CEDAR

White Cedar from trimmings

Sacred plant around the world
Home to spirits and protection
Channel positive magical power
Tree of Life and purification

Cedar has a tendency to be a colloquial term for a number of species from around the world.  Each of these trees or shrubs that are called "cedar" have very similar culinary, medicinal, and energetic signatures.  In reality, true cedar, from the genus cedrus, is a small number of species found around the Mediterranean.  These trees were sacred to the Egyptians, Sumerians, and Celts.

Since I am in the Eastern Woodlands of the United States, I am going to focus the rest of this article on the "cedar" species of North America.  Here, several species of the cypress are called cedar.  The three most commonly used for ceremonial purposes are:

EASTERN WHITE CEDAR - Thuja occidentalis
EASTERN RED CEDAR - Juniprus virginiana
WESTERN RED CEDAR - Thuja plicata

White cedar cones

Each of these cedars have culinary and medicinal uses.  However, because of the potential for toxicity if too much is taken internally, it is best to consult a trained herbalist before consuming these plants.

All of these trees have a long history of practical uses.  This is a rot resistant and insect resistant wood that is used for house construction and shingles, and outdoor structures.  Cedar wood is used as an insect repellent.  This makes this aromatic wood perfect for boxes, cabinets, and paneling, especially for storing items that need to be protected from insects.  Its anti-fungal properties tend to prevent mustiness as well.  Cedar is a beautiful wood for flutes, canoes, and baskets.  Cedar dust can be used as a base for incense.

As much as I love cedar woodwork and boxes, it is the spiritual and energetic uses for cedar that inspires me to seek it out.  Cedar is believed to purify and protect people and spaces.  It is believed to be a channel and connection to nature spirits.  It is believed to break up and dispel negative energies.  Some traditions use cedar to channel positive energetic power.  It is believed by some that cedar trees are the homes of powerful native spirits.

Herb bundle made from the white cedar trimmings

In my ceremonial practice, cedar plays a key function.  As one of the four sacred herbs of Native American spirituality, in my practice, cedar holds the place of the North Shield.  It is the first herb that I use and the last herb that I use.  It is the herb that completes the cycle.  I use cedar to set up and protect my ceremonial space.  I use tobacco, sage, and sweetgrass during my ceremony where appropriate.  I end my ceremony with a cedar smudge.  I do this to seal and protect the energy and intention that was created during the ceremony.  Only then do I release the ceremonial space.  I also often use cedar to create a protective energy around a camp or an entry point.

Here are a few final thoughts on cedar and its energy.  Cedar is one of the herbs that is used for smudging to cleanse and protect a person's energy field.  It is one of the herbs that is used in sweat lodge ceremonies.  This tree plays a key part in many Native American legends, and is considered to be The Tree of Life.  Cedar is one tree that I would plant on any property that I owned as it lends its gentle and protective energy to the space where it exists.

Here are some other sources that I used for this article:
magic.com
iowaherbalist.com
aischgo.org
​native-languages.org