Prompt: “Pull a random card, then spin the wheel to be given an herb to work with. Share with us your card, and tell us what similarities or differences you find between the herb and your card. The info you use can be on any aspects of the herb in question from cooking, growth info, teas, personal experiences with the plant, medical, metaphysical, etc.”
[Safety Note: I have based my writings on teas. Although all three of the teas that the wheel offered to me are quite safe, if you are pregnant, have any medical conditions, or are on medication, please be sure to research risks, interactions, and side effects before consuming.]
Page of Cups and Peppermint
Peppermint tea is often used to help in easing digestion issues, but it also has a number of other benefits from easing tension headaches and easing menstrual cramps, to improving sleep and concentration.
This is because peppermint acts as a muscle relaxer and a pain reliever. This is done through the menthol in peppermint, which increases blood flow while simultaneously providing a cooling sensation.
Often, the Page of Cups is traditionally interpreted a representation of a receptive “omega” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with emotional growth, second chance relationships, or exploring one’s imagination and creativity.
When combined with peppermint, there is a message here about relaxing into such creative pursuits. It can often be difficult to let go and just enjoy when dipping into our imagination and creative endeavors. We often are held back from experimentation and exploration by a need for everything to be perfect.
This herb with the Page of Cups encourages us to relax our grip on perfectionism and ease up on our expectations when delving into creative endeavors. Let go of expectation and the tensions that come with it, and let yourself be a bit messy.
Ten of Pentacles and Chamomile
Chamomile tea is best known for its calming benefits, and is used by many as an anti-anxiety tonic to assist in relaxation and sleep. Chamomile has other benefits that are also worth noting. These include containing anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants, and having antispasmodic properties.
These qualities make chamomile an excellent choice for relaxation and putting one at ease during times of discomfort or stress.
The Ten of Pentacles is traditionally a representation of satisfaction and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, home, health, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with hard earned success, accomplishment, abundance, and stability that has taken time to accomplish and is now established enough to share that stability with those around you.
When combined with chamomile, there is a message here about not stressing the small stuff. It can be hard to turn off that hard push to drive for more and better than what you have now. Everyone needs to retire at some point, though, and turn their focus toward helping future generations or others around them find stability as well. Otherwise, the chaos continues around you and influences your stability even when you’ve reached your own success.
This herb with the Ten of Pentacles encourages us to look take a breath and let the constant drive pushing us forward to ease now and then. Sit back and check in with where you are, instead of always plowing forward toward more. You might be surprised with just how far you’ve come when you take a moment to look at things with a quiet and calm mind instead of the jangle of that inner drive ringing in your ears.
Judgement and Lemon Balm
Lemon balm tea, interestingly enough, holds benefits that are in many ways a combination of the previously covered peppermint and chamomile. Lemon balm is excellent for assisting in relieving indigestion and bloating, has been used to help in easing anxiety and promoting more restful sleep, and also has displayed beneficial neurological effects that improve cognitive function and memory.
These qualities make lemon balm an excellent alternative to chamomile or peppermint, and can be blended with either to combine their effects and benefits. (Although, on a personal note, it’s my opinion that peppermint and lemon balm don’t really taste good together… but that chamomile goes with just about everything.)
The Judgement card is traditionally a representation of looking back on one’s history and reflecting upon if they are happy with all that they have done and become in life, as well as getting in touch with one’s true calling, and themes to do with forgiveness and absolution.
When combined with lemon balm, there is a message here about how when we look at who we have become and where we want to go with that moving forward, that we don’t panic about how much time is passed and how much we might have left. It’s easy to become too focused on the goal and forget that what we really should be training our attention on is the journey, not the end.
This herb combined with the Judgement card encourages us to slow down and enjoy the journey. There’s no rush to get to the end of things. Let things move at their own pace so that when you eventually find yourself at the end of the journey? You can look back on all of your memories and be happy that your time wasn’t wasted, but rather… enjoyed.
Twisting the Leaf 