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The Scottish Ritual of Saining

Saining is a Scottish ritual that is one part blessing, one part cleansing and one part protection.

It involves using juniper in various applications with fire or water, in the ritual purification of temples, celebrations, for health, to ward off evil, to cleanse, and more.

Saining uses juniper and other herbs – either to burn or in oils – to remove the unwanted or hidden, negative influences. It can also be used with other types of spellwork.

History of Saining

Scotland has a long history of using plants such as juniper in ritualistic ceremonies to bless, cleanse, heal and protect – going back to the 11th Century.

Midsummer fires were a tradition of Scottish farming communities, who celebrated with a large fire of juniper wood at the end of June. They believed the fires were a blessing to their crops, livestock, and that it warded off evil spirits.  This celebration is marked by the Catholic Church as the Feast of St. John, on June 24.

Each Samhain, juniper was burned in an effort to make contact with the Otherworld. Scots burned Juniper in Saining their homes to repel disease. They also added it to whisky and gin for health.

Modern Day Saining

Saining is still used today by many. Regular saining safeguards your home, spellwork, personal property and your person. A popular custom is to use saining before major life decisions. It allows you to be fully present, without negative influences.

Saining removes curses, hexes or malefic spells of any kind, including unwanted influences. Saining kits are sold in our shoppe, and are made with ethically-sourced juniper, as juniper has become very scarce. Our saining oil is organic and handcrafted in small batches over a 6-week period.

Grab your kit while they are still in stock. Supplies are very limited.

Resources:
http://www.tairis.co.uk/practices/saining/#11
https://magicnorthstar.com/the-tradition-of-scottish-saining-smudging/
https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/juniper/
https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/when-scots-were-banned-lighting-midsummer-fires-647540
https://thedruidscauldron.org/2020/09/10/the-druid-and-fairy-doctor-practice-of-saining/#:~:text=Saining%2C%20that%20is%2C%20burning%20herbal,king%20goes%20his%20way%20westward
https://www.truehighlands.com/the-fires-of-midsummer/#:~:text=The%20festival%20itself%20is%20primarily,the%20sunrise%20on%20this%20day

Witchy Women Magic Shoppe is a woman-owned, ethical, sustainable and philanthropic metaphysical supply shoppe. Our mission is to support healing, growth and restoration of people and the planet.

All our handmade products are infused with frequency 528Hz – the frequency of miracles and love – thought to resonate at the core of everything. It connects the heart and spirit with Divine Harmony.

This sound has been used since ancient civilizations to manifest miracles, bring blessings, and harness a healing property. It is now available to you in every candle, oil, potion, herbal blend, spray, soap or salt.

WTF is Scrying?

Scrying is the practice of staring into a reflective surface – a mirror, stone, even water – to catch glimpses of the future. It’s a divination technique that has been used throughout the ages. 

Historical examples:

  • Nostradamus practiced scrying by staring into a bowl of water which reflected light to see the future while he was entranced.  
  • Scrying is referenced in the Hebrew Bible (Book of Genesis, Ch. 44).  
  • In ancient texts of Persia, scrying is referenced as used by the ancient mythological kings for observing all of the layers of the universe.
  • And in the late 1820s, the Latter Day Saint movement was founded based, in part, on what was said to be information obtained miraculously from the reflections of seer stones which helped the founder receive revelations to translate the Book of Mormon. 
  • Scrying is written into folklore throughout history. For example the children’s game “Bloody Mary” is based on the scrying technique.

How to Scry

Gather your tools

  1. You will need a reflective object, such as a mirror, seer stone or crystal ball. This will actually allow you to catch a glimpse of things to come if you continue on your current path.
  2. Set a candle behind you. This should be the only light in an otherwise dark room.
  3. Cover the table you are going to use with a black cloth or piece of fabric.
  4. Place the object you chose to use for scrying on top of the table.

Set the tone

Start by warming up and getting into your meditative space. Relax, chant, meditate or practice mindfulness to remove unwanted thoughts.

Begin

When you are ready, open your eyes and look into the surface of your scrying tool. Your focus should shift past the surface to a point somewhere approximately five or six inches beyond. This may or may not work for you, but it is the best way to shift your focus for scrying. 

Have you ever looked at those pictures that are completely composed of colored dots or splotches and had to look past the surface to see the three-dimensional image in the picture? This is the same principle.

Try to keep your mind blank, open it to whatever may be shown to you, unless you are scrying for the answer to a specific question. 

Your eyes will want to blink. That is all right. Let them blink and regain your shift in focus. When you are first beginning, try to keep your scrying time to no more than ten or twenty minutes. If you are not successful, put it away and try again another time.

Images may come to you in any number of forms. At first, you may only get a cloud or mist. This may eventually part to allow images to come through, or it may just move in one direction or another in answer to yes or no questions.

If you do see images, they may be simple symbols left open for interpretation. These symbols are personal and are not the symbols you may find written in a book. For instance, a dog may generally symbolize loyalty or protection, but if you are fearful of dogs, it would mean something entirely different to you.

Some people also see moving pictures as though they are watching a movie. But that’s not common, especially when you are first beginning.

Scrying is a learned skill, much like mediation, and comes with practice. Don’t give up if it does not work on the first attempt. 

Scrying products and ritual supplies like candles, crystals and smudge can be found at our Witchy Women Shoppe to help you on your journey.

Have you tried scrying?  Drop us a note and tell us about your experience. We’d love to hear from you.  

Witchy Women Magic Shoppe is a woman-owned, ethical, sustainable and philanthropic metaphysical supply shoppe. Our mission is to support healing, growth and restoration of people and the planet.

All our handmade products are infused with frequency 528Hz – the frequency of miracles and love – thought to resonate at the core of everything. It connects the heart and spirit with Divine Harmony.

This sound has been used since ancient civilizations to manifest miracles, bring blessings, and harness a healing property. It is now available to you in every candle, oil, potion, herbal blend, spray, soap or salt.