Basil

Basil, or Ocimum basilicum, is part of the mint family.

I laid down a celtic cross for basil, and the card that popped up to represent the plant was Ace of Cups, Love. It is very willing to work hard and endure tension, but it doesn't like cruelty or fighting.

Ash and I made a few discoveries over bowls of basil and tomato pasta: 1) We both felt a cleansing of our third eye chakras and head while eating the basil dish. 2) Basil and tomato get along very well; some call them companion plants. The only basil dish we could think of that doesn't involve tomatos is pesto. They taste great together, and apparently they like to be planted together too.

I didn't "hear" anything during my conversations with my basil plants, but I did feel an energy transfer. The energy was very pleasant and soothing. So soothing that I fell asleep in my patio chair while sitting there with the plants. I did not feel the energy strongly in my third eye chakra, so I suspect that you have to eat the basil to get the head cleansing effect.

The tarot cards also said that basil is one of my plant totems (Four of Wands).

Peppermint

Mentha x piperita is a hybrid between spearmint and aquatic mint. I remembered a few things while studying peppermint this week.

My paternal grandmother had a huge garden when we went to visit her as kids. She would take me out there and try to tell me about the plants. The only plant I had eyes for back then was mint. I thought Grandma was crazy the first time she ever picked off a leaf and told me to chew on it. That first bite was full of surprise and tastiness.

The only plant I ever puchased before I moved to Austin was a mint plant. Again, a mint plant was one of the first ones I bought when I started my patio garden in Austin.

Of course, mint is often used to treat stomach issues, and this elm tends to abuse her stomach by shoving stress and nervousness there. I am blessed to have mint hanging around.