Rose: A Musing + Monograph
Sacred Polarity
When I see her, I gasp at her presence. I'm left breathless by her beauty. The way her layers unfold, and yet also hold. There is a mystery in her… as each petal opens, more of her is revealed, and still, something remains hidden. Her unfolding feels infinite. Her petals are soft, delicate, almost translucent in their vulnerability, yet undeniably potent. They carry scent like memory, something ancient, enchanting, and alive. Instantly calming, like an exhale after holding too much for too long, and yet, it’s also invigorating, stirring something deep in the soul. She smells like magic, like something holy and just out of reach.
Beneath all this softness, she has thorns. Modes of protection, boundaries to her beauty, pointing to the significance of discernment and strength. Rose teaches that softness and protection are not opposites – they are partners. She is an embodiment of sacred polarity.
Beloved Around the World
Scientific Names: Rosa damascena, Rosa gallica, Rosa rugosa (among many species)
Common Names: Rose, Damask Rose, Red Rose, Rugosa Rose
Roses are woody shrubs known for their layered, fragrant blossoms and iconic thorns. Their petals range from soft pinks to deep reds, and their hips (those bright fruits rich in Vitamin C) appear after the blooms fade. Roses thrive in temperate climates worldwide, flourishing in gardens, wild hedgerows, and mountain slopes.
For centuries, Rose has been cherished across cultures as a symbol of love, beauty, and sacred femininity. In Persian and Middle Eastern traditions, rosewater is used for healing and spiritual cleansing. European herbalists prized Rose petals for their soothing and astringent properties, while in Ayurvedic medicine, Rose brings balance to the heart and cools excess heat. Around the world, mythologies celebrate Rose as a divine messenger – an emblem of passion and protection.
Medicine of the Heart
Rose is both fierce and gentle. Her gifts are many:
Nervine: Rose soothes the nervous system. She offers emotional regulation during heartbreak, grief, or anxiety – gently coaxing us out of fight-or-flight and back into the body. Rose tea is my go-to for calming nerves.
Astringent & Anti-inflammatory: Her petals tone tissues, reduce redness, and support wound healing. This makes her a beloved ally in skin care, eye rinses, and digestive remedies. I love a Rose hydrosol for the face.
Cooling & Moistening: Rose addresses "hot" conditions – physical or emotional. She’s helpful for inflammation, heat rashes, or hot-tempered moods. She brings moisture to dry tissues – from the lungs to the womb. Rose yoni steam, anyone?
Antioxidant-rich: Especially her hips, which are rich in vitamin C, supporting the immune system, collagen production, and cellular repair. Rose-hip infused honey = immune system super support.
Energetically, she works on the heart – opening it while protecting it, teaching us how to stay open without losing ourselves, how to lead with softness without becoming leaky. Her thorns remind us that beauty and boundaries coexist.
Spiritually, rose connects us to the divine feminine. She encourages sensuality, presence, and reverence – the sacredness of the body and the power of love. She soothes the tender heart and helps regulate the flow of emotional energy, gently grounding us in the wisdom of the heart space.
Often associated with the heart chakra, rose invites us into deeper compassion, self-worth, and forgiveness, both for ourselves and others.
Rose as Muse
In April 2024, I returned from a week in the Costa Rican jungle, where I had immersed myself in a Lifestyle Herbalism + Medicine Making Apprenticeship. Surrounded by wise, creative, embodied women, I experienced the power of sacred sisterhood for the first time as an adult. Being held in that space lit a fire in me – a knowing that I was meant to live with more intention, heart, and devotion to what truly lights me up.
Shortly after, I felt an undeniable pull to Rose.
Working with her essence and medicine became a deeply personal practice – one that symbolizes self-love, soft strength, and divine feminine embodiment. Rose taught me how to open my heart without losing my boundaries, how to lead with love, and how to honor the sacred in everyday life. She became the muse and foundation of this path I now walk, and the energy that continues to guide the work I offer.
What would it feel like to carry Rose’s essence with you today?
Let Rose be more than a symbol. Drink her, wear her, steam with her. Let her remind you of your softness and your strength.
If you feel called to journey deeper with Rose, reach out to explore Rose Dieta retreat offerings.