Juniper Berries whole (Juniperus communis)

On Hogmanay in the Scottish Highlands, households burned juniper until the rooms filled with smoke, saining the home so the new year began clean.

Origin & Traditional Use

Juniperus communis is a hardy evergreen shrub of heaths and mountain slopes across the northern hemisphere. Its blue-black berries flavour gin, game dishes and sauerkraut.

Across Europe juniper was traditionally burned to sweeten sickrooms, stables and houses.

Uses by Tradition

Witchcraft & Folk Magick

• Saining smoke: crush the berries lightly and burn them on charcoal, carrying the smoke through every room.
• Threshold guard: string the berries or hang a small bag by the door against theft and unwanted visitors.
• Love charm: carry a few berries in a pocket to draw a lover, an old use recorded in herbals of magick.

A Simple Working

• Lightly crush a tablespoon of juniper berries.
• Light a charcoal disc in a heatproof dish half-filled with sand.
• Close the windows and burn the berries, carrying the dish through each room from the back of the house to the front.
• Speak plainly what is being cleared.
• Open every window and door to let the smoke carry it out.
• Finish by sprinkling a little salt water across the front threshold.

Pairs Well With

• Rosemary: an old partner in smoke cleansing.
• Frankincense: deepens the smoke for consecration.
• Sea salt: seals the threshold after saining.
• Charcoal discs: for burning the berries.
• Bay leaf: adds protection to the smoke.

Lore & History

Scottish folklore records saining at New Year with both juniper smoke and water drawn from a ford crossed by the living and the dead, sprinkled over the household before the juniper was lit.

Elsewhere in Europe juniper branches were hung at doors and stable entrances against witches and evil spirits.

What You Receive

Whole dried juniper berries, available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 1 lb.