Roses, Roses, Roses…
“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose” – Kahil Gibran
This time of the year you can see roses blooming pretty much everywhere, they can be seen in gardens, around homes, parks, museums and office buildings, and they are magnificent!
Roses have been woven into our culture and our individual lives for centuries. They have been captured in paintings, photos, poetry, music and literature throughout history. They are given as gifts, offerings, and used to make sachets & potpourri, dried to make rose beads, tea, used to line walkways and aisles. They represent the flower of love and have been included in the symbolism of many cultures, spiritual traditions and folklore. The rose is alsoNew York’s state flower and a national flower in many countries including theUS. Smelling a rose, for most, is a delightful experience, the scent is beautiful, and memories or associations remind us that a scent can catapult us to another time or feeling. Have you heard the phrase “stop and smell the roses”?
It’s a great reminder to slow down and just simply inhale and feel the soft petals on your nose. It almost causes the earth to stop revolving for a second.
History and folklore of Roses
Roses are entwined in history and are ancient symbols of love and beauty. During the middle ages, the rose was seen as the queen of flowers, representing romance, religion and healing. The rose is sacred to many goddesses; Venus,Isis, Aphrodite and Lakshmi, and roses are also associated with the Virgin Mary. Aphrodite had an infinity for the red rose, it was sacred to her and the folklore behind it was that a rose blushed or was stained red when Aphrodite cut her feet on its thorns rushing to the aide of her dying love Adonis. The Romans and Greeks were known to use roses in religious festivals and feasts and identified the rose with their goddesses of love. The Romans wore wreaths of roses while feasting to cool their minds. The rose became a symbol of discretion and to guard against drunken betrayals inRomeby placing a wild rose on the door of a room where confidential matters were being discussed. The phrase “sub rosa” or “under the rose” means to keep a secret. Cleopatra is infamous for her use of roses, she enjoyed fountains filled with rosewater at her palace and legend says she had the sails of her barges soaked in rosewater.
Aromatherapy & Rose essential oil
In aromatherapy, Rose oil is used in blends to heal, uplift and nourish. It is one of the most expensive and luxurious essential oils and has the highest vibration of all pure essential oils. Rose oil is emotionally calming and reassuring and can be found in the traditional steam distilled form or as an absolute. Did you know that it takes 60,000 roses to make a single ounce of rose essential oil? It’s true! Have you tried golden earth’s chakra 4 oil or Love from our perfumes from nature collection, both stay true to the emotionally calming benefits of rose essential oil blended with other precious essential oils to create a peaceful, loving aroma-therapy!
Information on roses seems unending, we all love roses from near or far, in others gardens or in our own. They are beautiful to gaze upon and a euphoric treat when walking by a garden filled with roses. If you’ve ever cared for a rose, you know there is a little work involved but the reward is priceless. There’s nothing like creating a beautiful homegrown bouquet for yourself or a friend. The many uses of roses that we see around us and the importance of the rose culturally and historically are all a true testament to our love of the rose!
Roses by George Eliot
You love the roses – so do I. I wish
the sky would rain down roses, as they rain
from off the shaken bush. Why will it not?
Then all the valley would be pink and white
and soft to tread on. They would fall as light
as feathers, smelling sweet; and it would be
like sleeping and like waking, all at once!
