The Magic and Medicine of the Rose
Perhaps no other flower has been so exalted throughout history, in mythology and for sacred purposes, as the rose.
The rose appeals to our senses, opens our hearts, and enhances our beauty and health. As June ushers in the rose season here in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the perfect time to celebrate the magic and medicine of this sacred flower.
The Rose in History
The symbolism of the rose is highly complex and has inspired a variety of associations across cultures and times. It has represented both heavenly perfection and earthly passion, fertility as well as virginity, and life and death.
Primarily associated with the feminine, this complexity carries into the variety of important women the rose is associated with, from Cleopatra and her magical perfumes to the Queen of Heaven in Dante’s Divine Comedy to the Virgin Mary of Biblical times.
In ancient Rome, the rose was a sign of pleasure, a companion of mirth and wine, and was also used at funerals.
In Middle Eastern traditions, only the red rose was allowed to accompany one into the afterlife.
Roses filled the great gardens of Persia, and according to legend, the first bloom of the rose had an aroma so heady that it caused the nightingale to sing. Overcome by the rose’s perfume, the bird dropped to the earth, spilling blood that turned the first petals red.
In 15th century Europe, the secret society of Rosicrucians chose a rose on a cross as their symbol, for the rose represented the perfection of paradise to these alchemists and philosophers.
Early Christianity associated the rose with the blood of martyrs, and therefore life after death.
Some Native American tribes turned to rose for not just medicine and food, but to keep ghosts away.
And yet, of all that the rose symbolizes, love is perhaps its most enduring association.
Indeed, within the ancient Greek and Roman pantheon, the goddess of love herself, Aphrodite, holds the closest association with the rose.
Have you ever really studied Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus? In addition to sacred myrtle leaf Aphrodite holds, the rose appears floating through the heavens as she emerges from the sea.
The poetess Sappho was christened “the rose the queen of flowers” in 600BC, and has since inspired lovers throughout the ages.
The Rose as Healer
Just as the rose carries rich and complex symbolism, it also offers us one of the most chemically complex essential oils known, containing over 300 compounds, which contribute to the its many healing gifts.
And, when it comes to these healing gifts, ancient uses are almost identical to our modern ones, as we can see in part thanks to extensive medical compendiums like Pliney the Elder’s Natural History.
Though complex, rose medicine is remarkably consistent: the energetic, mental, and physical effects of rose medicine all assist us with the very things rose symbolizes most―love, beauty, and romance.
Perhaps rose’s affinity for both the nervous system and heart center are part of what makes it such a well-known aphrodisiac: Mentally and emotionally, rose is wonderful for soothing a troubled mind and helping you relax, while physically, it nourishes the nervous system, so you can get into your body and enjoy a bit of pleasure.
Interestingly, Rose’s symbolic connections with the heart center and femininity are found in medicinal uses across cultures.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine rose is a well-recognized heart tonic and increases yin, the feminine and cooling energy of the body.
Rose also supports skin care, which enhances beauty, and helps regulate the female reproductive system. (And for this reason, rose as herbal medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy, so do be careful!)
The wild roses of North America were used as food and medicine by many tribes, with similar but even more diverse applications than their European counterparts: Roots were made into hot compresses for reducing swelling, tea was taken for stomach upsets and reducing labor pains, and seeds were eaten to relieve sore muscles.
Today, we still use rose medicine in many of the same ways, as rose is known to soothe digestion, relieve cold and flu symptoms, relax the body and mind, and support the immune system.
On a spiritual and energetic level, rose is cooling, nurturing, and widely associated with the heart chakra. Both the essential oil and flower essence can balance our ability to give and receive love.
In her fascinating book The Fragrant Mind, Valerie Worwood explores the subtle shifts in how different varieties of roses can act upon our energy bodies and our consciousness: She describes Rosa damasca, most commonly found as an essential oil, as a gentle type of rose with a truly feminine personality, one that is pure-hearted and opens us to unconditional love. Rosa centifolia on the other hand, which is what we most often find in botanical absolutes, is passionate, sensual, and erotic, helping us tune into our own sexuality and enjoy life’s romantic pleasures.
As flower essences, Damask rose and other fragrant garden varietals are known to increase feelings of confidence when it comes to sexuality.
I find that wild rose carries rose’s typical connection to the heart center with an added dose of resilience, joy, and independence.
The flower essence of wild rose is known for supporting feelings of love and joy, particularly how they karmically manifest in our physical experiences. According to the Bach Flower Essence Repertory, wild rose can help cultivate a will to live in those who struggle with lethargy or depression.
Rose’s magical uses include cultivating love, peace, sex, and beauty, with its planetary ruler being Venus and its element being water (I love that again, we see the connections between the rose and Aphrodite, as her Roman name is Venus and she was born of the ocean...).
The prolific author of many books on Western magick, Scott Cunningham notes that magical rituals to be done with rose include spells to draw in emotionally satisfying relationships and to enhance inner and outer beauty.
The gifts of rose will affect us in slightly different ways depending on the form of our “medicine”―be it in a tea or tincture, spell, flower essence, essential oil, infused oil, or living flower. That said, here are a few of rose’s many benefits at a glance…
Benefits of Rose
Opening and balancing your heart chakra
Sensuality and appreciating life’s pleasures
Awakening and empowering your erotic, sexual nature and confidence
Enhancing your feminine nature
Love in all its forms―passionate, romantic, familial, friendship, spiritual, unconditional
Supporting the reproductive system―regulating menstruation, toning the uterus
Relaxing, anti-depressant, supports insomnia
Enhancing beauty inside and out―wonderful for mature or sensitive skin, inner confidence
Soothes the nervous system, sedative, cultivating feelings of peace
Releasing negative emotions
Clears heat and inflammation, cool and moist energetics
An emotional stabilizer, relaxes untended tension and provides mothering love
Supports digestion and boosts the immune system
Soothing a tender, broken, or grief-stricken heart
Attracting love and joy into your life
How to Use Rose Magic and Medicine
If you’d like to bring the magic and medicine of rose into your own life, here are a few ideas:
Make a rose petal infused honey, glycerete, or tea
Spritz some rosewater or a rose hydrosol on your skin
Infuse a nourishing oil with rose petals for skin care
Enjoy rose hips dried in tea or fresh in jams and jellies
Add a few drops of rose or wild rose flower essence to water or tea
Diffuse rose essential oil, or a rose-forward blend
Anoint yourself with a rosy perfume or ritual oil
Display a bouquet of organic and sustainable roses
Grow your own roses to really deepen your relationship with rose spirit
Place fresh roses on your altar
Stop and smell the roses whenever you can ;)
May rosy blessings be upon you!
Rose Offerings
You might also like:
A Guide to Perfume Types: Dilutions & Ratios in Natural Perfumes
All About Flower Essences: How to Partner with Plants for Whole-Self Healing
Great Northern Bedstraw: A Beloved and Underrated Wild Plant
References
Mojay, G. (2014). Proceedings from NAHA ’14: The World of Aromatherapy VII: Beyond Aromatics. Seattle, WA.
Battaglia, S. (2003). The complete guide to aromatherapy (2nd ed.). Brisbane, Autralia: The International Center of Holistic Aromatherapy.
Worwood, V.A. (1996). The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, mind, mood and emotion. Novato, CA: New World Library.
Mojay, G. (2000). Aromatherapy for healing the spirit: Restoring emotional and mental balance with essential oils. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
Cunningham, S. (2013). Magical aromatherapy: The power of scent (7th ed.). Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
Keville, K. & Green, M. (2009). Aromatherapy: A complete guide to the healing art (2nd ed.). Berkley, CA: Crossing Press.
Pliny the Elder. The natural history. J. Bostock, M.D. (Ed.). (F.R.S. H.T. Riley, Esq., Trans). B.A. London: Taylor and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 1855. (Original work published 77-79 AD). Retrieved from: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0137%3Abook%3D13%3Achapter%3D2
Wiles, B. (2018). Mountain states medicinal plants: Identify, harvest, and use 100 wild herbs for health and wellness. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
Kershaw, L. (2016). Edible & Medicinal Plants of the Rockies. Edmonton, AB: Lone Pine Pub.
McIntyre, A. (2010). The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Ideal companion for study and practice. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group.
Kamininski, P. and R. Katz (1994). Flower Essence Repertory: A Comprehensive Guide to North American and English Flower Essences for Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being. Nevada City, CA: Earth Spirit, Inc.
McIntyre, A. (1996). Flower Power: Flower Remedies for Healing Body and Soul through Herbalism, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, and Flower Essences. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.