The Other Side of the Hill

Recently I got some books on the I Ching, the ancient and traditional Chinese Book of Changes.
Among other things the I Ching is used as an oracle. To consult the oracle there are two main traditional methods: either use a set of 3 coins - or use yarrow sticks.

The yarrow sticks fortune tellerwould divide a set of 50 stalks into piles, then repeatedly use modulo arithmetic to generate two
random bits; the I Ching symbols or “hexagrams” are made by a series of counting and dividing forty nine yarrow stalks after one is set aside to be a witness. (see also www.schneier.com). “With the stalks it takes about 15 minutes to find the hexagram. This longer period gives one time to collect oneself and become more open to what the oracle will mirror to you.” (www.eheart.com). With the yarrow stalks ritual result probablities are slightly different from the coin method, although it is unclear what this would mean to the reliability of the I Ching oracle, as both methods are traditional. “There are two major differences between the coin and the yarrow stalk methods: By taking longer you have a chance to become quietly focused on your question and more receptive to what the oracle will mirror to you. The probability of getting a changing yin line is much smaller than with the coins, because there is only a one in four chance of getting a 9 on your first division, whereas with the coins it is always 50-50.” (www.eheart.com, see also www.biroco.com).
As I wanted to try out the yarrow stalks I considered where to get them. Apparently very good ones can be ordered from Jane English from Vermont, USA, even with a nice hand-crafted pouch and a nice tie, but in my view together with postal costs from the USA to Europe they are quite expensive. There are some to be found on Amazon.com , as well, but not too cheap, either. And yarrow used to be quite common in meadows around here in my childhood, why not make my own sticks, then?
So yesterday I took my car and went up the nearby Ulrichsberg to the little mountain village of Rohrmuenz, where there are some rare and beautiful meadows with lots of wild flowers.
And found and cut lots of yarrow plants:

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• Wikipedia:  ”Achillea millefolium or Yarrow (other common names Common Yarrow, Gordaldo, Nosebleed plant, Old Man’s Pepper, Sanguinary, Milfoil, Soldier’s Woundwort,Thousand-leaf (as its binomial name affirms), Thousand-seal) is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere.”
  It “produces one to several stems (0.2 to 1m tall)” (mine are about 70-90 cm).
  “The plant commonly flowers from May through June, and is a frequent component in butterfly gardens. Common yarrow is frequently found in the mildly disturbed soil of grasslands and open forests. Active growth occurs in the spring.”"The herb is purported to be a diaphoretic, astringent[2], tonic[2], stimulant and mild aromatic. It contains isovaleric acid, salicylic acid, asparagin, sterols, flavonoids, bitters, tannins, and coumarins. The plant also has a long history as a powerful ‘healing herb’ used topically for wounds, cuts and
  abrasions. The genus name Achillea is derived from mythical Greek character, Achilles, who reportedly carried it with his army to treat battle wounds. This medicinal action is also reflected in some of the common names …, such as Staunchweed and Soldier’s Woundwort.”
  “In the Middle Ages, Yarrow was part of a herbal mixture known as gruit used in the flavouring of beer prior to the use of hops.”
  “Yarrow has also been used as a food, and was very popular as a vegetable in the 17th century. The younger leaves are said to be a pleasant leaf vegetable when cooked as spinach, or in a soup. Yarrow is sweet with a slight bitter taste.”
  “… historical use as a medicine, mainly because of its astringent effects. Decoctions have been used to treat inflammations such as piles (hemorrhoids), and also headaches. Confusingly, it has been said to both stop bleeding and promote it. Infusions of Yarrow, taken either internally or externally, are said to speed recovery from severe bruising…..action in colds and influenza, and also for its effect on the circulatory, digestive, and urinary systems.” “The leaves encourage clotting, so it can be used fresh for nosebleeds.However, inserting a leaf in the nostril may also start a nosebleed; this was once done to relieve migraines. “”It is reported to be associated with the treatment of the following ailments:Amenorrhea, anti-inflammatory, bowels, bleeding, blood clots, blood pressure (lowers), blood purifier, blood vessels (tones), Catarrh (acute, repertory), colds, chicken pox, circulation, contraceptive (unproven), cystitis, diabetes treatment, digestion (stimulates), dyspepsia, eczema, fevers, flu’s, gastritis, glandular system, gum ailments, Heartbeat (slow), influenza, insect repellant,
  internal bleeding, liver (stimulates and regulates), lungs (hemorrhage), measles, menses (suppressed), menorrhagia, Menstruation (regulates, relieves pain), Nipples (soreness), nosebleeds, piles (bleeding), smallpox, stomach sickness, toothache, thrombosis, ulcers, urinary antiseptic, Uterus (tighten and contract), varicose veins, vision.”"The salicylic acid derivatives are a component of aspirin, which may account for its use in treating fevers and reducing pain. Yarrow tea is also said to be able to clear up a cold within 24 hours.”
• In homoepathy millefolium is assoicated and used with bleedings with thin, light, gleaming blood, e.g. with tooth extractions, childbirth, operations, similar to arnica but rather with severly bleeding wounds. Nosebleed. www.homeoint.org gives some of the things James T. Kent said on millefolium.
• A Radicle -blog:  “Yarrow (Achillea millefoium) rules the blood. Look at the slight pinkish tinge on these flowers from our garden - sometimes you’ll find one that is blood-red amongst its more typical white cousins.”  It is always a good idea to carry Yarrow if you are out hiking or far from home.” “It has a particular power to curb inflammation and pain in the urinary system, and is used for infections of the prostate or the urinary tract to this end (and also because of its antiseptic and diuretic actions). ” “As a remedy for fever, it combines especially well with Elder flowers” as a tea. “Traditionally, Yarrow has a famous history as a plant with the power to unlock the psychic mind. It was eaten or placed under the pillow, at first bloom, for prophetic dreams.” “Perhaps this power is related to its ability to loosen, or unblock, internal stagnations (it is especially good for stagnant blood from old wounds, often colored purple under the skin) in the whole body/mind: as we know, our psychic powers are merely forgotten or repressed.” For more details also see The history and culture of yarrow
• Magic: “Yarrow is a well-known protection and purification herb.” “Yarrow was strewn across the threshold of a house to keep out evil influences and was worn to guard against evil spells.” “A bunch of dried yarrow hung over the bed or yarrow used in wedding decorations will ensure a love lasting at least seven years. ” ( Musings of a kitchen witch )
• Yarrow in Manhattan
• Online JAVA yarrow sticks casting

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I just found out that the lovely blue bulbuous flowers that bloom in my garden from April to May are grape hyacinths . They are said to be rare and don´t spread too much - in my garden they do and have already reached my herb bed … But I like them a lot.

Technorati Tags: flowers, grape hyacinth, plants