Basil
(Ocimum basilicum)
A well known herb that I love to use in cooking teamed with tomato and mozzarella in a salad. It is only an annual though so won’t survive outside during the winter. I keep a pot on my kitchen window sill. It has soft tender stems with bright green shiny oval leaves that are highly scented. There are all sorts of different types of basil – Greek, lemon, Thai, purple, cinnamon and I have a very unusual smelling basil mint at the moment. One of the folk names for basil is ‘witch’s herb.
Basilicum is from the Latin word basilisk, a snake like creature that was said to cause madness and even death. Basil was eaten to ward against any such attack, so far I haven’t been killed by a basilisk but I am not so sure about the madness…
It was said that witches used to drink basil juice before flying on their broomsticks; personally I would just add it to an incense blend to aid in astral projection…
Folklore states that basil seeds need be planted whilst hurling swear words about, this apparently dates back to the idea that swearing brought protection with it and caused any evil demons to be confused allowing the plant to grow profusely.
Plant a pot of basil and look after it when it is growing really well give it to someone that you love, this will encourage love between you.
Pop a basil leaf in your purse to keep money coming in.
Rub a basil leaf on your skin to create a ‘love attraction’ perfume.
Write something that you wish to banish from your life on a basil leaf and leave it out in the sun to dry, then grind it up and burn it, as you burn it will release the negative energy. You could also write a personal goal on a basil leaf and eat it.
Use basil in protection powders and exorcism and purification incense blends, it is also useful to pop in an incense blend to bring peace to a household after an argument. The same magical properties could be achieved by adding basil to your meals.
Warning – be careful about over indulging on basil whilst pregnant.
Basil Magical Properties:
Wealth, money, prosperity, love, exorcism, protection, happiness, peace
Ruling planet – Mars
Element – Fire
Gender – masculine
Information from: A Kitchen Witch's World of Magical Food by Rachel Patterson
ISBN-978-1-78279-854-5
Publication 26th June 2015
Food is magical, not just because of the amazing tastes, flavours and aromas but also for the magical properties it holds. The magic starts with the choice of food to use, be added in whilst you are preparing and cooking then the magic unfolds as people enjoy your food. Dishes can be created for specific intents, moon phases, and rituals, to celebrate sabbats or just to bring the magic into your family meal. Many food ingredients can also be used very successfully in magical workings in the form of offerings, medicine pouches, witches bottles and poppets. Let's work magic into your cooking...
