Pagan Portals - Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets combines herbalism with astrology and explains how the ancient herbalists like Culpeper assigned specific herbs to planetary rulers. Various characteristics were used to decide what planet ruled particular herbs. Mars is the God of War and herbs that have this planet as their ruler display aggressive properties and appearance, such as thorns or red berries or sap. Dragon trees have red resin known as Dragon's Blood. The book is divided into sections for each group of herbs. So there are seven divisions for herbs of the Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn, each containing seven herbs. Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets will be essential reading for herbalists and gardeners, and will also appeal to those with a general interest in the occult and astrology. Steve Andrews is a man of many talents. He is a writer, a journalist, a singer-songwriter, a poet and a naturalist. He is also known as the Bard of Ely and Green Bard. Herbs of the Sun, Moon and Planets By Steve Andrews John Hunt Publishing Ltd. Copyright © 2015 Steve Andrews All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-78535-302-4 Contents Introduction, Herbs of the Sun, Chamomile, Eyebright, Juniper, Mistletoe, Rosemary, St John's Wort, Sunflower, Herbs of the Moon, Camphor, Iris, Jasmine, Lettuce, Mugwort, Water Lily, Willow, Herbs of Mercury, Dill, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Mandrake, Mint, Valerian, Herbs of Venus, Catnip/Catmint, Columbine, Pennyroyal, Periwinkle, Rose, Vervain, Yarrow, Herbs of Mars, Dragon Tree, Galangal, Hops, Meadow Buttercup, Tarragon, Tobacco, Wormwood, Herbs of Jupiter, Agrimony, Lime Tree, Meadowsweet, Oak, Pine, Sassafras, Thorn Apple, Herbs of Saturn, Deadly Nightshade, Hemlock, Henbane, Monkshood, Morning Glory, Patchouli, Skullcap, Bibliography, Index, CHAPTER 1 Herbs of the Sun The Sun is at the centre of the solar system in which our planet is also located and gives light to all the planets it can reach. It has long been worshipped and thought of as the source of all life and as Father Sun. It is the light-giver that with its rays illuminates all it shines on. Without it, life could not survive. Its keywords are power, vitality and self-expression. Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis/Chamaemelum nobile) Chamomile is a herb of the Sun that besides liking to grow in sunny places has white petals that surround its yellow centre and can be likened to the Sun's rays. It is an aromatic perennial plant with a creeping habit and finely-cut feathery leaves. Chamomile comes from Europe, but is widely distributed in North America and grown in herb gardens in many parts of the world. It has a long history of usage both as a medicinal herb and for cosmetic purposes. William Turner, in his Newe Herball (1551), declared: 'Thys herbe was consecrated by the wyse men of Egypt unto the Sonne and was rekened to be the only remedy for allagues.' According to Mrs M. Grieve in her A Modern Herbal: 'The old herbals agree that 'it is but lost time and labour to describe it.'' It was known in times gone by as the 'Plant's Physician'. The Ancient Greeks called it 'Earth Apple', and its generic name is derived from kamai, which means 'on the ground' and melon, meaning Apple. Indeed, the herb has an Apple-like aroma when lightly crushed. The Anglo Saxons knew Chamomile as 'Maythen' and it was one of the sacred herbs of Woden. According to the Lacnunga, in the Harleian manuscript collection of the British Museum, it was included in the Nine Herbs Lay, a charm against the effects of 'lying venom' and 'loathed things that over land rove. In herbal medicine Chamomile is used for its soothing and sedative properties. Taken as a herb tea it is good for indigestion, nausea, to promote a good night's sleep and is helpful for painful menstruation. Ointments made with Chamomile are used to treat skin complaints such as eczema. As a steam inhalation, the herb is regarded as a remedy for sinusitis and asthma. The dried flowers are added to herbal pillows to help fight insomnia and also included in pot-pourri. An infusion of the flowers is used to help lighten blonde hair and as a skin freshener. The whole Chamomile herb can be used to make a herbal beer. The herbalist Parkinson wrote in his Earthly Paradise (1656): Camomil is put to divers and sundrey users, both for pleasure and profit, both for the sick and the sound, in bathing to comfort and strengthen the sound and to ease pains in the diseased. Chamomile lawns are popular in ornamental gardens because of their fragrance. The plant is often included in herb gardens too. Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) Eyebright is a herb of the Sun that, as its name suggests, is recommended for treating the eyes. Its tiny white flowers have a yellow centre with darker purple ray markings and perhaps this is why it was associated with the Sun. It was the Doctri