In Admiration for the Rose; Appreciating Life on Life's terms
Rose is an important herb for the energy of the heart. It has been used to help with grief, anxiety, and of course many of you know it as a symbolic flower of love.
My experience with rose this past year has been interesting and powerful.
In all its preparations, I felt its main esoteric energetics are: initiating us into life; on life’s terms, not ours.
Yes, it opens us up to receptive feminine nature of love, but also supports us in our vulnerability with non-judgemental love and compassion. It eases us into relationships and beckons us to go deeper into the ups and downs, and all things wonky and sideways feeling.
I’ve also found that this herb helps me to slow down and be more present in a subtle way.
Rose, particularly wild rose (Rosa Species), is a sour, sort of sweet, and mildly astringent tasting herb; indicating it has relaxant, slightly drying, and toning actions.
The Rose’s primary affinity is for the energetic heart and the nervous system.
Although some warming of peripheral circulation can occur in the skin, it is generally considered neutral with slightly cooling and relaxant energetics.
It’s more dominant energetic pattern is its relaxant and opening qualities to tension and in particular, the nervous system; not stimulating or drying too much.
It’s almost as if it knows what’s just enough for each person!
Through its slightly warming energetics, it has the ability to open up peripheral circulation slightly and warm the body gently while the astringent energetics of Rose tones overly excited, red skin. (Think wind burn, rosacea)
For the skin, It is best used topically as a diluted Essential Oil in a jojoba, Evoo, or evening primrose base, a hydrosol (an aromatic water), or using the petals in Sacred Baths.
The petals can be placed into a bath to release the aroma, tone the skin, and relax nervous tension in the body.
The Rosehip, mainly the parts we use today, are moistening and cooling to an overly excited digestive tract, and tone it from the inside with it’s astringent qualities. (To me that’s the digestion working too fast from top to bottom!)
Rosehips also contain vitamin c, tannins, flavonoids, pectin, and carotenes; all excellent for overall health and wellness.
My favorite way to use Rose personally, is as a relaxant for nervous tension.
Being a Pitta dosha, I have a tendency to keep going and push myself until I’m tired and crabby. A drop of Rose Oil in a diffuser brings a nice ambient scent in the room helping to feel tranquil, slow down, unwind, and see the beauty in all things within and around me.
I also drink rosehip infusions to moisten my digestive system as it tends to run hot and a bit too fast at times.
Preparations and Use
Rose petals can be used as Hydrosol, Essential Oil, Flower essence, in Sacred Bathing, and as a yoni steam.
*As an Essential Oil: For skin care: add 2-3 drops into 4oz. of Jojoba oil/jojoba esters, evening primrose oil, or EVOO and rub lightly into he skin. Safe for face and hands.
*Hydrosols, or aromatic water: Excellent as a spray for face, neck and skin. They can be made, but can be fairly complicated. My trusted place to purchase this is at Jeans Greens if looking online.
*Flower Essence - mixed with Lilac, Lavender, and Violet essence is excellent for staying present though all of life’s experiences with love and compassion.
*A Sacred Bath - adding rose petals along with Marigolds, and any other herbs that bring a sense of relief and sacredness to you. Fill Your tub up with hot water. Add the Rose petals, and other flowers, let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Step in and soak, enjoying the aromatics and sensual feeling of the waters.
*Yoni steam - mixing wormwood, rose petals, and yellow dock make an excellent yoni steam.
A yoni steam is a warm relaxing “bath“ that you sit over and allow to cleanse and detox your vagina, cervix, uterus and entire reproductive system. It also has amazing benefits for those over 50 looking to naturally lubricate the vulva.
Rosehip tea: 1-2BSP rosehips
cover with hot water
let steep for 5-10 minutes
add sweetener of choice if you’d like
sip it slowly
Fun Esoteric Tidbits about Roses:
Ruling planet: Venus; is about beauty, symmetry, voluptuousness of the senses, especially the aroma.
The evolution of Venus is about purifying our hearts and teaching us to be open to finding the beauty in all parts of our lives.
Ruling Element: Air = is communication with ourselves and others
Ruling Principle: Pitta/Cardinal (the person with consistent energy levels throughout the day, perhaps too involved in day to day activities and not in the heart…)
Whether you’re using the rose as a visual pick me-up, a symbol of love, or in any of the ways above, I’m sure you’ll appreciate them for their healing energy and the fullness of life they bring to you.
Rose hips on the shrub