Parting the Mists

Feeling agitated with someone or something? It may be time to look at what is causing conflicts and a change of atmosphere or attitude to deal with them. Blessings!

Betony – Soothing discord, dispelling negativity, protection (also confrontation, avoidance, woundedness)

The card shows Wood Betony in flower beside the drystone wall of a n old physic garden, which could have belonged to one of the Physicians of Myddvai. A carved Celtic head lies against the wall. Behind the head in the background grows Valerian, which traditionally shares with Betony the quality of soothing discord, and to the right of the image we see Elcampane, which – like Betony – has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Meaning: The ancients believed that Betony protected both the soul and the body. It was known as a woundwort for its ability to staunch bleeding and heal wounds. If you have chosen this card, it is possible that you feel drawn to healing wounds – either in yourself or within others.

When conflict occurs between people, there is often hurt and injury, and it is no easy matter to decide when to call a halt to the dispute when when to let it run its course. For conflict to be productive, rather than destructive, clear communication must be fostered and vindictiveness minimized. A successful couple or enterprise is not one that never experiences conflict, but one that is skilled in resolving the conflicts that inevitably arise in any meaningful relationship. The ability to resolve conflicts is at heart a healing ability – and one that is exemplified by Betony with its reputation as a panacea, and its outstanding medicinal qualities.

On the flip side, this card could indicate a premature halting of conflict, like removing a symptom without healing its cause, which may bring temporary relief (and may sometimes be necessary) but in the end simply delays the time until the cause of the problem is addressed. If you have chosen this card reversed, it might indicate that you have been avoiding expressing a different opinion or an emotion you perceive as negative, in order to “keep the peace.” But sometimes it is necessary to allow conflict – because out of the clash of views or feelings a new perspective or renewed closeness may emerge. See if your intuition tells you that you need to confront person or an issue with no more evasion, or whether it is best to pursue other avenues of resolution.

It is also possible that you are experiencing feeling of discord that have arisen from a negative atmosphere that lingers in a particular location. To test this, avoid addressing the conflict there, and resolve to deal with it the you are in a different place. A further inspiration of this card might point simply to the face that at present you are feeling wounded.

Druid Plant Oracle by authors Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and artist Will Worthington