About Yarrow
Yarrow is named for Achilles, who legend says used it to heal his soldiers' wounds. Its stalks were used for I Ching divination, and in British folk practice it was placed under the pillow to dream of a future love.
Traditionally used in both protection and love divination workings.
History & folklore
Legend says Achilles learned of yarrow from the centaur Chiron and used it to stop his soldiers' wounds bleeding, giving it the name Achillea. In Scotland and Ireland, young women picked yarrow on May Eve, recited a rhyme and slept with it under their pillow to dream of their true love. Yarrow stalks were used in China to cast the I Ching.
Correspondences
- Traditional uses
- Courage, love, psychic ability
- Latin name
- Achillea millefolium
- Element
- Water
- Planet
- Venus
- Best day
- Friday
- Moon phase
- Full moon — when intuition and divination are strongest
- Intentions
- Courage, Love, Divination
Ways to work with it
- Hang a bundle over a doorway for protection and courage.
- Place a sprig under your pillow for love-divination dreams.
- Add dried flowers to a courage or healing sachet.
Growing & gathering
Yarrow grows wild in meadows and lawns and has feathery leaves and flat clusters of white or pink flowers. It's drought-tolerant and easy in the garden. Cut the flowering stems on a dry day and hang to dry.
Avoid during pregnancy and if you are allergic to daisy-family plants. It can cause skin sensitivity in sunlight.
A simple sample spell
Courage with a boundary
You will need: A closed yarrow jar and paper.
- Write one limit you need to communicate clearly.
- Practice saying it once while the closed jar rests beside your notes.
- Say, “My kindness has a boundary; my boundary may be kind.”
- Communicate the limit when appropriate and safe. Keep the note and return the herb to storage.
This original Flint & Flicker spell is a symbolic practice for reflection and intention, not a guarantee of results. It needs no flame, ingestion or skin application. Use a closed, labeled packet or a drawing if handling the herb is unsuitable; keep all materials away from children and pets.
Pairs well with
Lemon BalmHealing, love, success
DandelionWishes, divination, calling spirits
ThymeCourage, healing, psychic ability
HawthornProtection, love, BeltaneCorrespondences are traditional associations gathered from folk practice and modern craft books. They vary between sources, and they are not medical advice. Read our editorial approach.