Leaning Post

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Emperor; from the Nature's Pharmacy Deck, Feverfew:

I can't promise to fix all of your problems, but I can promise you won't have to face them alone. 

—Mac Miller

The Emperor is illustrated with a Douglas fir, an evergreen that is one of the tallest in the pine family. Its evergreen nature - no matter the season - brings to mind those trustworthy friends or family members who have our back. It doesn't matter if the timing is inconvenient, if they're tired, or if they are in the middle of having fun; when we really need their help, they come. Feverfew is marketed as an herbal aid to prevent migraines and help with symptoms (pain, nausea, light sensitivity). However, when taken on a regular basis and then abruptly stopped, withdrawals symptoms such as rebound headaches and muscle and joint pains occur. No one can be a constant leaning post; everyone is subject to health issues and their own unexpected crises. At some point. we have to learn to be our own supportive, best friend. 

Cooling the Fevered Brow

From the Via Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Nature's Pharmacy Deck, "Feverfew:"

          With an upraised sword in one hand and a severed head in the other, this queen reminds me of Kali, Hindu goddess of power and change. The dripping head represents the ego, the part of me that is self-absorbed and only likes change if I would personally benefit from it. In the companion book, the authors describe the Queen of Swords as having an intellect "liberated from the constraints of habit." In other words, she doesn't fall into a predictable pattern of behavior when certain situations arise. There are no buttons to push to get a reaction from her.
          Feverfew is an herb I've grown in my garden in years past, primarily because it was supposed to be helpful in preventing migraines (though I didn't find it useful in this regard). Described as an anti-inflammatory by early medicinal herbalists, Chrysanthemum parthenium got its common name because it was believed to reduce fevers. The combination of the queen above and this plant suggests to me that passion does not necessarily equal objectivity, truth and justice. Sometimes I need to allow my adrenaline rush to subside in order to see and understand with clarity.