But in mine if you view it with the eye of reason, you shall see a reason for everything that is written, whereby you may find the very ground and foundation of Physic. 2 Culpeper intentionally included the planetary rulers of herbs in his herbal because he saw the astrological symbolism as explaining the medicinal uses of herbs. It is fortunate for us that Culpeper did illustrate this knowledge in his extensive writings, otherwise it might have become entirely lost. Returning to the bay tree, its connection to the Sun is traceable to classical times where the tree was sacred to Apollo, the solar deity of the Roman pantheon. The solar nature of the tree is apparent from the leaves, for when a good sunlight illuminates them, they shine with a golden lustre.
Gold is the colour and metal traditionally connected to the sun.
Thus, the tree was visualized as embodying this solar virtue. The bay tree - burnished with gold, demonstrating its Solar rulership. Additionally the tree is evergreen, so these golden-green leaves, which last the year round, symbolically reflect the eternal light of the sun. It is known in the ancient temple dedicated to Apollo in Delphi, that the high priestesses or pythia started their ceremonies by burning bay leaves as incense. When the bay leaves were burnt, the released Solar virtue invoked the presence of the god Apollo.