Linnea's Grove

Herbs mentioned by A.C. in 777
Numbers refers to paths on the Tree of Life

General remarks:
It should be generally remarked with regard to the elemental attributions in this column that the seed should be taken as representing Spirit with a slight admixture of Fire, the stem as Fire, the blossom as Water, the leaf as Air, and the fruit as Earth. Note that the fruit usually contains the seed of the new generation exactly as the Empresses are called the Thrones of Spirit.

Remarks on Perfumes (column XLII): These attributions are founded for the most part upon tradition. Some of them are connected with legend, others are derived from clairvoyant observation. The rational basis of attribution is, therefore, less apparant in this column than in those of the Gods, Magical Weapons, etc.

Acacia, Acacia spp. 6. The Acacia is placed here as a symbol of resurrection as in the rituals of Free Masonry.

Alder, Alnus glutinosa 13. The Alder has a soft spongy wood which gives very little heat when burned. It haunts watery spots.

Aloe, Aloe spp. 22. This attribution is traditional.

Almond, Prunus amygdalus1, 13, 31bis. 1&31bis refers to flowering Almond. The Almond in flower is connected with Aaron's rod that budded. The Almond is the proper wood for the wand of the white magician, but the attribution should really be to the middle pillar as a whole.

Amaranth, Amaranthus hypochondriacus 2. The amaranth is the flower of immortality. It is here placed in order to symbolize that quality of the Yod of Tetragrammaton, the principle of Chiah.

Apple, Malus spp. 14. The Apple is traditionally appropriate to Venus on account of the legend of the Fall. There are however various traditions concerning the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Arnica, Spergularia rubra 21. Arnica is attributed to Jupiter for its use in relieving pain.

Asafoetida, Ferula foetida 32. Pure samples are not intolerably unpleasant.

Ash, Fraxinus excelsior 6, 32. The Ash is one of the most important of the solar trees; the wood is firm and elastic. The World-Ash represents the microcosm in legend. Yggdrasil is itself an Ash. The Ash is given (32) in connection with the phrase "ashen pale". The real nature of the tree is more properly solar.

Aspen, Populus tremula 11. Aspen resembles Air, by its trembling.

Banyan, Ficus benghalensis: 1. The branches of the Banyan tree take fresh roots where they touch the ground and start new main stems; this is connected with the special idea of Kether implied in the Philosophy given in the Commentary of the Book of the Law. (Linnea's note: a lot of trees and bushes do this!)
The Banyan is given here (9) for the same reason as that in line 1. It is, so to speak, the foundation of a system of trees as Yesod is the foundation of the branches of the Tree of Life.

Bay, Laurus nobilis 6. Sacred to Apollo.

Benzoin, Styrax benzoin 7,24. 7: The sensuous seductiveness of Benzoin is unmistakable. Contrast with line 24. 24: Siamese Benzoin is to be distinguished from that found in other countries. It has a peculiar odour strongly suggestive of the treachery of the snake. It is the hidden poison not unlike that of Galbanum. The voluptuousness of the perfume is of that type of debauchery whose fascination is directly connected with the knowledge of its fatal issue.

Bo tree, Ficus religiosa 2. The Bo or Pipal tree was the shelter of the Buddha at the moment of his enlightenment. Furthermore, its leaves suggest the phallus. (Linnea's note: You have to have a very Freudian-type of thinking to get that idea! The leaves are heart-shaped!!)

Cactus, many species, 24. The Cactus has watery pulp and poisonous spikes.

Camphor, Cinnamonum camphora 13. The white waxen appearance suggests Luna, so also the perfume is peculiarly cleanly. It is supposed by some to be useful as a disinfectant. It is in fact useful against moths. This is sympathetic with the idea of lustration.

Cedar, Cedrus spp.,4, 21. 21: Cedar has a traditional value in religious work - its perfume is devotional according to the testimony of intuition, and it is supposed to preserve things in its neighbourhood from the attacks of moths, etc.

Cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum 30. The appearance is decidely solar; any martial element therein is not confirmed by the perfume, which resembles that of a hot summer day, in theopinion of any sensitives. It is also solar on account of its cordial and carminative properties.

Coconut, Cocos nucifera, 28. This attribution is doubtful. There may be some connection with Juno as giving milk or with the symbol of the Waterbearer, because the tree gives us fruit from the air.

Clover, Trifolium spp., 14.

Cypress, Cupressus sempervirens 3, 32. The Cypress pertains to Saturn. (Linnea's note: This is a traditional correspondance. You'll find it mentioned many times in the Old Testament, related to death and decay).

Damiana, Turnera diffusa 9. Damiana is reputed a powerful aphrodisiac.

Dittany of Crete, Origanum dictamnus 10. Dittany of Crete was said by Blavatsky to be the most powerful of all magical perfumes. This is true in a limited sense. Its smoke is the best basis for material magical manifestations of all those menstrua which are not animal. It is quite as catholic as Olibanum in character but has no positive element in its composition. Further, its velvet softness and its silvery bloom remind one of Betulah. There are many allusions in classical traditions to Dittany, which all point to the same attribution.

Dragon's Blood, Daemomorops draco 15, 27. Dragon's Blood gives off a dark red smoke, is angry looking, unpleasant to smell, and intuitively perceived as smouldering irritability. Heat and pungency are two principal qualities of Mars.

Elm, Ulmus glabra, 32. The Elm is Saturnian on account of its murderous habit of dropping boughs without warning. (Linnea's note: Even more so after all the Elm's disease we have had - few big Elms are still standing in North Europe). The wood is also traditionally the best available for coffins.

Fig, Ficus carica 14, 21. The Fig is Venusian on account of its sexual symbolism. The Fig is Jupitarian because of its soft, swollen and, so to speak, sensual pulp; and also perhaps because of its rich purple colour, suggesting episcopal vestments.

Frankincense (Olibanum), Boswellia carterii 6, 19, 30, 31. 6,30: The correctness of this should be intuitively perceived at once by every magician. Olibanum possesses a comprehensive catholic quality such as no other incense can boast. 19: Olibanum, combining the ideas of fire and Sol, is preeminently suited to Leo, the Kerub of Fire, the house of the Sun. 31: Olibanum is the fiery element of Moses.

Galangal, Alpinia officinarum, 30. Galangal is specially sacred to the Sun; it is of the Ginger family.

Galbanum, Ferula galbaniflua 11, 22, 28. Galbanum represents the element of Air in that exceedingly powerful incense of Tetragrammaton whose invention is ascribed to Moses. 22: Galbanum has a peculiar scent which intuitively suggests danger or even evil. There is a hint of hidden treachery, which is nevertheless seductive. This refers to the exaltation of Saturn in Libra, the house of Venus, which refers to the impregnation of the idea of Love by that of Death. It recalls the rape of Persephone by Hades; or, more appropriately still, that tragic element in love which has formed a theme of all great poets, from Aeschylus and Homer to Shakespeare and Goethe. 28: This attribution is not very satisfactory. There is more in Galbanum than the Saturnian and airy elements. Galbanum is too exciting to be a truly Aquarian perfume; it is too demonic, it lacks the element of humanity. In the humanitarianism of Aquarius there is no magician to understand that "love is the law, love under will". It is the smug aloofness of the philanthropist.

Geranium, Pelargonium spp. 15. Geranium has a scarlet variety which is precisely the colour of Aries in the King Scale. (Linnea's note: good luck seekers! There are thousands of Geranium varieties out there these days!)

Ginseng, Panax ginseng 9. Ginseng is reputed a powerful aphrodisiac. Roots are sacred to Yesod because Yesod is the Root of the Tree of Life exactly as the reproductive function is the root of the life of man.

Gorse, Ulex europaeus, 6. Gorse, the sacred flower of the A.·. A.·., was chosen as their heraldic emblem to be a symbol of the Great Work. Its appearance is that of the Sun in full blaze, and suggests the burning bush of Moses. Its branches are exceedingly firm, as should be the Will of the Adept, and they are covered with sharp spikes, which symbolize, on the one hand, the phallic energy of the Will and, on the other, the pains which are gladly endured by one who puts forth his hand to pluck this bloom of sunlight splendour.

Hazel, Corylus avellana 13. The Hazel is suitable for the wand of the Black magician whose typical deity is the Moon just as that of the White magician is the Sun.

Heliotrope, Heliotropum arborescens 30.

Hellebore, Helleborus niger 32.

Hemp, Indian, Cannabis sativa 26. Indian Hemp is tough and fibrous, thus used for making ropes; but see the column XLIII dealing with vegetable drugs for other properties of the plant.

Hibiscus, Hibiscus spp., 31. Hibiscus is given in this place only on account of its colour. But the attribution is not very satisfactory, as the nature of flowers in themselves is not usually fiery except as their perfume is a stimulant.

Hickory, Carya spp. 5. The Hickory is attributed here (to 5) because of the hardness of its wood.

Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis 21. The Hyssop is Jupitarian on account of its religious use in lustration. It might perhaps be more properly attributed to Chesed.

Ivy, Hedera helix 3, 32bis. The Ivy thas darks leaves and its clinging nature reminds us of feminine or curving growth. (Linnea's note: LOL) The Ivy suggests her (see Willow and Lily) clinging and flexible nature. The Ivy is given here (32bis) because of the analogy of Earth with Malkuth.

Jasmine, Jasminum officinale 9. Jasmine is traditionally sacred, especially in Persia, to the spiritual use of the generative process.

Laurel, Laurus nobilis 6, 7, 30. Sacred to Apollo. The Laurel is included (7) because a wreath of these leaves is a symbol of victory.

Lignum aloes (Aloeswood), Aquilaria agallocha 13, 25. Lignum Aloes is a wood in powder, whose physical appearance at once suggests purity of aspiration to the sensitive observer. The connection is therefore directly with the path of Gimel. 25: The perfume of Lign Aloes intuitively suggests horsemanship in an airy racecourse, as distinguished from charioteering, as if one's racecourse were a rainbow. One experiences the intense amazon purity of Atalanta. One's aspiration becomes winged. It is therefore to Sagittarius, not as the house of Jupiter, but as the path leading from Yesod to Tiphereth, that this perfume applies.

Lily, several species from the Liliaceae family 3, 10, 20. The Lily suggests the purity of the Great Mother. The Lily suggests that maiden's (see Willow) purity. The Lily suggests the modest purity of the sign (Virgo).

Lime tree, 12. The Lime or Linden tree is Mercurial because of its pale yellow fruit with a peculiarly clean-tasting pulp. (Linnea's note: here Crowley is confused. He is talking about Lime, Citrus aurantifolia. Not about the Linden Tree, Tilia cordata, whose fruits are little hard nuts. The flowers of Linden are also known as Lime flowers, thus the confusion.)

Lotus, several species. 0, 3, 18, 23. The Lotus is attributed to 0 because they have traditionally been takes as glyphs of the circle. The Lotus is the general female symbol. The Lotus is the traditional plant of Water. Its roots are in water and its purity further suggests the action of water in lustration. The Lotus is the typical flower of Water and the Moon.

Mallow, Malva sylvestris, 16. Traditional.

Mandrake, Mandragora officinarum, (syn. Atropa mandragora) 9. The Mandrake is the typically phallic plant. It is peculiarly adapted to use in sexual magic, and it does have a direct connection with the automatic consciousness which has its seat in Yesod.

Mangrove, Rhizopora mangle and related species 29. The Mangrove is not merely a tree of the swamp, but actually produces swamps.

Marjolaine, Marjoram, Origanum marjorana 12.

Mastic, Pistacia lentiscus 12. Mastic is pale yellow, and its perfume is singularly clean and free from any prejudice (to use a somewhat strange term) either for or against any particular moral idea. Its action on other perfumes is usually to intensify them and quicken their rate of vibration.

Mercury, Mercurialis annua 12.

Mistletoe, Viscum album 2, 20. See entry for Amaranth. 20: Mistletoe is indicated by the macroscopic appearance of semen.

Moly, Allium moly 8. Moly is mentioned in Homer as having been given by Hermes to Ulysses to counteract the spells of Circe. It has a black root and white blossom, which again suggests the dual currents of energy.

Moonwort, Botrychium lunaria 13.

Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris 13.

Myrrh, Commiphora spp. 3, 23. Myrrh is traditionally the odor of sorrow and bitterness; it is the dark and passive side of Binah. "Brothers, I have brought him myrrh. Sorrow black and sinister/ shall his name bring to the race. " "My incense is of resinous woods and gums; and there is no blood therein: because of my hair the trees of eternity".

Myrtle, Myrtus communis, 14. The traditional plant of Venus. Softness and vlouptuousness are two of the principal qualities of Venus.

Narcissus, Narcissus spp. 20. Narcissus refers to the solitary tradition.

Nettle, Urtica dioica 5, 31, 24. Is attributed to 5 on account of its burning sting. The Nettle is treacherously Martial.

Nightshade, Atropa belladonna 32.

Nutmeg, Myristica fragrans 12. Nutmeg is probably attributed to Mercury on account of its yellowish tinge. White Mace, the husk which covers it, is Mercurial. Red Mace is probably solar.

Nux Vomica, Strychos nux vomica 5. Nux Vomica is attributed here on account of its tonic properties and the action of strychnine in causing the contraction of muscles with convulsive violence.

Oak, Quercus robur (and similar species) 5, 21, 32bis.The Oak is attributed here (to 5) because of the hardness of its wood. The Oak is also, and more properly, attributed to Tiphareth because it was the sacred tree of the Druids, the representative in the vegetable kingdom of the Sun. Its strength is also taken as harmonious with that quality in man. Furthermore, the Acorn is peculiarly phallic, and this is properly attributed to Tiphareth because in this case the phallic symbol contains in itself the essence of the being to be reproduced. The Oak is given here (32bis) on account of its stability. The Oak is traditionally sacred to Jupiter (21), perhaps because it is the king of the trees as Jupiter is king of the gods.

Olive, Olea europea 4, 28. The Olive is attributed to Jupiter because of its softness and richness. Its colour furthermore suggests that of the watery part of Malkuth in the Queen Scale. The Olive is sacred to Minerva.

Opopanax, Opopanax chironium 24. Opopanax refers even more directly to Scorpio than does Siamese Benzoin. There is in it even less of the sensuousness of pleasure; there is an overpowering richness of the deliciously abominable.

Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferum 3, 29. The Opium Poppy is connected with sleep, night and understanding. The Opium Poppy is Jupitarian as giving relief from pain, quiet, and olympian detachment. Opium is given (29) because of its power to produce a peaceful dreamy condition which is liable to end in a stagnation of the mental faculties.

Orchids, members of the family Orchidaceae, 17. Orchids might perhaps better be attributed to Yesod or to Capricorn for obvious reasons; they are found here on account of their duplex characteristics.

Orchis root, Orchis mascula 26. Orchis root is connected with the Cult of Pan.

Palm, many species, 12. The Palm is Mercurial, as being hermaphrodite.

Peach, Prunus persica 14. The Peach belongs to Venus on account of its soft beauty and sweetness, the external splendour of its bloom being easily brushed off, its tendency to rot and the prussic acid in its kernel.

Pepper, Piper nigrum 27. Pepper is evidently Martial owing to it fiery quality and its specific action on the mucous membrane of the nostrils.

Peyote, Anhalonium lewinii (syn. Lophophora williamsii) 8. Peyote has for one of its principal characteristics the power to produce very varied and brilliant colour visions.

Pomegranate, Punica granatum 10,13. The Pomegranate is sacred to Proserpine; in appearance also it is strongly suggestive of the feminine symbol. The Pomegranate is attributed here (13) as a symbol with reference to menstruation.

Poplar, Populus spp., 21. The Poplar is given here on account of its soft and easily swollen wood and because of its great height.

Poppy, red, Papaver rhoeas, 31. The Red Poppy is given in this place only on account of its colour. But the attribution is not very satisfactory, as the nature of flowers in themselves is not usually fiery except as their perfume is a stimulant.

Ranunculus, Ranunculus spp., 13.

Red Sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalus 7,14. Red Sandal is Venusian, intuitively by its smell, and sensibly by its colour. The attribution is further guaranteed by the usefulness of its oil as a specific of gonorrhoea.

Rose, Rosa spp. 0, 7. The Rose is attributed to 0 because they have traditionally been takes as glyphs of the circle. The Rose has always been a special flower of Venus. Rose naturally suggests the more physical aspects of the feminine symbol. Civet, however, is much more strongly sexual than Rose, but this implies a more intense element of spirituality. The student must eliminate completely from his mind any idea that sex is naturally gross. On the contrary, even the lowest manifestations of it in its pure form are less material than such ideas as are represented by Rose. Demonic, not material, developments follow the degradation of the instinct.

Rue, Ruta graveolens, 27. This attribution is traditional.

Rush, Butomus umbellatus, 25. The Rush is used for making arrows.

Saffron, Crocus sativus 21. Saffron has brilliant purple filaments. An orange dye is prepared from it which indicates the solar nature. But this is sympathetic to Jupiter, and in any case refers to a watery element in its nature, whereas this column (column of perfumes) deals with the airy constituents of the substance described. The perfume of Saffron is intuitively perceived as generous, rich, and suggesting the sensuous enjoyment of devotion.

Scammony, Convolvulus scammonia 32. Scammony is repulsive, principally because of its suggestion of domestic cooking.

Shamrock (white clover) Trifolium repens 4. The Shamrock of four leaves, a good-luck plant, suggests Jupiter.

Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, 20. The Snowdrop suggests the modest purity of the sign (Virgo).

Storax, Liquidamber orientalis, 8, 12, 16, 32bis. Storax is chiefly Mercurial on account of its nondescript nature. It is really less valuable as a perfume itself than as a menstruum for other perfumes, in the same way as Mercury is the basis of amalgams. But Storax is really too dark and heavy to be a really adequate perfume for Hod. 32bis: Storax is the earthy elemental incense of Moses. 16: It may be doubted whether the indifference of Storax, referred to in line 8, is really Mercurial; it might almost equally well be the neutrality of dullness, the characteristic of the passive laborious earth. The perfume of Storax suggests the patience of cattle, and even physically the peculiar sweetish scent of a cowshed.

Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, 19, 30

Tiger Lily, Lilium tigrinum, 15. This attribution is traditional.

Thistle, several species, 26. Thistle is hard, stubborn and spikey.

Tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, 5. This attribution is due to Fr. D. D. S. (who was a chemist). It seems to me not altogether satisfactory. The idea is presumably that it is the favourite perfume for men engaged in severe hard work.

Vervain, Verbena officinalis 12.

Vine, Vitis vinifera 6. Sacred to Dionysus.

Wheat, Triticum aestivum 10, 32bis. All cereals pertain to Malkuth, Wheat being the foundation of the Pentacle which represents Nephesch.

White sandalwood, Santalum album 12. White sandal is free from the sensuousness of its Red twin.

Willow, Salix spp. 10. The Willow is the traditional tree of the neglected maiden, Malkuth unredeemed.

Wormwood, Absinthium, Artemisia absinthium, 17, 27. 17: Wormwood probably pertains to Gemini on account of the intellectual stimulation which it affords in such a magical preparation as Absinthe. 27: This attribution is traditional.

Yew, Taxus baccata 32.

Yohimbe, Pausinystalia yohimbe, 9, 26. Yohimbe is reputed a powerful aphrodisiac.



Other attributions:

All hybrids, 17.
All water plants, 23.
Unicellular organisms, 29. Unicellular organisms are possibly attributed here bacuse they are so frequently found in pools.
All cereals, 10, 32bis
Nuts, 30. The nut is solar, as being a microcosm of Life, the fruit being also the seed.
Giant trees of all species, 16.
All treacherous and poisonous plants, 24.
All odoriferous roots, 9. Roots are sacred to Yesod because Yesod is the Root of the Tree of Life exactly as the reproductive function is the root of the life of man.
All sweet and virginal odours, 13. Sweet odours are lunar, because the moon represents the physical senses and refers to the common people.
All dull and heavy odours, 32.
All generous odours, 21.
All fugitive odours, 12.
All hot, pungent odours, 27.
All soft, voluptuous odours, 14.