Juniper

What this is

Juniper (Juniperus communis). The Sun-and-fire evergreen of Leo and Aries whose smoke purified the sickroom and the temple, under which the infant Christ and the prophet Elijah were both said to have sheltered. The cleansing thorn of the new-year house.

What it governs

Juniper answers to Sun and the element of Fire, with a second hand from Mars. Its seat in the zodiac is Leo and Aries, and its day is Sunday, when its virtue runs fullest. It strengthens with the waxing moon. In the old practice its office is plain: Berries burned on a charcoal — the purification of houses on the cusp of the new year.

Its properties

In the Galenic reckoning juniper is hot and dry, and that temperament is the whole key to its work. The part you take is the berry. Its working colour follows Sun, gold and solar yellow; its metal is gold, its stones are amber, garnet, its number 6, and on the Tree of Life it threads up to Tiphareth. It is a herb of scent, working through the nose as much as the hand, it carries well on the body, kept in a pocket or a small sachet, and it is gentle, safe to use as the practice describes.

Where else it appears

Cleansing and guard everywhere: burned to fumigate against plague and drive out spirits from Tibet to the Highlands; planted at the door against witch and thief; its berry carried against accident and theft. To purify the air and bar the harmful, one resinous smoke, sickroom and threshold.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

In the Green Kingdom you meet Juniper on Today's Herb, Scent of the Hour, Angelic Herb, Today's Gathering, and Herb of the Hour. When it surfaces it counsels you toward its one office: berries burned on a charcoal — the purification of houses on the cusp of the new year. As the Scent of the Hour its message arrives through the nose, so let its smoke or its smell set the temper of the hour. As the Angelic Herb it stands under Michael; read its rising as that intelligence laying a hand on your day, with solar warmth and the will to shine. As Today's Gathering it marks a plant to take up now, while the waxing moon and the day are with it.

Why it matters

Juniper purifies and guards. It is for clearing a heavy or sick atmosphere and warding the door against what would follow. It asks you to clean the air before you ask anything of the room.

Correspondences

planet

Sun

element

Fire

zodiac

Leo, Aries

number

6

sephirah

Tiphareth

day

Sunday

colour

gold, solar yellow

metal

gold

stone

amber, garnet

tarot

The Sun