History, Lore and Magic of Basil
The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post: The Ultimate Guide to Basil. For additional information about Basil such as its cultivation, medicinal and culinary uses, or how to harvest and store it, please click HERE to access the complete original post. Other individual sections are listed below:
Basil has been known by many names through history. These names include Saint Joseph's Wort, American Dittany, Albahaca, "Our Herb", the Witches Herb, and Sweet Basil. The plant's native range is believed to be India, Africa and Asia. It is now cultivated extensively for commercial use in France, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Morocco, Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Italy and to some extent in other temperate countries of the world. It is also much cultivated in the United States, especially in California.
Early Greek and Roman physicians believed that to grow a good crop of basil, one had to shout and curse while planting it. From this practice was born the French idiom "semer le basilic", or "sowing the basil". It means someone is "raving" for virtually no reason, like a lunatic. Why all the noise? Who knows?
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| Greenhouse Basil: How much yelling did it take to make this basil grow? |
Basil has a long history and records of its use date back thousands of years. In India, where it most likely originated, it is a sacred herb dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Krishna and is worshiped more highly than kings. Holy basil is the supposed original variety of the plant and takes its name from the importance placed upon it by the Hindu religion. Sprigs of it were at one time laid on the chests of the dead to protect them from evil in the next world and to offer them entrance to paradise. Basil was traditionally used in India courts for witnesses to swear upon, much as we swear on the Bible here in the US. It is one of the most sacred plants of India, second in importance only to the lotus. It is grown in or around most Hindu households and around temples for its protective influence.
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| Big Old Basil This basil grew roots right out of the pot it was planted in and rooted itself into the ground. It can't be moved! |
Other countries of the world have strong connections to basil, as do other religions. Basil was supposedly found growing around Christ's tomb after the resurrection, and around the trees used to construct the cross upon which he was crucified. Due to this, many churches, such as the Greek Orthodox Church, use basil to prepare their Holy Water and pots of basil are set below church altars.
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| Pot of Basil |
In other countries and regions, traditional views of basil are anything but "religious". Basil seems to have been associated with scorpions throughout history. These creatures supposedly live under basil plants and in Africa, the plant is reputed to protect against them. European folklore also shows an association with these creatures, and it is said that if you smell basil too much that it will breed a nest of scorpions in your brain.
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| Scorpion |
Basil represented hatred in ancient Greece, and European lore sometimes claims that it is a symbol of Satan. Basil is still used in exorcism rituals in many parts of the world to expel demons. It is traditional to strew basil on the floor of your home because where there is basil, it is said that no evil can live. For this reason, it is used in purification baths and rituals and often small amounts of it are placed in each room in a house to bring protection from evil spirits. Given as a housewarming gift, basil brings good luck to a new home.
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| Purple Basil Housewarming Gifts |
In central regions of Mexico, basil is used to draw fortune to a business. The owner can hang a bunch of it in the doorway or window of the shop. The plant's growth reflects the wealth of the business by showing how dutifully the owner cares for his shop and the herb. Witchcraft, paganism, and magical uses for the herb also reflect this. Basil is said to bring wealth to those who carry it in their pockets and is used to attract customers to a business by placing a sprig of it in the cash register drawer or in the doorway of the shop.
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| Big Basil Bouquet |
The name basil may derive from the ancient Greek word "basilikohn", meaning royal. Used in this way, basil reflects an attitude of nobility and a desire to extend hospitality, friendship, and honor wherever it was served. The French call basil "l'herbe royale", or the "royal herb". Whenever basil is used, it is for the purpose of providing your guests with the "royal treatment."
The people of the Victorian era enjoyed assigning special meanings to all the plants they came into contact with. Most of the meanings are associated with uses of basil and lore regarding it through history. The Victorians used flowers and plants to send messages to others based on these assigned meanings. Cinnamon Basil indicates a love of learning and education. Common basil means hate or is used to indicate that "an enemy is near." Sweet basil is used to communicate good wishes, or best wishes, as well as to indicate that one has serious intentions in a love relationship. Additionally, when a woman places a pot of basil on her windowsill, it means she is ready to receive her suitor.
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| Tiny Basil Pot in Window=Ready for Suitors! |
Basil is a sacred herb in witchcraft and pagan rituals, so it has many properties and magical uses. Its magical powers include love, exorcism, wealth, flying, and protection. The primary power basil has in ritual is toward love. Its scent is said to cause sympathy between two people and to soothe tempers between lovers. It is added to love incenses and sachets, and the fresh leaves can be rubbed against the skin as a kind of natural love perfume. It was once thought that a young man would love any woman from whom he accepted a sprig of basil. Likewise, it was said that if a man gave a woman a sprig, she would fall in love with him and never leave.
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| Basil with Love |
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| Cauldron over Fire |
To determine if someone is chaste or promiscuous, lay a sprig of fresh basil in their hand. It will immediately wither if that person is "light of love", or prone to promiscuity. If it remains fresh for a little while, then you can safely assume your mate will remain true to you. To ensure your lover stays true, sprinkle basil powder over your body thoroughly while your lover sleeps, especially over your heart. This will bless your relationship with fidelity.
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| Dried Basil--Basil Powder |
Basil can be used to diet, but only by a second party's help and without the dieter's knowledge. According to an ancient spell, a person will not be able to eat a bite from any dish if, secretly, basil has been placed beneath it.
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| Basil on the Plate--Could some be under it, too? |
Other magical uses for basil include keeping goats away from your property, attracting scorpions, and preventing inebriation or drunkenness. Additionally, witches were said to drink about a 1/2 cup of basil juice before they flew off into the air!
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| Flying Witch |
The historical and folkloric and even magical uses of herbs often have much basis in scientific fact. To find out how these uses and stories actually stack up against modern medical science, check out my post on the medicinal uses of basil by clicking HERE.
Please leave any comments or questions that you may have regarding basil below!
Peace and Love Always,
Sources:
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| Holy Basil |
Sources:
"Basil". En.wikipedia.org. N. p., 2017. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
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