I Will Pluck the Yarrow Fair

Yarrow is one of the cards in my oracle deck. There are many layers of the yarrow plant - history, herbalism, and symbolism.

Yarrow's Latin name is Achillea millefolium which might be translated as "thousand-leaved plant of Achilles". This comes from the legend that Achillies used it to stop the bleeding and heal the wounds of his soldiers. Yarrow's medicinal uses are too many and varied to go into here, but it's quite an amazing list. Yarrow grows in many parts of the world, and wherever it appears the people embrace it as something of a cure-all. It has even been found in a Neanderthal "flower burial" in the middle east. Where I live in SE Colorado, it's called plumajillo because the leaves  look like little feathers.

photo by Pablo Alberto Salguero Quiles

As the story of Achilles implies, and as the quote below reinforces from a different perspective, Yarrow's ability to heal and to protect are widely known. The leaves, in particular, are applied to wounds to stop bleeding, and also used in treating nosebleeds. Essential oil of Yarrow is one of nature's little surprises, for when the plant material is steam distilled to produce the oil the result is a rich cobalt blue oil due to quite a high concentration of chamazulene, which according to the American Chemical Society is a "natural anti-inflammitory". When I studied essential oils with pioneering zoopharmacognicist Caroline Ingraham, she also sang the praises of Yarrow essential oil for its ability to heal, and to penetrate deeply into wounds in order to do its work. Caroline cited many almost miraculous case studies from her field work with this oil. She also taught us that another use  is as a protection from allergic reactions to irritants in the environment, such as pollen. Producers of flower essences (which are highly diluted infusions similar to homeopathic remedies) follow this thinking as well, and Yarrow flower essences are often used to protect on a "vibrational" level from subtle environmental pollutants, toxins and radiation, as well as to help with natural allergens. This thinking is then followed a little further and suggests that Yarrow can also help to protect those who are sensitive to "psychic bleed" or to picking up on unwanted energies, and is used by many who work in the metaphysical realm, such as healers and mediums.

I find it interesting that something very similar is suggested in this old Gaelic charm.

I will pluck the yarrow fair
That more brave shall be my hand
That more warm shall be my lips
That more swift shall be my foot
May I an island be at sea
May I a rock be on land
That I can afflict any man
No man can afflict me
    ~ from The Carmina Gadelica

Okay, so by now you've probably made a note to stock up on Yarrow products (did I mention it's good for colds and flu?) but we were supposed to be talking about reading an oracle card - so what's the deal? If this card comes up, what might it be saying? One likely interpretation is that you need to identify your wounds, and know that they can be healed. Whether we're talking about deep stuff that you've carried for many years, recent trauma, or the chaffing irritation of things in your daily life, I believe that this card is saying that help is at hand. The healing may already be taking place, or you are at least headed toward the healing process.

Yarrow essential oil

The other aspect of this card is inspired by the beautiful blue colour of Yarrow oil. Who would have guessed that this weedy looking plant with small white flowers would contain such a treasure? This speaks of the transformation of an individual or a situation. A transformation probably enabled by the healing of a wound or the removal of some debilitating irritation. When someone is happier, when a situation or relationship is healthier, then its essence can be revealed and the true treasure it has contained all along can shine through.

---

Go Deeper Reading

In depth reading by email.

More information about my readings at this link.

$

40.00