Issues of love and forgiveness are at the heart of shadow-related health issues whether physical, mental or emotional.

Shadow related issues refer to emotions, thoughts and attitudes that lay buried and hidden beneath the surface of consciousness. 

These suppressed negative emotion(s) when released can open the door to improved health, as well as the influx of new love and more meaningful relationships.

Cypress oil is one of the most powerful astringent and detoxifying oils in aromatherapy. It’s a great blood purifier and circulatory stimulant.

Pycho-emotionally, Cypress oil boosts the heart energies. It is said to have the power to soften hardened emotions, such as bitterness and vindictiveness.

When you harden your heart as a means of self protection from future hurt you are, in effect, blocking yourself psychically from giving and receiving love.

Cypress oil is a regulating/adaptogenic oil. It is useful for balancing and healing both the male and female psyches. You can enjoy the scent of Cypress oil in an aroma diffuser, or use it in a warm bath suitably diluted in a carrier of unscented liquid soap (15 drops of Cypress oil per one ounce of carrier). When used in the bath, Cypress oil can be especially helpful for letting go of old trapped and dead emotion(s) that you’ve been holding onto.

The Cypress Tree, from which the essential oil is extracted, has long been a symbol of life after death. It's said to have been the wood of a cypress tree that was used to fashion Jesus' cross upon which he was crucified.

The ancient Greeks dedicated the Cypress tree to the god Pluto, Lord of the Underworld. In translation, Pluto literally means “the wealthy one.” Ancient Romans celebrated the god Pluto as the god of mortality and riches.

Pluto’s power to transform was used as an alchemical symbol for this threshold keeper between heaven and earth. Pluto is the brother to the gods Jupiter and Neptune. Legend has it that a lottery was held to split up the dominions of the universe between the three brothers. Pluto received the Underworld.

The Underworld is said to be a mystical threshold between earthly life and death. What was beyond death could never be known. Only Pluto had the vision for seeing what happens after earthly life.

However, it is said that Pluto would give each soul a preview of their life to come before being born. Myth has it that the soul crosses five rivers surrounding the Underworld before birth.

When crossing each of these the soul is shown a preview of its earthly life to come. The five rivers the soul crosses are 1) the Acheron (river of woe), 2) the Cocytus (river of lamentation), 3) the Phlegethon (river of fire and purification), 4) the Styx (river of unbreakable vows), and 5) the Lethe (river of forgetfulness). When crossing the Lethe each of the previews the soul had been given for its earthly life were immediately forgotten.

Cypress oil strengthens the heart energies. It can help boost your courage to face  fears, as well as support you to have a strong heart and circulatory system. Cypress oil is often used for supporting healthy functioning of the heart and circulatory system. It has been used to improve blood and lymph circulation and can be useful for treating muscle cramps, rheumatic type pain and arthritis.

3 Love & Forgiveness Exercises

Dispense 1-3 drops of Cypress oil (Cupressus sempevirens) on a cotton ball, or smell strip.

Inhale the scent for 10-30 seconds as you do any one, or more of the following simple Love and Forgiveness Exercises.

1. Send love and forgiveness to yourself or others when there is struggle and resistance.
   
   
2. To immediately release emotional fear and resistance to whatever is happening simply focus in your heart, let go and allow whatever is happening to be okay.
   
   
3. Allow yourself to let go of any incessant pushing for results and resisting what is.
   

At the end of your exercise give yourself time to breathe and relax. Trust that life loves and supports you.

Affirmation: “Life is happening for me and unfolds perfectly.”

READ Next Article in this Series, 3 Key Differences Between Ego & Soul +4 Takeaways & EO to Use.

READ First Article in this Series, Essential Oils for Healing Negative Emotions +6 Types of Fear & 16 Common Personality Traits.