boxes at the end of the post.

The Herbal Astrology Guidebook

The accompanying 165-paged guidebook is a really interesting read. Every card meaning incorporates mythology, history, and guidance, without being overwhelming or textbook-y making it a valuable resource that’s enjoyable to read. Adriana Ayales doesn’t oversimplify the information though. Instead she incorporates explanations alongside the technical terms so that it is easy to understand and absorb the details without having to reach for a dictionary.

For example, in reference to the card above, 42 Amanita, she writes, “Commonly known as fly agaric or fly Amanita, this plant has been used in folk medicine since at least 6000 B.C.E., making it one of the earliest recorded entheogens – hallucinogenic plant medicines used for ritual and shamanic purposes.” She then explains how, why, and where Amanita was used. The card meaning section wraps up with the divinatory meanings.

She presents the cards in sections dictated by the astrological ruler of the plant. Thus in the index you’ll find each card listed under one of the following – Herbs of: the Sun, the Moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Asteroids and Lunar Nodes. However, as you can see, each card has one, two and sometimes three planetary associations. The order they occur is relevant. The predominant ruler is the larger, first symbol.

In regards to this she points out though that, “Every archetype is a multi-layered experience that offers a potential to further comprehend the great mystery of nature. The experience transmitted and received is very personal and allows your voice to be the authority when interpreting the magic expressed within a spread.” Combining your own response while taking note of the dominant attribute and the impact it has on the others adds another dimension. I like and appreciate that she encourages users to bring their own meaning to the cards. After all, our interpretations change based on the surrounding cards, the questions asked, or what we notice on a particular card in any given moment. Therefore, the breadth of information to be gleaned from any one card could never be conveyed in a single guidebook.

Many of us are aware of the use of rosemary for remembrance and therefore that meaning may easily come to the fore. In Australia sprigs are worn on Remembrance Day and Anzac Day. However, in the “Guidance” section of the book it points out that Rosemary can both connect us with ancient memories and encourage us to stay loyal to our vision. It is said that when the card appears it may represent past feelings and emotions are bubbling up from deep within and that they are making their way to the surface. Or, you are “remembering and accessing ancestral memory that resides in your DNA.” For me, this is why, with any new deck, it is worth reading the guidebook.

It is easy for an association to become ensconced which may mean we miss out on opportunities to expand our awareness and knowledge. For example, I am fascinated by the information that is stored in our DNA and what we contribute especially in regards to understanding our inherent yet often latent gifts. This card has given me a focused way of tuning into this. I may not have discovered this if I had just relied on what rosemary signifies for me. Fortunately, writing these posts prevents me from skimming over things.

Conclusion

This isn’t a deck that has just been created to fill a niche. If you click through to the creators websites listed below you will see they are dedicated to working with, and spreading information about, herbalism. This is evident when working with The Herbal Astrology Oracle.

Put simply though, I am very taken with this deck. I love the artwork, the inclusions, (ie the big cats), the write-ups in the guidebook, what it taps me into, and the overall connection I feel when I use it. The Herbal Astrology Oracle contains ancient wisdom and connects us to the wisdom that resides within us all. It is wonderful.

Summaries

The Cards

Artist	Josephine Klerks
Card Size	Approximately 9 x 12.5cm
Card Stock	Thick, matte cardstock
Shuffle	Okay to shuffle in any manner straight out of the box but easiest to overhand or long edge riffle
Fan & Flip Through	Okay to flip through but its size makes it a little more difficult. Doesn’t fan smoothly but it is easy enough to spread out.
Miscellaneous	Solid two-part box. Reversible backs. Stunning muted, earthy tones.

The Guide Book

Written by	Adriana Ayales
Pages	165 pages
Appearance	Perfect bound, card sized, no card images
Contents	Introduction Working with The Herbal Astrology Oracle Card Spreads Card Meanings Herbs of the Sun (each card listed under its relevant section) Herbs of the Moon Herbs of Venus Herbs of Mercury Herbs of Mars Herbs of Jupiter Hers of Saturn Herbs of Uranus Herbs of Neptune Herbs of Pluto Herbs of the Asteroids Herbs of the Lunar Nodes Acknowledgements About the Author About the Artist
Spreads	The Cardinal Cross of the Medicine Wheel (5 cards) Present Moment Spread (3 cards) Relationship Spread (6 cards) The Moon Spread (6 cards)