Moving Forward With Cypress Trees
- Linda Crider
- Feb 1
- 4 min read
Cypress trees are so often associated with serious thoughts that I decided to illustrate this post with the above vibrant painting by one of my favorite artists, Vincent van Gogh entitled "Landscape With Cypress." Despite the artist's own notorious darker side, Van Gogh's animated style presents a brighter, even optimistic view of the natural setting. The tall Cypress trees looming on the far right of the painting share the space with the blues of the sky and mountains and the golden landscape. But this post isn't about art; it's a closer look at the medicine and meaning behind this rather mysterious evergreen, the CYPRESS tree.
The 20+ species in the Cupressus genus prefer the warm, sunny climate of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. Some species grow to over 150 feet and live many years. There is one famous example still thriving in Iran that is estimated to be over 4000 years old!
Ancient Cypress trees have long been connected to the idea of easing transitions, from life on earth to eternal life after death. This is suggested by how the tall trunks of the mature trees point toward the heavens. In day to day terms, Cypress energy also helps with moving from one phase of life to another. It reminds me of the Death card in the Tarot deck which is almost never about physical death, but more about accepting change, letting go of old ways and embracing new beginnings. As one website puts it: "The Cypress spirit indicates a time of clearing and cleansing our space to create room for new experiences and opportunities."
This tree was revered by the followers of the ancient Persian prophet Zoroaster who worshiped in what were called "fire temples." Cypress trees provided the wood of choice for their ceremonial fires that symbolized divine light. They also factored heavily in old world Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology and traditions associated with death and eternal life. Because of this, Cypress trees were often planted near grave sites, and carrying a branch was considered a sign of respect for the departed.
My own plant medicine experience involving Cypress has been with the essential oil form which, depending on the species, is distilled from different parts of the tree.
It's been a while since I worked with it, so I had to dig through my aromatherapy stash for this old and almost empty bottle. I find its scent to be earthy and grounding, much like the oils of Juniper, Pine and Cedar but heavier, with a hint of sweetness.
In keeping with its ability to encourage positive transitions, Cypress oil is often recommended for those dealing with overwhelming loss whether it be for a person or a life situation, not because it represses grief--quite the opposite. It helps to bring on tears, allowing for the process of releasing powerful emotions and moving forward.
Used topically, it has similar properties. The essential oil of Cypress is cleansing and anti-bacterial like most essential oils, but it also promotes lymphatic drainage. In other words, it helps to release trapped fluid and move it out of the body. Notice the word "OPENING" on the bottle pictured above. For this reason you'll find it in formulas designed to stimulate fluid release from cysts and other skin conditions as well as to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
It's no surprise then, that the energetic qualities of this tree follow suit. Cypress is said to be a "sacred companion" when one is facing challenging times or experiencing emotional blockages. Its spiritual guidance helps those struggling with rigid perfectionism or the inability to accept life's happenings and go with the flow of what comes.
For anyone interested in an extensive article about the background and use of Cypress oil, look to the following website:
While researching for this post, I came across the following video posted 5 years ago, but recorded back in 1983 by Dorothy Maclean. This amazing woman was one of the founders of the ecovillage now called the Findhorn Foundation Community (originally the Findhorn Trust) in northern Scotland in the early 1960's. In this 7 minute video, Dorothy tells of a plaintive communication that she received from a Cypress tree seedling, but the message comes from all trees and the wisdom they impart to the humans they share the planet with.
Dorothy heard this message decades ago, but the words ring true as if they were communicated yesterday!
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
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