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Friday, 13 December 2019
Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine
(Cytisus scoparius)
Description:
The leaves are on long stalks, arising from a short, prostrate stem, and are very variable, the first being heart-shaped, the later ones bluntly cut into, somewhat like the ivy. They often have dark markings. Bright yellow solitary flowers on long peduncles appear in spring, and have three sepals and 8-12 lanceolate petals, each with a nectary at the base.
The blossoms shut up before rain, and even in fine weather do not open before nine o'clock, and by 5 p.m. have already closed for the night. The Celtic name of the plant, Grian (i.e. the sun), refers to this habit. The petals are green on the underside, and directly the flowers close they become inconspicuous. The fleshy roots, up to 3cm long, are oblong or club-shaped.
Size: 15-20cm
Distribution: Throughout the UK
Flowering months: February to April
Habitat: Hillsides, moist fields, shady areas under trees, damp hedgerows, open woodland, bare ground meadows, ditches and banks, sometime forming dense clumps or patches.
Folk Names: Small Celandine, Figwort, Smallwort, Pilewort, brighteye, butter and cheese.
Effects: Natural power, war, rage, destruction, force, action
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Associated Deities: Bast, Eostre, Kwan Yin, Sunna, Artemis, Belinos, Diana, Hecate
Traditions:
According to the Doctrine of Signatures, the tubers of this plant resembled piles. In the Western Isles of Scotland they were believed to resemble a cow’s udder, and they were hung in cow byres to ensure high milk yields. Wordsworth was so fond of the flowers that he had them carved on his tomb and fancifully suggests that the painter who first tried to picture the rising sun, must have taken the idea of the spreading pointed rays from the Celandine's 'glittering countenance.'
"There is a flower, the lesser celandine,
That shrinks like many more from cold and rain,
And the first moment that the sun may shine,
Bright as the sun himself, 'tis out again!"
Extract from The Small Celandine by William Wordsworth (Publishd 1888)
Magic: Psychic ability, associated with Scorpio
Medical Indications:
The whole herb is collected in the wild state, while in flower in March and April, and dried. The tubers are collected in in May and June. Constituents: Saponins (based on hederagenin and oleanolic acid), anemonin and protoanemonin, tannin. Astringent This herb is an old remedy for piles, for which it has recently been re-introduced into the British Pharmacopoeia, and is considered almost a specific. Internally, the infusion of 1 OZ. in a pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses, and will in most cases be sufficient to effect a cure.
It has a traditional use in the treatment of piles, both as an internal remedy and in the form of an ointment or suppository. Nowadays, it is used only externally because of its acrid nature. The saponins are locally anti-haemorrhoidal, an action enhanced by the astringent tannins. The saponins have a fungicidal action.
It is also used externally as an ointment, made from the bruised herb with fresh lard, applied locally night and morning, or in the form of poultices, fomentations, or in suppositories. A most excellent ointment has been recommended for external abscesses, etc., made from Pilewort, Elder-buds, House-leek, and leaves of the Broad Plantain, prepared in the early spring, when the Pilewort is in flower. The roots are highly valued as a medicine in Cochin-China.
(Photograph taken 28/04/2003 ©2003-2008 Ryewolf)
DISCLAIMER:
Please be aware that this information is provided solely for informational purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to using any herbs or treatments made from herbs.
- Herborium
- More Pages »
- Herborium
- The Yew Tree
- Meadowsweet
- Butterbur
- Wood Sorrel
- Wood Anemone
- Broom
- Ivy-Leafed Toadflax
- Ramsons Wild Garlic
- Lesser Celandine
- Rosemary
- Honeysuckle
Social Stuff
Quote of the DayQuote Of The Day: Friday, 13 December 2019
The greatest advantage of speaking the truth is that you don’t have to remember what you said.
Colour and Incense of the Day:
Friday, 13 December 2019
Todays Colour is: Citrine
Todays Incense is: Citronella
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Moon Phases
Friday, 13 December 2019
Last Quarter 19 Nov 21:10
New Moon 26 Nov 15:05
First Quarter 4 Dec 06:58
Full Moon 12 Dec 05:12
Sabbats
Northern Hemisphere
Imbolc - Feb 2nd
Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd
Beltane - April 30th/May 1st
Lithia - June 21st/22nd
Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st
Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd
Samhain - Oct 31st
Yule - Dec 21st/22nd
The Next Sabbat is: Yule in 8 days.
Northern Hemisphere
Imbolc - Feb 2nd
Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd
Beltane - April 30th/May 1st
Lithia - June 21st/22nd
Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st
Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd
Samhain - Oct 31st
Yule - Dec 21st/22nd
The Next Sabbat is: Yule in 8 days.
Southern Hemisphere
Imbolc - August 1st
Ostara - September 21st/22nd
Beltane - Oct 31st/Nov 1st
Lithia - Dec 21st/22nd
Lammas - Feb 1st/2nd
Mabon - March 21st
Samhain - April 30th/May 1st
Yule - June 21st
2019 Solstices and Equinoxes
Spring Equinox: 20th Mar 22:45
Summer Solstice: 21st June 16:38
Autumn Equinox: 23rd Sept 08:20
Winter Solstice: 22nd Dec 04:38
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Starsign: Sagittarius

22nd Nov - 21st Dec
The Archer.
A Masculine, Mutable Fire sign.
Sagittarius is associated with the earthy pleasures of good food and the possessive love of the physical realm.