Cardinal

A mode of motion — how a sign's energy moves.

All modalities

Cardinal (Modality)

Chara (movable)

One of three modes of motion that describe how a sign's energy moves — Cardinal signs initiate, Fixed signs sustain, and Mutable signs adapt and complete. This shapes how the plants in its group grow and act.

Initiates and begins. The push that starts a season, a project, an action.

Notice where this mode of motion is moving your life right now.

Plants of Cardinal (38)

Apple (espalier)

Apple (espalier)

Apple

Malus domestica

Pacifies Pitta; balances KaphaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Apple (orchard)

Apple (orchard)

Apple

Malus domestica

Pacifies Pitta; balances KaphaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Arugula

Arugula

Eruca vesicaria

Pacifies KaphaTaste: Pungent, BitterEnergy: Heating
Asparagus

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Pacifies Pitta & VataTaste: Sweet; Bitter; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Basil

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Pacifies Vata & KaphaTaste: Pungent, BitterEnergy: Heating
Beet

Beet

Beta vulgaris

Pacifies Vata; balances Pitta & KaphaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Heating
Bergamot

Bergamot

Bee Balm / Bergamot

Monarda didyma

Pacifies Kapha & VataTaste: Pungent; BitterEnergy: Heating
Bitter Melon

Bitter Melon

Momordica charantia

Pacifies Kapha & PittaTaste: BitterEnergy: Cooling
Bok Choy

Bok Choy

Brassica rapa var. chinensis

Balances Kapha & PittaTaste: Sweet; Astringent; BitterEnergy: Cooling
Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

Balances Kapha; increases Vata (gas)Taste: Astringent; Bitter; SweetEnergy: Cooling
Carrot

Carrot

Daucus carota

Pacifies Vata & PittaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Catnip

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Pacifies Vata & PittaTaste: Pungent; BitterEnergy: Cooling
Cauliflower

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Pacifies PittaTaste: Astringent, SweetEnergy: Cooling
Chestnut

Chestnut

Castanea (hybrid/American)

Pacifies Vata; balances Pitta & KaphaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Heating
Comfrey

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Pacifies Vata & PittaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Cowpea

Cowpea

Cowpea / Black-eyed Pea

Vigna unguiculata

Pacifies Pitta & KaphaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Cucumber

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Pacifies PittaTaste: Sweet, AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Hibiscus

Hibiscus

Roselle / Hibiscus

Hibiscus sabdariffa

Pacifies Pitta; balances KaphaTaste: Sour; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Horsetail

Horsetail

Equisetum arvense

Pacifies Pitta & KaphaTaste: Sweet; Bitter; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Jelly Melon (Kiwano)

Jelly Melon (Kiwano)

Kiwano

Cucumis metuliferus

Pacifies PittaTaste: Sweet, SourEnergy: Cooling
Kale

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Balances Kapha & Pitta; increases VataTaste: Bitter; Astringent; SweetEnergy: Cooling
Lady's Mantle

Lady's Mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris

Pacifies Pitta & KaphaTaste: Bitter; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Lemongrass

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Pacifies Kapha & VataTaste: Pungent, SourEnergy: Cooling
Melon (Muskmelon)

Melon (Muskmelon)

Melon

Cucumis melo

Pacifies Pitta & VataTaste: SweetEnergy: Cooling
Microgreens

Microgreens

Mixed Microgreens

various Brassica/Amaranth

Balances all three depending on mixTaste: Pungent; Bitter (mix)Energy: Heating
Nasturtium

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

Pacifies KaphaTaste: PungentEnergy: Heating
Pear

Pear

Pyrus communis

Pacifies Pitta; balances KaphaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Potato

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

Pacifies Pitta & Vata; increases KaphaTaste: Sweet; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Rose

Rose

Rosa damascena / rugosa

Pacifies all three; especially cools PittaTaste: Sweet; Bitter; AstringentEnergy: Cooling
Safflower

Safflower

Carthamus tinctorius

Pacifies Kapha & VataTaste: Pungent; BitterEnergy: Heating
Solomon's Seal

Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum biflorum

Pacifies Vata & PittaTaste: Sweet; BitterEnergy: Cooling
Toothache Plant

Toothache Plant

Spilanthes / Buzz Button

Acmella oleracea

Pacifies Kapha & Vata; aggravates PittaTaste: Pungent; AstringentEnergy: Heating
Violet

Violet

Sweet Violet

Viola odorata

Pacifies Pitta & VataTaste: Sweet; BitterEnergy: Cooling
Watercress

Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

Pacifies KaphaTaste: Pungent, BitterEnergy: Cooling

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211 E. Dixon Street, Forest, OH 45843 USA

In the village of Forest, Hardin County, Ohio.

Forest Sanctuary is a living lab of WholeFam, under True North Neuro, a registered Ohio nonprofit. There is nothing to buy and no membership — only an open door.

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Anything here about plants as old garden remedies is shared for learning and reflection, not as medical advice.