Basil is magic – in pesto, obviously & with tomatoes et al but actually real practical magic. The name itself apparently comes from an old Greek word for King but some say it actually comes ‘basilisk‘ – the mythical serpent. The medieval herbalist Culpepper had it as being ‘of Mars & under the Scorpion’ – ie; super-yang. Modern scientists are researching it as being full of antioxidants. Ye Olde Folk names: Witches herb, Royal herb. Main magical correspondence is that a pot of basil or basil growing in your garden helps to bring prosperity & that the fresh leaf crushed against your wrist so it leaves a scent is wildly aphrodisiac. Cheap too.
Tags: Astrology, astrology magic, Basil, Goddess, herbs astrology, Mars, Pagan aphrodisiac herb, Scorpio, yang Witches herb
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Not to be a Nanna but I can’t eat Basil, I find it repeats on me. Though am definitely going to try as perfume, have some next to the front gate and will perfume up on the way to tomorrow nights date!
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That’s very nice to read. I have a real affinity with the herb (it’s one of my favourite essential oils too) and have 3 huge pots of it growing madly from one packet of seeds that I planted at the end of January according to my Moon Calender!
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I completely agree. I aboslutely love basil. Its wonderful to hear it described as “the witches herb” and that it has magical qualities. I think it tastes really sexy. thanks for sharing this Mystic
Bright blessings to all
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Basil is also great for love…used by the ancient Romans in many a love spell. Simple love wish/spell…plant a pot of basil on the night of a full moon and make a wish for love and it will be yours within the following two full moons. Make sure you keep your wish grounded and ask for someone good, preferably not specific, and plant your basil in a pot that is very atttractive to you.
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Basil’s not a herb in my family, it’s a religion
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just love basil, the smell and taste…. wonderful. it also has a very silky leaf to the touch, reminders me of other flowering plants in the garden.
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In ayurvedic medicine in India Basil is known as ‘holy tulsi’. It has lots of uses but is supposed to be specially good as brain tonic, to help you concentrate and focus.
It is also Vishnu favourite herb! you send wishes to Vishnu to preserve and protect the things that are good, the things that you love and want to be protected.
(Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the maintainer and Shiva is the destroyer)
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Yeah, when I lived near the Krisnas they taught me about the ‘holy tulsi/a’.
They make there prayer beads from the basil wood.-
the Mullumbimbi Krisnas? I liked visiting there when I lived closer.
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Murwillumbah (Eungella) is where the farm and temple are, Im sure thats where you visited. They put on a free feast every sunday at the farm and that was really popular with visitors and locals, I lived close by, near the foot of Mt. Warning. I still wear my tulsi beads at times.
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David, I know that area well and had Krisna friends (they’ve gone main-stream now) I loved the peacocks and peace
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one of the funny things to see there were really old cows and bulls, something I’d never seen before. When they are too old to work they are left to spend their retirements grazing and enjoying the views.
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I’ve got photos of those cows somewhere…maybe I should send them to Mystic as a pic of a totally contented taurean
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I have Tulsi (also called Tulasi – I thought it was a typo but it does go by both) in my extensive range of oils and I adore it! I’d actually be far more inclined to wear Indian (Holy Basil) as a perfume as it’s much softer smelling. Have you actually studied Ayurvedic Medicine Edwina?
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masses of basil growing in my garden… love the smell, love the taste… fave salad has crushed leaves tossed in. Oh yum. Didn’t know it was the ‘witches herb’ but was feeling SO witchy as I planted it, in my fruity, earthy garden (so different from my last garden which was very minimalist, if you can visualise that). Well, I guess I’m a witch… more than one man calls me ‘Dark Queen’, I should just embrace it.
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I think Dark Queen has a nice air to it. I’m sure you wear it well.
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Dark Queen is definitely better than Ice Princess, which was how one former flame used to refer to me (is it any wonder he is ‘former’?!?!). Embrace your witchiness – I’ve got some serious eye-liner happening today and just painted my nails black, so we can be in it togther!
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ooooww scary…
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I’ve mellowed a lot since then – honest I have! (In fact the black eyeline & nails are not even remotely emo, but more an indication of how less uptight & much more playfully wicked I am these days!)
Back in those days I used to have a Victoria Roberts cartoon on my desk – it was a man & a woman sitting have coffee – she’s decked out with a breast-plate, helmet, spear & shield and he’s just in an ordinary suit – the caption says “I look a lot angrier than I really am”
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Haha TT. I love Victoria Roberts. It’s been a long time since I looked at it but I always associate her with my copy of “Women who run with the poodles”
Here’s a cartoon that was on my desk for a long time and seems particularly relevant to this post so I hope the link works:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/misshavisham/basil.jpg
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My mother had that one at her desk too……. She nearly cried with laughter the first time she saw it…. I of course dance to the beat of my hurdy gurdy…
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love the cartoon Miss Havisham! (off to google ‘women who run with the poodles’)
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Typical Taurus – If you like that cartoon you’d probably really like the whole book it comes from. Tohby Riddle’s “What’s the big idea?”
I find it very difficult to pick a favourite. He is so very much my sense of humour. As is “Women who run with the poodles” which is illustrated by Ms Roberts. I’m looking forward to Friday now so I can head to my other abode to re-read them both!
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lol you guys… going to paint my toenails black now
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wouldn’t teeth blackening be even more effective ?
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david you crack me up
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My brother gave me one of his 3 basil plants last week… its growing like wild fire. Which is odd because I don’t have a very fertile garden. Its mostly succulents (plus a wedding iris and a peace lily). Its a no mess no fuss rental garden (what can I say).
Am now really glad to have the basil:) -
Hello Miss Havisham,
I studied ayurveda for 6 weeks in Rishikesh in the foothills of the himalaya, with the ganges sliding out of the mountains all fresh and pure – i took home a couple of big books and have read them (with all the intensity of sun and mercury conjunt in the 12th house) so the answer is yes and no – it would take many, many moons to really study ayurveda but I have a few ideas…….
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That sounds fabulous Edwina! I think it’s an amazing subject and I started doing a formal course a couple of years ago. I managed to complete quite a few subjects but hit a bit of a block with finances and couldn’t bring myself to fork out thousands of dollars for the massage subjects (which really aren’t my passion) so it’s been left on hold for now. I got totally distracted (in a good way) by Ayurvedic Aromatherapy and decided that my money was better spent on buying oils than massage subjects
Like you, I have PLENTY of books but no formal qualifications.
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Oops. That was me (from work and not logged in)
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basil is also a money herb
voodooish trick – make a tea from fresh leaves (big wads of green) and wash the floor with the water.i am not rich but it smells totally lux.
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Miss Haversham,
ayurvedic massage is completely yummy (I am a taurus after all…) the idea that the skin drinks up the goodness of the oils and especially helps to soothe the wired up Vata energy (which is like Uranus when he is out of control!) – this gets put out of balance by too much electricity, too much television, too much processed, salty food –
i think that with the Uranus Saturn oppositions this year we need to look after our nerves and so we should try and do things to calm our Vata dosha – like delicious hot saunas followed by sensual oily rubs…….especially sesame oil
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Don’t get me wrong – I love receiving massages, and definitely practice Abhyanga (self massage) regularly with black sesame oil or organic coconut (in summer as I’m very Pitta)
but I didn’t want spend a whole year massaging other people when there were so many other things to spend that money on 
I’m actually very spoilt at work where we have a subsidised masseuss come in each Thursday, and I do try and book to get one each fortnight if my workload isn’t unmanageable. I’m currently studying Metaphysics where we spend a month on the base chakra, so along with good sleep, nutrition and exercise, massage is strongly encouraged!
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Pingback from Mystic Medusa · Kitchen-Witch Creed on October 26, 2009 at 12:47 pm
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