Herbal Energetics as Plant Mythology

Here we are exploring the ways we may gain a deeper context of the medicine of plants through our own observation and communion with them. Their codes are revealed to us when we learn their language.

As one finds themselves walking the plant path, there may be a concept come up that seems rather abstract. Perhaps because it lives within the imaginal realm, touching on the spirit of a plant rather than the physical qualities that can be measured and analyzed. Plants carry with them a spirit that remains untouched by microscopes or measuring tapes. It is the cloak that reveals what otherwise remains unknown and unseen, yet holds the true richness and depths of their medicine. That spirit is, in a lot of ways what we are calling forth when we desire to work with a plant as a medicine and it is the source through which we may fully receive its offerings. 

Plant energetics touches on something far beyond medical descriptions. As the name implies, it opens the doors of energies and spirit that move through the plant. That which gives them life, gives them strength, gives them vitality. Gives them their own unique qualities. The innate energetic blueprint and memory of any animate thing really. All are expressed and embedded within the elements. Within my own philosophies, I experience 4 elements that I know as Earth, Water, Air, Fire. Their communion, their interwoven existence, inseparable from each other, is what expresses itself as Spirit. Spirit for me lives beyond the elements themselves, as their one true source. As we reflect upon the expressions of each element, we can see a common thread or pattern as to their natures. The most basic, foundational expression that is known in alchemy and herbalism are Dry/Moist and Warm/Cool. As we dive deeper into the natures of the elements we can see that each one has a unique combination of these foundational energetics. We may see these qualities within the elements as follows ~ 

Earth is the most physical element, it is stable, dense, warm and moist. 

Air moves beyond form, and so it is very dynamic, flowing, cooling. Because of its arid nature, it is also drying 

Fire is transformational, moving with the energy of heat. Because of its intense heat and dynamic energy, it also carries drying tendencies 

Water is that which flows within a container. Held within the arms of the earth. This energy is fluid, moist, calm and cool. 

When we layer this atop our energetic experience of plants, we may see these elements and thus their energetic imprints found within the unique expressions of each plant family. When we sit with a plant, this observation opens a doorway for us to perceive the plant within an even deeper context. And so learn about their true medicinal qualities. Rather than reading somewhere that this plant is good for that ailment, we may gain a richer recognition of their true qualities and the ways in which they offer them to the world. When we learn of their qualities in this way, a whole world of understanding opens up and suddenly we aren’t just aware that this plant is good for that ailment, but why, and how else it may serve. It is an opportunity to do our own learning directly with our plant kin. It is another story unfolding of who they are, their tendencies, their ways of being, and the ways their medicine may be received. 

These qualities may often be observed through sitting with the plant and communing with them through all of your senses.

~ Here is another thing, think about form as the physical expression of an energetic tendency. 

So when we look at a plant, the colours they hold, the shapes they take on, even the things that they remind us of are all doorways into their personalities. Elements of this are taught within the doctrine of signatures, which touches upon how we may get to know the medicine of a plant based on their appearances. But this is a topic of another article. ~

Here are some ways one may learn to read the messages of a plant’s energetic imprint ~ 

Gazing at their form. Are their leaves soft and full of fluid, or dry and spiky? Do they flower? What colours are present? Where are they growing? Is it in well-draining, sandy soil, in bogs and wetlands, in meadows or mountains?

Tasting a leaf and exploring the sensations of it upon your tongue. Is it astringent, bitter, floral, moist? 

*often times it is safe and even supportive to simply place a leaf on your tongue and slowly chew to release the flavours, and then spit it out if you are not sure about its edibility. But of course, use your own discernment with this practice* 

Touching the leaves and flowers, what impressions do they give you? Can you feel moisture? Are they hairy? Spiky? Soft? 

Sometimes even smells may give away certain clues as to their qualities. What fragrances are present here, if any? 

Let us take a plant as an example, one that very clearly gives away its energetic qualities. Mint! 

When one looks at mint, one may notice a subtle hue of blue radiating from their green leaves. Touch a leaf and notice the moisture that lives within its vessel. Taste it and note the strong volatile oils activated, leaving a cooling and drying sensation on your tongue. Through these observations, one may notice the qualities that are active within this plant kin as cooling and drying. The qualities of Air. Traditionally mint has been worked with to break a high fever and break apart excess mucus. Mint has a particular affinity for the respiratory tract, touching upon its qualities of Air that invigorate the breath. Already these observations may open up so many stories of mint and their unique blueprint. It is weaving together the mythology of each plant. Their magic and mystery. Qualities that they reveal to us speak to the medicine that they offer and how we may work with them. 

Plants are like old friends speaking a new language. With this practice, they become aware beings. Intelligent beings. Beings we may get to know. With patience and observation, we may learn to understand the ways they communicate with us. For they do indeed openly share this wisdom with all. This is an ancestral practice, how we have learned about the medicine within plants through our own intimacy with them. Through observation, through dreams and visions, we have woven together an ancient communion. It's just that not all are attuned to hear their songs anymore. But it is always there, for those open to listen. It is an attunement then, to align ourselves with their songs. To see them with an expanded awareness and deeper context of all that they are. Working with their physical form as a tool and clue into the stories of their spirit. This is plant spirit medicine.