Herbal Medicine through the Zodiac: Taurus (Earth, Fixed, Venus)
TAURUS April 21st - May 20th
Venus | Fixed | Earth
The vital force finds grounding, peace and simplicity through Taurus after its initial spark of Aries; here it is anchoring into the practicality and form of the physical world.
Taurus season marks the peak of spring: a time of life, growth and fertility.
The symbol of Taurus is the bull, a symbol deeply rooted in the feminine mysteries and the goddess traditions. During the age of Taurus (4000-2000 BCE) saw a more matriarchal culture, focused on reciprocity and tending to the cycles of life.
Of all the signs of the zodiac, Taurus is the sign with the most Yin quality. It’s a deeply feminine sign, ruled by the planet Venus. Keywords for Taurus include fertility, reproduction, growth and nourishment.
Energetically, Taurus contains the qualities of warm and damp, and Taureans can tend to accumulate moisture and dampness. The general body type we see in Taurus is that of a Kapha constitution (fixed Earth), with a square and muscular build, solid, a heavy bone structure and thicker-, oftentimes oily, skin and hair. People with Taurus in their rulership display a strong constitution, and tend to burn their vital force evenly throughout life. Studies have shown that Taurus to be one of the longest lived signs.
EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS
Generally speaking, we see qualities of reliability, consistency and a sense of groundedness in Taurus. Being ruled by Venus, there’s a strong feminine influence of gentleness, generosity and affection. People with a strong Taurean influence tend to enjoy the pleasures of the physical existence; art, food, nature and music are deeply valued, as well as beauty in all her forms.
Taurus tends to seek wisdom through silent l witnessing and through physically doing things themselves; learning through hands-on experience.
For Taurus to grow and evolve, they must learn how to navigate the flow of life; how not to become stagnant. They may feel challenged by change and uprooting, and so their work lies in the cultivation of inner peace and the ability to witness; to cultivate Beingness. There is a fine balance for Taurus in being with the Earth and the material world, without getting too fixated on this reality- but to recognise Spirit in all things.
ORGAN RULERSHIPS
Taurus rules the neck, throat, shoulders, tonsils, vocal cords and the thyroid. The throat rulership can be seen in relationship to our voice and the creation of sound, which ultimately is what forms the material world that Taurus is so immersed in.
HEALTH & HEALING
The Earth element provided Taurus with a calm, grounded and practical nature. And though these people are robust, there are certain aspects of their health that often
require more attention. Due to their heavy nature, we see a tendency towards stagnation and a slower digestive fire, both mentally (depression and lack of motivation), and physically though accumulation of toxins (ama, or canker), particularly in the throat, neck and ear areas.
Accumulation of toxins can be attributed to damp stagnation, or cold tissue states, as a result of slow digestion and ,metabolism and poor circulation. This ultimately results in the inability to process waste products and to detox properly, and less ability to absorb nutrients.
Taureans are also more prone to obesity, hypothyroidism, throat infections, ear infections and gout.
The primary tastes beneficial to Taurus are bitters and astringents. Bitter tasting herbs and foods have a general affinity for the liver, digestion and detoxification processes of the body, and may be helpful is dispersing accumulated toxins (ama). Astringent herbs are used to tone and tighten tissue that has lost its structure and firmness.
The actions that tend to lend the greatest support for a Taurean constitution (or a heavy Taurus imbalance) include bitters, circulatory stimulants, diuretics, alternatives and lymphatics.
BOTANICAL CORRESPONDENCES
In the botanical correspondences to Taurus it is helpful to remember the quality, which is fixed; the nature of the sign which is the Earth element; and the qualities of the planetary ruler, Venus.
We see thick, heavy plants displaying firmness, and possibly juiciness/oily ness.
Plants that fall under the rulership of Venus as generally plants that are delicate, soft, aromatic and visually beautiful. The rose is a very typical example.
ENERGETICS
Sympathetic- warm and moist (though sometimes cold)(In Ayurveda, Kapha is cold and moist. Venus however, is warm and moist).
Anti-pathetic- hot and dry
