Metaphysical Basil & Other Ways to be Normal Together
“I’m just feeling really stressed and anxious.” I told my sister Natasha. “Here’s what you do–take some basil and put it in your shoes. It’ll help.” she immediately responded. “Ooooh good idea. I’ll..
“I’m just feeling really stressed and anxious.” I told my sister Natasha.
“Here’s what you do–take some basil and put it in your shoes. It’ll help.” she immediately responded.
“Ooooh good idea. I’ll get some next time I’m at the store.”
I accepted (& still accept) basil as a substantive answer as if she had told me that I need to take ibuprofen for a headache. I told my older sister I was feeling anxious and she gave me advice. We acted like this interaction was normal. Because for us…it is normal. And normal is the most beautifully subjective term.
Our family has a generational history of interacting in the metaphysical world. Our great abuela Andrea was known to offer teas for any issue and our other great abuela Libby practiced cartomancy (& was an alleged hexxer). My sister and I both have our own stories about intuition and interacting with the spiritual realm too as do many in our family. But there’s a particular nuance that is essential to understanding how my family participates in metaphysical practices & traditions. While there is something to aromatherapy, I didn’t put basil in my shoe because I really thought the basil was going to help. I put the basil in my shoe because my sister told me to put basil in my shoe. It’s about a relationship. I can’t think of anything more normal.
In some Mexican-American metaphysical belief systems & many other belief systems, there is the powerful notion of connection and tradition. My abuela Andrea never let the tamales get lonely–so I never let the tamales get lonely. My sister suggested I put basil in my shoe–so I put basil in my shoe. These traditions are not really about if they are true and actually work–they symbolize something bigger about how we interact with each other in this world. My sister and my abuela matter a lot to me. So when I participate in a metaphysical practice, it is like they are participating with me. We do it together.
Your family probably has some metaphysical practices too. Almost every family does. Some may seem so normal to you, you don’t even recognize them as a metaphysical practices. They may just be practices. At the very least, there’s probably some things you do simply because that’s how your family does it. Sometimes, it’s as simple as how you fold your towels. There is a beauty to connections that are found in the mundane, the normal, & the usual.
Some of your traditions may go directly against the traditions of other families. It’s not about which family is “right” in their tradition because there is no being right. It is about participating in what connects you to your family–biological or chosen. Anyone you feel a relational connection to can give you metaphysical advice that could help you. The metaphysical world does not have strict rules. It’s about the people who matter to you.
So, for your enjoyment, I’ve included a list below of a few of the completely normal metaphysical traditions within my family. I should note that not everyone in my family does these and even the word family is a very loose term here. We didn’t come up with most of these and they come from a variety of metaphysical practices & cultures. They may be familiar to you already and if they’re not, you’re welcome to share in them. None from the list below (to my knowledge) are closed practices. And again, don’t get caught up in if or why these things work for us. Because it’s really about being intentionally connected to people you care about. We don’t need an explanation for that.
No laundry can be washed on New Year's Day. If you do, it’ll wash away all your good luck.
Put a container of salt water under your bed to get rid of nightmares
Put basil in your shoe if you’re feeling stressed
Mint tea helps practically everything. The smell of peppermint is a close second
Similarly, a bad day can be cured with a McDonald’s coke
Open your windows if you’re participating in a cleansing tradition, like burning incense. The negative energy needs somewhere to go
When buying items to be used specifically for metaphysical practices (like crystals, tarot cards, etc.), only buy them if they call to you. If it doesn’t feel right, just don’t use it
Mix sea salt + incense ash for protection (put it outside of doorways or areas you want to feel safe)
When making a simmering pot, stir clockwise to attract something and counterclockwise to banish something. Herbs vary based on your intention.
No welcome mats or you invite all energies in–even negative ones. You can have door mats at your front door–but nothing with cute friendly words that offer anything that can be perceived as an invitation in
The last one comes with another story. In writing this, I had asked my sisters to send me some of their practices for me to include in the list. In this process, my sister Natasha sent me a picture of her front door (see below). Notice anything wrong? This is especially ironic to me because my sister is particularly sensitive to ghosts–probably more than anyone else in my life that I know. One of the ghosts in her life has even been really active lately too. So while no one should really have a welcome mat, my sister especially should not have a welcome mat. I enlightened her about how she’s cleansing out her ghosts and then inviting them right back in. Needless to say, her welcome mat was immediately removed and her house cleansed.
I didn’t know you did the New Year’s too!!! Yes the mat is gone, my ghost is still acting up!!! 🥰