by Annie Doran of Lions Tooth Herbs
featured photo Ginko by Lions Tooth Herbs
Here in the Northern hemisphere, we are shifting from the gentle bower of spring into the wildness of summer. A few weeks ago, my garden was only precious new tendrils emerging from yellowed grasses. Now, heat rises from the soil and wide leaves are competing for space. Zinnias appear like tiny fireworks, and it seems that I can’t take a closer look at a flower without disrupting a fat honeybee’s work.
We entered Gemini season on May 20th. Perched right at the crux of this change in seasons, Gemini placements are naturally adaptable and appear to move seamlessly from one state of being to the next. Gemini’s ability to communicate with almost anyone (it is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, after all) makes these transitions even easier. Gemini can flit from group to group, person to person, sharing information and picking up more, like a bee moving among the blooms.
As Gemini represents these traits, so does the sign correspond with the systems of the body that rule over adaptability, connections and communication. The Twins are associated closely with the lungs (the twin organ!), the arms and hands, the tubes of the body (such as veins, bronchial tubes, fallopian tubes, the urinary tract, etc), as well as the nervous system, which keeps every part of our body in communication with the rest.
So when thinking about remedies and tonics for not only Gemini, but Gemini season and illnesses associated with imbalance in these systems, we can look to these areas of the body as indicators as to what herbal remedies might be called for. These natural medicines can help us adjust to the change from spring to summer.
Lavender, Sage and Peppermint are common garden herbs that not only clear the lungs, they also have what we might call “mixed energetics’, meaning they have effects that are both warming and cooling. This is very balancing for ever adaptable Gemini.
Yarrow also has this quality of warming and cooling when needed, and it is healing for the respiratory system. It also strengthens blood vessels, another part of the body Gemini rules. Other herbs with great benefit for the circulatory system are Gingko and Rosemary, both of which also clear brain fog and keep us sharp-witted, and what would a Gemini be without their intellect and sharp wit?
Hawthorn is rarely listed as an herb of Gemini, which surprises me, as I know few other herbs that strengthen the vascular systems of the body more. However, after a little digging I discovered that Celtic astrology has a sign believed to be Gemini’s equivalent – the sign of Hawthorn!
Gemini rules over the nerves, which means there is potential for imbalance there. Two herbs I use often in my apothecary for nervousness and anxiety and which are recommended for Gemini are Skullcap and Milky Oats. Each of these has the ability to calm our nerves in the moment as well as nourish and restore the nervous system over time. Both are also the most effective when prepared fresh, and as it turns out they are both ready to harvest during – you guessed it – Gemini season!
This is not an exhaustive list, but I hope these herbs can be a jumping off point as we learn to care for our bodies through the late spring and early summer. I recommend trying these plant medicines as teas, vinegars or tinctures, but you can also add them to your food and make syrups with them. Feel free to get creative!
Wishing you all (but especially all you Geminis) a very happy, sunny start to the summer.
About Annie Doran
Annie Doran is a writer and herbalist with a focus on western herbalism. Her work stems from a passion for accessible medicine, ethnobotany, conservation, wild foods and the soul-restorative powers of nature. She is the owner and founder of Lion’s Tooth Herbs, an apothecary shop providing herbal medicine and wellness classes. Annie studied at the Columbine’s School of Botanical Studies and is currently enrolled in clinical studies at Sacred Plant Traditions. You can find her @lionstoothherbs and www.lionstoothherbs.com.
