Sweet Basil

ocimum basilicum
Labiatae



LORE
Mars and Scorpio
love, exorcism, wealth, flying, protection

FOLK MEDICINE
above ground parts of basil are used
as antiflatulent and diuretic, breast-feeding stimulant,
gargle, mouth astringent and maggot-infested nasal disease.

TRADITIONAL USE
Basil has traditionally
been used to
treat head colds
worms
appetite stimulant
cure for warts
stomach cramps
gastric catarrh
intestinal catarrh
constipation
enteritis
whooping cough
headache

Used to soothe tempers by smell,
rubbed on the skin as love perfume,
used as love incense and added to sachets;
brings wealth when carried.

Where basil is, no evil lives.

Basil keeps away goats.

Witches were said to have drunk a half a cup of basil juice
before flying into the air.

Given as a gift, it gives good luck.

USE
In The Master Book of Herbalism we find the following:
Basil should be added to the water used in scrubbing floors,
walls and in any cleaning of the home previous
to the unpacking and getting settled.
Often-used part of a home blessing is a planting ceremony.
Basil is an herbe to plant, for it will bring protection,
good fortune to those who live within.

Basil is widely associated with riuals of initiation.
The sabbat frequently associated with basil is Candlemass,
observed as a time of renewal.
One of the best herbs for a candidate preparing for iniation,
basil is useful for any ceremonial purification.
It can be used as a bathing herb, as one bathes the body
in preparation before receiving a sacrament.
It may be burned as an offering or worn as an adornment;
Sweet basil may be eaten with food or prepared taken as a drink.

We may use this type of basil to invoke salamanders,
the elemental creatures of fire.
Practitioner may dry and grind basil,
spooning it upon burning charcoal as an incense.
One may use basil in the ritual cup,
drinking a magickally prepared tea in order to meditate
upon dragons or salamanders and to establish
communion with these beings as astral entities.

Any person in need of courage should use basil.
It brings strength and helps one move forward
in a positive manner no matter how perilous the dangers.
We can use basil to provide fortitude
either when facing mundane dangers or when pursuing
transformation in the visionary and psychic realms.
Basil is known for its quality of protecting the seeker
from fears one encounters when moving along
a spiritual path and may be used to bring
protection for our families as well.

DESCRIPTION
HISTORY



Source(s)
9/28/2002
Cin


Special Thanks

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