Exploring Tarot ~ The Herbal Tarot

The Herbal Tarot was created by the herbalist, Michael Tierra aligning herbs with each tarot card. As both a hedgewitch and an herbalist, I love this deck. I acquired it several years ago and it’s beautiful. Tierra and the artist, Candice Cantin, blend traditional depictions with an herbal focus, including a corresponding herb on each card. Two cards from the Major Arcana are present, The Empress and The Moon along with the 2 of Cups. Emotions are influencing along with the receptive presence of the Great Mother. The overall numerology is found by combining 2, 3, and 18 together, arriving at 23 and then reducing that number to five or change.

The Empress sits serenely while holding a scepter in her left hand. The astrological glyph for Venus appears below her to her right. Tall pine trees appear in the distance while a creek winds through the fertile land. Dong Quai, an herb for fertility and female reproduction, rises in front of her. The Empress herself represents elegance and a gracious presence. She’s the womb, the portal, the doorway to the unconscious realm and reflects receptivity and the Mother Aspect of the Goddess.

Known as bearberry and kinnickinnick, Uva Ursi is astringent and functions as a diuretic, bringing a sense of balance to the body. It can be used to balance blood sugar and to reduce the size of the uterus after childbirth. Tierra corresponds uva ursi to the 2 of Cups, a card of Elemental Water bringing unity and reciprocity to the reading. Additional interpretations include healing and reconciliation evidenced by the loving couple in the scene.

Tierra gives a different take on The Moon which is stunning. A large moon covers most of the card with a lizard and crawfish meeting at water’s edge. A healthy looking lemon balm seems to grow out from the rocks. But then lemon balm grows everywhere once you have it. It’s one of my favorite herbs. A nervine, it also calms stomach distress, but I love its light, lemony fragrance and taste and it’s wonderful to relax with a cup after a long day. Lemon corresponds to clarity and when The Moon appears in a tarot reading it’s asking us to see what’s potentially hidden and to confront our fears. The Moon’s large visage lights our way in this card while the lizard and crawfish signal rebirth and renewal.

Receptivity seems to be the theme of the reading and where we can find quiet strength. One of the four powers of the witch’s temple, to keep silence is what comes to mind here. In fact, a witch’s greatest power may lie in what she doesn’t say, what she doesn’t do, and what she doesn’t reveal. In that respect, they never see us coming and underestimate us at every turn. We don’t need to lay our cards on the table for all to see at every given moment. Let them wonder. Reveal nothing.

Given the influence of both The Empress and The Moon, it may be that the 2 of Cups is referring to maintaining an emotional balance within, essential when keeping our silence. Our emotions give us away, don’t they? Instead of allowing that to happen, perhaps The Empress finds her serenity in observation in lieu of reaction. Perhaps she keeps her silence as a means to cut through The Moon’s illusory nature to see what’s truly there and what’s truly important.

All I know is that I love that Moon card in this deck!

~Blessed Be