Cupressus sempervirens pyramidalis v. strictaItalian Cypress This Saturn-ruled tree is associated with the Death card in Tarot and in many cultures is planted around graveyards. It was the traditional wood for making sarcophagi (coffins) in ancient Egypt because the fragrant wood resists rotting. In ancient Greece, statues of the Gods were carved from this wood. The name comes from the Greek Cyparissus, who accidentally killed a pet stag. He prayed to Apollo, his lover, to allow him to grieve forever for the loss, and the god turned him into a tree that weeps--its resin forms tears on the bark--and which would be planted around graveyards. Top 
In fact, in Europe, coffins
were built of cypress and funeral garlands and
wreaths made of its branches to represent eternal
life. This magick herb is sacred to Hades ("the
unseen"), the god of the Underworld and thus of
both death and earthly riches, who was stern,
ferocious in battle, and just. Cypress is also the
tree of the Blood Moon (October) and is linked to
elemental Earth, not only through Hades but
especially in the form of the Phrygian goddess of
earth and caves, Cybele/Kybele. She ruled over the
natural world, wild animals, dark magick, and
revenge. Cypress represents life after death and
comfort for grief. In Agrippan magick, this plant
is connected to
Mars, as are all
fragrant woods. It is tied to the root chakra and
third eye chakra.
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Some people consider this a
gloomy tree, but it has been cultivated since
prehistoric times for its fragrant wood. Its
stately, tall, narrow form is often found in
formal gardens. It's a classic tree in Tuscany,
where it is planted along country roads to yield a
fragrant path shaded from the hot sun and
protected from winds. This cypress yields the most
fragrant of the various cypress essential oils.
The tree produces a resin that can be gathered
from incisions in the bark (some resin just seeps
through the bark without cutting), or the needles
can simply be harvested and added to incense and
pot pourri. Men are especially fond of its scent,
which is refreshing, restorative, calms anger,
helps with concentration, and creates feelings of
security.
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Cypress is a Mediterranean
tree and so can be grown outside only in the
warmest parts of North America (zones 7-11, down
to 10F/-20C). It can, however, be grown in large
containers--it is often a topiary subject--or
small pots as bonsai and brought into a cool room
in winter. It makes a dense screen when planted 3
feet/1 m apart and is great for lining roads or
drives. It grows slowly but becomes a big
tree--some consider it too big for residential
planting. It does not need to be pruned. Once it
is established, in 2-3 years, it is tolerant of
salt and drought, but it will get much larger if
it has enough water and nutrients and will be
better able to resist disease and bugs. It needs
good drainage or the roots will rot. It can live
to be over 1000 years old! This tree is
also known as Mediterranean Cypress, Funeral
Cypress, and Tree of Death.
TopHow to grow Italian Cypress: Sow outside, barely covering, in fall or winter sow. Or cold-stratify (wet a paper towel, wring out, and put the seeds between the folds of the towel; put in a baggie and keep in fridge for a month). Seed will germinate in 2-3 months after the weather warms to 20C. Watch out for damping off w/the seedlings. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun where temps do not go below 10F/-20C (zones 7-11). Or plant in a container and keep in a cool room in winter, not watering much. This tree gets 40-60ft/20-30 m high and 3-6ft/1-2m wide but grows slowly. Good for screening, lining drives, topiary, and bonsai. Leaves and tears of resin are great in dark god/dess incense. General growing info. Top |
Cupressus sempervirens v. stricta 
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Rites of the Dead
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