An updated version of this web page is now available at the new Teen Witch website juniper.
Juniper is a tree.
- botanical information
- origin
- part used
- astrological correspondences
- magick correspondences and uses
- ritual uses
- Goddesses and deities
botanical information:
Botanical name: Juniperus communis
Common name: juniper
Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.
origin:
Origin: Europe, northern Asia, and northern parts of North America
part used:
Part Used: The berries, whole, ground, or rubbed through a seive. To prevent loss of essntial oil, juniper berries should not be ground, crushed, or rubbed until just before use. The herb is frequently combined with birch leaf, horsetail, parsley seed, or restharrow in herbal diuretic teas. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs |
Juniper berries are horrid tasting, but help stimulate the stomach for digesting food.
astrological correspondences:
Astrological planet: Sun
magickal correspondences and uses:
Incense: Juniper incense or herb or berry is appropriate for burning in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell.
Solar spells: Juniper (as herb or essential oil) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to solar matters (healing, illumination, magickal power, physical energy, protection, success, and putting an end to legal matters). Be careful about substitutions for preparations that will be ingested or come in contact with the skin. These substitutions do not apply to medical uses. See the article on the Sun for a list of herbal substitutes for juniper.
Using essential oils: Essential oils are just too concentrated and too expensve to use without dilution. If you purchase pure essential oil from a source such as Mountain Rose, you will want to place just a drop or two into a neutral carrier vegetable oil or jojoba. This conservation is typical of the use of essential oils in spells and other magick. It is wise to test a bit of any essential oil on your inner wrist before use. If any irritation occurs, do not use the essential oil. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets and away from heat and light. See the article on essential oils for detailed information on how to mix and use essential oils.
Love spells: Juniper flowers (and berries) are appropriate for use in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell.
Magickal substitutions: Rosemary usually may be safely substituted for any herb in magick spells and rituals. Roses may safely be substituted for any flower.
ritual uses:
Nine Woods: Juniper is one of the nine woods traditionally placed in the traditional Celtic Druid balefire.
deities associated with juniper:
- Astarte (Phoenician Goddess)
Some herbs may be poisonious under some conditions. Exercise appropriate care.
Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Some plants can be toxic just by touch. Even experts can make deadly misidentifications of wild plants. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden.
An updated version of this web page is now available at the new Teen Witch website juniper.