The Tree of Protection

Juniper is a versatile, low-growing tree used today in the making of drinks, boxes, and carving knives. Yet many people don't know that long before ancient peoples discovered its many practical uses, they called it the "tree of protection".

The Indigenous peoples of the Americas would carry a juniper sprig with them on long journeys for protection. It was said to shield them from negative influences and misfortune. Juniper water was also used in the ancient spiritual cleansing ritual known as the "sweat lodge", where the water was poured over hot stones to create a purifying steam.

Today we use juniper sprigs as incense, in combination with white sage.

White sage cleanses the space — and our lives — of negative energy, while juniper sprigs protect the space around us and prevent unwanted influences from entering.

We reach for it when we are seeking inner peace after driving away the negative energy that has built up around us. It is especially useful when we decide to take a new direction in life, take on a new responsibility, or begin a new project.

Product Properties

• Organic white sage, sustainably grown in California.
• Organic juniper, sustainably grown in the Netherlands.
• The bundle measures approximately 11 cm in length.

Instructions for Use

We light the bundle gently and slowly over a flame. We recommend lighting it over a candle flame. Direct lighting with a lighter is not advised, as it introduces unpleasant odours into the process. We want the lighting process to feel as natural as it did thousands of years ago.

When lighting the bundle for the first time, we allow a small flame to form. It is important that we do not blow the flame out. The Indigenous peoples of the Americas believe that by blowing out a flame, you release and extinguish your own soul from your body. Instead, we turn the white sage bundle vertically upward (so the flame is on top), where it will naturally go out on its own and begin to release a pleasant and deeply relaxing scent.

If the flame does not go out on its own, we gently wave it through the air so the breeze extinguishes it.

Space Cleansing

With the smouldering bundle in hand, we walk through the space, making slow, circular movements as we go. This helps to prolong the smouldering.

We recommend holding a small dish beneath the smouldering bundle with your other hand to catch any embers that may fall, protecting the objects in your space from damage.

If we want to cleanse the space of negative energy and protect it from any further unwanted intrusions, we walk the incense through every corner of the space and gently wrap the room in smoke. Let us not forget the corners of spaces where negative energy especially likes to gather. We then place the white sage bundle in a fireproof bowl and allow it to go out on its own.

Don't worry — the incense won't burn all the way down, and you'll be able to use it for a long time.

Protection from Negative Influences

We reach for it when we are seeking inner peace after driving away the negative energy that has built up around us. It is especially useful when we decide to take a new direction in life, take on a new responsibility, or begin a new project.