Rose Lore: Myths and Legends.
- Roses have been part of human civilisation for many thousands of years, likely originating in Asia about 5000 years ago.
- In Homer’s Iliad, rose oil was said to have been used to anoint the body of Hector, Prince of Troy, before his burial.
- According to the Latin poet Ovid, the Aphrodite goddess fell deeply in love with Adonis. One day, while hunting, he was critically wounded by a wild boar and later died in the goddess’s arms. Red roses are thought to have originated from the goddess’s tears and the blood of Adonis.
- Legend states, Cleopatra is said to have filled her chambers knee-deep in rose petals to impress Mark Antony during his visit. Clearly, that worked.
- At their feasts, Roman emperors sat on rose petal carpets and filled their baths with rose water. Nero was known to particularly like having rose petals fall from the ceiling during banquets. Very often, guests would feel they were suffocating! Imagine how many roses they needed to grow.
- Roses were considered to be symbolic of paganism, so the Christian church warned people not to plant them. However, this was clearly ignored, as they just got more popular.
- Victorians often used roses in elaborate floral arrangements to decorate their homes and gardens, showcasing their wealth. Additionally, the language of flowers was a common practice during this era, with specific meanings assigned to different types and colours of roses. See more about this below.
My roses
I absolutely adore roses. I have a few growing, and I am hoping to create a small Victorian rose garden soon. My favourite rose is a David Austin one called Munstead Wood. The scent is of old English roses; it’s beautiful.
I often use the petals to make rose water or dry the petals to make potpourri. I always add dried petals to any spell bags I make.
Rose petals can be used for drinks such as tea and homemade soft drinks. Add rose petals to decorate cakes. Make sure you use the edible kind!
Homemade Rose Water
Things you will need: distilled water, a saucepan, a strainer, and a sealed container (jar or spray bottle).
I always collect freshly fallen rose petals and others that are loose. Or you could buy-ready-dried rose petals here.
Give them a quick wash to remove any dirt.
- Add all the petals to your saucepan and cover them with enough water to cover them. You will not need more than that.
- On a medium-low heat, bring the water to simmer and cover with a lid.
- Simmer for 20–30 minutes or until the petals have lost their colour.
- Strain the water into a jar and leave to cool.
- Once cooled, you can refrigerate. If your rose water is stored in an airtight container, it can last up to 6 months when refrigerated.
Potential benefits and uses for rose water
- Facial Toner
- Enhances mood
- Relieves headaches
- Soothes skin irritation
- Hair rinse
- Add to teas.
Roses in witchcraft.
Of course, roses are traditionally seen to symbolise love and romance, so yes, they are great for any love magic. However, they have so many more uses than that!
Rose colours and their uses for spells and rituals.
- Red: romance, love, passion and divination.
- passion, love, romance, divination
- Pink: gratitude, friendship, self-love, happiness, and compassion
- White: peace, clarity, purity, innocence, silence, sympathy
- Yellow: happiness, friendship, joy,
- Orange: energy, desire
- Purple: enchantment and mystery.
A few ideas.
- Place some petals in a muslin bag under your pillow for dreamwork, or make a dream pillow by sewing petals into a pillow.
- Grind down dried rose petals, mix them with other herbs, and burn on a charcoal disc. Great for any kind of ritual or divination work.
- Add to spell jars.
- Add petals to your lavender sleep spray (see here)
- Mix petals with your essential oils.
For dried Rose petals, try these:
Nature Spirits: Wyrd Lore and Wild Fey Magic by Danu Forest
For hedgeriding, I recommend Pagan Portals-Hedge Riding by Harmonia Saille. But do read her first book, Pagan Portals Hedge Witchcraft. Both books are beautifully written and easy to follow.
Craft of the hedge witch: A Guide to the Solitary by Geraldine Smythe
Hedge Witch: A Guide to Solitary Witchcraft By Rae Beth
The Hedge Witch’s Way: Magical Spirituality for the Lone Spellcaster By Rae Beth