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Juniper
Keywords
Cleansing, Healing, Love, Protection
Historical
Background and Folklore
A common component of traditional foods in Southern Germany and
Central Europe, juniper berries are well known for their use as
flavoring in stews and roasts as well as gin.
At one time it was believed that burning juniper during childbirth
would protect a baby from being taken by fairies. This concept may
have come from a story connected with the infant Jesus during the
flight from Egypt when Juniper was burned for protection against
leprosy, the plague and other illnesses. In contrast, there was
also the belief that a person who cut down a juniper would die within
a year. |
Juniper was planted in front of a house as protection against witches
who were (for some inexplicable reason) expected to count all the
needles on the tree before they could pass through the doorway. Apparently
the theory was that the witch would lose count, get bored or simply
not bother. Germanic folktales tell of a spirit of the juniper who
aided in recovering stolen goods. In connection with this, planting
a juniper beside one’s front door would prevent thieves from
plundering the house.
Associations
Elements: earth, fire
Energy: masculine
Goddesses: Audhumla, Hel/Holle, Morrigan, Ran
Gods: Baldar, Loki, Tyr
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Other
Being/Character: dwarves
Celestial Body: Sun
Color: light green, red
Gemstone: green sapphire
Rune Character: Sigel/Sig – Letter: S
Miscellaneous: dispel negativity; second chakra; winter
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© Llewellyn - Whispers from the Woods
For more information, refer to the full text in Whispers from
the Woods.
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