The rose is perhaps one of the most powerful symbols in the
metaphysical world. It is also one of the most accessible tools
that can be used for everyday magic. The gift of a rose is also
one of the simplest ways to say, "I love you" without
too much hocus-pocus. The thorns on its stems represent the
"prick" of love and the overcoming of obstacles to
achieve your desires. It is the pinnacle of metaphorical purity
and symbolizes completion and perfection.
The element associated with the rose is Water, so it is
particularly friendly to the astrological signs of Pisces, Cancer
and Scorpio. Both Mercury and Venus rule this flower. A bath in
rose petals or rose water (which is distilled from the buds) is
said to attract love to the bathing beauty. An ancient custom is
to sprinkle the bed of newly weds with rose petals to sweeten the
initial carnal relations. In ancient alchemical formulas the red
rose is used as a masculine principle and the rose represents the
feminine or receptive principle. The combination of the two
(perhaps growing the two bushes intertwined in the garden)
represents harmony and unity.
Rose oil, which is extracted through a rather expensive process
from the petals of the flower, is also prominent in both love and
healing rituals. When applied the temples the oil is said to cure
a headache. When applied to the thighs or breasts it is supposed
to attract a suitor. As an essential oil, the rose's essence is
thought to relieve depression, PMS and postnatal depression. It is
also said to cure frigidity and impotence. Bach's Herbal Remedies
makes a distillation of the Wild Rose. Taking drops of this under
your tongue is thought to help the patient free themselves from a
rut or feelings of hopelessness and being trapped by fate. Rose
water is used in cooking spells and added to curries and cake
mixes to infuse the dish with good spirits and love attracting
qualities. The water is also splashed on the skin (but not around
the eyes) to give you a complexion as dewy as the flower.
The rose historically also symbolizes the female genitalia and
is associated with Cupid, Eros, Adonis, Aphrodite, Isis, Hathor,
and Demeter. Rose water and rose petals are often used in magical
rituals to honor these gods and goddesses.
Although red roses are traditionally seen as symbols of lust,
love and the flower also has a long association with such
qualities as purity, compassion and divine perfection. The white
rose in particular has an affinity with the Virgin Mary and the
Holy Spirit.
The color of the rose is also significant. Red roses symbolize
love, sex and passion. Pink roses suggest friendship, joy,
gratitude and fun. Yellow roses can symbolize enthusiasm, but
according to some folklore, the yellow rose can symbolize
deception or "the perfect crime." Orange roses signify
enthusiasm, passion and a lust for life. White roses are symbolic
of significant landmarks in life (such as death, birth and
marriage), unconditional love, purity and innocence.
The flower is not the only part of the rose that is used in
divination and magic. To discover their romantic future, women
used to take pluck three green rose leaves and name one after each
of their suitors. The one that stayed green the longest was her
soulmate. Rose hips can be strung like beads on a thread and worn
as a necklace to attract love. Drinking rose-hip tea is thought to
increase one's powers of prophecy.
Ironically, for a flower that is often given as a gift, the
most powerful roses are said to be those that have been stolen
from another person's garden.
About The Author
Sam Steven's metaphysical articles have been published in many
high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. You
can meet Sam Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com
where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more
of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com
where she is the staff writer. Currently she is studying
technology's impact on the metaphysics.
