The Animalistic Qualities of Aconite
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
Monkshood (Aconitum nappellus) is a species of highly poisonous of the Aconitum genus, hardy perennial plants of the Buttercup family, chiefly native to the mountainous parts of the Northern Hemisphere. It takes the accolade of being one of the most poisonous plants in the world and tops the list of neurotoxic and cardiotoxic plants in Europe. It’s Greek name is Akoniton lycoctonum (De Materia Medica, Dioscorides), meaning Wolf’s bane and due to it’s usage for hunting wild animals across Europe and Asia it is presumed that this latin moniker refers to that, however, within European folklore the plant was known as a cure for lycanthropy or becoming a werewolf.(1) It was believed to originate from the saliva of Cerberus, the hound of the underworld. Historically Aconite has been used to both kill and cure, today it is used therapeutically within Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for issues such as inflammation, pain and paralysis and within Homeopathy for the effects of overwhelming fear. Being close to such a venomous plant naturally evokes trepidation and an uneasiness similar to being in the presence of a wild animal. Look even closer and we can find evidence of bestial danger in the morphology of the flowering plant.
Monkshood is so called for it’s stunning and unusual purple-blue flowers (pale yellow or cream in the lycoctonum species) of five petals with the fifth rising scorpion-like over and above the rosette of four to create a hood and the impression that the flower is sat hanging open like a jaw. Yet this scorpion has a sting in it’s tail as can be seen by the small barb on the tip of the hood. (See middle image above) A warning to not get too close: the toxic alkaloids create an invisible mist which penetrate the skin creating confusion and hallucinations. In my experience these are visions of subconscious anxieties and occasionally from other lives. The flower pods are egg-like and when seen in the right light have the semblance of a foetus growing inside. Meditating with this plant must be done outside and not in an enclosed space. There is no need to take the essence of this plant (which must be diluted anyway) to meet it’s spirit, safely growing the plant is a shamanic process within itself as the predator becomes the teacher It can grow up to three feet in height and then completely dies back in winter, disappearing underground where it hibernates, ready to emerge at the first sign of spring.
The lobes of the leaves are highly serrated, carrying the impression of dragon’s claws or teeth. The captivating flowers face downwards, towards the underworld from where its primal spirit rises from the depths to greet you with distain for daring to venture into its lair. This plant spirit creates the unusual scenario of being a friend disguised as a foe. It will take you to meet the guardian of the threshold. ‘’The first great step in the initiations of the ancients was the passing of the strange monster that dwelt on the line between the physical and spiritual worlds….There he crouches, the thing you have built, with the sins of the flesh and the crimes you committed in darkness, a fearful spectre of unearthly terror, the sum total of perversion, the aggregate of misused force and perverted talents.’’ (Manly P. Hall, Children of the Elements, Part 6) Usually this personal demon is encountered during the reckoning of the death process yet we can meet it, understand it’s lower nature and therefore integrate personal shadow to unlock great powers of sovereignty and liberation. Aconite will unflinchingly lead the way.
If dying before you die is not on your to-do list and you simply wish to strengthen your external psychic abilities then aconite’s bioenergetic field is extremely easy to see. Simply take your eyes slowly out of focus while looking into the middle distance between the leaves or flowers. You will at the very least see the mirage-like haze around it and if you are more adept then the yellow and other subtle colours within that. This plant possesses life-force like no other and a wild spirit which through careful negotiation and attentive navigation, has the potential to be tamed.
~ Emma Fitchett
Cunningham’s Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs.
Aconite is toxic even in very small amounts. Ingestion of the plant material or its concentrated alkaloids is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate professional intervention. Handling the plant without protective equipment is hazardous.
This article is not produced or edited by AI.
