Cedar Leaf Tips Western Red (Thuja plicata)

Thuja plicata

Unit size: 1 ounce

Origin: USA

Form: Whole tips and pieces

Other names: Western Redcedar, Pacific Redcedar, Giant Arborvitae, Western Arborvitae, Giant cedar, Shinglewood

Esoteric Uses: Luck, happiness, prosperity, wealth, success, home

Esoteric Associations: Jupiter, Air

Incense Aroma: A very fresh, forest aroma and are slightly musk like and reminiscent of the fireside when burned

The wood and tips from cedar trees have been famous for their flavoring and preservative properties for ages. Indeed, cedar wood has been utilized in the making of cabinets, garden and pet bedding, closet linings, potpourris, sachets and other such products for thousands of years. Historical documents have show that it was even famously utilized in King Solomon`s Temple in Jerusalem and mentioned in The Iliad, when referring to King Priam`s treasure chambers. Cedar wood and tips have also been an important ingredient in incense used for purification, meditation, and a generally increased potency in magic. Today, we find that the uses for cedar has little changed. Cedar tips in particular are quite commonly used in adding a smoked flavor when used to season fish and meats. They are also often burned in fires, with the smoke used for meditational and spiritual purposes much akin to those that it was used for in ages past. The name Thuja is a latinized version of a Greek word meaning 'to fumigate', and Cedar wood was often used by the Ancients when sacrificing. The fresh tips of the Western Red Cedar are often used to make besoms.