Cedar (Thuja occidentalis or Cedrus spp, C. libani)
Folk Names: American Arbor-vitae (Tree of Life), Arbor-vitae, Cedrus Lycea, Hackmatack, Lebensbaum, Thuia du Canada, Thuja, Western Arbor-vitae, False White Cedar, Yellow Cedar; Cedrus libani – Cedar of Lebanon
Description: The habitat of cedar stretches from southeast Canada and the Pennsylvania to North Carolina. The tree grows from sixty to sixty-five feet. It has an aromatic scent and prefers limey soil, tolerating drought, low temperatures, and pollution. The cedar has a pyramidal crown when young, which grows irregular as the tree grows older. The thick trunk is divided two to three times at the base with horizontal branches curved at ends and pendulous branchlets. Leaf sprays are flat, and the individual leaves are opaque green on the upper side and yellowish-green underneath, forming small overlapping scales. The strobiles are ovoid in clusters and are composed of five to six scales. Each produces only two pairs of fertile, winged seeds.
Cedrus libani grows in the mountains of Lebanon, Cilicia and the Taurus Mountains. Variant stenocoma is found in southern New England. The cedar of Lebanon is a slow growing tree with an imposing trunk, often branching, and a dense crown with an inclined head. It is mostly dark green with a characteristic flat growth in adult trees, The bark is dark gray. Secondary branches are densely ramified and terminal shoots are erect or slightly inclined, never pendulous. The flowers open from September to October, and the cones are two and three-fourths to four inches long. The upright cones are initially violet-purple, turning dark green-gray as they mature.
Effects: strong
Planet: Sun, Mercury, Uranus Zodiac: Virgo
Element: fire
Associated Deities: Odin
Traditions:
Cedar resin has been burnt as an incense during religious ceremonies since time immemorial. Its Latin name, Thuja, may come from the Greek thuo, meaning "to sacrifice," or from the word for fumigate. The smoke was inhaled by Hindu seers until prophetic vision came. It is also considered an excellent incense to consecrate wands.
The oldest Cedars of Lebanon are considered sacred. Cedrus libani was possibly used by King Solomon to build his temple and throne room.
It is associated with amethyst and sapphires, and the summer solstice. Do not harm a cedar tree. Its guardian is considered both powerful and persistent.
Juniper (Juniperus virginiana), also known as Eastern Red cedar, Red Savin, and Virginia Cedar, can be used as a substitute for cedar.
Magic:
The smoke from burning cedar has many uses. First and foremost, it is purifying and has been used in sweat lodges. The incense is said to cure chronic bad dreams and head colds. It has also been put to use as a money incense and to increase psychic power.
A stick, carved in to three prongs and placed in the ground with the prongs up is protective against all evil. Hang a piece in your home to protect against lightning.
Keep a piece in your wallet or purse to draw money, and placed in sachets, cedar is also used to draw love.
Known Combinations:
none noted
Medical Indications: (Caution: Ingestion during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage.) Parts Used: leaves, tops
Cedar is diuretic, antiviral, antifungal, and an expectorant. An infusion of the leaves is diuretic, and it is considered a lymphatic cleanser and urinary antiseptic. A strong decoction is used for fever and coughs. It stimulates the immune system and increases venous blood flow. Boil the leaves for a salve for rheumatism and warts.
Nutrition:
Not considered a food source
Mercantile Uses:
The aromatic wood is used often in potpourris. Cedar oil is used in soap and as an insect repellent. In America, the wood is used for fencing and as a light roofing timber. It is a durable and pliable wood, useful for the ribs and bottoms of bark boats. It is also used in limekilns, bowls, boxes, cups, and small pieces of furniture. Fresh branches have been put to use in Canada as brooms.