Herbal Medicine Through the Zodiac: Gemini (Air)
GEMINI May 21st - June 20th
MERCURY / AIR / MUTABLE (VATA)
Gemini is the first air sign. It contains the strongest expression of the Air Element of all the Zodiac. This is shown through its ruler ship of Mercury, as well as its principle of being a Mutable sign (also seen in Pisces, Sagittarius and Virgo). Both Mercury and Mutable are expressions of the air element; always shifting, moving and changing.
All of the Mutable signs mark ending of each season, and Gemini marks the end of Spring.
The symbol of Gemini is represented in as The Twins, and through Gemini we learn about polarity and duality.
Through Taurus (the sign before Gemini, we grounded into the material reality. Simplicity, grounding and “being in the body”. With Gemini we move from Earth into Air- now it becomes important to not just accept things as they are, but to understand the worlds that lie beyond the physical manifestation of this existence.
HUMAN CORRESPONDENCES
Gemini generally has a predisposition to a Vata constitution, and we see them often on the thinner/slim side, and with a cold and dry constitution. These people are often sensitive towards environmental changes.
Gemini is a very intellectual sign, and people with a strong Gemini expression tend to have many projects/activities/interests going on at once. Their minds are quick and active.
A typical Gemini trait it to jump from one subject to the next in conversation, moving ahead so fast it’s difficult for other people to follow their speed.
This may lead to an energy and attention that is easily scattered, loosing touch with their ground, and a struggl to bring things to completion.
The evolutionary process of Gemini is to not merely to aquire information, but to understand the deeper meaning behind things and turn knowledge into wisdom. It is important for Gemini to find grounding and focus.
DISEASE POTENTIAL
Gemini is a very dry sign (driven primarily by The volatile elements of Air and some fire) We generally see a deficiency of the water element (both water and oil), leading to a body that has too much “wind” and that easily tightens and tenses. This can further manifest into problems such as muscular pains, uterine cramping, gall stones and kidney stones.
Without plenty of lubrication, people with a strong Gemini archetype will often end up with symptoms such as nervousness, anxiety, sleep disturbances, restlessness and neurasthenia.
Gemini rules the breath and respiratory system (Air). The breath is our dual exchange of energy with the Earth; it’s how we communicate on a physical level and take in much of our external surroundings.
Gemini communicates directly with the breath and Sagittarius (it’s opposite sign) transforms it to feed both our physiological Fire (metabolism) and psychological Fire (our spirit).
HEALING REMEDIES
We are looking towards bringing warmth and moisture to counterbalance Gemini’s expression of cold and dry.
Gemini and Vata can often be tricky to balance, as their imbalances and disease change often, and so it’s important to follow the vital life force, and to check in regularly.
The following remedies may be beneficial: nervines, demulcents, calmatives, nutritives, tropho-restoratives, anti-spasmodic, warming and nootropic remedies.
Good and sufficient sleep is an absolute key remedy for Gemini.
BOTANICAL CORRESPONDENCES
A few herbs to mention include scullcap (Scutellaria Lamiaceae) marshmallow root (Althaea Officinalis), slippery elm (Ulmus Rubra), Passion flower (Passiflora Incarnata), valerian (Valeriana Officinalis), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glands), lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) and Lobelia (Lobelia Campanulaceae).
Generally, we see thin, angular, slender plants where the quality of Air is present. Plants with a feathered quality (like ferns), or with small hairs and fuzzines, such as Mullein- a wonderful plant for the respiratory system.
Growth pattern may be uneven and spread out, with one plant here and one plant there.
A typical Gemini plant that is ruled by Mercury is Lobelia (Lobelia Inflata), with its affinity to treat wind and tension in the body; relaxing smooth muscle and skeletal muscles & cramping in various bodily systems.