Nicole Explains It All

If Friday was a celebration of light and beauty, Saturday is the day we descend into the roots. Governed by Saturn, the lord of time, karma, and structure, today’s energy is about stability, protection, and the “heavy lifting” of the soul.

In traditional occult philosophy, Saturnian herbs aren’t always “pretty.” They are often bitter, dark, or sharp-smelling. They are the plants that grow in the shadows, the roots that bind the earth, and the trees that stand as sentinels between the living and the dead.

If you are looking to set boundaries, protect your energy, or finally close a chapter that has overstayed its welcome, today is your day.

The Architecture of Saturnine Herbs

Cornelius Agrippa noted that plants under Saturn’s dominion often bear black fruit, cast deep shadows, and possess a “dead” or tart taste. These aren’t plants for light-hearted dabbling; they are tools for deep foundational work.

1. The Sentinels: Trees of Transition

• Cypress (The Tree of Death): Don’t let the name scare you. Cypress is used for longevity and comfort. It is the ultimate herb for “letting go” of sorrow and moving through transitions.
• Yew: A powerful ally for breaking hexes and connecting with the concept of immortality.
• Pine: Excellent for purification and repelling the “negativity” that can clutter a busy week.

2. The Anchors: Roots and Binding

• Comfrey & Solomon’s Seal: These are the “binders.” Comfrey provides stability and safety during travel, while Solomon’s Seal is used to seal oaths and protect sacred spaces.
• Mandrake: This heavy, earthy root is legendary for its use in protection and exorcising “stagnant” energy.

3. The Guardians: Protection and Banishing

• Mullein: Often called “Graveyard Dust,” Mullein is your shield against nightmares and unwanted psychic interference. It grants courage when things feel overwhelming.
• Valerian: Yes, it smells a bit like “dog dung,” but that’s Saturn for you! Its sedative properties act to “limit” and sedate chaotic energy, bringing a heavy sense of peace.
• Patchouli: My favorite for grounding. Use it to create a “shield” around your finances and your personal space.

Magical Applications for Your Saturday

How can you use these “heavy” herbs in your modern life?

• Create a Protection Amulet: Wrap a bit of Comfrey, Solomon’s Seal, or Mullein in a black cloth. Black is the color of Saturn because it absorbs negative energy rather than reflecting it. Keep this at your desk to shield your focus.
• Karmic Clearing: Use Myrrh or Fumitory incense to clear the air if you feel like you’re stuck in a repetitive cycle or “karmic debt.”
• Closure Rituals: If you need to end a project or a phase of life, work with Cypress to help ease the grief of the “ending” and make room for the new structure to grow.

A Note on the “Dark” Herbs

Saturn also rules the “poison path”—plants like Hemlock, Nightshade, and Wolfsbane. While these are fascinating historically, they are highly toxic. For the modern practitioner, we use them symbolically or through safe, non-toxic alternatives like Patchouli or Pansies to tap into that same deep, earthy wisdom.

Closing Thought: Saturn is the planet of “The Long Game.” Today isn’t about quick wins; it’s about building a foundation that can withstand the test of time.

The spirits and correspondences of Saturday are governed by the planet Saturn and are generally associated with discipline, structure, limitations, endings, and destructive or binding magic.

I. Spiritual Hierarchy and Rulers

1. Angelic Rulers

• Archangel: Cassiel (or Caphriel) is the primary Archangel presiding over Saturday and the planet Saturn.
• Angels of Saturday: Cassiel, Machatan, and Uriel.
• Saturnian Angels (Honorius): In the Sworn Book of Honorius, the angels of Saturn are listed as Bohel, Cafziel, Michrathon, and Satquiel.

2. Planetary Intelligence and Spirit In the Solomonic and Agrippan traditions, the celestial entities governing Saturn are:

• Planetary Intelligence: Agiel. This is the rational, guiding intelligence of the planet, invoked for matters of discipline and structure.
• Planetary Spirit: Zazel. This is the active, “blind” force of the planet, which can be petitioned for destructive purposes or for summoning the souls of the dead.

3. Spirits of the Air For operations on Saturday, the Spirits of the Air are subject to the Southwest Wind (Africus).

• King: Maymon.
• Ministers: Abumalith, Assaibi, and Balidet.
• Alternative Ministers (Honorius): Other texts list Maymon’s ministers as Assaibi, Albunalich, Haibalidech, and Yasfla.

4. Demons of Saturday

• Grimoire of the Red Dragon: The text lists Zazel as the demon of Saturn, and Silcharde as the specific demon of Saturday. (Note: Silcharde is also attributed to Thursday in the same text).

II. Meaning and Office

Because Saturn is the planet of restriction and death, the aerial spirits of Saturday possess a dark and violent nature. Their offices include:

• Discord and Harm: Sowing discords, hatred, and evil thoughts.
• Violence: Giving leave to slay and murder anyone, and laming or maiming every member of the body.
• Material: Giving the metal lead freely if desired.

III. Physical Correspondences

• Metal: Lead.
• Color: Black.
• Fumigation/Incense: Sulphur.

IV. Appearance and Manifestation

When summoned, the spirits of Saturday are terrifying and bizarre. They generally manifest with a tall, lean, slender body and an angry countenance.

• Multiple Faces: They are described as having four faces on their head (front, back, and each side) which are nosed or beaked. Additionally, there appears a face on each knee of a “black shining colour”.
• Motion and Signs: Their movement is likened to the rushing of the wind accompanied by a kind of earthquake. The sign of their presence is that the ground will appear as white earth, whiter than snow.

Common Familiar Shapes: If they take other forms, they may appear as:

• A bearded king riding a dragon.
• An old man with a beard, or an old woman leaning on a crutch.
• A hog, a dragon, or an owl.
• A black garment, a hook or sickle, or a juniper tree.