Do This 1-Minute Basil Ritual on the First of the Month to Attract Good Luck – Here’s Why It Matters

As a new month is ushered in – and spring is finally on the horizon – you might be feeling an urge to rejuvenate your space and set some new intentions. And according to herbalists and spiritual experts, now is the perfect time to perform a time-honored ritual: sprinkling basil across your doorways.

This might not be the first strategy that comes to mind when you think of welcoming good fortune into your home, but basil isn't just the hero of a hearty soup or a summer salad. The humble herb has long been associated with both protection and prosperity, and sprinkling it across thresholds is believed to help refresh the energy inside your home.

Below, I ask experts to reveal the meaning behind this sacred ritual – and explain exactly how you can try it out for yourself as a new month begins.

What Does Sprinkling Basil Across Your Doorway Do?

This tradition is one of many spring home cleansing rituals, which are used in countless ancient traditions to bring balance and harmony to a space. (Sprinkling rosemary at your doorway is a similar practice that's often relied upon by herbalists and healers for purification.)

Basil itself 'carries the vibration of protection, prosperity, and harmony in the home,' according to Intuitive Healer Antoinnette Chirinos, who argues that 'it's a truly powerful herb. The aroma alone invites you to slow down and go deeper.'

What's the Story Behind the Ritual?

Since basil is most strongly associated with prosperity, sprinkling it at your doorway is believed to help mark out your home as a site of peace and abundance.

'Thresholds carry great symbolism, marking the meeting point between public and private life, outside and inside, and strangers and family,' explains Joanne Jones, Founder and CEO of Trusted Psychics. 'The door becomes a point where one pauses before stepping in, perhaps after a long day, and consciously leaving any tension outside of the home. '

Just as doorways create a spiritual perimeter, preserving harmony and acting as a barrier against negative energy, a new month is its own kind of boundary: an opportunity to set new goals and prioritize peace.

'Many people often describe feeling calmer because rituals such as this tend to give a clearer sense of boundaries,' says Joanne. 'Practitioners perform an act like this with the first day of the calendar month or the New Moon. Repetition builds familiarity, and familiarity builds reassurance.'

Tips on Practising the Ritual

To cleanse your home, you can use fresh basil (for a stronger fragrance that lingers), or dried basil, which can be easier to distribute across doorways. Experts also suggest steeping in the herb in hot water, leaving it to cool down, and gently applying it to thresholds, windowpanes, or corners, where stagnant energy can accumulate.

'Herbs are living allies – and basil isn’t just a plant, it's a spiritual support,' says Antoinnette. 'It helps clear the old and welcome in the new.'

The ritual isn't limited to periods like this one, however. Many herbalists use it regularly to enhance their spiritual practice.

'You can also air dry basil and burn it as sacred smoke for protection and prosperity,' suggests Antoinnette. 'I love combining basil with rosemary. Together they create a strong, protective energy that feels both grounding and expansive.'

With a new month symbolizing both transition and new beginnings, it's the perfect time to cleanse and reset your home – and basil is a brilliant herb to use.

'When you put basil in your doorway, you’re inviting harmony, peace, and abundance inside,' says Antoinnette. 'It’s a simple and beautiful ritual to begin the month with intention.'

What to Shop

If you enjoy our news and interior design advice, why not sign up to our newsletter so you never miss the latest features?