The Wiccan Book of Days for April 9th – Astringent Achillea

One of the plants that is said to be under the rulership of Mars, also this Arien day’s planetary governor, is yarrow, or milfoil. As befits a “martial” herb, it is said to have the power to remove fear, while its Latin name, Achilless millefolium,recalls the Greek hero Achilles, who healed his battlefield wounds with yarrow. This explains why its alternative common names include: staunchweed, Knights’ milfoil, and soliders’ woundwort. Credited with the ability to fend off evil influences, sticks of yarrow are also traditionally used to form the hexagram of the I Ching (Chinese Book of Changes).

A Stannch Ally

Plant some yarrow, so that so that anyone in your household cut him or herself, you have instant access to this stemmer of blood. Simply pick and bruise some leaves and the apply them to the wound, pressing down gently until the bleeding stops. (Chewing the leaves is also said to aleve toothaches).