Cedar Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus, Red cedar
A fragrant evergreen for purification, protection, prosperity and lasting strength.
- Intentions
- Protection, Cleansing, Prosperity, Healing
- Element
- Fire
- Planet
- The Sun
- Day
- Sunday
- Parts used
- Wood, needles, chips
How to use it
- Cleanse with smoke
Burn a few dried cedar tips or chips in a heat-proof dish with a window open and let the smoke drift through the room while you state your intention.
- Protect your treasures
Store tarot decks, ritual clothing or your book of shadows in a cedar box, or with cedar chips, to keep them fresh and guarded. Refresh the chips yearly.
- Prosperity pouch
Add a few cedar shavings to a green pouch with a coin and a cinnamon stick and keep it near where you work. Hold it as you name your goals.
Works well with
History and folklore
The great cedars of Lebanon were famed in the ancient world. The Epic of Gilgamesh tells of a sacred cedar forest, and Solomon's temple was built with its timber. Egyptians used cedar resin in embalming and in their ships. In North America many conifers called cedar are sacred to Indigenous nations, whose ceremonies deserve respect rather than borrowing. In witchcraft cedar is used for protection, cleansing with smoke, prosperity and enduring strength.
A fragrant evergreen for purification, protection, prosperity and lasting strength.
- Intentions: Protection, Cleansing, Prosperity, Healing
- Element: Fire
- Planet: The Sun
- Day: Sunday
- Parts used: Wood, needles, chips
Safety: Many trees are called cedar. White cedar (arborvitae) contains thujone and is toxic if swallowed, and some cedar oils are toxic to pets. Do not burn cedar around birds or anyone with asthma, and always ventilate, as the smoke can irritate lungs. Wear a mask when sanding cedar wood.
How to use it
- Cleanse with smoke. Burn a few dried cedar tips or chips in a heat-proof dish with a window open and let the smoke drift through the room while you state your intention.
- Protect your treasures. Store tarot decks, ritual clothing or your book of shadows in a cedar box, or with cedar chips, to keep them fresh and guarded. Refresh the chips yearly.
- Prosperity pouch. Add a few cedar shavings to a green pouch with a coin and a cinnamon stick and keep it near where you work. Hold it as you name your goals.
Works well with: Brown Candle, Sunday, Smoky Quartz, Fire, Yule
Folklore
The great cedars of Lebanon were famed in the ancient world. The Epic of Gilgamesh tells of a sacred cedar forest, and Solomon's temple was built with its timber. Egyptians used cedar resin in embalming and in their ships. In North America many conifers called cedar are sacred to Indigenous nations, whose ceremonies deserve respect rather than borrowing. In witchcraft cedar is used for protection, cleansing with smoke, prosperity and enduring strength.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.