The Caravan Ward Tincture

The Traveller’s Shield

There are places where the air feels heavy, where strangers stare too long,
where energy crowds too close to the skin. A marketplace too loud,
a room that carries old tension, a border crossing that tightens the breath.

This tincture was made for moments when the spirit needs a boundary -
not to shut the world out, but to walk through it without being touched too deeply.

A companion for protection, presence, and quiet inner power.

Protection • Boundaries • Energetic Strength

Old-World Origin

Travellers once carried protective herbs not in pouches of magic, but in bundles of medicine:

Juniper to drive out harmful influences
Black pepper for courage and presence
Bay to guard decisions and direction
Frankincense resin to purify the spirit

These botanicals were burned in caravans, crushed into oils, steeped as tinctures,

and rubbed onto chest and wrists before entering unfamiliar markets or tense negotiations.

This blend honours the boundary-craft of desert traders and herbal guardians.

Ingredients (120 ml)

Protective Herbs & Resin
✶ ½ tsp crushed juniper berries
✶ ¼ tsp cracked black peppercorns
✶ ½ small bay leaf (crumbled)
✶ A small pinch (pea-size) frankincense resin
✶ Peel of ¼ bitter orange or lemon (thin strip)

Alcohol Base
✶ 150 ml Moroccan Mahia (fig spirit)
-or-
✶ 150 ml dry French gin (botanical, not floral)

Non-Alcoholic Base
✶ Raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
✶ A tiny drizzle of honey for roundness (optional)

The Preparation

Crush peppercorns and juniper gently.
Add all herbs and the small frankincense resin piece to a clean glass jar.
Pour over your spirit (or vinegar mix) until fully covered.

Seal and wrap with a strip of cloth or leather - travellers believed protection tinctures needed

grounding material from the physical world. Steep for 33 days, shaking gently every 5 days.

Strain through muslin, bottle in amber glass, and mark with a protective rune, circle, or arrow line.

How to Use

✶ 1 drop on wrist pulse before entering crowds
✶ 2 drops under the tongue before uncomfortable travel
✶ 3 drops in cool water for boundary protection
✶ Rub 1 drop on chest + inhale deeply for grounding presence

Symbolism

✶ Juniper - guardian of the body, purification
✶ Black Pepper - courage, personal flame, intimidation of negative forces
✶ Bay Leaf - safe passage, strong direction, wise boundaries
✶ Frankincense - divine protection, spiritual clarity
✶ Citrus Peel - cutting through heaviness, bright energetic barrier
✶ Mahia/Gin - clarity + subtle fire to strengthen the spirit

Intention

"May I walk through the world untouched by what does not belong to me.
May the spirit remain sovereign."

Author’s Note

I made this tincture when unfamiliar places felt heavy on my skin.
It is not a spell - it is a strength.
A way of entering the world with intention instead of fear.

CaravanSerai Gypsy

The Traveller’s Shield

​