The Magick of Basil

 

I’ve had an herb garden now for over 10 years and I just love it.  Through the years it’s expanded and I’ve added different varieties of herbs based on what is working and what I find myself using a lot of.  One of those herbs has taken over almost half of my herb garden and has found a place in my home as well in my kitchen and on my desk, Basil.

I can never seen to get enough basil.  One of my favorite ways to have it is in herbal tea.  I drink basil tea at least once a day.  I have large leaf basil that is incredible on top of tomatoes with a bit of provolone cheese in the Summer.  It goes amazing in soups, on salads, on pastas, eggs, salsa and even guacamole. It’s a wonderful herb to work with.

I have several types growing in my garden.  My favorite, and the one that takes up most of the room is the sweet basil. It’s the one that I have had the most consistent time growing. I have also had some pretty good success with the large leaf  or lettuce basil.  This year I have Cinnamon basil that I am trying again.  It hasn’t done well in other years but the weather has been different here in New England so we are giving it another try along with Cardinal, Thai and Holy Basil among the varieties I have out there. Basil comes in a lot of different varieties, the heartiest in my area definitely seems to be the traditional sweet basil that you see in the picture above.

Did you know that basil is a member of the mint family? I was surprised when I learned that as it doesn’t spread like the many varieties of mint I have in my yard or Agastache which is also of the mint family.

In magickal work basil is really incredible for spirit work.  It’s incredibly grounding yet it aids in astral and psychic work.  It also is an amazing herb for protection.  Perhaps that’s why I have so much of it!  It can attract prosperity and luck on your path which is always welcome.

To harvest the herb wait until the plant is old enough and then you just pinch the leaves to remove them.  When fall comes you can dry the remains of the entire plant before the frost comes.

Have a magickal day!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong