King Basil

For: Money, Success, Happiness, and Peaceful home

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

The amazing thing about this bit of magic is that we use it often in our cooking. If you’ve ever taken a pinch of basil and marvelled at its sweet and pungent aroma, you’ve already experienced the beauty of this royal herb. In fact, the word basil comes from the Greek βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning ‘king’ because it was believed to have been found growing on the original cross of Christ by the Empress Helena. But its significance runs across many cultures. In certain central regions of Mexico, basil is used to draw fortune by hanging a bunch of the plant in the door or window of the shop, the plant’s growth reflects the wealth of the business, showing how dutifully the owner cares for his shop and the herb. In Africa it is believed that it can protect you from the sting of a Scorpion. Even if its ritualistic associations are not for you, scientific evidence shows that its nutrients are essential for cardiovascular health, and apart from this it’s delicious in cooking. So, next time you visit someone why not take them a basil plant, you’d be gifting them good fortune and a wonderful herb for their cooking… I really love the idea of mixing delicious and healing herbs into my food!

Here are some things you could do with basil to draw and increase joy, peace and harmony within your home:

• Grow basil in your garden and around your house.
• Place pots of fresh basil by your front entrance
• Cook with it as much as possible so the joy is experienced by all who taste the meal.
• Sprinkle some dried basil on your floor and sweep it under the door because ‘evil can’t stay where basil has been.’