Bountiful Basil

I love me some basil, and here in Middle Earth, those shiny green leaves are blooming all over the gardens — and I just harvested a metric ton of it this past weekend. I’ll put fresh basil on anything, and I’m a total whore for pesto sauce. Basil, part of the mint family, is known far and wide as a culinary herb, but it also contains some interesting magical properties.

In Mediterranean countries, it is strewn on floors to purify a home. It also can bring luck to people moving into a new residence — a gift of a potted basil plant guarantees good fortune, so if a friend is buying a new home, take them a pot of basil. Maud Grieve’s Modern Herbal says that the name “basil” is rooted in the Greek basileus, a king, because “the smell thereof is so excellent that it is fit for a king’s house.” Shelley Pierce of Gardening Knowhow says:

“The scientific botanical name of basil is Ocimum basilicum. The first part of this name could be rooted in Greek mythology in the tale of the warrior Ocimus. Basil appeared when Ocimus fell to a challenging gladiator. Or, if the stuff of myth and legend just isn’t for you, let’s fall back on the notion that the name Ocimum could be derived from the Greek word okimon, which by definition means “fragrant” – there is no disputing that basil is an aromatic herb.”

Basil plants are also said to attract scorpions, and in some cultures it was believed that smelling the plant would cause a scorpion to grow in the brain. In India, where basil originated before making its way to Europe in the sixteenth century, legend has it that basil will ward off evil, and it’s considered sacred. Like many magical herbs, basil is a bit of a paradox, associated with both love and hate. In the Victorian language of flowers, how you feel about someone is shown by the type of basil you send them: sweet basil says you think they’re neat, but common basil means you think they suck.

In some countries, however, basil is considered something that real men don’t eat — why? Because it’s associated with teas that are used to provide relief from painful menstrual periods. Tough luck, dudes, y’all are missing out. Interestingly, it’s tied to the feast days of both Saint John the Baptist and Saint Anthony of Padua.

Magically, basil can be used in love magic and in love divination. Scott Cunningham says in his Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs that two basil leaves placed on a live coal will give you an indicator about the state of your relationship: if they burn to ash quickly, the marriage will be harmonious, but if they crackle and hiss, your marriage will be disruptive.

Basil can also be used to guarantee fidelity — or detect the lack of it. If you suspect your lover has been stepping out, place a fresh basil leave on their hand. If it wilts right away, chances are good they’ve been spreading the love around. To keep your spouse or partner faithful, sprinkle powdered basil in the bed while they sleep — especially around the heart — and they will remain true to you.

Other Names: St. Joseph’s Wort, Witches Herb, American Dittany
Element: Fire
Deity Connection: Mars, Krishna, Vishnu, Ares

If you decide to plant some basil, don’t worry — it’s super easy to grow. However, it’s cold-sensitive, so make sure you harvest your plants before chilly weather sets in.

Try a bit of kitchen magic to spice up the love in your life, and make a batch of fresh basil pesto!

Preparation

Put all ingredients in the bowl of your food processor, and mix until all the basil leaves are finely chopped. Serve pesto ladled over pasta, as a dip for cheese and crackers, as a burger topping (combine with a bit of mayo for easy spreading), or just eat it with a spoon!