Basil

Basil

Basil is a greatly under-appreciated herb; in addition to enhancing the flavor of food, it has many medicinal and magickal properties. Indeed one of the folk names is Witches' Herb.

It has long been inhaled to relieve headaches, head and sinus congestion. Today we would put the oil in a vaporizer but snuff was once made from the dried leaves. It clears the mind, reduces mental exhaustion and aids concentration and memory. A tea of the leaves reduces temperature and alleviates many symptoms of the common cold.

Basil is used in spells for love, protection and wealth. In much of Europe it is associated with love, where it is said that any boy will love the maiden from whom he accepts a sprig of the plant. Magically it is added to love sachets and incenses. To resolve arguments a couple should rub the leaves on their skin and sit with their foreheads together and a leaf between. To discover if a relationship will work, place two leaves on a live coal, or charcoal disc; if they lie together and burn the relationship will be good, but if there is spitting and crackling the amount will indicate the degree of strife to come. To see if a lover will be faithful place a fresh leaf on the hand. If it withers before the day is out they will soon seek another partner. Basil is carried in the pocket to draw wealth. If the leaves are powdered and sprinkled about the home no evil will be able to enter. They are also burned in incenses of purification and protection.

Basil is of the Element of Fire and its deities are Vishnu and Erzulie. It has powers of love, exorcism, wealth and flying. Some of the magickal uses are: the scent of fresh basil causes sympathy between two people, and this is why it is used to sooth tempers between lovers. It is added to love incenses and sachet, and the fresh leaves are rubbed against the skin as a kind of natural love perfume.

Do you want to know is someone is chaste or promiscuous? Simply lay a sprig of fresh basil on their hand. It will immediately wither if that person is 'light of love.'

Basil brings wealth to those who carry it in their pockets and is used to attract customers to a place of business by placing some in the cash register or on the doorsill. The basil is also used to ensure one's mate remains true. Sprinkle basil powder over your body thoroughly while he or she is asleep, especially over the heart, and fidelity will bless your relationship. Basil is strewn on floors because where it is, no evil can live. It is also used in exorcism incenses and in purification baths. Small amounts are sometimes placed in each room of the house to bring protection.

Basil is also used to keep goats away from your property, to attract scorpions, and to prevent inebriation. Witches were said to drink about 1/2 cup of basil juice before flying off into the air. Basil can be used to diet, but only a second party's help, and without the dieter's knowledge. According to an ancient spell, a woman (or a man, presumably) will not be able to eat a bite from any dish if basil has been secretly place beneath it.

Basil given as a gift brings good luck to a new home.