(Ocimum basilicum)
In quantities above average food quantities:
P N X for infant and toddlers.
Folk Names: Albahaca, American Dittany,
“Our Herb,” St. Joseph’s Wort, Sweet Basil,
Witches Herb, Njilika, Balanoi, Feslien
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Deities: Vishnu, Erzulie
Powers: Love, Exorcism, Wealth, Flying,
Protection
Magical Uses: 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
sachets, and the fresh leaves are rubbed against the skin as a kind of
natural love perfume. In Eastern Europe it was once thought that a
young man would love any woman from whose hand he accepted a
sprig of basil.
Basil is also used in love divinations. Place two fresh basil leaves
upon a live coal. If they lie where you put them and burn quickly to
ashes, the marriage (or relationship) will be harmonious. If there is
a certain amount of crackling the life of the pair will be disturbed by
quarrels. If the leaves fly apart with fierce crackling the projected relationship
is undesirable.
Do you want to know if 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 that 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 onto 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 ‘A cup of basil juice before flying
off into the air.
Basil can also be used to diet, but only by 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 placed beneath it.
Basil given as a gift brings good luck to a new home.