Rose – The Flower of Divine Feminine 

Roses are among our favorite flowers. Timeless, versatile, and elegant, they are the ultimate symbol of feminine beauty and love. Learn some rose magic and rituals to work with their powerful energy.

Roses are often misunderstood and trivialized. Valued for their undeniable beauty, they are often seen, like many flowers, as soft and fragile. However, their thorny, hardy stems prove the opposite. Their beauty is intertwined with their strength. Being strong while remaining soft, vulnerable, and full of grace is how you bring Heaven to Earth.

Roses in Mythology and Spirituality

Greek Mythology: Aphrodite and Adonis

The Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, is perhaps the most famous deity associated with roses. According to legend, roses sprang from the earth when Aphrodite’s tears mixed with the blood of her lover, Adonis. Thus, the rose became a symbol of love, passion, and the enduring connection between the divine and the mortal. This myth also highlights a deeper truth: love is not only about joy and beauty but also encompasses sorrow and loss. Roses symbolize the cycles of life—birth, blossom, death, and rebirth—and the romance and letting go of old lovers who can no longer stay by our side.

Roman Mythology: Venus

In Roman mythology, Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, is often depicted surrounded by roses. The flower symbolizes her allure, fertility, and the passionate nature of love. Romans believed that roses held the power to inspire love and desire.

Egyptian Mythology: Isis

Isis, the Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood, is sometimes associated with roses, symbolizing her role as a nurturer and protector. The rose’s unfolding petals are seen as a metaphor for the unveiling of hidden truths and the awakening of spiritual insight.

Hindu Mythology: Lakshmi

In Hindu mythology, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and beauty, is often depicted with roses. The flower symbolizes her divine grace and the abundance she bestows upon her devotees. Roses are offered to Lakshmi during rituals and prayers to invoke her blessings.

The Magic of Roses

Roses are not just beautiful to behold; they are imbued with magical properties that have been harnessed in various practices throughout history. As since ancient times they had a very tight bond with humans, here are some key aspects of rose magic:

Love and Compassion: Roses are universally recognized as symbols of love. They can be used in rituals to attract love, enhance self-love, and foster compassion. Placing a rose on your altar or carrying a rose quartz stone can amplify these energies. They are also a beautiful ally when you simply want to find out what you love and discover your heart’s path, as love goes far beyond just having “the one.”

Healing and Protection: The rose’s thorns symbolize protection, while its petals offer healing. Scientific studies show that rose oil can lower anxiety and promote relaxation. Roses are often used in healing rituals to soothe emotional wounds and provide comfort. A rose petal bath, for instance, can help cleanse your aura and promote emotional well-being.

Transformation and Renewal: The process of a rose blooming from a bud mirrors personal and spiritual growth. Incorporating roses into your meditation or visualization practices can help you embrace transformation and renewal in your life. They can help you tap into your inner power when you feel you are running low on energy, and the Universe has served you more than you can handle.

Rose Rituals for Everyday Magic

There is a saying everyone knows: “Stop and smell the roses.” It may seem trivial, but in fact, it is a perfect piece of advice and a reminder that we all need, every now and then, a sacred pause. Roses are perfect for that as they demand interaction—they can be smelled, touched, tasted, or simply gazed at.

Incorporating roses into your daily rituals can bring a touch of magic and mindfulness to your routine. Here are a few simple yet powerful rose rituals:

Morning Intention Setting: Start your day by holding a fresh rose and setting an intention for the day. Let the rose’s beauty and fragrance uplift your spirit and set a positive tone for the hours ahead.

Rose Petal Bath: Draw a warm bath and sprinkle fresh or dried rose petals into the water. As you soak, visualize the petals infusing the water with their healing energy, cleansing your body and mind of negativity.

Gratitude Practice: At the end of the day, hold a rose in your hands and think about the things you are grateful for. Allow the rose to serve as a reminder of the beauty and abundance in your life. This can also be a beautiful grounding practice for empaths when they feel emotionally overloaded with all the feelings others have brought to their lives. This sweet and quiet interaction with a rose can become their “me time,” as, in fact, through the rose, they can touch the softness dwelling in their souls.

Creating Rose Water: Rose water can be used for cleansing and blessing. To make your own, simmer fresh rose petals in distilled water, strain, and store in a glass bottle. Use it to anoint yourself, your altar, or your home to invite love and harmony.

Inhaling Rose Fragrance: Rose scent has calming properties, easing stress and signs of depression. Data shows it also reduces the levels of perceived physical pain (especially the one caused by menstruation).

Drinking Rose Tea: Having rose-infused tea is a heartwarming ritual. Whenever you need to show yourself extra love and need to feel the gentleness in your heart, this is a perfect drink. Having a tea made of wild rose buds just before going to beed promotes lucid dreams. 

Roses in Home Décor: A Note on Dried Flowers

Some people dry roses and keep them at home as adornments or to commemorate important events. However, we don’t recommend this practice. According to feng shui, dried flowers symbolize stagnant energy, and in Slavic traditions, drying wedding bouquets is considered bad luck. Fresh flowers bring more liveliness and good vibes to interiors. Even though some say dried flowers, if dusted regularly and well-preserved, don’t harm the vibes, as a general rule, we suggest avoiding them.

Embracing the Rose’s Wisdom

The rose teaches us to embrace both beauty and resilience. Just as the rose flourishes despite its thorns, we too can thrive amidst challenges, finding strength in our vulnerability. The rose encourages us to open our hearts, love deeply, and appreciate the beauty in every moment.

My Personal Rose Journey

When we started creating 9phases and were driving through the town a lot, Julia was able to spot every man on the street carrying a single red rose, always making me notice each one of them. At that time, I wasn’t a fan of single roses as I was more into grand gestures of admiration and desire, like at least two dozen flowers. The truth is I couldn’t have been more wrong. A single rose is a powerful message; it means “the one.” Now, when I see a man carrying a single red rose, I am moved. Though he may not be fully aware of the flower’s symbolism, I always hope his intuition is right—he is going to meet the one. And as we all can romanticize our lives a bit, we may  buy ourselves a single rose now and then—a beautiful reminder of the divine feminine that dwells in us. A touch of Heaven on Earth.