Ginkgo is one of our oldest and wisest tree elders. It’s the last living member of the order Ginkgoales and one of the first plants humans cultivated. It is resistant to disease and insects, and it’s incredibly durable. Still, despite its durability, it disappeared from North America and Europe for millennia1 before it was reintroduced in 1727 in Europe and 1784 in North America2. It was considered extinct in the wild for hundreds of years, but cultivation in eastern China, Korea, and Japan saved this ancestor from extinction. Ginkgo has survived millions of years of challenges including typhoons, lightning strikes, and in the case of the six Gingkos of Hiroshima, even atomic bombs3.
Ginkgo’s tenacity has made it a symbol of strength, durability, and survival. The spirit of Ginkgo helps us accept sudden, abrupt changes and shocks to our internal and external systems. It fortifies us in the face of chaos and destruction, and its ability to withstand and transmute sudden surges of energy invokes the imagery of The Tower in the Rider-Waite tarot deck.
The Tower is associated with the shockingly innovative planet, Uranus. Wherever you find Uranus in your chart, you can expect the unexpected. Uranus shakes us out of our routines, hates the status quo, and can never be tamed. Herbs ruled by Uranus are stimulating, work on the nervous system, and help us channel chaotic energy in unique, idealistic ways for necessary change. The foundation of the Tower in the tarot card is unstable; similarly, Gingko loves to grow on disturbed earth. Though its foundation may seem unstable, its aerial roots anchor it and help it absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. Traditionally, Ginkgo leaves are brewed as a tea to relieve gastrointestinal issues and heart disorders and promote mental clarity. It is stimulating and fortifying for the gut, heart, and mind.
Ginkgo embodies strength, courage, and the primal energy of survival. Its spirit is like a lightning rod transmuting higher energy, and like Uranus, it is stimulating, initiates action, and invigorates the mind. As Uranus shifts into Taurus and begins a new 7-year cycle, we can hold the spirit of Ginkgo close to help us ride the waves of change while creating a new world.
World Shaking! Uranus joins the Taurus party and Mars gets it started
Uranus entered Taurus and Mars charged into Aries on June 1, igniting the 7-year-long fuse of the Uranus transit.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Four Corners Astrology to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.