Rose Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Garden Rose, Damask Rose, Rosa
The flower of love in every form, from romance to self-kindness.
- Intentions
- Love, Healing, Peace, Divination
- Element
- Water
- Planet
- Venus
- Day
- Friday
- Moon phase
- Waxing Crescent
- Chakra
- Heart
- Parts used
- Petals, buds, hips
How to use it
- Self-love bath
Float fresh, unsprayed rose petals in a warm bath. Soak while you name three things you appreciate about yourself, and let the scent soften any harsh inner voice.
- Love candle
Ring a pink candle with dried rosebuds on a Friday and focus on the kind of love you want to welcome, letting the flame carry that feeling outward.
- Rose hip charm
String dried rose hips on a thread and hang them in a window as a folk charm for lasting affection and good fortune at home.
Works well with
History and folklore
Roses have stood for love since ancient times. In Greek and Roman myth they belonged to Aphrodite and Venus, and Romans scattered petals at feasts and weddings. The phrase sub rosa, under the rose, comes from hanging a rose over a meeting to show that what was said there stayed secret. Folk tradition links red roses to passion, pink to tenderness and white to purity. In magick the rose remains the classic flower for opening and healing the heart.
The flower of love in every form, from romance to self-kindness.
- Intentions: Love, Healing, Peace, Divination
- Element: Water
- Planet: Venus
- Zodiac: Taurus, Libra
- Day: Friday
- Moon phase: Waxing Crescent
- Chakra: Heart
- Parts used: Petals, buds, hips
Safety: Roses are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list, but thorns can scratch people and pets. Florist roses are often heavily sprayed, so do not eat them or use them in baths unless they are labeled food-safe or grown without pesticides. Rose oil should never be swallowed, must be diluted for skin, and should be kept away from pets, cats especially.
How to use it
- Self-love bath. Float fresh, unsprayed rose petals in a warm bath. Soak while you name three things you appreciate about yourself, and let the scent soften any harsh inner voice.
- Love candle. Ring a pink candle with dried rosebuds on a Friday and focus on the kind of love you want to welcome, letting the flame carry that feeling outward.
- Rose hip charm. String dried rose hips on a thread and hang them in a window as a folk charm for lasting affection and good fortune at home.
Works well with: Pink Candle, Rose Quartz, Friday, Rose Otto, Beltane
Folklore
Roses have stood for love since ancient times. In Greek and Roman myth they belonged to Aphrodite and Venus, and Romans scattered petals at feasts and weddings. The phrase sub rosa, under the rose, comes from hanging a rose over a meeting to show that what was said there stayed secret. Folk tradition links red roses to passion, pink to tenderness and white to purity. In magick the rose remains the classic flower for opening and healing the heart.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.