Garlic & Basil, Not Just For Tomato Sauce!

(National Garden Bureau)

With discussing and eating tomatoes lately and a needed post on my yahoo group, The Witch's Cottage, for Favorite Herb Wednesday, I decided to look at the herbs I use with tomatoes. 

Basil and garlic are both extraordinary protection herbs, and when used together they provide powerful protection from a variety of problems. Historically, it is purported that witches in Serbia carried sprigs of basil and garlic cloves so that they could protect themselves while invoking spirits if something went wrong. Garlic has a long history of use as a protective plant. Known to ward off witchcraft and vampires, it also was and is an ingredient in most Four Thieves Vinegar recipes. As for its use in warding off witchcraft, witches have used it for centuries in their magick to protect themselves and others. 

Basil can be used in the magickal circle to asperge  blessed water for protection, but also to open the circle and extinguish the fire in cauldron or fire pit. It may be used brewed into the holy water to enhance it. Also know as a family protection herb, it keeps the family happy, bringing prosperity and driving away bad energy or spirits. Basil can also be used as a protection aid when applied to the body. For an all-purpose basil water, steep the dried herb, a tablespoon to 2 cups of water, for 27 minutes, strain and use to mist over the body and around the house, especially at the doors and windows. An especially effective protection ritual, recommended by Catherine Yronwode of Lucky Mojo.com, can be used for problem situations. She recommends that one boil basil in water, then strain. Dip a WHITE handkerchief into the water and wipe down the body, from head to toes. Do this for nine mornings. On the last day, throw any remaining water out the front door and enemies will not be able to harm you. Dried basil can also be sprinkled on the floors of one's home and swept out the door to remove negative or harmful energies.

 Garlic is known for protective energies and health benefits. It is a fine antibacterial and anti-inflamatory, purported to reduce blood pressure, lipid levels and fight infections. Naturally, it would be included in magickal workings for all manner of ills and problems.

Place a head of garlic next to a sick person, make appropriate invocations and prayers, it will absorb the illness; take the garlic and dispose of it in a body of water or bury near a tree. 

Radomir Ristic, in his book, Balkan Traditional Witchcraft, shares this amulet: tie a stalk of basil with a lock of hair from the person the amulet is being made for, with red or white yarn. Enchant in the usual manner. It will function as a general charm for protection, happiness, good health and prosperity.

Hang a braid of garlic in your kitchen for protection, using it for cooking and replacing when needed. A clove of garlic can be placed at windows and hung over doors to protect the home.

I use a charm which is kept in a stoneware bowl near our front door: salt, basil, three cloves of garlic, dried pasta, rice, barley or flour, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a clear quartz crystal to amplify the protective energies. Say a blessing over it at each new moon, asking the spirits of your home and your matron goddess to watch over and protect your family and dwelling. I usually dispose of this every three months and make a new batch. 

A clove of garlic, with a pinch of basil and salt, can be carried in a small red bag to repel the general negative energies one encounters in daily life outside the home. It can be hung in the car or at the office as well.

Garlic and basil enhance happiness and when added to tomatoes, also know as love apples,  it can, with proper intention, increase loving energies in the home or be used as an addition to love spells and fed to one's intended. The addition of oregano, which brings joy, and a spoonful of sugar will really sweeten the power of your sauce when used as a charm! So while they are not just for sauce, they certainly add a certain something to it!

Blessings nine!