property. Bay twigs with leaves were used by Roman
priests to sprinkle holy water.
BIRCH This tree has always been associated with the
Goddess. It is a symbol of the returning summer. Sprigs
of birch were worn on the Summer Solstice and other
ancient holidays.
CEDAR A symbol of immortality and sacred to Osiris, the
evergreen cedar was used for coffins in ancient Egypt.
The Romans fashioned statures of cedar, and many
Native American tribes use it in purifying smudges. To
help ground yourself, place the palms of your hands
against the ends of cedar needles.
CHERRY The cherry tree was particularly sacred to Far
Eastern cultures, where it was a symbol of immortality.
The Chinese goddess Hsi-Wang Mu guarded the celestial
cherries that only ripened every one thousand years.
Doorway guardians, who warded off evil spirits, were
carved of cherry wood. In Japan, Kono-Hana-Sakuya-
Hime was goddess of the cherry tree.
CYPRESS To the Greeks, cypress was sacred to the
Underworld deities such as Persephone; they also
associated it with Cronus, Apollo, the healer Asclepius,
Cybele, Aphrodite, Artemis, Hera, Athena, and the Fates.
The cypress symbolizes death and returning to the abyss
of regeneration; the Greeks buried their dead heroes in
cypress coffins, and the Egyptians also fashioned cypress
into mummy cases. A variety of cypress in Japan, called
hinoki, is used for Shinto ritual fires.
ELDER Sacred among the Celts, this tree was associated
with the White Goddess and the Summer Solstice.