Cypress – an essential oil for support in times of transition

Essential oils are wonderful plant allies as we navigate this times of change and transition. Cypress (cupressus sempervirens)is the perfect oil to support us through this transition from our Winter slumber into the possibilities for the new year ahead. 

A gentle easing out of one energy as another slowly seeps in

I have always felt the rush to begin with resolutions and action on January 1st jarring. The way of the natural world is a gentle easing from one season to the next, like the sunset and sunrise, there is a liminal space in between that is necessary for us to rest and regenerate and adjust our gait before we begin again.

Stability and adaptability

Cypress’ natural chemistry expresses both “stability and adaptability”. She holds our hand through transitions, allowing us to process the path we have traversed thus far while providing gentle encouragement to “find our feet” and take the first tentative steps into the next phase of our lives.

I see her as a kindly grandmother gently encouraging a toddler to teeter forward, allowing for stumbles along the way as being part of the learning curve. There’s no need to hurry or run before we can walk, we can just move at our own pace and in our own time, taking the next step along the way when we feel ready.

Steadying support

Whether we are navigating major life changes, or gentle new beginnings and seasonal shifts, Cypress is ready and able to support slow and steady progression. As my grandmother would say when watching a toddler begin to walk, fearful of letting go of a Mothers supporting fingers “they only need a piece of straw in their hand to feel secure enough to take the first steps alone”

Cypress encourages us to gather our resolve and gently and intuitively move forward one step at a time, confident she will be there as our protective, comforting supporter along the way

Sweet Support Diffuser blend with cypress:- 

• 5 drops cypress
• 3 drops sweet orange 
• 1 drop vetiver 

I have added orange essential oil to this blend for its harmonising and circulating energetics. Orange essential oil encourages gentle flow and a return to joy and ease after the Winter months, it is also immune supportive and reminds us that change doesn’t have to be difficult.

Vetiver offers grounding and stabilising energy, connecting us to our inner rhythm, assisting us by quieting the “noise” and reminding us that we are safe- it’s only change!

The resulting combination of scents is sweet, earthy, woodsy, softly smoky and comforting.

Helpful tip:

I recommend blending these drops of essential oil together first in a small glass to disperse the heavier molecules of vetiver into the other lighter oils (the drop of vetiver would otherwise immediately sink to the bottom of your diffuser). Then add to water and put this mix into your diffuser. 

For more information on incorporating Fragrant chi into your feng shui practise read my book A Place to Call Home which has a whole chapter on the subject and lots of ideas on which oils you may find particularly helpful to support you as you work, rest and play.

Safety considerations

• Use pure essential oils (organic if at all possible)
• Always diffuse in a well ventilated space and be mindful that small animals have access to leave the room, if they wish to do so. 
• Be mindful when using essential oils around young babies and those with compromised immune systems.
• Use a lower dilution if you find the scent overwhelming in any way. 
• With all essential oils, each of us has different physical, mental and emotional responses to particular scents. 
• If for any reason you find an oil uncomfortable on any level, discontinue at once. 
• Always listen to your body, it has its own innate wisdom. 
• Be careful not to spill neat essential oils on polished surfaces. 
• Honour the sheer volume of plant matter required to produce just one drop of essential oil. There is a considerable amount of concentrated energy in each drop. 
• Diffuse for 2o mts at a time for best effect.