Flower Power: The Rose

By Kirsten Antony R.N. ~

Long before humans took their first step on the earth, growing and flourishing next to currently extinct flora, fauna and animals, was the rose.  Fossilized evidence show that the rose is one of the oldest flowers to bloom on Earth, early as 35 million years ago.  The rose has endured many cataclysms and witnessed many cycles on this planet.  She stands tall and proud proving the diva she is.  Artists, musicians and poets have declared their love and devotion to the rose, naming her the “Queen of Flowers”.  Throughout the ages, stories abound of love and romance attached to the rose.  Cleopatra is said to have filled a room full of rose petals to entice Mark Antony into romance.  The Greek goddess, Aphrodite, is said to be responsible for turning white roses blood red from the scratch of the thorn.  The stories involving roses are endless and never lacking in drama.  This, quite possibly, because the rose symbolizes the greatest of human emotions, love.

I wonder who the first human was to stop and smell the roses? How long was it until the rose’s beauty was acknowledged and its medicinal properties were discovered?  Who was the first human to anoint the rose with the symbolism of love, romance, femininity, luxury and elegance?  As humans, we tend to think we are superior to other living things.  But, plants carry an intelligence in their ability to communicate with each other and retain and apply that knowledge.  It is possible that the rose always has held this consciousness of love, joy and beauty and somewhere along the line, humans caught onto her incredible energy of the highest frequency.  As we can’t live without love, is it possible to live without the rose?

The rose is sacred in many religious and spiritual traditions as a symbol of higher consciousness and enlightenment.  Associated with the divine feminine as well as divine love, the rose holds a close connection with Aphrodite, Venus, Isis, Lakshmi, Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary.  The rose is also known to be the flower holding the highest level of vibrational frequency.  The rose is often linked with miracles and connecting with angels.  In the Catholic tradition, the rosary, which is a string of beads to use in focus of prayer, means “crown of roses”.  When a rosary is voiced, it is said that heavenly red and white roses are placed on the head of Jesus and Mary.

Energetically, the rose is closely associated with the heart.   Through its physical beauty, aroma and medicinal properties, the rose is healing to the heart.  Use of rose oil has been shown to calm the nervous system which can have positive effects to breathing and blood pressure.  Other parts of the rose have medicinal properties as well.  The rose hips contain high amounts of vitamin C.  Rose petals have a cooling and soothing ability to reduce inflammation.  The aroma of roses can have anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects.  Rose water is wonderful for the skin and the fragrance is uplifting.  The medicinal properties of roses include:  astringent, analgesic, nervine, aphrodisiac, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

The petals and hips of the rose can both be used as a food source.  When using roses for consumption, please look for wild roses that are organically grown and have not been subject to pesticides.  Roses to consume should be aromatic as well.  The hips and petals make a wonderful tea.

In the language of flowers, all the varieties of colors of roses have come to symbolize different emotions and sentiments.  

• Red symbolizes love and passion.  
• Pink symbolizes admiration, gratitude and peace.  
• Yellow symbolizes friendship, appreciation and happiness.  
• Orange symbolizes energy and enthusiasm.
• White symbolizes purity and spiritual love.  
• Lavender symbolizes wonder and love at first sight.  

Roses have been cultivated for the past 5,000 years and currently there are approximately 30,000 varieties and 150 species of wild roses.  Of the cultivated roses, many are named after famous people.  Dolly Parton, Michelangelo, Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis are a few famous rose folks you could add to your garden.  There are companies that are open to negotiation if you would like a type of rose named after you.  You may have to pay a hefty price, but what an honor that would be!

A Rose Mediation

• Sit comfortably in a quiet area.  Close your eyes and visualize a rose of your favorite color and fragrance.  Breathe in the aroma deep into your lungs and feel the color of the rose fill your body with light.  Relax into the color and frequency of the rose.
• Place the image of the rose in your heart center and envision the rose blooming.  As it blooms, the energy of love grows larger and larger until it radiates its petals outside of your body.  Feel the essence of the rose to bring healing to any part of your body that needs attention.  That could be a physical aspect, mental, emotional or spiritual.
• Feel warm sunlight nourishing you from above as you become just like the rose.  You become love, joy and beauty and take that energy with you always.  You always have access to the power of the rose and its magnificent power.

This content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician and/or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition.

Kirsten Antony

Kirsten Antony is a Registered Nurse and Holistic Health Care Practitioner.  She offers in-home services of foot care, reflexology, sound healing and healing touch to those in the Denver Metro Area. For more information please visit: www.kirstenantony.net or www.facebook.com/soultosoleholistichealthcare or call 303-668-8992.