Herbs & Tarot: The Empress

by Community Contribution October 01, 2022

by Karena Anderson Rodriguez of Lady K's Apotheca

The Empress represents the archetype of the mother in tarot. Her powers and domains are related to motherhood, power, gentleness, the sacred physical, acceptance, and abundance. She is ruled by Venus, planet of pleasure and relationships.

The Empress is a strong symbol of selfsovereignty, self-possession and healing. She knows herself, inside and out. These days it is extremely easy to become disembodied, losing connection with our body and sensations, and just go through the motions. Getting in touch with the energy of the Empress card can be quite the antidote to these go-go times, burnout, and negative thoughts or self talk. The Empress energy is a comforting, motherly force; she enfolds you in her embrace softly, overflowing acceptance and affection. I’ve chosen to highlight a few herbs we can all engage with as a channel to the Empress’s blessings.

These Empress herbs can help connect us with our own bodies, uniting it with mind and spirit, and blossoming to our fullest potential. Allow them to guide you to access parts of yourself you may have lost, hold yourself dearly, and sit firmly in your own power, just as the Empress sits regally upon her throne.

Motherwort: A heart opening herb ruled by Venus, motherwort’s Latin name, Leonurus cardiaca, means lion heart. This references her actions, which are both supportive of the physical heart, as well as our emotions. She provides courage in times of emotional turmoil, the strength and support needed to pull through trying times. The plant itself embodies the lioness by guarding her delicate pink flowers with spiny bracts, as a lioness would protect her cubs. This tenderness combined with fierce boundaries is a perfect embodiment of the Empress card, and can help us in refilling our own cups, while ensuring we don’t let anyone drink it dry again.

Rose: Rose is another Venusian herb, a flower we all associate with love. This can be romantic love or any other kind. She is also a flower of true beauty and gentleness. Her scent evokes a feeling of such happiness. Allow rose to letyou revel in love, joy, beauty, and creative energy; soothing body and soul. Rose opens our hearts to receiving and giving love and acceptance to ourselves and others alike.

Damiana: Damiana is an aphrodisiac herb known to get blood flowing and enhance the sense of touch. She is an herb of embodiment, and in this fast paced modern world, it can be easy to become detached from ourselves, or get down on ourselves. Damiana is not just a sensually powerful herb but also helpful in managing stress or anxiety, so that regaining your bodily sovereignty doesn’t have to be traumatic. Damiana will bring you back to center, reclaiming your first home, that of the body.

Milky Oats: Milky Oats are the immature seeds of the oats we all eat for breakfast. In this specific phase oats are incredibly soothing and nourishing. They are a great balm for fried nerves, and building the body back up from a tense state of overexertion and undernourishment. Oats and grains generally speaking are also associated with abundance, and reaping what we sow. In this way Milky Oats not only calms us from a state of tension, but shows us how to grow further in abundance. This herb nurses us back to health just like a mother, or the Empress, would.

You can engage with these herbs individually or blend them into a tea. You can also look to a few products that I love to engage with Empress energy and herbs:

Whatever form they take, as you sit with the herbs, take your time and note how it all feels. Be present and intimate with yourself, thanking your body for carrying you this far in life, for all it does for you every day. Recognize the immense power and abundance inherent in having everything you need within yourself. Leave aside scarcity mindsets and thoughts of imperfections.

The Empress reminds you that you have enough and you ARE enough. Take several deep breaths and bring your mind fully into your body. Thank your body for its power, and recognize you are the ruler of this domain. Reconnect your body with your heart by imagining this power radiating out from it. A warm glow comes from your heart and suffuses from within you.

This is your empress power, and within this domain you are sovereign. Security, abundance, love and acceptance are yours. You gave them to yourself, for the power was within you all along.

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This post was originally published in the Greenspell 'Greencurrents' Zine

If you enjoyed this article, and are interested in a deeper dive into the world of herbalism, ecology, and holistic health, consider signing up for the Greenspell Community & Virtual Garden.

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This post is a contribution to our Community Apothecary Zine 'Green Currents' and is offered by Karena Anderson Rodriguez, student of First Curve's Bioregional Herbalism Course. Learn more about her work at her instagram and shop.