Juniper Berry Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Juniper oil, Juniperus communis
A crisp, clearing oil for protection, purification and banishing what lingers.
- Intentions
- Protection, Cleansing, Banishing
- Element
- Fire
- Planet
- The Sun
- Day
- Sunday
- Parts used
- Berries, steam-distilled oil
- Scent
- Fresh, piney, slightly peppery
How to use it
- Purify a new home
Diffuse juniper berry in each room of a new home, with windows open and pets elsewhere, while you state that the space now belongs to you.
- Banishing candle
Anoint a black candle with diluted juniper oil on a waning moon and name a habit or influence you are ready to let go. Let it burn down safely, then take the remains outside.
- Protective charm
Place a few dried juniper berries and one drop of oil on cotton in a small pouch to hang near the front door. Refresh the oil each new season.
Works well with
History and folklore
Juniper is a hardy evergreen shrub found across the Northern Hemisphere. Its berries flavor gin, and in Europe juniper boughs were burned in homes and stables to purify the air and ward off illness and spirits. Scottish Highlanders traditionally burned juniper at the New Year to cleanse the house. In witchcraft juniper berry oil is used for protection, for clearing out stubborn energy and for blessing a home before you settle in.
A crisp, clearing oil for protection, purification and banishing what lingers.
- Intentions: Protection, Cleansing, Banishing
- Element: Fire
- Planet: The Sun
- Day: Sunday
- Parts used: Berries, steam-distilled oil
- Scent: Fresh, piney, slightly peppery
Safety: Never swallow essential oils. Always dilute before skin contact (about 1-2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil) and patch test first. Keep away from pets, especially cats, and out of reach of children. Avoid during pregnancy and if you have kidney problems.
How to use it
- Purify a new home. Diffuse juniper berry in each room of a new home, with windows open and pets elsewhere, while you state that the space now belongs to you.
- Banishing candle. Anoint a black candle with diluted juniper oil on a waning moon and name a habit or influence you are ready to let go. Let it burn down safely, then take the remains outside.
- Protective charm. Place a few dried juniper berries and one drop of oil on cotton in a small pouch to hang near the front door. Refresh the oil each new season.
Works well with: Juniper, Black Candle, Waning Crescent, Obsidian, Algiz
Folklore
Juniper is a hardy evergreen shrub found across the Northern Hemisphere. Its berries flavor gin, and in Europe juniper boughs were burned in homes and stables to purify the air and ward off illness and spirits. Scottish Highlanders traditionally burned juniper at the New Year to cleanse the house. In witchcraft juniper berry oil is used for protection, for clearing out stubborn energy and for blessing a home before you settle in.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.