The inspiration for this blend came through to me in many forms.  Day to day labors and struggles with communications allowed me to see the necessity of letting go.  Especially with the reminder that life and its unexpected outcomes are not entirely shaped by our doing.  I believe relinquishing control can be very therapeutic and healing if we make space for this, within our habitual process.  Let go of unwanted states; grief, relationships, and illness, thought patterns, expectations, or anything that does not serve the higher self.  In the physical world, a death that we may encounter by losing a loved one, a family member, an acquaintance, or a person who may have caused us a lot of pain in our lifetime can trigger a deep emotional state.  What may have seemed logical has become lost and with this overall loss comes mixed emotions and reflections.  Things may go smoothly and leave a sense of relief and peace or maybe a transition of deep sorrow and denied grief.  It is hard to encompass all that surrounds the nature of letting go.  Recently I lost both of my grandparents within 5 months of one another; both of these people were dear to my soul and to the foundation of our family.  This event forced me to express my concerns for the behaviors that surfaced amongst family members and to my surprise, all my good intentions, were not received in the way I had prayed for.  It was a disheartening experience, one that left me feeling perplexed and almost self-involved for wanting things to go the way I had seen fit.  Nevertheless, I emerged with another sense of self and understanding that it wasn’t up to me anymore. Instead of harboring a sense of hopelessness I did get an opportunity to communicate, but now I had to let go….

ESSENTIAL OIL PROFILE FOR …..LET GO

1.    CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens)

EMOTIONS, MENTAL /PSYCHE AND SPIRIT: Cypress oil is helpful at times of transition such as career changes, moving homes and major spiritual decisions such as changing one’s religion.  At such times the Bach Flower Remedy; Walnut can be used to great benefit as well.  Cypress also helps with painful transitions such as bereavement or the ending of a close relationship.
The Latin word “sempervirens” in its name means “everlasting living” and refers to the evergreen leaves of the tree, but it may also be referring to the afterlife, and both the ancient Romans and the Egyptians dedicated this tree to their gods of death and the afterworld.  For thousands of years Cypress trees have been planted in cemeteries, perhaps as a reminder of the life everlasting and the essential oil can be used to give comfort and strength at the time of death (Davis, 1991). 

PHYSICAL: The Cypress tree originates in the Mediterranean. The oil of Cypress comes from the distillation of leaves and cones of the tree. The oil is clear and its aroma is woody, clean, and spicy.  It is very astringent and used wherever there is an excess of fluid.  In skin care it is good for oily and over hydrated skin.  It is used quite often in men’s toiletries for its antiseptic and astringent properties.  Cypress is a tonic to the circulatory system and is an antispasmodic, acting especially on the bronchi, so it is one of the oils to think of when treating asthma.  Another use for Cypress is its help in regulating the menstrual/moon cycle.  It helps to relieve painful periods and reduces abnormally heavy loss, particularly when this happens in the early stages of menopause (Davis, 1988).

2.    FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii) 

EMOTIONS, MENTAL /PSYCHE AND SPIRIT: Frankincense oil is associated with the highest spiritual aspirations.  It was offered to the infant Christ by the Magi in recognition of His divinity and it helps each of us connect to that part of ourselves that is eternal and divine. Frankincense has the ability to deepen and slow the breath and it helps bring body and mind into a meditative state.  Frankincense helps break ties with the past, especially where these block personal growth (Davis, 1991). 

PHYSICAL: This beautiful essential oil comes from a small tree native to North Africa and some of the Arab countries.  When the bark is cut, the tree exudes a resin in drops or tears and the essential oil is extracted from the resin by steam distillation.  The oil varies from colorless to very pale yellow, with a clear fresh, slightly camphorous penetrating odor. Frankincense is one of the most valuable oils for respiratory infections, it is one of the best pulmonary antiseptics, and calms coughs, and is indicated particularly where there is bronchial catarrh, for example, chronic bronchitis.  It helps asthma because of the way it slows the breath.  In skincare, Frankincense is helpful for older skin, and has a definite tonic effect, slowing down the appearance of wrinkles.  The oil has an affinity for the urino-genital tract, and was used a great deal in earlier times for treating these disorders.  It is a uterine tonic and may be helpful for abnormally heavy periods (Davis, 1988).

3.    ROSE (Rosa damascena) 
EMOTIONS, MENTAL /PSYCHE AND SPIRIT:  Rose is, above all, the flower of love, both human and Divine.  Rose is the supreme oil of the Heart Chakra, the center of love, whether that be love for one person or Universal Love.  The unfolding of a Rose, from bud to flower, symbolizes the unfolding of love, within the heart.  It brings healing to the Heart Chakra and helps it to open again when grief has caused it to close down.  It is a gentle aphrodisiac, and facilitates creativity in all the arts.  Rose is the favorite scent of Angels (Davis, 1991).  It is a gentle anti-depressant and is helpful where emotional disturbances are linked to female sexuality or the reproductive cycle.  Rose oil is also good for post-natal depression or the depression surrounding a break-down of a relationship (Davis, 1988). 

PHYSICAL: The Rose was probably the first flower from which an essential oil was ever distilled, in tenth century Persia.  The great Arab physician, Avicenna, is credited with having distilled the first Rose oil, possibly by chance during the course of alchemical experiments.  At the present day, the major production of Rose essential oil is not by distillation, but by effleurage method or solvent extraction.  The very high price of Rose oil is due to the huge quantity of rose petals needed to extract a tiny amount of oil and the high labor cost involved in this method.
The rose has been traditionally called the “Queen of Flowers” and in aromatherapy Rose oil is often thought of as the queen of essential oils.  Rose with its feminine qualities has a powerful effect on the reproductive system especially the uterus.  It is cleansing, purifying, regulating and tonic and is valuable where there is a loss of uterine muscle tone.   Rose has a powerful tonic effect on the nervous system, the stomach, liver, and spleen.  It is also very good for its use in skincare.  It can be used for all skin types.  Rose has long been renowned as an aphrodisiac.  Rose is used to help women suffering from rigidity and men from impotence (Davis, 1988).

Bibliography

Davis, P.  Aromatherapy A-Z, C.W. Daniel Company                           
    Limited, 1988.
Davis, P. Subtle Aromatherapy, C.W. Daniel Company                           
    Limited, 1991.