One of the things that I love about the warm months here in New England is how many wildflowers you can find just driving around. You will find the sides of the road here filled with so many different flowers in all different colors, and I think they’re just so beautiful! One that makes a bright, colorful splash is Tansy. Tansy is a perennial plant from the Aster family known for its yellow button flowers. Tansy is a feminine plant ruled by the planet Venus. Its element correspondence is water. Tansy is native to Europe and Asia, though you can find it in the United States, and I know we have it here in New England.
One of the most common uses for Tansy is as a pest control. Some people will plant it in their gardens to help keep away pests. You do want to be careful with it as it can become invasive if you don’t keep it under control. In Colonial times, you may have found it on the tables to discourage bugs from coming to meals or hanging in the windows to deter insects from entering homes.
While used to keep out insects considered pests, some beneficial insects like bees love Tansy. It can be a valuable addition to pollinator gardens. If you want to add some wildflowers to your yard, I think this would be a great addition.
Tansy gets its name from the Greek word athanasia, which means immortality. While there can often be many variations of Greek myths and legends, one that I was told says that Tansy was given to Ganymede, the eternal cupbearer, for Zeus to keep him immortal. As such, they would include Tansy at funerals to help people with immortality. It also had a strong scent that could help mask the smell and keep bugs away.
While Tansy is considered an herb, it is also known to be toxic. Its toxic ingredient is thujone, a substance also found in wormwood. While I haven’t personally handled it, I’ve seen that it can also cause skin problems if you touch it.
Energy-wise, Tansy is known for bringing the bright energy of the sun and clarity. It can also be associated with immortality and protection. Please use caution if you choose to use it in your practice.
Have an amazingly magickal day!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Jasmeine Moonsong